Page 44 of Impenitent Claim

So this mysterious man, who tracked me across the country, fought in the underground circuits, and wormed his way into our inner circle wasn’t a criminal himself? The picture I’d painted in my head suddenly fell flat. I was so sure that was a logical conclusion!

But reevaluating the shifting circumstances would have to wait.

“Then my brother really is in danger,” I insisted. “He’s the late don’s son; he’ll be a target!”

With a growl, the spectre released me. “Do us both a favor and stay right here. Can you handle that, princess?”

I glared at him over my shoulder. But he was already retreating into the event space.

He’s here.

He’s not attacking us.

He saved me. But…to what end?

I stayed in the hall for approximately twenty seconds. Where my brother’s life was concerned, no one else would take responsibility while I sat idly by and watched. My heartbeat drummed against my ribs, a relentless beat that threatened to drill a hole through the bones. Stepping up to the door, I peered around the aperture.

Chaos reigned. Blood painted the scene. Shouts rang out in a symphony of confusion.

But I saw it. The group attacking us was clearly similar in cultural heritage to us. Even their calls and barked orders werefamiliar to my ears. I gripped the doorframe hard as my gaze darted about, searching for any sign of my beloved sibling.

Gio was nowhere to be seen.

A metallic tang burst over my tongue, but I didn’t stop worrying the inside of my cheek. The molars threatened to mush the tissue into a pulp.

A soldier stood up from behind a table, gun extended and barrel aimed. He fired three times before his body whipped back violently. As he collapsed, the bright red dot bloomed over his forehead.

I sucked in a sharp breath. I might be a princess of the Italian mob, but this was my first battle. The twisted part was that it would have been exhilarating. My fingers even itched for a weapon to join the ranks of our soldiers. If I wasn’t so worried over the safety of my brother—

Movement to the left caught my gaze. Alonzo’s shock of brown hair was visible behind the half-dozen men guarding him. No…not men. One of them had more swarthy features and a little fuzz on his upper lip.

Gio.Gio!

What the hell was he doing defending the don’s son? I stepped out of my hiding place, ready to protect and save him. A piece of balding meat appeared as if out of thin air and pushed me backward. I gaped at the squat man.

“What do we have here?” he lisped, moving forward and crowding me.

I shot a glance over his shiny head to see Alonzo’s group make it through the doors and away from the shooting. My shoulders sagged in relief. Gio was safe.

Turning all my attention on the advancing man, I arched a brow and glared at him. “Get out of my way.”

A sickening chortle bubbled from his lips. “You’re the Rinaldi princess. You’re worth half a mill, but boss didn’t say anything about not sampling the goods.”

That answered which side he was on.

I could take him. Not in this dress, but I could take him. I took three steps backward, only to slam into a mound of flesh.

“Got her,” a voice husky from cigarettes rasped.

Panic flashed through me, but I swallowed it. Long ago, kneeling beside my mother, I made a vow that I would never be defenseless. She saw to it that I wasn’t. I’d never killed a man, but there was a first time for everything. I didn’t struggle, which meant the clammy fingers around my wrist didn’t grip too hard.

“Move,” Cigarettes barked.

I obeyed. We turned and began to walk down the hallway. I could have seconds to make a break, grab my weapon, and fire. Deep breaths filled my lungs. They forced a sense of calm to slide over my muscles.

Timing my steps just right, I lifted my shoe a bit higher and stomped hard. The stiletto gouged through the soft shoe top. I ripped my arm away, fumbling with the skirt to grasp my gun. The material pulled wrong, and I couldn’t reach it.

Two shots fired in rapid succession.

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