Page 80 of Brutal Mercy

I shoot two men trying to race up the stairs while searching for my guys. I systematically tread down the stairs, taking enemies out on my journey and finding some of mine.

At the bottom of the stairs, Lorenzo lies in a pool of his own blood, his eyes sightless. I vow to avenge him and anyone else the cartel fuckers take from me. When I’ve cleared the first floor with my men at my back, we silently head outside.

And I finally see the destruction. They blew the gate and drove truckloads of their men inside. I glance at my men. “We do a full sweep. Shoot to kill. Take out every one of those motherfuckers who thought they could invade our home.”

“Yeah!” they cheer.

We use the trucks for cover. But the cartel guys are good. It’s why I wanted the Russians to help us. We’re on our own. But who betrayed us? Because Diego didn’t just happen across us last night. He did it to taunt us because he knew this attack was coming. And it means one of his men has been working for me or we’ve got a turncoat.

We move fast, but it takes time to clear them all out. And I’ve not come across Diego. And I know that fucker be here. This attack has his nasty fingertips all over it.

A female scream rips through the air. My heart drops.

Luna.

“To the house. They’ve got my wife. Kill them all, but leave Diego Alvarez for me.” I sprint hell-bent for leather.

I can’t lose her. Not when I just found her. Not when we just discovered our feelings for each other. She’s the love of my fucking life. I won’t lose her. I can’t. I reload my Glock on the way to her. Because I will take out every single one of the motherfuckers who thought they could lay a hand on my wife.

***

Luna

Piece of cake to get to the safe room. Right? Wrong. So damn wrong.

Holding the gun, I peek out of our bedroom. The power was cut, and only emergency flood lights are on. When I don’t see anyone, I emerge quietly, then race silently down the hall. The office door is up ahead. Safety is on the other side. Fifteen feet from the door, a familiar person steps out from the shadows.

“There you are. I thought I’d have to search every room in this godforsaken house.” Diego smugly grins.

My heart drops into my stomach. He’s evil. And he knows he is and revels in it. This is where Hades gets it wrong. Because he’s nothing like Diego.

I retreat slowly, holding the gun on him and watching out for any of his men to come up behind me. “You. I should have known this was all your doing.”

Why the hell am I still talking to him when I should be running? Because I’m an idiot. That’s why. I back away. Survival instincts kick into gear.

“Don’t you see how devoted I am to you? You’re meant to be mine.” Diego approaches like I’m going to thank him.

“Don’t make me barf. You are literally the last man on this planet I would ever be with. I would rather get gang-banged by a bunch of dirt farmers than you.”

“That can be arranged, you nasty little bitch. Once we’re home, I’m going to teach you some fucking manners.”

“Not in this lifetime.” I spin on my heel. Driven by the need to put distance between us, I rush down the hall. I glance at the bedroom door but take the stairs instead. If I can find Hades, everything will be all right. Or if I can find a new place to hide and reach it before Diego can grab me, I’ll be fine.

But he’s right behind me. Getting close enough his fingers brush the material of my shirt.

Shit.

Panic engulfs me. Because I have no fucking clue what to do. When I reach the bottom of the stairs, I shift, point the gun, and shoot at him. The first one misses, so I take another. When that shot misses, I head toward the back of the house. But that’s where I hear the most gunfire.

I don’t want to get caught in the crossfire.

Dammit, think!

My ankle is throbbing like a son of a bitch, still tender from the last time I ran away from this man. I spy the doors to the ballroom. If I can make it inside and lock the doors, it will buy me time to call for help. Fuck, I don’t know if Hades has his phone. But I’ll still try. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll climb out a window to escape.

With a plan in mind, I reach the ballroom doors. But what I don’t count on is how fast Diego can move when it’s warranted. He shoves me inside, and I stumble. Nearly wiping out on my face. By some miracle, I keep my feet. Then I try to evade him.

But that single misstep slowed me down.

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