Page 35 of Deadly Intentions

Alex stepped forward and eased open the door. “Doing this the legal way took too long. I’m starting to question everything. But this…” he glanced back at the narrow hallway inside the building. “This is no question in my mind.” He stepped inside. “Let’s end this and get your girl home.” He looked at me with determination.

“Massimo, Vin.” I paused. “You need to be ready to see your sister. It’s bad, and she’s going to be devastated you two saw her like this. Try to keep it together.”

“Fuck.” Vin grunted as Massimo nodded at his words.

“Let’s go get our girl.”

twenty-one

CATARINA

Noise stirredme from the semi-conscious haze I was trapped under. Shouting and gunfire made me flinch against the plastic straps holding me in place, causing the ties to cut into my skin.

“Stop moving.”

The deep voice cut through the painful cloud covering my senses. My eyes were beyond swollen, eliminating the ability to see. I tried to lift my head, but that too was a feat I couldn’t master.

“Please. Let me cut you free.”

Hands touched my ankles as the pressure that held me still released. I tried to kick out, but I couldn’t muster the strength to do it with force. Fingers caressed my shoulder, making my gut coil with fear.

“Shhh.” Warm breath tickled my neck. “Catarina. I got you.”

A sob erupted from my lips as the realization hit me. They’d come for me—my family was here. My arms relaxed as I was freed, making them tingle as the blood rushed back to my extremities. Hands were on me, pulling me off the metal frame. My head lolled against a solid wall of muscle. The battle to stay awake was fleeing me. The last thing I heard before succumbing to the darkness once more made my heart stutter.

“Cuore Mio.”

twenty-two

DONNY

Her body was coveredin more bruises. The plastic had cut into her skin, leaving behind marred flesh. What was left of her top fell from her arms, leaving her completely naked in my arms as I hoisted her against me. I sat with her on the cement floor and shifted her against my chest. Her body shook against me, making me burn with even more rage. My eyes tracked the room, not surprised to see Massimo and Javier fighting. Nor was I surprised to see the crumpled body of Dr. Brooks at Vincenzo’s feet.

I stripped my shirt over my head and covered Catarina’s body as best I could. Until the room was completely secure, I wasn’t going to move. Shouting had me raising my head again. Javier had Massimo pinned beneath him and was reaching for the gun on the ground.

“Massimo,” I cried out, torn between the woman in my arms and my best friend.

But I didn’t have to decide. I watched in complete shock as Alex point his gun and pulled the trigger. Javier’s body dropped on top of Massimo, causing him to grunt. Alex dropped his gun, the sound of it clattering to the floor echoed through the room. He bent down and rolled Javier’s body to the cement.

Massimo sat up, wiping the blood and brain matter covering his face. “Fuck.” Massimo gagged as Alex pulled him to his feet.

“You alright?”

“Yes. I owe you.” Massimo glanced down at the body. “Catarina.” He turned his head toward us.

“Needs medical attention.” I grit through my teeth, barely hanging on to my sanity as I held his gaze. He didn’t need to ask why. It was obvious what she’d been through.

“Let me take her.” Vincenzo kneeled beside us.

“No. I’m not letting her go, Vin. Don’t ask me to.” I tightened my arms around her. “Help me up.”

Vincenzo helped me stand with Catarina in my arms. He ran his hand over her head and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Her hair was matted with blood and dirt, but that was the least of her problems.

“We need to cover this up.” Alex broke the tension in the room. “Help me drag the other two in here.”

“Call Antonio.” Vincenzo followed me outside. “We need the jet ASAP. She needs medical attention, and we can’t take her to the hospital here.”

I heard Vin telling Antonio what was happening, but my attention did not waver from the woman in my arms. Vin rushed in front of me and opened the door to the SUV.

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