Page 93 of Ruthless Redemption

I’m petrified. “Let. Her. Go.”

His eyes widen as if I’m insane. “Do you really think I’m going to do that when you’ve got a knife to his throat?”

“We just wanted to fucking talk,” Salvo grates through clenched teeth. “Jesus. Dante. You fuckingstabbedme.”

“I’m going to do far worse if he doesn’t let her go.”

“Listen,” Remy snarls. “If you calm down, we can explain.”

Where the fuck is Bishop? I glance to the house, searching for a sign of life.

“Your man can’t help.” Salvo stumbles along with me, one hand clutching his shoulder as I continue to stalk after Layla. “But he’s fine. He isn’t injured.”

“Then where is he?”

“In the house.”

“Just chillin’, watching TV?” I drag him farther. Harder.

“He’s taped to a fucking chair in one of the bedrooms.” He groans. “God, can you stop for a minute?”

“No.” I can’t stand the sight of Layla’s fear. She’s tearing me apart one frantic blink at a time. “If you want to talk, then talk. But for your sake, you might want to hope baby brother doesn’t make one wrong move, because if he does, you’re both dead.”

Salvo mutters a string of profanities, then raises a hand in surrender. “Let her go.”

“Are you fucking serious?” Remy’s face is wild with disgust.

Layla remains quiet, her attention never leaving me, her hands clutching at my brother’s arm as he continues to lever her backward.

“Do it,” Salvo demands. “Now.”

“Fuck.” My youngest brother licks his lips. Swallows. Then finally, he loosens his hold around her neck.

“Run for the house, Layla.” I keep hold of Salvo, my blade remaining at his throat. “Get inside.”

She’s hesitant, slowly inching away from her attacker as her gaze darts between my brothers.

“Now,la mia stella polare. Find Bishop.” I point the blade at Remy. “Remove the magazine. Then kick the Glock away.”

He shakes his head. “Not until you release him.”

“Fucking do it,” Salvo snarls. “Before I bleed out.”

“You’re not going to bleed out, you goddamn pussy.” I keep leading him forward. Shoving. Pushing.

“Excuse me for not having firsthand knowledge of stab wounds,” he snips. “Not all of us have extensive experience like you.”

“You’ve got more experience being stabbed than I do, asshole. I’ve never been careless enough to be wounded.”

“Maybe not, but you’ve inflicted more than your fair share.”

“Then maybe you should be fucking thankful you’re still breathing. It would’ve been easier to plunge my blade into your throat.”

Remy releases the magazine, then drops the weapon.

“Throw the bullets.” I get closer as he complies. Five feet. Four. “Then kick the gun away.” I chance a glance at Layla over my shoulder, finding her at the bottom step. “Keep moving,mia dea. Don’t stop.” I bridge more space. Three feet. Two. “I said kick the fucking gun.”

I don’t wait for him to follow orders. As soon as I’m in lunging distance, I coldcock Salvo with a closed fist. He topples to the grass, senseless, as I throw the blade at Remy. Hard. “I warned you.” I aim low, hitting him in the thigh.

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