Page 54 of His Ruthless Obsession

A Mantione soldier rushes him from behind. Nerio spins, catching the man's throat in a vice grip before slamming him face-first into the brick wall. Blood paints the concrete as the man crumples.

"Getting sloppy, boys." Nerio straightens his jacket, stepping over an unconscious body. "Is this really the best Luca could send?"

Two more charge him simultaneously. He weaves between them like smoke, letting their momentum carry them past before striking. His fist finds kidneys, solar plexus, weak points that leave them gasping. When one pulls a knife, Nerio disarms him with almost lazy efficiency, turning the blade against its owner.

"Next time," he says, voice dropping to that dangerous purr that makes my skin tingle, "bring better fighters."

The fight shifts suddenly as three Mantione soldiers converge on Nerio. My heart stops as moonlight glints off steel - a blade slashing through the air. Nerio dodges the first swing, but another attacker drives forward. The knife catches his side, tearing through his jacket.

Red fills my vision. The gun steadies in my hands as muscle memory takes over. Both eyes open. Wider stance. Exhale.

The shot cracks through the alley. The man with the knife stumbles backward, clutching his shoulder. Blood seeps between his fingers as he crashes into a pile of crates.

"You fucking bitch!" One of his friends turns toward my position, raising his weapon.

Nerio's expression transforms into something terrifying. "Big mistake." He drives his elbow into the man's throat before he can aim, following through with a brutal knee to the stomach. "Looking at her was your last mistake."

"Behind you!" I call out as another soldier charges.

My second shot goes wide, but it's enough to make the attacker hesitate. Nerio capitalizes on the distraction, spinning to catch the man's arm and driving him face-first into the brick wall.

"I told you to stay back." Nerio's voice carries equal parts fury and concern as he dispatches another attacker.

"You're bleeding." My hands shake slightly as I keep the gun trained on the remaining threats.

"And you're supposed to be hidden." He moves toward me, gray eyes blazing. "We'll discuss your disobedience later."

Somehow, it doesn't take long for Nerio to get pulled away. He's fighting so fast I can barely follow him. The gun shakes in my hands as I try to keep track of the chaos. Bodies move like shadows through gunsmoke and moonlight.

Heavy footsteps behind me. I go to spin, but too late.

"Drop it." Cold metal presses against my temple. The man towers over me, his expensive suit splattered with blood. A capo, judging by the way he carries himself.

My finger tightens on the trigger.

"I wouldn't." He digs the barrel harder against my skin. "Your boyfriend's busy at the moment."

Through the haze, I spot Nerio locked in combat with two soldiers. Marco's nowhere in sight.

"You must be Jazz." The capo's breath reeks of cigarettes. "Nerio's latest toy. He should know better than to bring a woman to-"

I drive my elbow back, aiming for his solar plexus. He catches my arm, twisting until pain shoots through my shoulder. The gun clatters to the ground.

"Feisty." He slams me against the wall, knocking the air from my lungs. "I like that."

"Get your hands off me." I spit the words through clenched teeth.

"Or what?" His laugh feels like oil on my skin. "You'll shoot me again? Face it sweetheart, you're-"

The capo's words cut off in a wet gurgle. Blood sprays across my face as Nerio appears behind him, blade glinting in the darkness. The pressure on my throat vanishes as the man crumples.

"I warned them." Nerio's voice is ice, his eyes savage as he advances on the fallen capo. "Nobody. Touches. What's. Mine." Each word punctuated by a vicious kick.

"Nerio." I touch his arm. He's trembling with barely contained rage.

His hands frame my face, checking for injuries. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm okay." My voice shakes. "Just-"

---