Page 7 of Twisted Embrace

The girl screamed but rolled away. Unfortunately, the other assassin used my direct move, jerking Lucia out the door and to the awaiting vehicle. I wasted no time, pumping two bullets into the fallen soldier then aimed my Glock toward the other assailant, pulling the trigger.

Another round of shots was fired, the man holding Lucia still struggling to get her into the waiting SUV. Another single shot was all I needed, the back of his head exploding in blood and brain matter. I threw myself over Lucia, rolling away just before the SUV took off.

Fuck. Fuck! How had I allowed this to happen?

And who the fuck had betrayed our location?

My men raced down the street, popping off a dozen rounds. While glass exploded, the SUV managed to get away, tires screeching as the driver hit the street.

Grunting, I pulled off Lucia and instantly knew she’d been hit. “Shit.” I rolled her over and grimaced. “It’s okay. You’re going to be okay.”

“The… baby,” she whimpered.

“No. No!” Joy dropped to the pavement, sliding her arm under my sister’s head. “She’s been shot. How could you let this happen?”

“Joy. It’s not his fault,” Lucia managed. Her face was white, her eyelids half closed.

And she was bleeding from her stomach.

“I’m sorry, boss. We couldn’t stop him,” Anthony gasped. “Oh, Jesus. How bad?”

“Get the fucking vehicle. We need to get my sister to the hospital.”

“Yes, sir.” As Anthony raced away, I scanned the perimeter. There’d been more soldiers. They’d wanted Lucia specifically. What a fucking mess.

“This is your fault!” Joy snapped. “You were supposed to protect her.”

She was a beautiful woman with fiery eyes, a voluptuous body meant to be used. While her hatred of me was to be expected, I was surprised she’d launched into me immediately. “This will be alright.”

“How?” she demanded. “Lucia is bleeding. The baby. You dumb fuck. She’s six months pregnant.”

Lucia grabbed Joy’s hand, gasping for air as tears streamed from her eyes. “My baby. Please save my baby.”

“I’ll fucking protect you,” Joy said, her eyes never leaving mine. “It’s obvious your brother can’t.”

I glared at her and even though I wanted to backhand her for such egregious disrespect, my desire roared to the surface. I’d never been so aroused by a woman in my life. Goddamn it all to hell. However, the mouthy redhead with the greenest eyes I’d ever seen obviously had a death wish.

As Anthony pulled the armored SUV around to the alley, I gathered my sister into my arms. Getting her to the hospital was imperative.

“If you think I’m letting you go without me, you’re sorely wrong,” Joy snapped.

My irritation was increasing. “You’re not going.”

“She comes with me,” Lucia struggled to say, her eyes beginning to close.

“Then get the fuck in,” I barked, easing Lucia into the back seat. “On the other side. Now!”

“Why, yes, sir. You caused this.” Joy’s harsh words reverberated in the back of my mind. I’d tasked my men to keep Lucia safe and I was the one who’d fucked up.

As Joy rose to her feet, she threw another hateful look in my direction.

Federico guided her to the other side, keeping his weapon pointed toward the alley. The second SUV pulled up behind us, Federico jumping into the passenger seat. I moved to the opposite side, scanning the area before climbing in. “Get us to the hospital now.”

“Which one?” Anthony returned.

“Whichever one is closest. We don’t have time to lose.”

At least Anthony knew the streets of New York like the back of his hand. While his parents lived in Italy, longtime friends of my father, he’d gone to college in New York, keeping ties to the life he’d created.

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