“Sir,” Conner interrupts.
“Not now,” my dad snaps.
“But sir,” he insists. “We’re being followed. Shit! We’re being run off the road!” Conner maneuvers the vehicle as best as he can, but he seems to be struggling.
“What are you doing? Lose them already. What the hell do I pay you for?”
“Yes, sir, but–”
The entire car lurches forward and then spins around once before coming to an abrupt stop. I claw at the door handle, using the opportunity to escape. My dad tries yanking me back inside, but I twist out of his punishing hold and kick wildly inhis direction. My foot hits something solid, and he yelps in pain. Serves him right.
I shove the car door open and climb out, only to have the world tilt as my vision goes blurry. Right before I hit the ground, I’m enveloped in a warm, familiar embrace. Renzo’s leather and bergamot scent fills my lungs, and I know I’m going to be okay.
9
RENZO
“I’ve got you,” I whisper against Jaylin’s forehead before pressing a kiss there. I breathe her in and tighten my hold on her. Thank Christ she’s back in my arms.
“Renzo?” Jaylin murmurs through tears.
“I’m so sorry I let this happen. I…” I swallow back tears of my own, and clear my throat. “Fuck, I was so worried.”
“I’m okay now. My head hurts a little.” Her voice trembles, twisting the knot of guilt in my stomach even tighter.
I gently cup her shoulders and hold my precious girl out in front of me so I can inspect her for damage. White hot fury ripples through my muscles when I see a cut along her hairline and a bruise already forming over her left eye and temple.
“I’m going to kill him,” I promise her.
“No, the fuck you’re not,” Allen says as he stumbles out of the car and points at me. We’re in a small, deserted alley, and he’s cornered. “Why would you throw everything we’ve built away for her?”
I clench my jaw and position myself between Jaylin and her father. He’ll never lay another finger on her. How can a man talk about his own daughter that way? Jaylin told me as much, butwitnessing his cruel indifference first-hand is both infuriating and heartbreaking.
“If you can’t see how incredible she is, then that’s your loss. I know a treasure when I find one.” Jaylin gasps from behind me and takes my hand in hers. I squeeze it and look at her briefly, letting her see that I meant every word.
“I have something else you want, don’t I?” Allen counters. “A lucrative land deal that secures peace between the families. Is she really worth giving that up?”
“Yes,” I don’t hesitate to answer. Will this complicate things with the Bianchis? Undoubtedly. Nevertheless, I told Jaylin I’d sacrifice everything for her, and this is me keeping my promise.
Allen scowls, his face turning bright red at my response. “You need me!” he screams.
I whip my gun out and point it at this motherfucker’s head. “The only person I need is standing next to me,” I tell him in a low, controlled voice. “And you’re about to find out that I always get what I need.”
I lunge at Allen and pin him to the ground before digging the muzzle of my gun into his forehead. The fear in his eyes makes me smirk. I’m a sick fuck for wanting to watch the life drain from him, but I’ve killed for much less.
“Renzo, stop,” Jaylin pleads, her small hand resting on my shoulder.
I grit my teeth, my trigger finger itching to finish the job. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. I don’t want his death on my hands or your hands. He’s not worth feeling guilty over, even for a second.”
I swallow thickly and stare at Allen, who looks like he’s about to piss his pants. I certainly won’t feel any guilt about ending this man’s life, but Jaylin’s right. I don’t want any blood on her hands. She’s my pure, perfect angel, and she shouldn’t have to see this side of me.
Still, I can’t let his actions go unpunished.
I nod at Jaylin, then bring the butt of my gun down on Allen’s nose, snapping the bone with a satisfying crunch. I pistol-whip him a few more times, then pull him up by his collar. He coughs and spits out blood along with a few teeth.
“Don’t ever fucking touch her again. Don’t look at her. Don’t breathe in her direction. Don’t think about her after today. If it were up to me, I’d be calling a clean-up crew right now to scrape your lifeless body off the concrete, but I’ll always respect Jaylin’s wishes. She’s a better and stronger person than you or I will ever be. Don’t take her mercy for granted.”
