Page 36 of Deadly Intentions

“Get in. As soon as they’re done, we’re heading to a small airstrip south of Reno. He took the liberty of having the jet start this way earlier, so it should be here soon, if it's not already.”

A loud explosion rocked the vehicle, making Vin stumble back. Both our heads swiveled toward the warehouse—rather, where it used to be. Flames roared through the trees as Massimo and Alex reached us.

“Let’s go.” Alex barked as he climbed into the driver’s seat. “We have about ten minutes before this place is swarming with the fire department.”

Vincenzo climbed in the back seat opposite of me and pressed his hand to his sister’s head. Massimo was turned in his seat, his eyes scanning her tattered frame. No one spoke as we headed out of the area and south onto the interstate.

“Is she breathing?” Massimo reached across the seat and touched her face.

“Yes. I can feel the rise and fall of her back. She’s just unconscious.”

“What happens now?” Javier might be dead, but the operation he ran meant people would be looking for him. Not to mention the dead doctor left behind would definitely raise questions.

“Nothing.” Alex spoke first. “We left them in a manner that pointed the guilt on Javier and Dr. Brooks.”

“What about the fact you used your service weapon on Javier? Won’t your department be able to trace the bullet back to you?”

“Sure. If I’d actually used my service weapon.” His eyes glanced in the rearview mirror. “Except I pulled a gun off the guard before we went in. I might have made some stupid decisions over the last twenty-four hours, but that wasn’t one of them.”

I smiled. Alex wasn’t as stupid as I thought. Maybe there was a little gangster inside him after all, even if he wasn't willing to admit that.

“Antonio said they made it to Vegas. Freddy took care of readying the jet and ensuring the pilot knew time was of the essence.” Vincenzo continued to rub Catarina’s head. “I can’t lose her.”

“We won’t,” Massimo growled. “She’s a fighter. Catarina will come back from this.”

The tears in his eyes broke me. I’d held it together for as long as I could, but seeing my best friend show emotion, he normally kept hidden cracked the walls I’d erected. My breath hitched, and a sob bubbled from my chest. Vin reached across and pressed his hand to my back. Drops fell from my eyes, splashing down onto Catarina’s still body. The liquid melded with the dirt and blood, streaking her tattered skin.

“I can’t lose her, Vin. She is my everything.Cuero Mio,” I whispered, letting the emotion burst free. I needed to rid it from my body now, because Catarina would need me to be strong for her.

“I know.” Vin patted me. “How far out are we?” He glanced at Alex.

“Thirty to forty minutes. What about the jet?”

Massimo texted something on his phone. “The pilot is already waiting.”

“Thank God.” I pressed a kiss to Catarina’s head.

The entire ride to the plane, she never moved. Her breathing was clear, but shallow. Part of me wondered if we should have taken her to the hospital, but we pulled into the airstrip, making that decision irrelevant.

Massimo was the first out. He snatched open the door and helped me climb out. Vin and Alex met us at the side of the SUV.

“Alex.” Massimo turned to him. “I want you to take the jet back with Donny. The sooner we get you out of Reno, the less likely your department will connect you to the fire. Vin and I will drive the car back to Vegas.”

“No. Leave the car here. We can all fly back. You need to be with your sister and a seven-hour drive will feel like an eternity. Just drive it over there and dump it in the water.” He pointed off toward the lake bordering the airstrip. “No one knows we’re here, so they won’t think to look for my vehicle there.”

Massimo nodded toward Vincenzo, who climbed behind the wheel. We watched as he backed the SUV up and navigated through the fence. He revved the engine before leaping out of the driver's side. He rolled away from the car just as it went into the water. Vin hopped up, dusted off, and jogged back to us.

“Let’s go.” Massimo started toward the awaiting jet.

I was stunned when Harley stepped out. “Jesus Christ.” She jogged down the narrow steps and met me at the bottom. “I’m glad I came. She needs me. Get her on the plane so I can take a better look.”

“How are you here?” I blinked in shock.

“As soon as we entered Vegas, Antonio decided he wasn’t waiting for you to call. We had the ambulance make a pit stop at the airstrip and I climbed aboard. Well—" she turned just as Drew appeared. “We climbed aboard. Michael was stable and the doctor you employed was waiting at the house. Antonio was worried she might need medical attention, and he was right.”

Drew helped me up the steps and guided me into the small bedroom at the back of the jet. I’d never used the bed before, but I was grateful Massimo had insisted it be added. I laid her down gently and sat beside her. Her naked body had bruises covering every inch of her flesh. Some resembled fingerprints, while others were clearly shoe prints.

“Get me some towels.” Harley stepped inside and shoved Drew out. “Go. She doesn’t need you to see her like this.”

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