“Isn’t this sweet,” Cabrini sneered. “Well, I’m going to help you here. Soon you’ll both be together forever. Six feet under.”
Jack turned around again, glaring at the mob boss who still held the gun straight at him. Jack’s gun was in his other hand. He carelessly tossed it aside.
“Before I kill you, I need to know exactly who you are and who you work for.”
He swallowed hard. What did it matter if Cabrini knew his identity? One of them wouldn’t be around much longer.Be positive you’ll survive this. You have to.
“Special Agent Jonathan Holland, FBI. My friends call me Jack.”
“Jonathan? Of course. Callina insisted she name the baby Jonathan. Wouldn’t hear of naming him after Angelo. Now I see why.”
Victor shook his head as he growled, “FBI. Can’t believe Tony hired an FBI agent to be my chauffeur. Stupidity.”
Victor’s anger made him lower the gun slightly but it was enough for Jack to take a step forward and kick the weapon out of his hand. He followed with a knee to the gut and when Victor was still standing, albeit hunched over, he threw his fist into his face. Hitting him again and again, the mobster finally fell back into the snow.
Wasting no time, he slipped his knife from his pocket, opened it and cut Callie’s bindings. Her arms fell and landed around his neck, clinging to him. Now wasn’t the time but he’d like to spend eternity like this. Giving her a quick kiss, he ordered, “Get out of here. I’ll take care of Victor.”
“Unless he takes care of you first,” Victor hissed, from behind him. A hard cylinder pressed against Jack’s neck. The knife was yanked from his hand. Pushing her away with his other hand, Jack hoped she’d take the hint to run.
“Now I can finish the job my son didn’t.”
Agony slashed through him as Victor shoved the knife into his lower back. Colors starburst and swirled across his vision then exploded into shades of red. White-hot pain pulsated and intensified. He tried to speak but no sound came out of his mouth. Callie’s distraught face matched the scream issuing from her lips. He pushed again and finally mouthed, “Run.”
She stumbled away, her expression torn between concern and fear. Yeah, he’d been there before. How many times had he walked away from her and Jonathan, knowing it was what he needed to do, not what he wanted to do?
His legs gave out and he dropped to his knees, reaching for the knife. He couldn’t catch his breath; the pain coursed through him, escalating and throbbing.
“That’s just punishment for people who stab me in the back. And this.”
Victor lifted his gun, pointing straight at Callie’s retreating back. He didn’t know where the strength came from but he swung his arm up, knocking Victor’s aim askew. The gun went off anyway.
Callie fell to the ground with a cry.No.She clutched her leg, blood staining the snow around her.
* * * *
Callie pushed past the pain as she fell. Jack was still on the ground, barely able to hold himself up. Victor walked toward her, his gun wavering between the two of them. Would she watch the man she loved more than life itself die before her eyes? Would she be first, making Jack witness her death? The ache in her leg was nothing compared to the agony in her heart.
I love you, Calico.The words echoed in her mind. She’d wanted to hear them for so long but now it wouldn’t matter. Not if Victor had his way. At least the authorities had the evidence about him. He wouldn’t be allowed to ruin any more lives. Or corrupt her son. One good thing would come out of this.
“Hmm, how do I do this?” Victor mused, a nasty grin on his face. He was enjoying this, the bastard. He looked back and forth between them. Jack attempted to stand but barely managed to crawl a few feet in her direction.
“Anyone wish to volunteer? Or should I be polite and let the lady go first?” He swung the gun in Callie’s direction. Something inside her snapped. She’d be dead in a few minutes, if not sooner, so she had nothing to lose.
“You are a despicable, evil person, Victor, and it’s a good thing Angelo was killed so he wouldn’t turn out to be just like you. A monster with no redeeming qualities. Maybe I won’t live to see it, but I’m glad I got the evidence to put you away for good, someplace you’ll never hurt people again.”
“Don’t be too sure, my dear. About that anyway. You are correct about not living to see it.” He aimed the gun at her head.
She closed her eyes, waiting for the shot but they flew open again when Jack stumbled in front of her, then slumped against her on the ground. A slight moan escaped from his throat. Wrapping her arms around his waist from behind, she held on tight, burying her face in his neck. The snow underneath them chilled her but not as much as the thought of what Victor was planning.
“Cabrini,” Jack pleaded, his voice shaky. The wind rustled past, stealing his words. What else could he say? Victor couldn’t be talked out of this.
She clung tightly, trying to be brave. But not as brave as Jack. The pain must have been excruciating to get over here, but he had done it to protect her. To keep her safe till the end. It wouldn’t be enough.
Victor cackled as his finger tightened on the trigger, aiming right at Jack’s chest. She hugged him closer, wanting to feel his hardness, smell his musky scent, taste the salt on his skin, one last time. The blast of the gun echoed in the empty woods along with her scream.
“Jack!” Sobbing, she pulled him tight to her, not wanting to let him go. But he still held himself up, barely. Had Victor missed? He’d been standing so close.
Looking up, her eyes focused on the man who’d stolen so much from her over the years as he jolted and fell to his knees, crimson staining his pristine white shirt.What?Snow crunched from behind her and she whipped her head around. Had the cavalry shown up? Perfect timing.
