Leone lifts his other hand with the gun pointing it in the direction of the car. I follow his line of sight. All the air I have left in my lungs leaves when I see Xanny standing there on the other side of the car pointing a gun right back at us.
“Where's Lenny?” Leone asks as his hold on my hand tightens. It's something I’ve noticed he does when he thinks I might try to leave his grasp.
“Both of you put the guns down!” I shout. They have them trained on each other.
“Where’s the box?” Xanny asks her own question, ignoring not only Leone’s question but me as well.
“Xanny, where is Lenny? Is he okay?”
“He’s still breathing. I only knocked him out.” She shrugs. “Give the box to Zoey.”
“If you think I’m going to give her the box and send her to you, you’re dead wrong.”
Xanny’s eyes narrow on Leone.
“Stop pointing guns at each other,” I hiss. This is ridiculous. When neither do as I say, I try to step out in front of Leone, but he jerks me right back. “The hell!?”
“You can have the box,” Leone says again to her.
“I’m not leaving without my sister.”
“Funny. You had no problem leaving her before.”
“Hey!” I snip at Leone, not appreciating him talking to Xanny that way.
“I didn’t have a choice.” Her eyes start to fill with tears, but she quickly pulls it back. She’s always been so good at masking her emotions. It breaks my heart for her.
I reach into Leone’s pocket and pull out the box for myself before shoving it in my own pocket.
“Now who’s driving?” I ask. Again, I try to move but don’t get anywhere.
“Let her go, or I swear I’ll kill you.” I’ve never heard Xanny sound so cold before.
“You can’t kill him, Xanny. I love him.”
She shakes her head at my words. “Zoey, you can’t love this man. You have no clue who he really is. But I know who he is and the things he’s done.”
“I don’t care what he’s done. He’s kept me safe, and he loves me too.”
“Of course he loves you.” Xanny rolls her eyes.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I say defensively.
“She means that anyone would love and want to keep you. Your innocence and sweetness is like a balm on the black souls of men like me.”
“That’s oddly sweet.” I reach up to touch Leone’s cheek, his face whiter now. He’s losing too much blood. We need to get him to a doctor or a hospital.
“Both of you knock it off. Leone needs medical help, and if he dies, I swear on Bentley I’ll never forgive you, Xanny. Now everyone get in the damn car already. I’m not going to say it again. You're driving, Xanny.” Both of them remain standing there. “Now!” I shout, fed up with this whole situation.
Finally they both lower the guns and do as I say.
“Leone. There’s so much blood,” I whimper as I finally get his stupid shirt off him. When Leone doesn’t say anything, I jerk my gaze to his face. He’s staring at me, but he’s fading quickly. “Leone, you stay with me. Don’t you dare leave me.”
“You hear me?” I pull my shirt off to press it against the wound in his arm.
“Put your shirt back on,” he half-growls. I’d laugh if my heart wasn’t falling apart.
“If you don’t stay with me, I’m going to become a stripper. How about that?” I taunt.
“You wouldn’t do that to me.” He half-smiles. “I love you, little one.”
“You stop saying sweet things to me right this second.” He’s acting like he’s leaving me.
“When did you get so bossy?”
“When you started building me back up. Now do as I say and don’t leave me,” I order.
“Never,” he promises, giving me hope. My Leone is a man of his word when it comes to me. He won’t leave me. I know it.