Page 28 of Dangerous Games of Trust

Geovani says, “He didn’t just lie to you, he sided with Carlo and was ready to trade Harley to him the night before your wedding for the chance to work alongside him again and to gain control of the Havardi businesses.”

Alessandro’s angry eyes fixate on Geovani. “You’re full of shit. How can we believe anything that comes out of your mouth?” he snaps in his direction, taking his newfound rage out on him.

I step in his path, knowing I need to derail this train before it leaves the station. “It’s true. How else do you think Carlo got through the tight security Enzo supposedly had on that property,” I explain, trying to bring his attention to me. His eyes drop down, looking me over, and I see his torment. He’s so angry.

“If Harley didn’t think quickly and crash his car that night, there is no way she would be here today,” Geovani adds. “Enzo didn’t want you to marry her. That was never his plan for you. That’s what you wanted, and we both know you went against direct orders to get your way.”

I see the truth written all over Alessandro’s face. The tension between him and Enzo was because of me. He knows what Geovani is saying is correct. His body shakes as his hands ball into fists again. “He’s going to fucking pay for this.”

I wrap my small hands around his fists and stare up at him. I don’t know what to say to him or how to fix this. He has every right to be furious. Right now, I need him to have a sound mind and be thinking straight so he doesn’t rush into anything that could get himself or anyone else in this room hurt.

His dark eyes meet mine. Eventually his clenched fists soften, and his fingers intertwine with mine. His hand travels up my arm, lacing into my hair, and I lean into his touch. The rest of the room is deadly silent, but I can feel their eyes fixed on us. I feel like one of those animal tamers trying to sedate a wild beast. I have no idea how I’m doing it, but with every passing second, he calms a little more. “I thought I lost you,” he whispers.

I smile up at him softly. “I’m right here.” For a second I wonder if he’ll kiss me, but I don’t get a chance to find out.

The far wall suddenly explodes as a small truck smashes right through the center of the room. Drywall, bricks, and glass fly through the air. The driver and passenger are both wearing painted masks, the exact same as the ones the boys wore the night they broke into my papa’s house. And there is no mistaking the Springfield Hellcat pistol pointed right at me.

A scream of pure terror rips from my lips.

Chapter 15

Alessandro shields my bodywith his as Ricky grabs my hand. “Run!” he shouts. And I do, taking off with him in the direction of the door on the far side of the room.

When we get far enough away from the wreckage, I turn back, searching for any signs of the others. “Maddox and Geovani!” I cry, frantic. “We can’t leave them behind.” Why didn’t they follow us out of the room?

Shots ring out through the air; patrons scream and scramble to escape through the front entry of the bar. My heart races in panic, but I force my feet to keep pushing forward, with the threat of what Geovani said earlier ringing in my ears. We cause trouble here, the bikers will kill us. We might not have caused that truck to drive through the wall of their club, but we are most certainly the reason it did.

“They know how to look after themselves. We need to get you out of here.” Alessandro takes my other hand, and the three of us are running for the back door. Alessandro jumps in the driver’s seat of his Aston Martin, Ricky pulling me into the passengerside with him. They swiftly leave the lot, gravel flying as we gain speed. It’s not until we’re hurtling down the highway that I realize I’m trapped in a confined space with the two of them.

Ricky sits with his legs spread apart, allowing me to fit my legs in between, even though we are sharing the front seat, his arms wrapped firmly around me. “You are safe, baby girl,” he whispers in my ear, and I’m not sure if it’s me he’s trying to calm or himself. But right now, my heart feels like it’s going to burst out of my chest it’s beating so damn fast. I try to get under control, concentrating on his soft words, but with Maddox and Geovani still back at the bar, it’s impossible.

“Am I, though? I’m stuck in a car with you two. Where are you taking me?” I whisper through my panic.

Alessandro glances at me quickly. “Safe house,” he growls out.

I shake my head. Fuck, we can’t. I’m not going back there knowing everything can be seen. I know I signed that damn NDA of Geovani’s, but I can’t keep this secret, it’s too dangerous for all of us. “You can’t. Please, we have to go somewhere else.”

A darkness washes over him, his lips forming a thin line. “Why?”

I wince, knowing I’m breaking my promise to Geovani. “It’s bugged. Everything you say in that place, Enzo hears.”

His face flares with fury, slamming his fists on the steering wheel. “How the fuck do you know?”

I glare at him. “You’re just going to have to take my word for it. He might be your family, but you both know you can’t trust him. Haven’t you wondered how he’s always one step ahead of you?” Tears are rolling down my cheeks. I feel so guilty, but I’m stuck between them, wanting to keep them all safe even though they’re at war with each other.

“Flamingo Hotel,” Ricky says, and Alessandro does a U-turn right in the middle of the street, his tires screeching as hechanges the direction we were traveling in and narrowly avoids another car.

I hold on to Ricky’s legs. He tries to calm me, his fingers stroking my arms gently. I glance back at him, a sinking feeling taking over. “Please tell me you guys didn’t orchestrate whatever that chaos was at the bar just to get me back with you.”

Ricky looks hurt by my accusation, but I wouldn’t put it past them.

“Tell me what you really think of me, princess.” Alessandro cuts a corner way too fast, causing his tires to squeal. I hang on for dear life. If that madman back there didn’t kill me, Alessandro is going to.

“Remember, we didn’t even know you were coming tonight. We thought that was a meeting with just Geovani,” Ricky explains.

I swallow the lump in my throat, an even worse scenario now playing through my head. That had to be his pa back there. Who else would be crazy enough to drive right through the wall of that place knowing it was owned by the Strykers. “Carlo. He’ll kill Geovani. We have to go back and help them!”

“We can’t,” Alessandro snaps furiously, as if my words have just injured him.

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