Page 54 of Cruelest Vow

Once inside, I quickly moved to the computers, bringing up every screen as well as the sound. Exhaling, I watched for a few seconds as she scurried through her apartment, grabbing items and tossing them into two suitcases.

Then she headed into the living room where her laptop had been placed on the coffee table, her hand shaking as she reached for her phone.

Something had spooked her. I shifted back to fifteen minutes before, finding her once again with her phone in her hand. When she played a message, ice ran through my veins.

Music. Not just any music. Someone had sent her an MP3 of Spanish guitar music, a song I knew by heart because it belonged to me.

What. The. Fuck?

I jerked back, ignoring the pounding in my head as I took several deep breaths. Where the hell had she gone and what did she think she could do on her own? My fingers flying, I returned to the second time she had the phone in her hand. Then I increased the volume.

“Enzo, you piece of shit. You’re not going to threaten me ever again. You were inside my apartment. You sent me music that you knew would hurt me. You’re trying to gaslight me. That’s not going to happen.” Her voice had a quaver, fear and anger combined.

“I suggest we talk, sister,” Enzo snarled.

“For what reason? You won’t tell me the truth.”

“You want truths? Then meet with me and I’ll enlighten you.”

She laughed, the sound tearing apart my heart. “I’ll give you five minutes.”

Her instructions were to meet her at a coffee shop several blocks away. While she’d forced him out in the open, she had no idea how much danger she was in. I shut down the system, immediately moving to the secured location holding weapons, cash, ammunition, and other items we’d need to survive, dumping everything into a duffle bag. I threw a magazine into my Glock, snapping it in place and shoving it behind my back into the waistband of my jeans.

Then I headed out, tossing the bag into my car then starting and gunning the engine. When I rolled out of the garage into traffic, horns blasted, tires squealing. Nothing would stop me from getting to her.

The streets were crowded, but I continued to press down on the accelerator, speeding and weaving around vehicles, jutting into oncoming traffic.

On edge, gripping the steering wheel with force, I powered my way down the streets, making the last turn and screeching to a halt at the intersection near the location she’d selected. As I jumped out, I threw my head over my shoulder, noticing Lucia had just left the coffee shop, scanning both sides of the street. Her brother wasn’t far behind, yanking her by the arm.

Using long strides, I made it to the sidewalk noticing movement in the other direction. There was no mistaking a carbon copy of the goons I’d just eliminated. As I yanked the Glock into both hands, the crowd of people instantly panicked, screams erupting from all sides. I pushed my way through them, Lucia tipping her head, her eyes opening wide when she noticed my approach.

A quick jerk of her arm and she was free, trying to find cover as I fired off three shots in a row, taking down two of the assailants.

Her brother reacted, not to try to save his sister’s life but his own, crouching and spinning, the loud popping sounds as he opened fire heard over the yelps and squeals of bystanders. Chaos erupted, people knocked down in their attempt to flee.

I was within a few feet of Lucia, ready to grab her when three more gunmen appeared, not hesitating to open fire.

Lucia screamed as I tackled her, taking her to the ground, my body covering hers. I threw my arm out, shooting and killing at least two more.

“Save my brother!” she yelled as she tried to scramble from under me.

“Stay here.” My bark was likely drowned out, my heart racing as I calculated the odds of getting us to safety. Enzo fired off several shots. Then two bullets slammed into his chest and he was pitched backward.

“No!” Lucia moaned, still fighting me.

“Goddamn it. Stay here.” I rushed forward, not hesitating to fire at will, gunning down the rest of the assholes. Then I dragged Enzo against the building, pressing my fingers against his neck as Lucia rushed to his side.

“We have to save him.” Her eyes pleaded with me.

“You’re in danger. You’re coming with me.”

“Like hell I am.”

“There’s nothing we can do for him.” I shook her hard, immediately yanking her into a standing position, keeping her in front of me as I rushed toward my car.

“No. No! I won’t do this.” Her struggles were useless. Seconds later, I dumped her into the passenger seat, leaning down and cocking my head.

“If you want to live, you will listen to me.”

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