The blaring of horns, the squeal of tires, and the icy wind attacks me from all sides, and I can’t imagine how my sweet girl is feeling. My hands are glued to the handlebars, my legs stiff, body tense, and my heart is pelting against my ribs.
I can’t let her die.
I can’t let her die.
Making a swift turn off the highway onto a deserted road, I steer the bike through a small, one-horse town as we make our way into the wilderness. It’s empty, there’s no one around, and when I glance in the mirror, I can’t see the SUV.
I can’t stop though. Rearing my hand, I speed the motorbike farther into the desert, finding nothing but red sand. In the distance is another town, and I’m sure we must be near El Paso.
Since pulling off the highway, there haven’t been any signs. With the sun setting, the sky darkens, and soon we’re cloaked in shadows. When I finally bring the bike to a stop, we’re in the middle of nowhere, probably north of where we’re meant to be.
Helping Giuliana off the bike, I kick out the stand and turn to her. She’s shivering, her body trembling from the cold. Out here, with no protection from the elements, the night brings a chilly breeze.
“I’m sorry I almost let them catch up to us,” I tell her, pulling her into my arms. Her tears soak through my shirt, and soon, she’s sobbing uncontrollably. I hate hearing her cry. Seeing her pain only intensifies mine. She’s never been far from my mind, from my heart. I never want her hurt, and now that I’ve gotten her back, it seems as if I’m going to have to let her go again.
The thought brings agony to my chest. Letting her go has never been in my plan, but the violence in my life will catch up to me, to us, sooner or later. The blood staining my hands will never be cleansed. When I think about that darkness tainting her, I wonder if it’s better to let her go.
Stepping away from Giuliana, I cup her face in my hands, making her look up at me. “We’re going to get through this. I won’t let any of those fuckers hurt you.” My voice is husky, filled with an agony so fierce because I know what I have to do.
Suddenly, a crunching sound drags my attention away from my girl. Snapping my gaze toward the rocks that are being mauled by tires, I realize my mistake far too late. If I were alone, I’d have never lost focus. I wouldn’t have stopped, but I needed to ensure my girl was okay. And because of that, I’m staring into bright lights that blind me. The fuckers must’ve been driving without lights as they snuck up on us.
When the vehicle comes to a stop, I push Lia behind me, making sure she’s shielded from whatever the fuck is coming. The gun in the holster strapped to my waist must dig into her stomach because I hear her gasp.
“Well, what do we have here?” Sergio’s accented tone comes through the white streaming light. When he steps into view, I notice he’s dressed in black jeans or slacks and a dark shirt. He has a gun in his hand, but it’s not pointed at us.
“Let her go. You don’t need her,” I offer, my hand slowly closing around the handle of my own weapon.
“Do you think I’ve just thrown away millions on a bitch who can’t give me what I need?” He sneers, “The girl is mine. Promised to me. She is my property.”
“I’m no one’s—” Giuliana’s words are cut short when Sergio lifts the gun, aiming it at my head. I’ve spent my life with various types of weapons trained on me, and this is no different.
“Come, little whore, my dick is ready to impregnate your womb. Your father has kindly signed the contract. I do fucking own you,” he grits out. And that’s when I’m shocked to shit when my girl’s hand steals the gun from my holster, points it at Sergio, and pulls the trigger.
She misses his chest but hits him in the gut, and he goes down. Seconds later, his men are out of the car. Diving for the ground, I land on my bad leg, the agony shooting through me like a fucking poison.
Shots ring through the air, and pain erupts in my stomach. Shit. I reach for my handgun strapped to my ankle, and I quickly take out both men in black suits. Giuliana’s scream is enough to turn my blood cold as she pulls the trigger and hits another goon as he makes his way toward us.
Someone drags Sergio’s body from my view, and I know I have to move fast, but the pain radiating through me is nothing short of deadly.
I should let them go, but the killer in me wants this over. With a quick glance to see if she’s okay, I tell her, “Get my phone, call Seth, and—
“You’re bleeding—”
“Now!” My voice is a harsh command, but she knows I’m not angry at her, I just need to finish the job. Managing to push myself off the ground, I rise with the gun trained on the lights. My blood runs hot with the violence I revel in. When a shadow passes, I pull the trigger, causing a heavy lump to fall to the ground with a loud thud.
One more man left. Limping toward the SUV, I find Sergio on the backseat, his body slumped to the side as he holds the bullet wound my girl gave him. I aim the barrel at Sergio and smile.
“Like I said, she’s mine. It’s time to meet your maker,” I smirk as I find him slowly bleeding out all over his expensive watch, clothes, and shoes. I drop to my knees as agony takes over, but I press the barrel to Sergio’s head and pull the trigger.
Giuliana
Blood.
Too much blood.
I’m still shaking when I see another car coming at us in the dark. Lance is close to passing out, his eyes fluttering closed, and the only thing keeping him awake is me slapping him.
My body is shaking. Tears stream from my eyes. I don’t know how long I’ve been crying, but it doesn’t want to stop. The area we’ve parked in is so desolate nobody heard the shootout that happened hours ago. At least, that’s what it feels like. I’m so confused I don’t even know how long we’ve been sitting here.