Page 38 of Dragon Touched
I must remain calm—can’t risk putting the women in danger.
White-hot magic sizzled in his bones, causing every muscle to tremble against his tight control.
“Ah yes, now I remember your scrawny little ass.” Vito smiled the same grin from that horrible night years ago. “Love the scar.”
“You bloody psycho.” Fire rushed through Fin’s veins, and he grabbed the man’s shirt in his fist. “I’m going to—”
A flash of light fired from the barrel of the gun followed by a concussive blast.
Pain seared through Fin’s shoulder
“I should’ve taken you out long ago.” Vito punched him in the face and knocked him off balance.
Fin hit the floor and slipped into blackness.
Chapter 23
Sacha
Aloudbangdownstairsshook the windows. To Sacha’s ears, it sounded an awful lot like a gunshot.
“What the hell wasthat?” Sacha threw the clothes to the floor and ran to the hallway leading to the stairs.
“Don’t go down there.” Margaret tried to catch up with Sacha’s pounding feet. “Fin,” she sounded breathless, “can take care of himself, girl.”
Sacha didn’t bother to respond. She wasn’t going to stay safe in here if there was a scuffle below. For all she knew, someone was breaking in and about to kill everyone inside.
She flew to the bottom of the stairs, and her mouth dropped open. It was even worse than she thought.
Fin lay on the ground. A dark stain crawled across the shoulder of his robe. His pale face was lighter than usual, and his eyes were closed. Gunsmoke filled the air, along with the tangy scent of coppery blood.
She wanted to run and gather his limp form in her arms, but the two men standing in the doorway stopped her cold.
“Look what we have here.” It was Matteo, her father’s bodyguard. His hand still trained the .45 on Fin’s motionless body.
Vito Ninette’s black and silver hair lay slicked back against his skull, like an otter, and he gave a dangerous sneer when his dead stare roved over Fin’s body.
Sacha remained rooted to the cool, rough-hewn floor. Her bare toes dug into the cracks between the small boulders, and she tried not to let any emotion show on her face.
“You’ve embarrassed me for the last time, Sacha.” Vito shouldered his way into the room. “Now, we’re heading home and going through with the wedding, even if I have to lock you in your room and drag the priest inside.”
The momentary shock passed, and Sacha turned to run up the stairs, but she bumped into Margaret, who’s eyes were as round as the moon.
Her father’s big, hard hand grabbed her upper arm, and he hauled her down the two steps she’d managed to climb.
“Don’ttouchme.” She twisted and tried to pull from his grip, but he was strong—and angry.
“No daughter of mine is going to be seen slutting around with a stranger on the night she was supposed to be wed.” He raised a hand and slapped her cheek.
The sound rang in the still air and she gasped. This wasn’t the first time he’d hit her, but it had been years. He didn’t put his full force into the contact, but it was enough to make her cheek sting, and the pain brought tears to her eyes.
Without mercy, he hauled her to the door.
Legs like jelly, she stumbled with him for fear he’d drag her across the floor if she fell.
She passed Fin and saw blood seeping through his robe.
God, please let him be okay
