Page 161 of Salvatore

“Layla’s idea might have merit,” Abri adds quietly. “If we can get her on a private plane?—”

“I saidno.”I slam my palms against the counter. “Just let me fucking think.” I shove my hands behind my head, knitting my fingers.

Fucking think, you son of a bitch.

I stare blindly out the window, forcing myself to imagine an end game that won’t get Ivy killed, yet I can’t fucking see it. Gabriel won’t ignore the insult of our actions. Lorenzo can’t stand unnecessary complications. It’s far too easy for them to order her death and too fucking hard for me to keep her alive.

Padded footsteps approach, their progression slow and shuffled until they stop right behind me.

“Sally,” Ivy whispers, placing a barely there hand on my back. “I’m not safe here.”

She isn’t safe anywhere.

I’m about to turn and tell her that when the pristine, serene backyard spread out before me becomes tainted with the movement of one of Lorenzo’s guards. He stalks from between the bushes toward the house, rifle double-fisted across his chest, face written with determination.

The gentle quiet fills with bird chatter, the chirps and trills escalating into squawks and screeches.

I scan the yard, along the manicured lawns, beyond the pristine pool. Two more men approach from the far side of the building, focused, purposeful.

“He’s here.” I shoot a warning glance to my brothers over my shoulder. “He’s called his men to the house.”

Hard glances are exchanged. Concerned ones come from the women.

“Give me my gun,” I demand of Matthew, backtracking Ivy slowly away from the glass. “I need my fucking gun.”

He retrieves it from his waistband and places it on the floor, sliding it across the tile to stop at my feet. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

I palm the weapon. Check the magazine. Hold it by my side at the ready.

“I don’t like this,” Ivy rasps under her breath, her panic-filled cadence stabbing through my chest.

I back her toward the rest of the group, my eyes remaining on the encroaching men as the shriek of birds increases. “I’ll keep you safe.”

“How?”

“However necessary.”

We reach the sofas and I turn to her, pulling her against me as I focus on my family. “Will you protect her?”

“Yes.” Remy palms his gun in one hand and helps Olivia from her knelt position on the floor with the other.

I divert my attention to Matthew. “What about you?”

He pauses, the dig of his eyebrows creating a deep furrow. “Stealing her from Gabriel was one thing. But you’re asking me to go against the only father figure I know for the enemy’s daughter.”

No, I’m asking him to go against the only father figure he knows forme.

“Shit,” Ivy whispers, gnawing on her bottom lip. “I should’ve run while I could.”

“Tell them,” Bishop grates, his gaze lasering into me. “You know what side he’ll be on once he’s got the full picture.”

I grind my teeth, not wanting that full fucking picture available for everyone’s viewing.

“Tell him what?” Abri asks.

Bishop’s eyes narrow. “Tell them.”

“Oh, God, don’t tell them,” Ivy mutters. “Liv will kill me before Lorenzo gets the chance.”

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