Page 65 of Cassio (Belles & Mobsters 3)

“You alright?” John’s eyes bore into me, studying me. He was in his forties, worked with my dad, and I trusted him. When Dad died, I was grateful he stayed along to guide me through it. I wouldn’t have made it without him. Though he worried too much about me.

“Just peachy,” I muttered, rubbing my temples. My headaches were getting worse by the day. I hated seeing Dr. Taylor. Each time I had my session, I came out of it feeling physically better but mentally, it felt like the black hole in my brain just became bigger. Talk about a fucked up mental state.

I wonder if Hunter will run when he figures out all my baggage, I thought wryly to myself. I hoped he wouldn’t, but I couldn’t say that I would blame him if he did.

“Landing in five minutes.” The captain’s voice echoed through the cabin. Damn it, I felt exhausted. The last month has been non-stop hunting, along with some large projects going on at my day job. I was thrilled when the newest assignment to build a housing shelter for victims of human trafficking was assigned to me. Though if I was being honest with myself, I was juggling too many things.

“You know, you could sit this one out,” John suggested, buckling his seatbelt for landing. This might be a private plane but John was as straight-laced as they came. Had to be his military upbringing.

“No, thank you,” I told him, grabbing my phone. I turned it back on to check for any messages. Margaret was sick, throwing your guts up kind of sick, so she couldn’t join us. Again, it left me all alone with the men - John, Edward, William, Harry, and Pilot. He refused to give his name so we all just called him Pilot.

I liked it better when Margaret was with me. It made the men split the fuss. When it was just me, they acted like my human shields. I mean, I appreciated it and all, but they just went overboard.

No message from Margaret.Odd,I thought silently. She must be seriously sick. I shot her a quick message telling her we missed her and wished her a fast recovery, then scrolled down. My lips curved into a smile.

Hunter!

*After your business trip to Turkey, I’m taking you to my favorite restaurant. We’ll set some ground rules.*

It has been weeks since I’ve seen him. I missed him, his touch, his smile, his scent.Everything. It was the craziest feeling, and I loved it because it made me feel somewhat normal. For the first time in my adult life, I felt like I had some kind of relationship.

*I’m counting on it.”I typed back, then pressed the send button.

Just as I turned off the phone and shoved it into my bag, it dawned on me.

Inever told him I was going to Turkey.

ChapterTwenty-Two

CASSIO

In a crouched position, Luca next to me, I watched the woman I was going to marry in less than a week run towards the young girl while bullets showered the entire area. The men on her team shouted at her, screaming for her to get back, but she paid them no attention. Her entire focus was on the girl that fell to the ground as men came after her while others shot at her team.

I stood up, ready to run and kill all the men that were shooting in Áine’s direction. Luca almost tackled me down and the rage in my veins burned.

“We’ll blow our cover,” he hissed the warning. I didn’t care about our cover right now. I didn’t save Áine eleven years ago to watch her die today. I shoved him away, my eyes immediately searching for the familiar form. If we started running towards her now, we’d make her an even bigger target.

When my local guys lost Áine, I was furious. But I knew Marco was smuggling another shipment of women through Turkey, and I suspected I might find her here. I almost hoped she wasn’t.

Of course, Marco was too good to leave his safety net and handle the dirty work himself. Instead, he was hiding and handling business through video transactions, examining women like cattle virtually.

“Aim and shoot each one of the gunmen,” I ordered Luca. “Do not miss,” I hissed. Luca had a good aim, however the scales changed when it came to the safety ofmywoman. “Once they are at a safe distance, we’ll blow up the place.”

Luca and I were here for the same reason as Áine. It would seem we had a common cause, and I knew our marriage would be good. She’d be my strength and I’d be hers. She was a worthy fighter and my chest swelled with pride.

“Two on her right,” I muttered to my brother. I shot the ones on the left that dared to raise their weapon at my woman. Nobody was allowed to touch or hurt the ones I loved. And this woman… she was mine, under my protection. She had been from the moment I saved her from that hellhole eleven years ago.

Áine ran from the compound that was used as the transfer point to get women to their final destination. She kept a young girl next to her, holding her hand to ensure she wouldn't fall behind. They both wore bullet proof vests, but that wouldn’t save them if they were shot in the head.

I steadied my arm, aimed, and shot.Another man down.Luca did the same.

The fear hit me as I watched men get closer and closer to Áine. She raised her hand, pointed her gun and shot. Damn, she was a good shot, handled the gun better than most men I’d seen. They both stopped suddenly. Áine’s hands wrapped around the girl who looked terrified, burying her head in Áine’s chest. The latter kept her cool. Good thing. Because in moments like this, losing her cool could cost her life.

I kept shooting at men that surrounded the walls of the compound. Luca and I were on higher ground. If we were down there, among Áine and her men, we’d be sitting ducks. Up here, we had a clear shot, and none of the men saw it coming.

We took them down, one by one. A bullet straight into their chest. Unfortunately for them, they didn’t wear bulletproof vests.

“We have to leave,” one of the men shouted. He was part of Áine’s team. “Get the girl and let’s go.”

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