“Josette. Get down!” I commanded, unable to catch a good look at the man’s face.
He caught his bearings, smashing the gun against the side of her head. As her body went limp, sliding to the floor, he took aim in my direction.
Pop! Pop!
He was pummeled backward but came at me again, throwing himself at me. In the split second, all I could do was issue a hard punch, pitching him backward, but he managed to smash me in the face with his weapon, catching me completely off guard. Slipping, I stumbled to the floor, managing to get off a single shot, the missed aim catching him in the thigh.
His howl of agony was cut short.
The sound being muffled had enabled me to hear her strangled cry just before her body hit the floor.
Powerful rage tore through me.
Somehow, the fucker managed to lunge up and over the counter, immediately heading into the back. If Josette wasn’t lying on the floor, I would chase the fucker down.
Tires squealed, and seconds later the door was thrown open and Enzo rushed in. “I tried to call you.”
“Go after him!” I barked. “Around the back.”
My Capo reacted without question, rushing through the store toward the back door.
Fuck. I crouched down, rolling her over onto her back. She was breathing, the rise and fall of her chest rattled. At least she hadn’t been shot.
Less than a minute later, Enzo returned. “Sorry, boss. He got away.”
“Where the fuck did he come from?” I was furious, as angry with myself as anything.
“I noticed him going to his truck and getting in. No license plate.”
“Goddamn it.” She opened her eyes, but I could tell she was fading into unconsciousness.
“We need to get you out of here.” Enzo remained by the door, the weapon in his hands. “Do you want me to call for backup?”
“Leave it. The hunt will begin later.” The last thing I wanted was to fire indiscriminately with no chance of taking down the fucker. There were other businesses still open.
How in the hell was the asshole still breathing, let alone managing to jump over a tall counter and get away? I was a crack shot. I never missed. Unless the asshole had been wearing a bulletproof vest under his fucking sweater.
What the guy reminded me of were the three assholes who’d dare steal from us. I hadn’t seen their faces either. My thoughts were driven further into the darkness. My anger spiked. Was there any chance she was working with the assholes? Never mind logistical issues. It was the matters of coincidence that had kept our family members alive.
“Is there anyone else?” I barked out.
“Not that I noticed.”
“Get her keys and her phone. Check for a purse. We’re going to lock it up and take her with us.” The last thing I needed was some wayward employee coming in early in the morning and contacting the police. I could have our cleanup crew come in and wipe it down, but I wasn’t interested in wasting the resources.
Enzo eyed me as if I’d lost my mind. Maybe I had. But at this point, she was in danger. She was also a witness. As far as she was concerned, I’d killed the guy. Whether or not to protect her, she was already convinced I was a monster.
“You sure about that, boss?” My Capo knew better than to question me, yet the concern in his voice was noted. “Maybe she knew you were coming.”
“Do it!” I snapped. “I’ll sort that out later.”
Whoever the asshole was, there was no place on this earth where he could run and hide. I’d rip him to shreds with my bare hands.
Slowly.
I brushed my fingers down her cheek, growling. Her breathing was shallow, her skin devoid of all color. She’d seen the asshole’s face, which wasn’t going to bode well for her survival. The man was obviously an assassin, which meant he would return and finish the job in order to keep her quiet.
But he’d made mistakes as well.
