Page 92 of Hostile Love
“I’ve never lied to you, Tommy.” I stand before him, my shoulders pulled back and my chin held high.
I unbutton my shirt. Although it's filthy, I drape it over Dani’s chest, carefully tuck half of it behind her forearm, and tie the sleeves at her nape to create a sling.
“I had nothing to do with it,” I tell him, placing a kiss to the side of her temple when she whispers thanks.
The fact she let me help her isn’t missed.
“You know everything there is to know about me, Tommy. So, the real question is––do you think I went behind your back?”
“I wouldn't have blamed you.” He sighs heavily, intuitively stroking the long hair tumbling over Carina’s shoulders. “But no,Mat, I don’t think it was you. I’m starting to put all the pieces together, though.”
I frown. “What are you thinking?”
As he stares at me with his earthy dark eyes, a soldier standing to the right of him holds his hand to his earpiece and mumbles something.
“Sir.” He steps forward. “Your family members are safe. We have them surrounded. Except for one.”
Tomás glares at him. “Who?”
“Giovanni can’t find his wife. He’s––”
Losing his mind.
“They’re in the elevator.” Dani takes a step away from me and I almost yank her back where she belongs. “We were under attack,” she continues. “Letterman pushed India into the elevator for cover. I know which one it is. I’ll show you.”
“We were stuck in the elevator after the electricity cut out. They’ve probably malfunctioned again.” Carina speaks up. “Dani shoved me behind her and killed the shooters. But blood was on the floor, Tomás,” she says. “One of them was hit, but I don't know who.”
“Do you know which elevator it was, Cari?” he asks, ignoring the fact Dani had already told him she could show them the way.
“Yes.”
I glare at him, seething. “Are we really doing this?”
Dani offered to help and he’s being an asshole.
Tomás cocks an eyebrow when I position myself in front of Dani, making it clear I won’t tolerate any more shit. If he’s going to treat her like an outcast, then we still have a huge fucking problem.
“The police are all over this place.” He slots his gun into the back of his pants. “You two have blood on your hands…literally, and dead bodies are everywhere. Put your masks on and get the hell out of here before someone sees you. My men will help.”
He puts his hand on my bicep. While I think it's a brotherly gesture, he takes me by surprise and shoves me sideways, giving him access to Dani.
I stumble a step and growl, immediately squaring up to him.
“What the fuck, Tommy?”
She meets his gaze with a hardened expression, even though we’re all unsure what he’s planning to do next.
Yet her strong stance shows no fear, and his eyes appear a shade lighter than perpetual black. Something unusual lurks there. But I can’t read it.
“My snap decision to let you run away has led to this. To you, protecting my family. We’re more than even, Daniela,” he declares, jutting out his hand.
I’m not sure what the hell is happening right now, but Dani nods and willingly allows Tommy to wrap her small, uninjured hand with his large one.
The hairs on my scalp rise, not liking the connection, but needing to witness a truce.
“I’m a professional.” She bobs her head in my direction and takes back her hand. “And if Mat asks for my help, I’d never refuse him. Which means I’d protect his family like I would my own––for his sake.”
“Spoken like a true Blanco smitten with a Souza,” Tomás deadpans.
