Tammy, recognizing the voice of her mother, reluctantly looked up. Beverly, along with the young hostess, was standing in front of their table. She was wearing a black dress with spaghetti straps and a flared skirt. Her long hair was jet black with a thin streak of gray, and her dark skin was flawless. Beverly was looking just as pretty as Tammy remembered. Shockingly, years of drug abuse had not sullied her beauty.
Since Tammy hadn't greeted Beverly in return, Luca gave her a subtle nudge before standing.
“Hello,” Tammy finally said in response.
Luca walked around the table and reached for the chair directly in front of Tammy. But just as his hand reached the back of the chair, he turned and stared across the restaurant. He reached into his suit jacket and snatched his weapon from the holster. Tammy looked around and noticed, for the first time, that Lorenzo, along with his other men were scattered about the restaurant.
Without turning around, Luca shoved Beverly behind him and hand signaled for Tammy to get down. She didn't have to be told twice. Tammy lowered herself to the floor and crawled under the table. Just as Tammy heard what sounded like a herd of buffalo ascending the stairs, the first shot rang out. It was the blood-curdling scream that came from Beverly, not the sound of gunfire that made Tammy jump. She belly crawled under the table, yanked her mother by the ankles. Beverly hit the floor with a thud, and to Tammy’s dismay, Beverly managed to scream even louder.
“Shut up!” Tammy gritted as she pulled her mother under the table.
Beverly pressed her lips shut and looked at Tammy as if she’d grown a third eye as if she actually had the nerve to feel disrespected. Tammy didn't have time to care about the woman’s feelings. She was worried about Luca, and she needed to, at the very least, hear what was going on. But all she heard was rapid gunfire accompanied by the screams of restaurant patrons. All she could do was lie on the floor and pray for Luca’s safety, and the safety of his men.
After minutes that seemed like hours, the shooting stopped. An eerie silence caused Tammy to panic. She was starting to crawl just as the table was flipped over.
“Get them out of here!” Luca shouted in Italian.
Tammy got on all fours and looked up at Luca. He was still holding his gun, but blood was coming from his arm. Tammy hurried to her feet and ran over to him.
“Luca, baby...oh my God,” Tammy said in a breathy panic.
“Go with Lorenzo,” he ordered, just as Lorenzo grabbed Tammy’s elbow.
“But, Luca, you're hurt,” she said, pulling away from Lorenzo.
Luca looked down at his arm and frowned, realizing for the first time that he’d been shot. “It’s nothing, cara. Go.”
“But, Luca,” Tammy protested.
His expression turned angry. “Tamara…go!” he yelled, causing Tammy to jump.
The grip that Lorenzo had on her elbow tightened. She looked into Luca’s eyes. They held a warning that said that now was not the time to challenge him.
“O-okay, baby. I love you,” she relented.
Luca only nodded as Lorenzo, along with three other men pulled her and Beverly through the restaurant. As they stepped over bodies on their way out, Tammy surmised that they were Russian. Once outside, they were hurried into a waiting SUV that wasted no time speeding away from the curb.
A ride that should have taken thirty minutes only took fifteen. Thankfully, the drive to Victoria’s house had ended. During the ride, Beverly had worked Tammy’s last nerve with constant questions and irritating judgmental comments about Luca. She did her best to ignore her mother’s rant.
They pulled into Victoria’s circled driveway, and Tammy couldn't escape the enclosed space of the vehicle fast enough. As soon as Lorenzo opened the door, she flew toward the elaborate entrance of the Storm estate.
The front door flew open, and Victoria appeared with open arms. Tammy rushed into the hug and released a cleansing breath.
