They all make sounds of irritation, but I say nothing, do nothing.
Why can’t I do anything?
Gage steps forward, and my eyes track him as he slides in behind Ella and bends down. I hear him murmur softly in Spanish, words I can’t make out against the erratic beat of my heart whooshing in my ears.
He places his hands on her shoulders and squeezes. For some reason, seeing them together, him supporting her, not stifling her or holding her back, has my feet finally shuffling forward. Ella stands taller, like she truly knows she’s not alone in this world. Like she’ll never be alone again.
Her fingers wrap around mine, and I realize I’m not alone either.
They’re a unit. A team. A family.
And maybe, just maybe, I can finally be a part of that, too.
Ella takes a deep breath, steadying herself, and I squeeze her hand in mine. “Do you know who I am?”
My heart picks up to a painful pace as he smiles and nods. His gaze lazily slides over the empty parking lot, but his body is tense, his grey beard ticking along with his jaw.
“I do.” He flicks his eyes back to her, then to me. “He’s always wanted your blood, little doll.” His head tilts, brows furrowing, and I shiver at the sick name and words. Who is he? Why does Eric keep referring to some elusive man? “From the moment I met him, it was always about your blood. Your mother first, and then you.” He shakes his head, his smile dropping. “He thinks you’re the key. He needs your name, your blood. He played the long game. Kept you alive but broken until you turned twenty-three.”
Stone sucks in a sharp breath, and I feel Gage stiffen next to me.
Her hand shakes in mine, and just like she had before, I smooth my thumb over her skin, reminding her we’re here. Whatever he says, whatever he does, we’re here.
“I’m not twenty-three, though,” Ella rasps.
Even though I know she’s right, I also know she could be wrong. We don’t know when she was born or where. Don’t know who her family is, or fuck, who she is.
It’s never mattered to me. Not for a single second. But I know how badly her blank past bothers her. Know how much she wants those lost memories. Wishes the darkness was bathed in light.
Eric’s smile is slow and tortuous. “How do you know? Do you know your birthday? You don’t know anything.” His eyes flick between the men surrounding me. “You don’t even know who stands next to you.”
“I do,” she snaps. "They are Los Diablos. I know them.”
But does she? Do any of us really know each other? It’s been a whirlwind the last few months, and though I’ve worked for them for years, I hardly know the men who surround us.
That’s not true,my mind whispers.
Eric shakes his head. “You really don’t. None of you know anything, but we’re running out of time, so, unfortunately foryou, little doll—” Eric breaks off. I see it before he’s even made the decision to move, and finally, finally, my body knows what to do. His hand flies up, the gun cocked and ready, as he cackles his final words. “You won’t be alive to find out.”
Everything happens so fast, but my soul has made the decision to react before my mind can even comprehend it.
Eric’s gun goes off, but I barely hear it as I jolt forward and wrap my body around Ella’s.
Ella.
The only woman I’ve ever loved.
The only person I’ve ever truly cared for.
The only one who’s ever mattered.
I don’t see the world spin as I cocoon her in my embrace and twist my body to take the brunt of the fall when we hit the ground, or I try to, at least.
I don’t see the lights swirling around us or the chaos that breaks out in the parking lot.
I have no idea where the guys are or if Eric’s alive.
All I know is that Ella is wrapped in my arms, and she’s safe.
