Kneeling, I ignore the pain in my knees from the hard, cold tile floor and squint under the pews until I spot the other soldier’s gun. Shoving the row to the side, I slide under and grab the weapon, feeling more confident now I have a few guns.
I walk around to where Stefano is lying on the floor at an awkward angle with his body halfway on top of his deadsoldato. Silent tears leak from the corners of his eyes as froth continues to bubble from his mouth. I lean down and press my fingers to the pulse point in his neck. It’s faint, but he is still alive. I should use him to try to get out of here, but he’s too heavy for me to cart him up and over to the door and then haul him around outside until I’ve disposed of his men. I don’t know how many are outside. He could end up being more of a hindrance than a help.
Without stopping to consider it further, I shoot him through the head, feeling zero remorse I’ve now taken three lives.
It’s kill or be killed, and I won’t apologize or feel guilty for putting myself first.
My nostrils twitch as a smoky smell crawls up my nose. At first, I think it’s from the gun until a strange crackling sound combines with a blast of hot air, and I look up, my eyes widening in horror. One of the hanging wall signs is immersed in flames, and I watch in a dazed state of shock as the fire spreads quickly across the wall to the other canvas hangings. Heat roars at me from nearby, and I jerk back a couple steps as the wooden pew beside me bursts into flames. That has a domino effect, and soon several pews are on fire.
That snaps me out of my frozen state, and I race toward the entrance door as glass rains down from overhead when one of the stained-glass windows shatters.
The pounding on the door has stopped, and I wonder if whomever was outside has spotted the fire and run off. Or if they are lined up and ready to shoot me the second I open the door. I have no choice now. I need to get outside even if it means certain death. I’d rather go quickly by bullet than die painfully engulfed in flames.
41
ALESSO
“It’s around the corner,” Dominic says, pulling the rifle slung over his shoulder around to his chest. “I’m pretty confident our intel is correct, and we should outnumber them three to one, but be on guard.” He eyeballs Ben, and the boss nods, gratitude shining in his eyes.
Dominic and Franco called as Ben was on the phone to Saverio, about to make a deal. Their timing was impeccable. Serena was the catalyst for them finding the balls to reach out to Don Mazzone for help. Both men admitted they spent plenty of time at her house on holidays and other special occasions, and they have always had a soft spot for her, hating what Gifoli put her through. When they discovered DeLuca had kidnapped her and what his plans were, it was the final push they needed to make a move.
There wasn’t much time to discuss how things will pan out, because rescuing Serena is top of everyone’s priority list. Dom and Franco were happy to accept Ben at his word when he promised them the top positions within Chicago in exchange for their help to rescue Serena and bring The Outfit back under The Commission’s jurisdiction.
It makes me think we should have taken a risk and reached out to the guys a few weeks ago.
“She’ll be okay,” Dominic says, noting the worry in my eyes. “DeLuca needs her alive. He won’t harm her.”
“He’ll suffer a gruesome death if he has,” I growl, flexing my knuckles and checking my weapons for the umpteenth time. I’m itching to spill some Sicilian blood, and Ben is letting me have free rein at the asshole.
Dom calls up Franco, who is in the other armored van behind us with a bunch of Outfitsoldatiwho are loyal to them and committed to restoring peace via The Commission. “Be ready,” Dom says as we round the corner and the little church comes into view.
“No!” I yell, panic racing through my veins at the sight of the flames shooting through the roof of the church and out through the shattered remains of the high stained-glass windows. Outside, a line of four men has their guns trained on the front door as it visibly rattles, and bile churns in my gut. Shoving my head in between the front console, I shout at the driver. Nario is sitting beside the man, his fingers twitching with the need to inflict pain. “Get a move on it, man, for fuck’s sake.”
The dude puts the pedal to the metal, and the van screeches as we speed up the road, drawing the attention of DeLuca’s loyal men. We’re jostled from side to side as the van jerks to a halt at the curb. Dominic opens the door, and we climb out, instantly returning fire as DeLuca’s men take aim at us. Brakes screech as our backup pulls up behind us, and more men spill out onto the pavement.
It’s over fast because we have the numbers and superior firepower.
“Go!” Ben roars at me as he runs over to Franco with Ciro shadowing him.
I jump over prone bodies as I sprint toward the front doors of the burning church. Thank fuck it’s made of stone or I’m guessing the whole place would be aflame right now. Slamming my hands into the wooden front doors, I wince as heat sears my flesh. “Serena!” I holler, yanking on the handles, but the doors won’t budge.
“Alesso!” Her faint voice reaches my eardrums. “I can’t get the bolt off. The door won’t open.” The door rattles from the inside as she tries to unlock it.
“I’ll get you out. Hold on!” I go to town on the door, ignoring the pain in my hands as I pound and shake the doors. Using my shoulders, I ram into it repeatedly, and though it trembles, it doesn’t open. Fuck! I’m trying to keep a cool head, but it’s hard when the woman I love is trapped inside. Smoke inhalation can kill, and I don’t know how long she’s been trapped in the burning structure or how bad it is inside. There’s got to be another entrance, at the side or the back, and I’m just about to run off and investigate when Leo materializes behind me.
“Stand back.” He fists a hand in my shirt and tugs me away from the door. “Move away from the door, Rena,” he yells. “Do it now.” We step back as Ben and Dominic appear with a couple of other guys holding a heavy beam.
“Dom found it around the side,” Leo explains as the guys charge toward the door, slamming the beam into it. The doors rattle and buckle a little, but they still remain intact. “The church recently received a new roof, courtesy of that DeLuca prick, and they hadn’t thrown out all the old beams and wood panels.”
The men charge the door again and again, breaking the wood a little more with each thrust until the inner bolt snaps and the doors swing inward. A blast of heat and smoke hits me, stinging my eyes and making me cough. Soldiers swarm around us, keeping their guns raised and aimed at the entrance because none of us know who else might be in there with Rena.
But she’s all I see, staggering through the smoky haze as she exits the building. I push men aside in my haste to get to her, scooping her up and cradling her against my chest as I turn around and run toward the van.
“Alesso.” She coughs, and my panic elevates to a new level.
“Angel, you’re safe now. I’ve got you.”
Her lips graze my neck, and I hold her closer, praying like I have never prayed before, begging God to let her be okay.
