Page 55 of The Veiling

“Who are these people?” One man asked.

“They’re with me.”

The one on the right peeked back at me. “I know you.”

The moment that sentence left his mouth, Joseph, and Noah both lunged forward, taking both men down. Noah wrapped his arms around the guard’s neck, snapping it within a second. The man fell limp. Joseph choked his victim to unconsciousness before he fell lifeless beneath him. Noah stepped over, picking his head up and snapped his neck the same as the other. They both searched for weapons and confiscated them, tucking them away on their bodies before they stood.

Noah rolled his shoulders back. “That was too easy.”

Marco arched a brow at me. “Who the fuck is he?”

Before I could respond, Hayden put his hand on the door handle. “Get ready.” He drew a cross over his chest with his finger, then yanked the door open and marched through.

Noah and Joseph drew their guns and stepped through the door after him, followed by Marco, William, and me.

BANG!

Hayden fell back against the wall. “Shit!” Slowly, he wilted to the floor.

“What the fuck?!” Felipe and his friends leapt off the sofas at once. A woman twirling on a stripper pole in the middle of a sitting area jumped down and covered herself. “Dios mío!” she repeated, dashing out of the room as fast as her platform heels would carry her.

Four more shots rang out, the loud cracking of the silenced guns ricocheting off the walls.

Noah and Joseph shot the four men surrounding him, killing them instantly.

Felipe dropped the small mirror with white powder on it. “Hijo de puta. Do you know who you just killed?” He laughed manically, nudging a body at his feet. “That’s Igor Kristoff. His people will be back soon, and you’ll all be dead.” Gaze tightening on mine as I stood behind my security, he snarled. “I’ve been waiting for this, Valentino.” He took a step closer, but I did not budge. His eyes bulged from his face as he pointed a finger at me. “DO YOU THINK YOU’LL WIN THIS?!” His eyes darted to my men, then back to me. He was high and struggling to focus. But again, he zeroed in on me. “DO YOU—” he then lowered his voice, clenching his jaw, “know that I have sooo many people after you, and so many men lining up for a piece of my niece?”

Breaking protocol, I pushed past Noah and Joseph, and shoved Felipe backwards.

“Damnit!” Noah spat.

Felipe stumbled, falling through the glass top accent table. He threw his head back, roaring even louder with laughter. Noah grabbed my arm, pulling me back.

“Did I strike a nerve?” Felipe taunted. “You couldn’t even—”

Six men came barreling into the room. I watched Felipe as he drew his gun. I jumped on top of him, taking it from him and tossing it to the side. He struggled, jabbing me in the jaw with a wide grin on his face.

Two more shots rang out in the room behind me as the others struggled with the men.

Another shot. I drew my fist back, punching Felipe in the mouth. Blood splattered as I delivered blow after blow to his disgusting face. “Ti ucciderò!”

He hit me again, barely grazing my cheek as he fought to overpower me. I hit him four more times, knocking his head back against the floor each time.

Finally, his head rolled back and forth, and he groaned. I stood, examining the others for any sign of injury.

“Everyone okay?” Noah asked.

I immediately glanced at Marco for any sign.

He nodded, smoothing his attire. “I’m good.”

“Good.” I kicked Felipe in the side as hard as I could. “Pick him up and let’s go.” I lifted my chin toward Hayden. “Is he dead?”

William stepped over, placing fingers to his neck, then nodded. “He’s gone.”

“Damn.” I sighed. “He was being truthful and never got the revenge he wanted.”

William and Marco picked Felipe up off the floor.

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