The one who’d seen her crouched near her side, his hand moving the bag out of the way, then the coat.
“She got shot.”
“She’s a fucking liability, Vince. You know what you’ve got to do.”
She took a shaking breath as he moved her hand away.
“It’s bad,” Vince said.
She stared into his blue eyes, seeing the evil lurking beneath.
He tilted his head to the side.
“This wasn’t her fault.”
“Drag her into the damn alley and be done with her. Let her bleed out. Or cut her fucking thigh and let nature take its course.”
“I’m not going to fucking kill her,” Vince said.
His words snapped out, and she tensed up.
“I don’t want to die,” she said.
“You will if I don’t take you with me.”
“Vince, you can’t take her.”
Tears leaked out of her eyes, tracing down into her hair. Dying right now was not part of her plan. She sniffled and gritted her teeth as she stared up at the dark sky.
Now was not supposed to happen.
She gasped as he stroked her cheek.
Staring into his eyes, she didn’t know what he was thinking or what he saw when he looked at her.
“For fuck’s sake, Vince, let me deal with it.”
She cried out as his friend pointed the gun at her.
Closing her eyes, she flinched, wishing and praying that he didn’t pull that fucking trigger.
“Please, please, please,” she said, whispering the words.
“What the fuck, Vince?”
She opened her eyes and saw Vince hold the man’s arm. He’d twisted the gun and it was now pointed at the man who’d been about to kill her.
“She’s not going to die. Not tonight.” He got to his feet, and she gasped as he put his hands beneath her body, lifting her up.
At first, she tensed up, afraid of what was about to happen.
“Are you fucking shitting me right now? She’s got to die. You can’t take her to Galiza’s home.”
“I’m taking her home with me. I’ll deal with her there.”
“Are you fucking mental right now? That is not going to happen.”
“Daniel, I put up with all your shit, but now is not the time to question me.” He stopped, and her head rested against his shirt.
Everything was getting a little blurry, and she was starting to feel sick. The pain was there, swallowing her whole.
She took a deep breath, which burned inside her, and cried out as he jolted.
He started to shout, but she didn’t make out any words.
Closing her eyes, she just wanted to fall asleep.
Her feet hurt.
Everywhere hurt.
Would it be so wrong to fall asleep in this man’s arms?
Dying a virgin would suck, but in his arms, that would be pretty amazing actually. There was something about Vince. He terrified and aroused her.
Piqued her interest and now she was going to die.
Such a shame.
It would have been interesting to see just how much of a monster he was.
Chapter Two
“You know they’ll kill her,” Daniel said.
“Why don’t you shut the fuck up?” Vince watched as the doctor removed the bullet from the woman’s abdomen.
This was the doctor he came to whenever he needed anything done without paperwork or attention. This man knew how to get everything done, and they’d worked together for a long time.
Doctor Alverez.
He’d been a little confused when he brought a woman here, but that was the point of paying the fee.
Arika was out of it. He held her bag and jacket, waiting to see what would be said. This wasn’t supposed to happen.
They’d gotten in their car, Daniel moaning about not seeing Rachel, when they’d caught sight of one of the men whose names he’d just tortured out of the guy. It had been too good of an opportunity to pass up. Parking the car, they’d dragged him down the darkened alley, and when things had gone too far, Daniel had used his gun rather than his fucking brains. Vincenzo should just kill him now, but then he’d have to explain what happened and he had no interest in drawing his bosses into this. They’d want to test her loyalty, and he had a feeling she didn’t know enough about the mafia or the life to give a good judgment.
“What the fuck was she doing near the alley?” Daniel asked.
“Probably walking home, seeing as she was crossing the street, but you were too busy firing bullets to even care. How did you end up a soldier? Because right now, I’m not seeing any soldierly qualities in you.”
“Fuck you, Vince. You don’t know the first thing of what I’m capable of.”
“I know that you shoot your weapon like it’s a fucking dick and don’t care who gets hurt in the crossfire.”
Daniel stood toe to toe with him. “You want to go there?”
“Gentlemen, I don’t care what problem you have, but I need you to know and understand, you fight here, and this will be the last work I do.” Doctor Alverez looked over at them. “Do I make myself clear?”