His to Possess (Mafia Kingpins #4)

22. Angelo

22

ANGELO

J ust when I think we’re in the clear, Carmine Gallo comes stumbling into the room, eyes wild, covered in blood and looking like he belongs on an episode of The Walking Dead. My attention drops to the knife in his soot-covered hand and my jaw clenches. We’re so close to getting out of here and I won’t let this asshole stop us or hurt Blake in any way. She’s already hurt enough, thanks to him.

It’s up to me to save us.

Setting Blake down on her feet, making sure to keep her outside on the balcony in the fresh air and out of Gallo’s direct aim, I order her to wait there. Am I counting on my little butterfly to listen? Probably not. If I’ve learned anything, she’s far too strong-willed and independent to take orders from anyone, including me.

Stepping back into the smoky bedroom, I take a quick inventory of the room, searching for something I can use as a weapon. I think we’re in a guest bedroom and it’s pretty typical of what I’d expect—bed, dresser and a nightstand with a lamp. Unfortunately, it’s too far out of my reach. However, the one thing I don’t expect to see is a pair of crossed swords hanging on the wall. Before Gallo can get too close, I reach over and grab one, yanking it right off the wall. Turning to face him, I wield it back and forth like some kind of pirate ready to sword fight. Let’s just hope this isn’t a fucking duel to the death.

Advancing on Gallo, noticing the way his eyes dip nervously to the steel in my hand, I definitely feel like I hold the advantage. Not sure how long that feeling is going to last, so I need to move fast.

“You really want to do this?” I ask, nodding to the small knife he grips. I’m not sure what happened to his gun, but I’m glad it’s gone.

“Your girlfriend…your family…they’re standing in my way.” It’s clear he’s in pain because he can barely get the words out.

Instead of taking a step toward me, though, he takes a step backwards. Looks like he doesn’t want a showdown, after all.

I can hear the fire engines arriving and I advance on him. “You have exactly three seconds to get the fuck out of here before I slice you in half.”

His eyes widen at my words, but they’re no mere threat. I’ve had enough of this asshole. He shot Blake and I want my vengeance.

“One…” I hiss.

“This isn’t over,” he tells me, moving further away, stepping into the smoky hallway.

“Two…” I ignore his petty threat and swing the sword wide. Before I can say three, he spins and runs away like the coward that he truly is. Releasing a pent-up breath, I hear Blake call my name.

Turning around, I see her standing on the balcony, weaving slightly, and I drop the sword and hurry over. Gathering her up into my arms before she can fall, I pull her close and check out the wound on the back of her shoulder. Her leather jacket is torn and blood is oozing through the tear. Fuck. She’s losing too much blood and that must be why she’s so woozy.

“Hurry!” I yell over the side of the balcony.

The firemen have a ladder truck with a platform, and it’s slowly rising to meet us. Too damn slowly, though. I press my forehead against Blake’s, trying to ignore the crackling of the fire which I can now hear. The hallway must be in flames because the smoke is pouring out through the open balcony doors, practically consuming us. I’m not going to pretend it’s not scary as fuck.

“Hang in there, kitten. We’re almost out of here,” I whisper in her ear. She’s barely conscious and I’m so damn worried about her.

As soon as the platform reaches out, the fireman swings the gate open and I hand him Blake. Once she’s secured, I climb over the railing and step onto our ride to safety. “She was shot,” I tell the fireman.

“We’ll take her straight to the ambulance,” he assures me.

I’d been so preoccupied with Blake’s safety and then Gallo’s arrival, I hadn’t even seen the ambulance arrive.

“How many people are still in there?” he asks, nodding toward the burning mansion.

“I don’t know,” I tell him, too worried about Blake. “There were a lot, but now? Maybe one?”

And, if we’re lucky, Gallo won’t be escaping.

When we reach the ground, an EMT is already waiting with a gurney. They lay Blake out on it and my heart is thundering as they wheel her away. Shit. I start to follow, but then my brothers and Leo appear.

“Are you okay?” Miceli demands.

“What the hell happened?” Enzo asks.

When I start coughing, Vin grabs my arm and leads me over to the second ambulance. “My brother has smoke inhalation,” he informs them. They tell me to sit and I drop down on the ledge of the open back door. An EMT straps an oxygen mask around my head and I take a few deep breaths, my gaze moving over to where they’re loading Blake into the back of the other truck. I rip the mask off and hop up.

“I’m going with her.”

“No, you’re not,” the EMT states. “Family only in the back. But, we can drive you over to the hospital as soon as we’re done here.”

“But—”

“You need more oxygen,” Vin says in a no-nonsense voice, pushing me back down and handing me the mask. “Don’t worry, Ang, we’ll get you to the hospital as soon as you’re not coughing up a lung.”

With an annoyed frown, I grab the mask and take more deep breaths. My brothers surround me, not letting me get up again until they’re sure I’m okay. Only after the EMT checks me over and says I can go, do they allow me up.

“C’mon,” Miceli says, “Let’s go to the hospital and check on your girl.”

I nod and we hurry over to the SUV.

“Did anyone see if Gallo got out?” Enzo asks.

But, no one did. “The last I saw him, he was running back into the hallway which was already on fire. I have no idea if he made it out another way or not.”

“Guess we’ll find out later if his body turns up,” Leo states.

“If he did manage to get out, there were three bounty hunters waiting for him, thanks to Blake,” I say.

“Yeah, what the hell happened?” Miceli asks as we climb into the car.

“My girl placed Gallo on the Kill List—made the call right in front of one of the bounty hunters and offered five million for his delivery.”

My brothers burst out laughing and I can’t help but smile. I’m so damn proud of her for thinking fast and getting us out of that situation.

“You found yourself a good woman, Ang,” Miceli states, and my brothers and Leo instantly chime in with their agreement.

“I just hope she’s okay. That fucker shot at us and she jumped in front of me. The bullet hit her shoulder.”

“She jumped in front of you?” Vin asks.

“Yeah, we’ve kind of been doing that lately. Protecting each other bodily. She might be small, but she’s the bravest woman I’ve ever met. If anything happens to her…” My voice trails off and my heart constricts painfully. “I can’t lose her.”

“You won’t,” Enzo states confidently. “She’s tough. She’ll pull through.”

She has to pull through, I think. Because I love that woman more than words can even express.

When we arrive at the hospital, we rush in and find out that Blake is currently being checked over by an emergency room doctor. Heart in my throat, I want to go in and be by her side. Instead, I sit down in the waiting room, surrounded by my brothers.

“Carlotta is blowing up my phone,” Vin says, standing up. “I better fill her in before she hunts us down.”

While my brother wanders off to talk to Carlotta, I do my best to be patient. After what feels like forever, the doctor finally comes out and I pop up, my brothers and Leo surrounding me. He tells us Blake is fine and I slump in relief. She has a nasty graze, but he stitched her up and said she’s been asking for me non-stop. I’m allowed to see her and when I first lay eyes on her, my heart fills with so much love that it nearly bursts.

“Oh, thank God,” I murmur, walking up to her and grabbing her hand. She’s propped up, her lower back against a pile of pillows so she doesn’t accidentally lean on her wound, and she’s wearing a loose-fitting hospital gown. I’ve never seen her look so vulnerable before and I lean in and gently press my lips against hers. “Do you have any idea how worried I was?”

She smiles at me as I brush her hair back and tuck it behind her ear. “Thank you for rescuing me. I guess I can’t always save myself.”

“I will always be here to rescue you, Blake. Do you have any idea how much I’ve fallen? How every time I look at you, my heart explodes with love?”

“Angelo…” she whispers, her aqua eyes shining with tears. “I didn’t get to say it yet since we were running for our lives but…I love you, too.”

Hearing those words sends me over the moon. “As soon as I can get you out of here, I am taking you right back to my apartment. I hope you realize that I am not letting you go. Not ever. And, fair warning, Rossi men are very possessive and protective of those they love. So, you’re moving in with me, too.”

“So bossy,” she murmurs, but sends me a beautiful smile.

I can tell she’s tired and I encourage her to relax until it’s time to go home. Once we get the okay, I thank my brothers, Leo and Carlotta who quickly showed up, and who doesn’t look very happy that she missed out on all of the excitement.

Hell, I’ve had enough excitement to last a lifetime. Carlotta can have the next adventure.

By the time we get back to my place, it’s late and Blake is so exhausted that she can barely keep those gorgeous eyes of hers open. After my brother pulls to the curb, I scoop her into my arms, say goodbye, and carry her up to my apartment.

I manage to get the door unlocked then take her straight down to my bedroom. After getting her undressed, I slip one of my t-shirts over her head and tuck her into my bed, making sure she isn’t laying on her shoulder. The doctor said she’s on some pretty strong painkillers and should sleep soundly for the rest of the night.

After stripping down to my boxer briefs, I flip off the light, climb into bed and she immediately snuggles into my arms. I have my girl, my little butterfly, my feisty kitten, and there’s nothing else in this world that I need.

Just this amazing woman in my arms from now until forever.