Page 88 of Shield

Franco’s laugh is maniacal, like he’s lost all touch with reality. “I will take you out, your fucking demon baby, andanyone else who gets in my fucking way. There are plans in place that are bigger than you, bigger than me. The Bellamorte name is destiny.”

“I can’t allow you to threaten my family, Franco.”

Siena extends her hand in my direction, palm up, eyes never leaving Franco. I know exactly what she wants. I go to the cabinet above the sink in the corner and pull out a box of ear plugs. I drop a pair into her outstretched hand and place some ear plugs in my own ears, then draw my gun, leveling the barrel at Franco.

“No.” I can barely hear her over the ear plugs, but Siena’s voice is determined. She holds her hand out to me again. I don’t know if this is the right thing for her, if I would choose this. This is more than getting answers, and I’m more than willing to take the burden of her brother’s death from her. In fact, I want to do it. But I place my gun in her hand anyway.

Franco’s laugh falters, his eyes going wide just before Siena levels the gun at his knee and pulls the trigger.

The shot rings out, his leg buckling beneath him as he releases a piercing scream.

“FUCK! You fucking cunt! You fucking whore cunt! You think this will stop the storm coming your way? You fucking stupid cunt! You have no fucking idea.”

Siena shifts slightly and fires again. Another shot, another scream. Franco’s body jerks, his other knee giving out as he hangs from his wrist and neck shackles, choking and writhing in pain.

“FUCK YOU! I hope your baby dies in your poisonous womb, you fucking cunt! I hope our mother sells your fucking demon baby into slavery! I hope Aurelio rapes you in front of your fucking little boy toy —”

Siena closes the distance between her and Franco before I can move. She flips the gun in her hand, gripping the muzzle, and yanks his head back by the hair. Without a word, she beats him with the handle of the gun, slamming it into his face over and over.

Teeth crack. Bones shatter. Cartilage tears. Blood pours from his mouth, his nose, splattering across her beautiful face and chest, but she doesn’t flinch.

I don’t know if it’s the fact that she’s carrying my child, her ruthlessness in this moment, or watching her protect her family, protect our child, but I’m more fucking in love with her than I’ve ever been. I didn’t think it was possible to love her more.

Siena keeps going, beating him long after he’s unconscious, long after his face is a pulpy, unrecognizable mass of flesh and bone. She beats him until she’s sobbing, her body crumpling beneath her.

Adrenaline spikes through me. I’ve never seen my girl cry before.

I pull out my ear plugs and step in behind her, pulling her back and gently taking the gun from her shaking hand. As she falls into my arms, I remove her ear plugs.

“I’ve got you, baby,” I whisper as I hold her, smoothing her blood-dampened hair, rocking her as she shudders in my arms, absorbing all her pain. “I’m right here.”

When she’s ready, she steps back, wiping a trembling hand across her face. She surveys Franco, hanging from his shackles, passed out, unrecognizable, and bloody.

“Is he dead?”

I scan his chest, searching for movement, then step forward and check his pulse. It’s faint, but it’s there. “Not yet.”

Her voice is firm. “I need him gone.”

I nod. “Do you want me to—”

She shakes her head, cutting me off. I hand her the ear plugs, and she puts them in then holds out her hand for the gun. I place it in her palm and step back, giving her space, as I reinsert my ear plugs and cross my arms over my chest. Without hesitation, she empties the magazine into Franco’s chest. Each shot slams his body into the wall, the impact reverberating through the room.

She continues pulling the trigger, until it clicks, then drops her arms to her sides, her face blank, eyes unfocused. I pull out my ear plugs, and go to her and gently tug her ear plugs out before taking the gun out of her hand.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbles, so softly I can barely hear her.

At first, I think she’s speaking to Franco. But then she turns to me, lifting her chin, her hand settling protectively over her stomach.

“I’m sorry,” she repeats, her gaze dropping to the bloody concrete floor. “I was stupid. I thought my implant was effective for longer than it was, and I didn’t sleep with anyone before you for years so—”

“Siena, stop.” My voice comes out harsher than I want it to and she jerks away from me and takes a deep breath.

“I know you don’t want a baby right now. You have plans—”

I curse under my breath and work hard to soften my tone. “Baby, stop. Life happens. Plans change. I had plans until I met you, then my plans changed. Now that we’re having a baby, our plans will change.” Saying the words out loud is humbling. “I am fucking honored that you are carrying my child. Fucking honored, Siena.”

I hold out my hand to her. She chews on her bottom lip,her big brown eyes filling with tears as she lifts her gaze to meet mine.

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