Allie’s sharp cry hooked deep in my chest, and I whirled toward her. Father had her in his restraining grasp once again, a gun jammed against her ribs. I froze, air solidifying in my lungs. I didn’t dare to breathe in case any tiny movement caused him to pull the trigger.
He bared his teeth at me and grabbed her breast, drawing another horrified shriek from her. My body vibrated with barely leashed violence, the desperate need to get to her driving me close to madness.
“Go to hell, you sick bastard,” Francesca growled. Silver arced toward my father’s neck, and blood sprayed as she slit his throat.
Father’s hand flew to the gaping wound, and a gunshot rang out. I surged forward and grabbed Allie away from him. I didn’t bother to watch as he clutched at his neck, as though he could hold in the lifeblood that gushed out of his body in a thick stream.
My hands roved over Allie, searching for a bullet wound.
“I’m okay.” Her teeth chattered, and her small hands pressed against my shoulder. I didn’t feel the pain when she applied pressure to the gory hole where Paulie had shot me. “You’re bleeding.”
“I’m fine, Bambi.” My knees hit the floor, and I clutched her to me more tightly as I shook the dizziness away.
“Max!” Her peridot eyes glinted with panic, and she pushed both hands against my shoulder to slow the bleeding.
I heard my father rattle his final breath, but I couldn’t look away from her. I couldn’t let her out of my sight.
“Get out of here, little brother.” Francesca’s cool command hitched slightly. “I’m in charge of this family now.”
“Fine,” I ground out. “It’s yours.”
If she wanted to be queen of a broken empire, that was her misfortune. All I wanted was to take Allie away from this nightmare.
I cradled her in my arms and struggled to stand. I made it up onto one knee when something shattered in the foyer, and several sets of heavy boots stomped into the house, coming straight for us.
CHAPTER 16
Allie
I scrambled out of Max’s arms and lunged toward Paulie’s…body. I swallowed against the burn at the back of my throat and ignored the odd angle of his neck, his sightless black eyes. Keeping my focus on my goal, I snatched the gun that Max’s father had dropped when Francesca had slit his throat.
I shoved all of the awfulness to the back of my brain; something else was coming for us, and I wouldn’t leave Max to face it alone. He was hurt, bleeding and unable to stand.
“Allie!” He barked my name and reached for me, but I stepped around him, shielding him with my body as I turned toward the open doorway and raised the gun. I’d never held one before, but I could at least try to defend us. Max had saved me so many times. It was my turn to save him.
The heavy footfalls stopped in the corridor just outside the study, and someone peeked around the corner to check the room. I pulled the trigger, and the gun barked in my hand. The recoil slammed up my arm, and I stumbled back. Before I could right myself, Niko appeared in the doorway, his own gun raised. I steadied my grip and stilled my shaking arms, gritting my teeth as I firmed my stance.
His stunning blue eyes widened, and he held up a hand. “Don’t shoot!” he shouted at the four men who closed ranks behind him.
His gaze swept the room behind me, taking in the dead men and Max on his knees. Francesca had ducked behind the massive desk for cover when I’d gone for the gun. She didn’t come into the open; she didn’t risk being seen by the Russians.
Niko’s jaw firmed when he focused on me again. “Put the gun down, Allie.”
I lifted my chin, defiant. They wouldn’t get to Max. I wouldn’t let them. “You first,” I snapped back.
His eyes narrowed. “I’m not here for you. Now, get out of my way.”
“No.”
“Allie,” Max growled, struggling to his feet. He tried to get in front of me, but I pushed him back. He swayed and dropped back to his knees.
Panic bubbled in my chest. How much blood had he lost already? I had to get him to a hospital.
“We’re leaving,” I told Niko. “I’m taking Max out of here.”
A shadow danced over his jaw. “I can’t let you do that. They all die tonight. Every last one of the Ferraras. Max did this when he tried to blackmail your father.”
“They’re dead already!” My voice was too high-pitched. “Look around, Niko. They’re dead.”