Chapter Thirty-One
The popping sounds of gunfire jerked Axe from his comfortable position on the canopy bed. His arms tightened around Leanna, and he rolled them off the bed in one smooth motion.
Bullets rattled through the door, splintering the wood, and puffs of cotton and feathers erupted from the spot they’d been lying on. The half-filled champagne bottle burst, and the ice bucket was shot through.
Axe dislodged the guard’s gun from the holster he was still wearing and pushed Leanna behind him. “Get your clothes on and get into the closet.”
“You’re still butt naked,” she said. “Why aren’t you shooting?”
“They don’t know for sure we’re in here unless I shoot back.” He reached across the floor and hooked the pants.
Another round of gunfire toppled the tray table holding the champagne, and Leanna’s snub-nosed revolver fell to the floor.
Axe grabbed it and slid it across to Leanna. “Here, now hide in there while I ambush them.”
She took it and retreated into the closet.
Axe pulled on his pants with one hand while scooting to the side of the doorway, opposite of the handle. Sure enough, a round of bullets burst through the plaster on the wall near the doorknob.
He checked that the guard’s gun was loaded and waited.
“I know she’s in there,” Ivan said. “She roofied the champagne, but I traded glasses with her. She should be asleep like the dead.”
“Then kick down the door,” Axe’s father said. “We need her for a hostage.”
Axe was about to call out, but a prickling sensation seized his head around the temples. Why was his father working with Ivan?
The door crashed and flung open. Because Axe was behind it, the two intruders didn’t see him. He cranked a roundhouse kick, catching Ivan in the face.
Ivan dropped, and Axe’s father pivoted and jabbed his gun in Axe’s chest.
“What the hell are you doing here?” His father’s eyes popped with surprise. “Thought you were with Veronica.”
“You thought wrong.” Axe held on to his gun, but there was no way he could shoot his father. Not unless he went for Leanna. “Turn around and leave. There’s no one here but me.”
“Let me search the room,” his father shot him a disbelieving glare. “Go downstairs and wait for me.”
“No, Dad. What the hell is going on?” Axe’s heart was ready to burst from his chest. “Can’t we get out of here and go home?”
“No. Leanna’s father has to die. He killed Dom.”
“Leanna’s father’s not here,” Axe said. “You’ll have to go through me to get to any of them.”
“He killed Dom.” Axe’s father hissed through gritted teeth. “He’s downstairs, acting like the capo, but he’s not going to get away. Not this time.”
“He helped Soledad escape,” Axe said, grasping for a reason. “Dad, put the gun down.”
“No.” The gun prodded Axe. “I know Leanna’s in here. Listen to me, boy. We need her to get out of here alive. Tomas took control.”
“He’ll let us go,” Axe said. “Leanna’s gone to Mexico City.”
“How can you lie to me? Your own father?” Axe’s father shoved him aside. He kicked the bed and headed for the closet. “Leanna, come out now, or Carmelita dies. You hear? Uncle Roberto did some digging. She was that social media sensation, litaloca, the girl who joined the caravan. She crossed the border, and she’s headed for San Francisco. Roberto sent men to capture her.”
“No.” Leanna burst from the closet. She pointed her revolver at Axe’s father. “This feud ends here. My father was wrong to kill your brother, but we’ve had our losses too. My brother, Hector, is dead—shot while building houses for the poor. Axe’s daughter, Soledad, is safe only because of my father’s protection. He’s the capo of Cano cartel now. You touch me or my daughter, and you will pay. You hurt Axe, and you will pay.”
“Dad, please, let Dom rest in peace.” Axe pointed his gun at his father. “Drop the gun.”
“I’ve failed to avenge my brother.” Axe’s father extended his arm, still holding the gun.
