Page 11 of Savage Hearts

I pulled down the compartment door.

“When did you start carrying a gun?”

“After getting kidnapped and almost dying… it’s one of many things I’ve learned to handle. Hand it to me.”

“I’m scared.” I passed the Glock to him, stealing a glance over my shoulder at the truck barreling down on us. “Who are they?”

Michael shot me a look that made me shudder. “You know who it is, Cee. I told you Costa isn’t going to stop until he gets his revenge. Not only did we kill his brother, we thwarted his plan when we got you back. He’s pissed and is out for blood.”

“This is insane. Oh!” I cried out when they pushed into the bumper again. “It’s broad daylight! Where the hell are the cops?”

Michael smirked. “We don’t need them. Vin’s here.”

Just as the familiar black Ducati blew past my door, the Tahoe behind us clipped our backside. Two things happened at once.

The Denali took a 90-degree forced turn as they hit us. Michael jerked the wheel, spinning the driver side toward them. The moron who hit us slammed into Michael’s side, pushing the car down the street and into a parked car. Glass shattered, and the airbags deployed. My arms instinctively went around my stomach to protect my unborn daughter as my screams filled the inside.

“Cee… Michael!” Antonio’s scream penetrated the ringing in my ears. I blinked open my eyes, searching out Michael.

“Michael.” I took a deep breath, my chest screaming in pain as I unbuckled my seatbelt and reached for my brother-in-law. Pressing my hand to his throat, I let out a sob when I felt his pulse. “Antonio, he’s unconscious. Michael… please wake up.” I scanned the wreckage, not seeing Vincenzo or the occupants of the car. “Oh, my God. Antonio, where’s Vin. Vincenzo! I don’t see him. Please…” I cried, panic consuming me as I officially lost my shit.

My door was ripped open, and arms wrapped around my body, yanking me from my seat.

“No!” I lashed out, clocking the person in the head.

“Cee… it’s me. Fuck.” Massimo’s voice hit me, and I sagged against him.

“Massimo… Vin… I can’t see him. Please… Michael needs you.”

“Vin’s okay, baby girl. He and Drew took care of the two in the SUV that hit you. Come on. I need to get you in my car, so I can grab Michael.”

Massimo scooped me up and carried me to his SUV parked on the curb. Alex was waiting at the door and climbed into the back seat after he opened the door. He reached across the seat and tugged me into his arms, cradling me against him as Massimo rushed back to the wreck.

“Are you hurt?” Alex’s hands probed my body, checking for injuries. “Celestina, do you need a doctor?”

“I don’t think so.” I sobbed against him. “Why is this happening?”

Massimo helped Michael, who was conscious and bracing his arm across his chest, to the car. He climbed into the front seat and leaned his head back.

“You good, Cee?”

“You could have died.” I hiccupped. “I just want this to stop.”

Massimo climbed into the car and sighed. “Drew and Vin are going to deal with the cops.”

“I don’t need a doctor. I’m fine.”

Massimo turned toward me and leveled me with a look that made me shiver.

“You will be checked out… Michael, too. Don’t fucking argue with me, Cee. That mother fucker tried to get you again. I’m done fucking around with Costa. He wants a war… well, he just got one.”

four

CELESTINA

Antonio was waitingwhen we pulled up to his house. Michael insisted we go back to their place and not the hospital since it was well off the road and was more protected than Fort Knox. Kevin Luchasi, who Massimo put on retainer as the family’s private physician, had agreed to meet us there.

Massimo had helped Kevin with some personal issues not long after we’d found Michael. Whatever it was, had been serious enough for Kevin to swear allegiance to the family on his own. He claimed my brother saved his life and that he would be in his debt until death. He’d been with us ever since. Massimo said it was long overdue and that we needed someone who could come to us when needed. The door to the passenger side was ripped open, and Antonio lifted Michael out.

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