Page 65 of Auctioned To Her Dad's Mafia Enemies

It takes thirty minutes for us to reach thepenthouse, and Aemelia spends most of the time looking out the window, and Ispend most of my time looking at her. When I take her hand and press it to mymouth, her smile is a little wary.

“Today, we’ll eat, drink and be merry.”

She nods, biting her bottom lip. “I want youto tell my mama I’m okay.”

It’s not an unreasonable request that we canfulfill. “We can do that.”

“And my aunt.”

“What about her?”

“I’d like to see her… under thecircumstances.”

The woman looked like she was halfway over thethreshold of death’s door. “Talk to Luca.”

She nods, and I squeeze her hand as Antoniosignals to pull over in front of our building. The underground parking garageshould open automatically, but there’s a sign pinned to the gate that reads‘Ongoing Maintenance.’

Antonio swears. “Who ordered this?”

Luca tuts, still on the phone.

“Just pull up outside, and we can park the carlater,” I say, pointing to a space behind Vito’s car. Behind us, Gabe andMatteo park up two vehicles away.

I jump out of the car and round the back toopen the door for Aemelia. She slides both perfect legs off the edge of theseat and slips into the space between the door and the vehicle. Luca’s stilltalking animatedly, his free hand gesticulating wildly. Aemelia’s eyes driftfrom mine to the space over my shoulder, and then suddenly, she shoves me sohard that I lose my footing, dropping awkwardly onto the asphalt. I reach forher on my way down, convinced she’s trying to make a run for it despite what wesaid, but then she falls on top of me, and the sound of firecrackers cutsthrough the air, followed by Antonio swearing and Luca going suddenly silent.

Not firecrackers.

Gunshots.

I grab Aemelia around the waist and roll herbody beneath mine, holding her so tightly, her breathing becomes labored. Ireach for my gun, pulling it from my back, twisting to fire it in the directionAemelia was looking. More gunshots tear the air, faster than my racing heart,as Vito and Andre unload their clips. A car engine revs, and tires squeal andit’s over in seconds that felt like the worst kind of slow motion.

I stare down at Aemelia, shock hitting like aslap to the cheek. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Her voice cracks. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

I scramble to my feet and tug her up, stillsheltering her with my body. “Inside,” I shout, and we run into the securelobby as our men finally do their fucking jobs and provide cover for us.

The lobby, all bright marble, white sofas, andbronze accents, make a strange sanctuary. I drag Aemelia into the stairwell andup a flight of stairs before seeking out the elevator to take us to the topfloor. Once we’re inside, Antonio and Luca swear, punching the button for thepenthouse, and we all look at Aemelia—the dirt on her dress, her disheveledhair, her scuffed boots—she’s alive and only superficially harmed.

“She saved my life.” I yank her against me,cupping the top of her head with my palm and kissing her hard on the forehead.“She pushed me down.” I don’t know if I’d have been hit, but it doesn’t matter.Her first thought was to save me before she thought about herself.

The elevator bell dings, the doors slide open,and Antonio covers the sensor with his hand, but none of us move. This girl wasour captive, but she just proved her loyalty.

Fuck everything else in this world.

We’re never letting her go.

***

The penthouse carries its familiar, cleanscent, the space meticulously tidy, the windows stretching to reveal theskyline beyond. I lead Aemelia to the kitchen, settling her onto a stool at thecounter with another kiss, and open the cupboard to retrieve the brandy andfour glasses. I pour double measures into three and hand Aemelia the single. Weall knock it back, the liquid burning as it makes its descent to settle ournerves.

“Come,” I tell Aemelia, holding out my hand. Ilead her to her room and, at the doorway, say, “Stay here while we talk. I’llcome to you when we’re done.” She nods, and I close the door behind her.

Back in the open plan living area, Antonioexhales sharply, rubbing a hand over his jaw as if trying to ground himself.Luca shakes his head, darkness turning his clear blue eyes to the depth of theocean.

“A hit?” Luca finally asks, his voicecontrolled, but there’s rage simmering beneath the surface.

“Looked like a warning.” Antonio clenches hishands into fists.

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