Page 144 of Say I Do

Heat consumed me. “You’re not going to touch what’s mine. No one is. Never again.”

“You can’t protect him when you’re dead.”

“I don’t plan on dying.”

Qiang's finger wrapped around the trigger. My heart leaped into my throat and stayed there, strangling me as I saw the future all too clearly. I could feel the bullet as it ripped through me, smell the blood, feel the heat and then coolness. It wouldn’t be my first time being shot, but this one might kill me.

“Don’t fucking touch my husband!”

Harlow ran past me, a blur in my vision as he tackled Qiang to the ground. They went down in a flurry of limbs. Harlow’s fist plowed into the man’s face, opening up the nose I’d already damaged. Blood covered Harlow’s fist. Qiang reached for his gun. I kicked it away.

“Kill him,” I told Harlow.

“Oh, I plan to.”

His hands wrapped around Qiang’s throat. The man raised his fist. I stepped on his wrist, pinning it to the ground.

“I told you I’d help him do it,” I said.

"Benito!”

I turned in time to see Giancarlo fighting with someone. Andre fucking Aceto. Giancarlo swung his hammer, that I had no idea how he even got into the church in the first place, but he missed as Andre shoved him back. I looked between Giancarlo and Harlow. Until Andre reached for his gun.

"Shit!”

I raced for my brother. As soon as I reached Aceto, I slammed him to the ground. Andre’s fist rammed into my face. I took the blow and slammed my forehead against his. Andre’s eyes rolled up. His movements slowed as he fell back, confused and probably dizzy as hell.

“You good?” I asked Giancarlo.

“Yeah,” he panted. “Fucker got me good, that’s all. Thought I was going down.” He frowned. “All I could think about was Ash being alone. Sorry I called you. I panicked.”

I slapped a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t ever hesitate to call me. You’re my little brother. I’m supposed to protect you.”

Giancarlo grinned. “Hey, we have a fight to finish. Don’t go getting all sappy on me now.”

I laughed as I pulled away from him. For once, Giancarlo was right. We had a hell of a lot to do. Still, I was glad he was okay. I didn’t want Ash to be left alone, either. And yeah, I would miss the hell out of my pain in the ass brother.

“They’re running,” Gin pointed out.

I glanced up and stared at the damage that had been done. “Assholes.”

“What do you want to do with him?” Enzo asked as he joined us. He pointed to Andre. “He’s out now, but it won’t be long before he’s up again.”

“Somehow, we need to take him with us.” I was only half focused on them as I sought out Harlow. “Where’s Har—”

“Right here,” he grunted as he walked over and leaned against me. “Shit.”

I jumped as I stared at him. “What the fuck? What happened?” I asked as I saw the blood that formed on his dress.

Harlow hissed. “Bastard had another knife stashed on him.”

“Shit.” I grabbed his face. “Are you okay?”

Harlow waved a hand. “Trust me, I’ve had worse,” he said before his face clouded. “I’m just pissed the fuck off he got away.”

“I should have stayed with you.”

“No.” He shook his head. “You had to take care of your brother. You being a decent guy isn’t something I ever thought I’d see.” Harlow laughed. “Kinda hot.” Harlow glanced around. “I really fucked up, huh? This is my fault.”

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