Page 68 of His Broken Queen

He let go of my hair, and wrapped his hand around my throat. In that second, I scooted forward enough to grab the gun. When he squeezed my throat, I scratched at his arm with my free hand, all the while trying to get a better grasp on the weapon. Once I had it, I tossed my hand back, and hit him in the face with it. He lost his hold on my throat, giving me the opportunity to crawl away from him, and get into a seated position.

This time when he came for me, I shouted, “Stop!”

My hand trembled as I pointed the gun at him, but I would shoot him.

His eyes widened when he realized I had the upper hand.

“What are you going to do with that?” He wiped the blood from his head. “Give it to me.” He held out his hand. “You’re not going to shoot me. You don’t even know how to use it.”

“Do you want to bet on that?” I pushed myself off the floor, trying to steady my hand as I put my finger on the trigger. “Stay down.”

“Lu, this isn’t a game.” He held up his hand. “You’re trembling. Put the gun down.”

“You deserve to die after what you did to Stella.” The tears streamed down my face. “I won’t let you hurt anyone else. You’re never going to hurt me again.” A violent shudder coursed through me, and I wasn’t sure how much longer my legs would hold me up.

He tried to stand, but I stepped toward him. “Don’t move.” My rocky hand almost caused me to drop the gun. “I never wanted to be part of this world. I wanted to go away to school. Your family used me as a pawn in a twisted game. I didn’t want any of this,” I shouted. “But you forced me into this life. Now you’re going to suffer the consequences.”

“Lu, you don’t know what you’re saying.” He stretched out his arm. “You’re not going to shoot me. Think about Rocco and Sandro. You can’t shoot me. You don’t have it in you.”

“He’s right, Luciana.” Romero came up from behind me, and placed his hand on mine, steadying my hold on the gun. “You don’t have it in you to shoot him, but I sure as fuck do.”

“Romero.” I collapsed against his chest, never more relieved to see him. “He killed Stella. He shot her,” I sobbed. “It was him.”

“I know, baby.” He slowly took the gun from my hand, never taking the aim away from Vincent. “I’m here. It’s all right.”

“I’m sorry I… Jag.” I pointed toward the hall. “He shot Jag too.”

“Jag is okay.” He guided me to the doorway. “I need you to go with Gio now. He’s going to take you downstairs.”

“No, I don’t want to leave you with him,” I cried. “He killed Stella.”

“I’m going to be fine, butterfly.” He stared down at Vincent. “You let me handle this.”

“Fuck you,” Vincent said. “Just pull the trigger.”

“Lu.” Gio put his arm around me. “Let’s go downstairs.”

“Gio.” I rested my head on his shoulder. “I thought Stella’s daughter called me. I didn’t know it was…”

“We know, beauty.” He nodded at Romero before leading me into the hallway. “I got you.”

When we got to the bottom of the steps, Salvi applied pressure to Jag’s arm. Rocco and Joey stood in the doorway, as the other guards moved around the front of the property. The scene appeared calm and normal. Not all like the chaos one would expect for the scenario unfolding in front of us.

“Jag.” I dropped down beside him. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” He smiled. “Sorry I didn’t get to you in time.”

“It’s okay. You came for me.” I took his hand. “I’m sorry you got hurt. That was my fault.”

When the loud, unmistakable sound of the gun went off from upstairs, my gaze connected with Rocco’s. We knew what it meant. Gio put his hand on my shoulder, and gave it a gentle squeeze. No one said anything.

It was business as usual.

Chapter 20

Romero

“Fuck!” Vincent said in a weak voice after the bullet shot into his thigh.

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