Page 74 of Hostile Devil
“Then it’s sealed, India Souza.” He slides his big ring onto my wedding finger. “You’re mine and I’m yours.”
I nod and start to shake, my lower lip quivering. His eyelids droop and he tips into me, pressing his mouth to mine. The kiss we share isn’t biting or demanding. It’s gentle, soft, and heartfelt, unlike anything this man had ever offered me.
“Giovanni…” André interrupts, his voice rushed. “The clock is ticking, brother. You’re bleeding out. Come on, where are your cars parked? I’ll drive you to the hospital.”
The clock is ticking.
Fabian’s statement replays in my head, and suddenly my heart stops beating. I jump to my feet, feeling my blood run ice-cold. “Dré!”
André’s gaze darts to mine, his spine straightening as he senses the horror unraveling within me. “Indy, it’s okay. We’re out of here once Tommy gets Leo.”
“No… no… we need to leave now!” The words rush out, urgent and sharp. “Fabian said this place would go up in flames. Dré… I think he planted a bomb in Blackwater.”
34
GIOVANNI
“I have to warn Tommy!” Matheus folds the contract and stuffs it into his back pocket.
“Do not go upstairs,” I yell at him, the pain firing through me unbearable.
But my youngest brother doesn’t listen to my command. He’s already sprinting out of the library and I’m struggling to see straight.
I tap my earpiece and say, “Everyone, get out. There’s a bomb. I repeat. Get the fuck out now!” Swallowing a breath, I speak to one trainee in particular. “Buffalo… have you found Leo?”
There’s a lifelong second of a pause over the airwaves and then she replies, “Affirmative, Dragon. We’re making our way outside now.”
“Do you have eyes on Mat?”
“Negative.”
Fuck.
“Where are they?” India asks, wrapping my bicep with a tight bandage. “Did Tomás find Leo? The little guy must be terrified.”
I nod, rummaging through packets of shit I don’t need, finding the self-injector, and jamming the chunky pen into my thigh to release a shot of adrenaline.
Sucking a gust of air into my lungs, my heart rate goes berserk. I think I’m about to have a heart attack. But I inhale deeply and use the burst of energy it gives me to push out of the chair.
“What the hell?” India grabs the injector out of my hand. “This could kill you!”
I set my hand on her shoulder and close my eyes briefly. The urge to hug her is strong, but there’s not enough time.
“It won’t. Come on. Move it. We’re against the clock with no idea how long we have.” I slide my hand down her arm and grab her wrist, the warmth of it my anchor.
We’re far from safe. Even though the medication charges through my veins, it doesn't dull the pain or the rage.
“Quickly,” I press, pulling her along beside me, through the library and into the hallway.
My head is thumping so hard I could throw up at any second. I’ve been this way before, maybe not quite so critical. But still, I survived and I could do it again.
As soon as we near the entrance hall at the foot of the stairs, André yells into the darkness, calling for Matheus. There’s no response.
“We can’t leave without him!” André moves ahead of us.
When he shouts his name again, I know what I need to do. This is my house. My fault. My duty.
Reluctantly letting go of India’s hand, I push her toward my twin. “Get her out of here, Dré.”
