Page 33 of The Mafia's Omega Queen

A noise over my shoulder catches my attention, and I whip out one of the 9s from my shoulder holster, pointing it behind me. Taking a chance, I glance back, seeing Hunter rushing down the hall, his entire built form covered in red. I drop the 9, bringing my attention back to the turn before me, breathing easier now that I know Hunter has our back.

There’s no chance we can take anyone alive at this rate. There are too many of them to be able to isolate just one, and I doubt any of the other guys are trying, either. We need to get this shit cleaned out and get Doc here to care for Vinny.

“Little killer, check on Vinny, I got this,” Hunter rumbles, his voice soothing me through the comm.

Hunter trades places with me, his AR-15 poised at the same corner I just was as I spin around, watching our backs for anyone who may get ballsy enough to sneak up on us. Vinny’s complexion is pale, washing out his olive skin, and pain is etched over his handsome features.

Blood seeps from between his fingers, his hold on his stomach loosening as the puddle subtly grows more prominent beneath him. His night vision goggles are askew on his head, and I push them off his head before I slam my hands down on top of his, startling him and ripping a pain-filled groan from his lips.

“Vinny, talk to me. You have to stay with me.” His hazel eyes flutter for a moment before they finally connect with mine. “Why? Why did you do that?”

“Couldn’t lose you. They love you too much to lose you,” he chokes out.

“And what about you? They can’t lose you, either. So you have to stay awake, okay? Do it for your family.” His lashes flutter again. “Do it for me. Please.”

“I’d do anything for you, princess.”

“Even take a bullet?”

His lips turn up in a small smile. “Even take a bullet.”

“You’re the stupidest man alive, I swear.” Before he can say anything else, I dip down and press my mouth to his. It could be the heat of the moment or the stress of the attack, but there’s no denying how right it feels. His eyes hold mine for a moment, shock holding him immobile until his lips brush back against mine. The kiss starts out soft and exploratory, then quickly turns into desperation between the two of us.

This wasn’t when I expected Vinny and I to share our first kiss, but the man literally took a bullet for me. I would be dead on the floor if it weren’t for him. He deserves so much more than this. If only I were ready to give him more, we just aren’t there yet.

His mouth chases mine when I pull back, but there’s no mistaking the heat in his eyes. “Fuck, I’ll get shot more often if I get a kiss like that from you,” he chuckles, which quickly ends with a groan.

“Clear,” starts flooding through the comms.

“Thank you,” I murmur, brushing my lips against his again. “But don’t ever do something like that again.”

“Does this mean I’m forgiven?” A hopeful gleam shines in his hazel eyes, but the longer I stay silent, the more it dims. “Princess?”

“No.” I swallow hard. “But it’s a good start.”

“I’ll take it,” he breathes out through shallow breaths. His skin pales even more, and I know we are quickly running out of time.

“Eta on Doc?” I ask, not breaking eye contact with Vinny, knowing Hunter is still with us.

“Five minutes,” Gavin returns.

“Get him on the comms. NOW!”

“What can I do, little killer?” Hunter crouches down next to me, a growl rumbling in his chest when he sees Vinny’s current state.

“Take my place. I’m going to pull back Vinny’s hands, and you need to put as much pressure as you can on it.”

“Dollface, what’s going on?” I blow out a relieved breath. Thank fuck.

“Through and through, Doc. Abdomen. Pale and clammy. Shallow breaths. What do I do?”

“First, take a deep breath, dollface. Do you have pressure on the wound?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Now, here’s what I need you to do. I need you to slide your hand underneath him and put pressure on the exit wound until I get there. I’m two minutes out.” I follow his instructions to a tee, not concerned with the cooling blood my hand now rests in.

“Please hurry,” I whisper into the comm, unsure if anyone can even hear it. There may have been hate for this man initially, but ever since our date, things in my heart have started to change. We both have been through so much, and we deserve this chance. I can’t lose him before even having him.

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