Page 62 of Dove

I pressed the sheets into my chest as I moved to sit next to him. By the way, his eyes flicked to me; I knew it was Entice.

“Take everyone.” He ordered as he stood and stalked to the closet. “I’m on my way.”

“What happened?” I asked as I followed behind. Goosebumps broke out along my bare legs just below where Maddox’s shirt hit me mid-thigh. I could hear the sounds of doors opening and cars pulling away as everyone headed to the club at his order.

A feeling of unease snaked under my skin. I knew Maddox wouldn’t leave me unprotected. There would still be perimeter guards, and Henry was probably around as well.

“Someone set Entice on fire. Threw a Molotov cocktail through the windows.” He pulled on a pair of pants before moving to open the panic room.

I grasped my throat as I realized it was probably packed at this time on a Saturday night. Jesus, how many innocent people would be hurt in this stupid mafia war? “Tessa?”

Panic clawed at my chest as I gripped his arm. Maddox looked at me with no emotion in his expression. I knew he didn’t care about her. Not that he disliked her, but caring about anyone wasn’t in his nature. To think about others, their feelings, their safety. But something in my face must have spoken to him.

Without another word, Maddox brought the phone to his ear again. “Bash, are you on your way to the club? Tessa—.”

I could hear Sebastian’s deep voice through the line, but I couldn’t make out the words. I felt like my own heart was beating in my ears as I waited to hear about my best friend. The only person I’d had for so long. Maddox cupped my face, stroking my cheek as if he could sense my anxiety. “Okay. I’ll be there soon.”

He tossed the phone onto the counter next to the security monitors before grasping both my cheeks in his hands. I leaned my face into his warmth. His protection. “Bash was already there. He’s got her.”

“Thank god.” I let out a shaky breath.

I knew Sebastian wouldn’t let anything happen to her. Whether either of them was willing to admit there was something between them. The same undeniable connection I had with Maddox. I wasn’t sure if they’d ever act on it. Not that I blamed them.

Our lives hadn’t allowed us to be open to love. They hadn’t allowed us the weakness of it. I knew how hard it was for me to admit my feelings. To let myself become who I always was so I could be with Maddox. Maybe tonight would bring them together. But something in the air told me tonight didn’t have a happy ending.

I let out another relieved breath as I rested my forehead on his chest. “I don’t like it.”

“What, my little dove?” He pressed a kiss to the top of my head before tilting it back to look into my eyes.

“Why do you seem to be the only target?” I asked. “They bombedyourcar. Set fire toyourclub. Kidnappedyourgirlfriend. If there is a war against the whole family, then why are we the only ones feeling the effects?”

His brows furrowed in confusion like he’d never thought about it. “They’ve been taking shipments too.”

“But that’s easy. A lot of the families have shipments coming into the docks. It would be simple to steal a few.” I stared into his eyes, trying to push down the churning in my gut. This wasn’t the first time he’d left our bed, and it wouldn’t be the last. I knew that. I knew what kind of life I was signing up for. But… tonight felt wrong. “I think it’s a trap. I don’t think you should go. Sebastian can handle it.”

He looked at me with longing in his eyes. As ruthless as he was, he didn’t like upsetting me. It was a strange turnaround from the man he’d been when I met him. I soothed the darkness in him. “I have to go. But I’ll leave Henry and a few guards here to watch out for you.”

“I’m not worried about me.” I said honestly. His house was a fortress. I’d be fine. I was worried they were trying to lure him out. When defenses were down, and resources strained.

“If you think anything will stop me from coming back to you. You’re wrong.” He kissed my forehead again. “I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay.” I glanced at the monitors as he moved around the small space grabbing the weapons he wanted for the night. Seeing guns and knives in his hands was another everyday reality. I barely saw them for the deadly weapons they were. They were just a part of him. Of this life.

As I watched the rest of the guards leave on the security footage, I couldn’t help the agitation gripping my throat. Something was coming. I could feel it. Like the winds shifting. Maybe it was the knowledge my friend could’ve been hurt. Or the memory of Maddox coming home covered in blood.

I tried to push it away. Tried to pretend it was only anxiety from being woken up so abruptly, but then I saw him. I watched Tristan on the screens as he stalked behind one of the guards watching at the front door, looking for any enemy outside where they should’ve been. Unaware of the danger behind him.

A choking sound caught in my throat as Tristan raised his gun and shot him in the back of the head without giving the man time to pull a weapon. The gunshots were a faint echo to my ears as far away as they were.

“Cazzo.”Maddox swore from behind me as the guard’s body crumbled to the ground on the screen. “Traditore.”

My heart skipped a beat as I watched Tristan climb the stairs. He’d done this. He’d lured most of the guards out of the house to get Maddox alone. He’d been the one trying to kill him. Me.

I spun my hands, clinging to Maddox’s still-bare chest. “We have to go.”

We didn’t have time to call anyone back, but if we could get outside, we might have a chance. Get to the woods and hide until we could call someone we trust. Sebastian or Leif. We couldn’t trust anyone else.

I felt like a clock was ticking down with each breath I took. With each step that brought Tristan closer to us. The time to run was closing. I opened my mouth to tell him again we needed to leave, but his mouth came crashing down on mine.

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