Page 60 of Dangerous Kiss
Sifrido patted his shoulder. “I think they went this way.”
Cosimo didn’t move. “’Frido, look at all this blood. Someone bled out here.”
“Not necessarily…Cos, there’s a blood trail here. C’mon.”
They found Biba, slumped over in the snow, barely conscious. Cosimo scooped her into his arms and held her close while Sifrido examined her wounds.
“Jesus, it’s deep. We need to get her back to civilization.”
“No,” Biba moaned, “we’re so close. They’re just ahead of me. Please, save her… For me, Cos, save her.”
Cosimo hesitated, and Biba touched his face. “This will all have been for nothing if we don’t.” She wriggled out of his arms and stood as best she could. “I’m okay, I think.” She saw the skepticism in her face and tried to smile. “Okay, I’m not, but fuck it, he isn’t going to win.”
“Then hold onto me and do not let go,” Cosimo said, sliding his arm around her waist. “If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it together.” They set off slowly along the tracks Reggie and Stella had left.
“He has a gun. Just thought I’d mention it.” The blood loss was making her lightheaded and squirrelly. Cosimo almost smiled.
“Always helpful to know.”
Ten minutes later, Sifrido stopped them, putting his finger to his lips and pointing downhill. They saw flashes of color amidst the snowy trees and heard a woman’s voice carrying back to them.
“Stella’s giving him hell,” Biba whispered, and Cosimo nodded.
“If he thinks that’s hell, he’s about to find out what hell is really like.” He lowered her to the ground, propped up against a tree. “Baby, we need to take him by surprise, and as much as I love you, we can’t do that holding you up.”
Biba nodded. “I get it.”
“I’m going to be back before you know it.” He pressed his lips to his. “My little warrior. I love you.”
“Love you too…be careful.” Biba smiled at him, then her eyes lit up. “I have a weapon.” She pulled the tire iron from her pocket. Cosimo stroked her face.
“You hang onto that, just in case. We brought our own.” He showed her the guns he and Sifrido had brought with them. Biba nodded.
“Kill that motherfucker. He murdered Rich and his own mother.”
Cosimo nodded, his eyes dangerous. “Don’t worry…Reggie Quinn is going down.”
