Page 94 of Worth the Risk

“We don’t have time for chitchat,” her uncle said from the doorway. “Stick to the plan. Haul her ass in here, and we’ll take her and the boy someplace secure to straighten it all out.”

“That wasn’t the deal. You said if I surrendered, you’d let him go,” she exclaimed, not surprised that he intended to double-cross her. Still, part of her job was to stall for time. If he was arguing with her, and Ernie was outside ready to shoot her, Caden was alone inside—she hoped.

“I say a lot of things.” The older man shrugged, a smirk on his detestable face. “Like how I told you I’d let you walk away, but that’s not going to happen, either.”

“I gave the original birth certificate to a trusted friend. If I don’t return by the designated time, it will be sent toAlto Pietro and a copy to the FBI.”

“You were supposed to bring it with you.”

She shrugged like he did, which was ballsy. So was telling him, “I guess that makes us both liars.”

Bella saw movement in the warehouse behind him. They were getting Caden out, thank god. She had to stall them another few minutes.

“Why are you protecting Lorenzo? With him gone, you’d be the head of the family.”

“Because he’s my brother. Blood and family come first. You never understood that, did you?”

“Perhaps because none of you were my family. Did you ever think of that?”

“I’ll be glad to see the last of you,” he sneered. “Tell me where the certificate is, and I’ll let the boy go free.”

A shot rang out, which meant two things. Caden was out and, for her, it was showtime.

Pain, sharp enough to steal her breath, from the second prearranged shot, struck her dead center in the chest. They’d warned her that would happen, and that it would knock the air from her lungs. Also, if the bullet didn’t, hitting the ground when the force of the shot knocked her off her feet would.

Stunned, lying flat on her back on the pavement, she heard shouts, gunshots, fading footsteps as someone ran away, and, in the distance, a car engine revving. She didn’t move mostly because she didn’t think she could, and because she didn’t dare open her eyes even for a peek until Dan or one of the Rossi team gave her the all clear. The hardest part of the role she played was not gasping for breath because damn, the combination of bullet and body slam really freaking hurt!

Tires squealed, more gunshots sounded then all she could hear was the thud of her heart in her ears.

She wasn’t sure how long she lay there, every bone in her body sore from the impact of the high-speed blank. Who knew it was actually a diminished but still-live round?

More footsteps pounded the ground, this timegrowing closer. She forced herself not to react when they stopped beside her.

“It’s over, Bella.” She sensed Dan squatting beside her then felt his hands moving over her. “Can you open your eyes and look at me, baby?”

She didn’t dare. Instead, she asked in a ragged whisper, “Caden?”

“He’s safe and, except for being scared half to death, unharmed.”

She gulped in a deep breath, finally. When she released it, it came out with a sob. “Thank god.”

Dan gathered her in his arms and rocked her against his chest. And while it really fucking hurt, she didn’t protest. “You’re never doing anything like that again. Do you hear me, woman? My heart can’t take it.”

“I have no plans to,” she cried, clinging to him. Then she remembered the squib. “You’re going to get all fake bloody.”

“Ask me if I fucking care.” His hand in her hair tugged her head back. Only then did she look at him. “I prayed like I haven’t in years today, Bella. They were answered; you and Caden are alive.”

His mouth covered hers, rough, hungry, and desperate, as though trying to convince himself she was in his arms, in one piece, and still breathing.

“Are you going to fuck her right here in the parking lot, old man?”

Dan acted as though he hadn’t heard, continuing the voracious kiss.

“I came to check on Bella. It’s not every day I shoot a woman who’s also my employee and a friend’s submissive.”

That penetrated, as did the little tremor in the big, tough-as-nails Rossi man’s voice because Dan lifted his head. Over his shoulder, Bella looked up at T. He was bent forward, his hands on his thighs, concern for her written patently all over his face.

“Hey there, deadeye. I’m sore, but okay—I think. I’m not sure if it was the bullet or the fall that did it, but even my hair hurts.”

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