Page 69 of Madness

“Never mind. Just being silly.” I waved my hand in the air, but I saw as he released a relieved breath. We spent the rest of the drive making casual conversation. Soon the slightly crumbling brick of my building came into view.

“Thanks, Henry.” I called. “I hope I see you again.”

“Let me walk you to the door, Miss Kincaid.” He quickly exited the car and came around to my side.

“What did I say about calling me Miss? It’s Kincaid. Just Kincaid.” I smiled up at him. I hoped he stayed around because I could get used to having someone a little nicer driving me when Maddox couldn’t. “And you don’t need to walk me. I know the way.”

“Mr. Vancini told me to make sure you’re safe, and I won’t feel like I’ve done that unless I see your door closing behind you.” I rolled my eyes. “You wouldn’t want him to kill me because you tripped on the stairs and scratched yourself.”

I wanted to think he was joking, but with Maddox, I was never sure what he would do. “Fine. I don’t know what you’re both so worried about? This neighborhood isn’t that bad.”

But I should’ve known better. Should’ve known life had never let me have an ounce of happiness, and now wouldn’t be any different.

As the words left my mouth, a loud pop sounded beside me. I screamed and covered my ears as the glass on the back car door shattered.

Gunshot.

It registered in my mind the same time Henry shoved me back into the car. My knees hit the seat roughly, sending a jarring pain through my body. Glass covered the leather, cutting into my legs and hands. I tried to sit up and turn towards him as more gunshots rang out. I heard the pinging of metal as they hit the car.

“Stay.” Henry said before he slammed the door.

My heart jumped into my throat as I struggled to breathe. I knew the neighborhood I lived in wasn’t the greatest, but this had never happened before. I’d spent my whole life living in less-than-ideal conditions, but I’d never been shot at. It wasn’t unusual to hear gunfire on this side of town, but I’d never been this close before.

The screech of brakes cut through the air. I lifted my head up to see better as an SUV stopped beside us. For a second, I hoped it was someone who was here to help. Two men dressed in black long sleeves and cargo pants jumped from the car, guns in hand. These were no cops or anyone else meant to protect. I’d spent enough time around killers to recognize one when I saw him.

That’s when I knew. This wasn’t random. It wasn’t an accident. They were here for me.

Terror expanded in my chest as I scurried back across the seats trying to put space between myself and them. Trying to get away. To run. I felt my heart pulsing through my body as my feet hit the door. Blood made my hands slick, and they slipped on the wet leather as I fumbled to get out of the car.

I yelped in surprise as one of the men ripped open the door in front of me. More gunshots drowned out my scream of pain as he pulled me out by my hair. The burn in my scalp mixed with the agony in my body as I fell to the harsh concrete on my knees, the skin scraping and bleeding.

“Get in the car, or we’ll kill your friend.” He said as he yanked my shoulder from the ground.

My body broke out in a cold sweat as I tried to look back at Henry. Gunshots were still ringing all around us. The sounds of sirens started off in the distance. When suddenly, it stopped. I wrenched my arm from his hold and spun around. Henry was lying on the ground in a pool of blood.

“No!” A guttural scream left my lips.

I’d just met him, but I didn’t want him to die. He was so young and sweet. Too good to die bleeding on the street. Before I could take a step toward him, I was pulled off my feet and thrown roughly into the back of the SUV. The scary guys with guns got in, and the car sped down the street.

My body was paralyzed with fear. I couldn’t make my mind speak to my limbs. They were locked at my sides. I hadn’t even fought back. I’d had no time. It was so quick. One minute I’d been joking with Henry; the next, I had a gun pointed at me.

I tried to think. Tried to make myself act. My body ached, and blood dripped from my cuts. I knew it would only get worse. I needed to get out.

“Time to sleep.” I turned to look at the guy who’d spoken, but all I saw was a needle as it plunged into my neck.

My last thought before the world went black was of Maddox. There was only one reason I was in the back of this car. One person responsible. The same one who could save me.

37

Maddox

Iwas seriously contemplating shooting my father. The longer he droned on, the more I pictured how a bullet hole would look between his eyes. I preferred a knife, but a bullet was quicker. I glanced at my watch again.

We were seated around the dining room table at his home. He rarely did business anywhere else. There was always someone trying to assassinate him because of his position. I sat to his left and Leif to his right; Constantine and Dante were also present. Along with a guard for each of us. I had Bash out on a job looking for someone we could torture for information on the Gallos, so Tristan stood leaning against the wall behind me.

“Another shipment has gone missing this week.” Dante said, an edge of anger in his voice. “My buyers aren’t going to accept another late delivery. If this continues, they’ll go to the Perez Cartel for their guns.”

“Double security for the shipments.” My father ground his cigar into the ashtray. “I want you overseeing each one. If another goes missing, I’ll hold you personally responsible.”

---