Page 13 of Brutal Don

Any far-flung location would do, but then she would need to start over in a place where she didn’t know anyone. Besides, she would never be completely safe. Would Dante and Ted both look for her? Dante paid a million dollars for her, after all, and Ted had deep pockets too, besides the fact that his uncle was the Don of a prominent crime family.

“The boss is a lucky man,” Jack said as the cashier scanned her items.

He eyed her cart. Cara had gotten plenty of fresh seafood, because she planned on making seafood Alfredo for dinner. She would be using her dad’s recipe. Thinking of her dad suddenly made her remember a childhood memory of him cooking dinner for both of them, even though he had a long day at work.

If her father could see her now, what would he think? Would he be disappointed or would he want her to continue fighting for survival? Cara had thought her father was the strongest man in the world, but cancer eventually defeated him.

“Doesn’t your wife cook for you?” Cara asked, remembering Jack made a comment.

“She does, but mostly it’s mac and cheese and nuggets. Food our kid likes,” Jack said with a grimace.

Talking with Jack about mundane things was a welcome distraction. On the other hand, she didn’t want to know Jack any better either. The more they conversed, the more human Jack seemed to her. Jack worked for Dante to feed his family and pay the rent. He wasn’t evil.

Once her items were packed, Cara grabbed some and Jack took the remaining bags. They exited the store. Jack seemed relaxed around her as he told her more about his daughter.

Cara’s ears caught the squeal of wheels on asphalt. She paid no mind to the sound.

Cara still mulled over what could happen tonight. Once Dante woke up after she doused his meal or drink with sleeping pills, what would his reaction to her betrayal be like? Surely, he would be mad as a bull. He’d come after her, and Cara would finally see his bad side. Was it truly a risk worth taking? They could also just have a nice dinner, but then Cara might not have the courage to attempt this again. Jack took out the keys to the car.

“Let’s put these groceries in the trunk,” Jack said. She nodded.

Neither Jack nor Cara noticed the unmarked white van skidding to a stop behind them or the masked man completely dressed in black who got out until it was too late.

Chapter Seven

“Cara!” Jack yelled, dropping his bag of groceries.

Cara froze when Jack pulled out his revolver from inside his jacket. For a moment, fear and confusion seized her. She wondered if Dante had told Jack to end her, but that wouldn’t make sense. Dante invested too much money and time on her.

Then she felt someone’s warm breath on the back of her neck and a gloved hand covering her mouth. Cara’s bags fell to the ground. They were being attacked! Could it be someone working for the Gambinos?

Someone from inside the store or one of the passersby must have witnessed this. She hoped they’d call the police. But even if someone contacted the police, they would never arrive in time. Cara needed to react. Without thinking, she bit into the gloved hand covering her mouth. She tasted fake leather, plastic, and finally skin as her teeth tore through fabric. Momentary triumph filled her.

Her attacker hissed, then Cara felt cold metal digging into the side her head. A gun. All the fight went out of her body. Cara wasn’t ready to leave this world yet. She told her daddy on his death bed she’d be all right on her own, and Dante … there were so many unsaid things between them. A promise of something more.

With death so close, Cara could finally admit she was attracted to Dante. It was a twisted sort of lust but what did it matter now?

“That’s a good bitch. Behave. You there, stow that gun away,” her attacker yelled at Jack. The foul man moved his injured hand from her mouth and wrapped it around her waist. He pulled Cara close to him in a repulsive embrace.

She met Jack’s narrowed eyes.Don’t do it, Cara mouthed. Jack didn’t listen. He stopped pointing the gun at Cara’s attacker. Cara thought of Jack’s wife and daughter, waiting for him. What if he never made it home?

“Now, set the gun on the floor and kick it toward me,” her attacker said.

Jack scowled and began to slowly lower his gun. She could feel the body of her attacker trembling—no,shaking—with excitement. This monster would never leave Jack alive. Cara was certain of it.

“Stupid move, man,” her attacker said. He then moved the gun from Cara’s head and pointed it at Jack. Cara drove her elbow as hard as she could at the attacker’s groin. The arm around her body loosened.

“Cara, drop to the ground!” Jack yelled.

Cara did as he asked. Jack snatched his gun from the ground as Cara dove for the dirty sidewalk. The skin on her chin split. Cara ignored the pain and looked behind her. She cursed herself for doing so.

In a game of speed, Jack won. He shot Cara’s attacker three times in the chest. Cara let out a scream as blood spurted from the attacker’s chest. Then the dead man fell right on top of her.

Cara yelped as his weight added to hers. His blood seeped into her clothes, her skin.Stop screaming!she silently yelled at herself. Mercifully, her body obeyed.

Several moments later, Jack pulled the corpse away from her. Cara curled into a ball while Jack searched the body. Cara didn’t know what he was looking for. When Jack pulled off the attacker’s hat, Cara gasped.

Her attacker was young, around her age, and had pasty-white skin. Needle marks riddled the side of his neck. Jack tilted his head to one side, then rose to his feet.

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