Page 30 of Straightened Out

“Will fucking die if I don’t get out there and help him,” I grind out. “Now get under the damn table!”

That seems to get her ass in gear, and I watch her crawl on her hands and knees under the table. Once she’s completely out of sight, I charge into the hallway, my gun cocked and my finger on the trigger. Uncle Vic’s other guard follows closely and as soon as we hit the hallway we start shooting.

One bullet.

Two.

I shoot and shoot until my clip is empty, then I bend and pull another gun from the holster around my leg. The scent of gunpowder fills my nostrils and my eyes strain to focus against the cloud of smoke as I pull the trigger repeatedly. I don’t even know what the fuck I’m shooting at, but I don’t fucking stop until there is blood splattered on the walls and bodies lining every inch of the hallway.

When the gunfire finally starts to die, I hear a guttural scream rip from the back of Joaquin’s throat. My gut clenches and my first thought is that he’s been hit, but as the smoke begins to clear, I take in the carnage and find Joaquin on his knees, covered in blood, cradling Pilar’s body.

Before I can make any sense of how she got caught up in all of this or why she was even here in the first place, I hear Violet scream from the other room. I lower my gun and run back into the private room. Making my way to the table, I crouch down and lift the tablecloth. My eyes lock with hers and a sob slips past her lips as she quickly crawls toward me. Cupping her cheeks, I take in the tears that stream her face and the fear in her eyes. Bending my head, I press my lips to her forehead and gather her in my arms.

My lips touch her ear and I whisper, “It’s okay, it’s all over. I’ve got you, Bug.”

She pulls back and lifts her chin. Her lips tremble as she cries, “My brother…”

“He’s alive,” I say hoarsely. I have no idea if she even knows about Pilar, much less that her brother was in love with her, but she’s about to find out because any minute now this place is going to be full of cops and if I don’t get us out of here quickly, we’re all going to be fucked.

Drawing in a ragged breath, I brush the blonde hair away from Violet’s face and cradle her face in my hands.

“I need you to listen to me, Bug. We need to get out of here and we need to move quick.” I pause, taking in the horror-filled expression that fills her face and I bite back a curse, knowing the second she steps into that hallway and sees her brother holding Pilar, she’s going to be traumatized. That there will be no coming back from that. No fucking recovery.

I pull her to her feet and roughly comb my fingers through my hair, trying to decide what to do. The clock ticks and lives hang in the balance of my decision.

“I’m going to need you to close your eyes, can you do that for me? Just close your eyes and trust that I got you.”

She stares at me for a moment, her body trembling as she jerks her chin. I take her hand in mine and wait for her to close her eyes. To trust me. Once she does, I pull her close and lead her into the hallway. Turning her body into mine, I wrap my arms around her and press her head against my chest.

“Keep your eyes closed,” I murmur against her hair. My eyes stretch across the hallway, landing on Joaquin who remains in the same exact position as I left him.

The bodyguard turns to me, informing me he cut all the surveillance cameras but warns me that we need to get out of here, that the cops are on their way.

“Joaquin,” I call, my voice hoarse. “Brother, you have to let her go. We have to get out of here.” Violet moves in my arms, but I tighten my hold on her, shielding her from the sight in front of us.

Joaquin bends his head, pressing his lips to Pilar’s and I look away.

“They killed her, Rocco,” he rasps.

I bring my eyes back to him and swallow.

“I’m sorry, brother.”

“They fucking killed her,” he shouts, lifting his eyes to mine. “Look at her.”

“Joaquin…”

“Please, just look at her!” I tear my eyes away from him and glance at Pilar’s lifeless body.

Christ.

Her eyes are still fucking open.

Suddenly, Violet pulls out of my arms and turns around. I mutter a curse as she gasps.

“Who…” she sobs, unable to finish her sentence.

“Get her out of here!” Joaquin shouts, repositioning Pilar in his arms. I pull Violet behind me and step forward.

---