Bella hit the floor with a thud. She wanted to nurse the painful injury to her head, but she didn’t have time. The man had recovered and was pointing the gun at Lucas’ head. Bella swiveled around like a breakdancer and kicked the gunman’s feet from up under him. When he hit the floor, Bella climbed on top of him and punched his face. He was unfazed. The gunman shook it off and swiped her away like a mosquito. Bella hit the floor again. But before she could recover, the man slammed a hard elbow into her gut and climbed on top of her.
Bella struggled, but it was no use. She’d been overpowered. The maniacal smirk on the gunman’s face said that he knew it. Without an ounce of mercy, he slammed his fist to her nose. Bella’s eyes swelled immediately, nearly swollen completely shut when she saw his fist coming at her again. Theimpact of his knuckle’s impact on her face almost sent her into a slumber. Only her body would relent. It couldn’t. She couldn’t allow herself to let go. Lucas was in danger.
Bella willed her fist to ball and raised a limp arm. She tried to strike her attacker, but he caught her wrist and struck another blow to her face. Warm tears rolled down her face, not because of the pain of cracking bones, but because she had failed. Bella would easily have died to save the man she loved. Sadly, it seemed she would die in vain.
VICTOR
Victor kissed the top of Taylor’s head and whispered, “Why don’t you go on home to Vicky?”
Taylor shook her head. “She’s in good hands with Maya. I can stay.”
Maya was Vicky’s well-qualified nanny. Victor knew their daughter was in good hands. But he couldn’t remember the last time he and Taylor had slept, and he wanted her to get some rest. “Baby, there’s nothing you can do here. It’s a waiting game now.”
Taylor looked up at him with an arched brow. Victor could see the concern in her beautiful, brown eyes. “Then, you come with me,” she countered.
Victor smiled and looked over at Gregor, who was standing erect in the corner of the room. “Will you see my wife home?”
Gregor nodded. “Of course.”
Before Taylor could protest, the door opened. Kena entered carrying two overnight bags and a garment bag. No doubt, housing one of his suits and some things for Taylor. Victor shook his head. With a fresh change of clothing, it would be impossible to talk Taylor into leaving.
Kena hung the garment bag on a hook behind the door and placed the bags on the floor in the corner. She nodded toward the door, gesturing him to the hall. Victor kissed the top of his wife’s head and followed Kena into the hall. “What’s up?” he asked.
“First, how’s Lucas doing?” she asked.
Victor sighed. “He’s stable and out of surgery. The doctors will know more when he wakes.”
“Okay. I’ll be praying for him,” Kena assured.
‘Kena was sweet,’ Victor thought with a smile. Other than his wife and mother, she was the closest woman in his world. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“All right, then, let’s get to it. The press is all over this attack on your family. The speculation is getting a bit out of control. Your opponent is trying to link your loose association with the Savellis to the attack on Lucas and the twins.
“This motherfucker!” Victor seethed.
To call Paul Langdon an asshole would be generous. Truth, dignity, and sportsmanship were foreign to his presidential opponent. He’d sell his children to win the election.
Victor blew out a frustrated breath. Contrary to Paul’s lies, he didn’t know the Savellis well. Because of his association with Jack Storm, he’d only met Luca Savelli a few times. But if Paul Langdon continued to drop their name, he would probably be making his acquaintance soon.
“Steven and Renee are working on a press release. And it seems you’ve risen in the polls due to a sympathetic country.”
“Yippee,” Victor muttered sarcastically. “Instead of issuing a press release, call a conference and have Renee give a statement. She can field the questions. Also, please let Nathan know that I’m suspending the campaign until Lucas is out of the woods.”
Kena eyes widened with a warning. “He’s not gonna like that.”
Lake Michigan could swell and sink all of Chicago, and his campaign manager would move the campaign to a barge. “He’ll have to live with it,” Victor replied with a shrug.
Kena nodded. “I’ll let him know. Also, your--”
Kena’s words were cut by a blood-curdling scream, coming from down the hall. As if the scream wasn’t disturbing enough, the voice was familiar.
“That sounds like your mom.”
Victor took off down the hall. Another scream led him directly to Lucas’ room. Outside the door, he could hear sounds of a struggle. He pushed his way inside and was horrified by thescene playing out before him. His mother was screaming while riding the back of a large man, in black from head to toe, and punching the side of his face. Victor’s heart nearly stopped at the sight of his mother in danger. He’d walked in on a knock-down-dragged out brawl.
“Sir, let us handle this,” came from a secret serviceman before he grabbed Victor’s arm.
Victor yanked his arm away and sprinted toward his mom.
