Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
It was fucking hard to stay cool and focused with Brynn beside him, in danger. Vander watched the first black Mercedes jerk to a halt, dust rising behind it. They left the headlights on, illuminating the road. Two of Navarro’s men, dark shadows, shoved out.
They were both armed.
“Drop your weapons,” one said, in heavily accented English.
“Not happening,” Vander said calmly.
“I have a plan by the way,” Brynn murmured. “We just need to keep them busy for a little while.”
Great.
The second vehicle, a silver SUV, stopped on the other side of them. Three men without necks and dressed in black suits, exited.
“Just let us walk away,” Vander said. “No one needs to get hurt.”
A few of the men chuckled.
He desperately wanted Brynn safely behind him. Desperately wanted to protect her.
But he knew it was safer to stand beside her, to help her fight. He couldn’t tuck her away or wrap her up. She was strong, capable, and smart.
“You blew up the boss’ villa,” one man said. “He’ll have your head on a stake.”
“Then we can spend some time with your pretty friend,” another man said with a laugh.
Vander growled.
Brynn made an annoyed sound. “Well, you guys are so original. Threaten the woman. Does that make you feel big and powerful?” She shook her head. “Come over here, and we can play. I guarantee you won’t like it.”
The man scowled, especially when one of the other goons chuckled.
Vander knew these men were used to people being afraid of them, and Brynn clearly wasn’t.
He had no idea what Brynn’s plan was, but he wanted this over and her safe. He slowly glanced at the men surrounding them. If he or Brynn opened fire, they’d be caught in a shootout between the two groups, with no cover.
“Just get in your cars and leave,” Vander said again.
“Not happening. Mr. Navarro is very angry.”
“Then he shouldn’t have abducted my husband,” Brynn said. “We’re on vacation. We don’t get many of those, since my man is a workaholic.”
“Pot meet kettle,” Vander muttered.
“I just wanted a nice, relaxing vacation in Italy.” She threw out a hand. “Not this. This is all on your boss.”
“Don’t talk about the boss,” one thug grumbled.
Vander was sick of talking. He lowered his voice. “I’ll take on the guys by the Mercedes first. I need you out of the line of fire.”
A calculating look crossed her face. God, he loved it when he saw exactly how tough and smart his wife was.
“On three?” she asked.
He nodded.
“Don’t get shot again…or I’ll be really mad.” She dragged in a breath. “One, two, three.”
Vander was already moving, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw Brynn dive to the ground and roll under the silver SUV.
He attacked and kicked the gun out of the first guard’s hand, spun, and his punch connected with the second man’s solar plexus.
This asshole had threatened his wife.
The guy made a choked sound as Vander held his body up as a shield.
Two of the guards by the SUV opened fire. Bullets slammed into the guy, his body jerking. Finally, he went lax in Vander’s hold.
There was more gunfire nearby. One guard shouted and went down, clutching his foot and screaming.
Brynn rolled out from beneath the vehicle and came up between the other two guards. She shot one. The third tried to whip his gun around to aim at her, but she jammed her gun against his side.
His face twisted and he lowered his weapon.
“Okay, baby?” she called out.
Vander’s lips quirked. “Yeah. Except we have more company.”
Two more vehicles were speeding down the road, coming from the direction of the villa.
“Well, shit.” She nudged the guard in front of her. “On your knees.” Then she yanked some zip ties off her belt.
She tossed some ties to Vander, and while he secured the one guard on his side still alive, she quickly zip-tied the other guards. Then she moved to stand with Vander.
He kissed the side of her head.
A large black SUV stopped nearby. The second car, a dark sedan, stopped beside it and disgorged more armed guards. They aimed their weapons on Brynn and Vander, shooting uneasy glances at their fallen comrades.
One of the men opened the back door of the SUV. Luciano Navarro climbed out, tugging his suit jacket into place.
Vander growled. “I’d prefer that you didn’t hold a gun on my wife.”
“It seems your wife can handle herself.” Navarro looked at his fallen men and sighed. He switched to Italian. “Lower your weapons.”
His guards hesitated, confused.
“Do it. Or he’ll kill us all.” The mafia don’s dark gaze leveled on Vander. “Won’t you, Mr. Norcross?”
Vander held the man’s gaze and responded in Italian. “I might let my wife help.”
“Do it,” Navarro barked again.
His men reluctantly lowered their weapons.
The older man spread his hands and switched back to English. “My nephew didn’t tell me the entire truth. It seems he kept some pertinent details to himself.” There was an annoyed clip to his voice.
“Your nephew is a waste of space,” Vander said.
Navarro nodded. “I haven’t seen him in a long time.
I…” He shrugged. “He’s family. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I gathered more details on his business dealings in San Francisco.
” The man’s face showed his disgust. “I also found out who you are, Norcross. I’m sorry for this unpleasantness. ”
Vander just wanted this over with. He wanted Brynn back safely at the villa, so they could resume their vacation. “It’s done.”
Navarro nodded. “It’s done.”
Vander lowered his gun and nodded.
Brynn let out a hiss. “Oh no. That non-apology is not accepted.”
Navarro hadn’t paid much attention to her before. Now he focused on her and frowned. “We’ve conducted our business.”
She smiled. “But I haven’t finished mine, and I’m not done.”
Suddenly, bright headlights clicked on nearby, blinding them all. Vander threw up an arm, just as flashing blue lights exploded to life and loud sirens cut through the night air.
Within seconds, they were surrounded by several Italian police cars.
Brynn stared hard at Luciano Navarro.
She sure as hell wasn’t letting the guy off. He’d snatched her husband. He’d chained Vander and Rhys up. He’s set his men on them.
No doubt, he would’ve done a lot worse.
She saw the police officers exit the cars, barking orders in Italian. The word polizia was emblazoned on their vests.
Vander shifted closer to Brynn. “Brynn—”
“Shh,” she told him. “I told you that I had a plan.”
Her husband glanced at Navarro. “Sorry, Navarro. You pissed off my wife.”
The man inclined his head, a hint of a smile on his lips. “I’m Italian, I am well aware that unhappy wives can be vindictive. I’ve had two.”
He didn’t look concerned. Brynn sniffed. No doubt he had a fleet of high-priced lawyers who’d get him released and back in his villa in a few hours.
“Detective Norcross?”
The deep, masculine voice, infused with a sexy, Italian accent, made her turn. “Yes?”
The man stepped out of the glare of the headlights.
Oh. She loved her handsome husband, but this Italian was enough to raise the blood pressure of any breathing female.
He was tall, with a muscled body that filled out his navy-blue uniform. His dark hair was thick and a little long, styled carelessly around a strong face that belonged on some Renaissance painting of a fallen angel. His square jaw gave him just enough rugged that he wasn’t too pretty.
“I’m Luca Cattaneo.” The man smiled, his teeth white against his tanned skin. “Hades says hello.”
Brynn nodded. “Thank you for coming.”
“Hades?” Vander said.
“I got Haven to call him before I came to find you.” Matteo “Hades” Mancini worked for Sentinel Security in New York City.
The owner of Sentinel Security, Killian Hawke, was a close ally of Norcross Security.
Hades had once been a mafia hunter, a member of the notorious Direzione Investigativa Antimafia, before he’d joined Sentinel Security.
He still had very good connections in Italy.
Which probably meant, despite being dressed like the other officers, the handsome Luca Cattaneo was likely also DIA.
“You’re lucky,” Cattaneo said. “When Hades called, I happened to be in the area.”
“I appreciate you coming to help.”
The man’s gaze flicked to Navarro. “I think I should be thanking you, Detective.”
“I’m Vander Norcross.” Vander held out a hand.
Luca lifted his chin and shook. “I know who you are.”
“Are we free to go?” Brynn spotted another car driving slowly toward them. She recognized the sleek shape of the Purosangue.
“Yes,” Luca replied. “Haven with the lovely voice gave me the address where you’re staying here in Taormina. If I need more information, I’ll contact you.”
Vander frowned. “The lovely Haven is married to my brother.”
Luca’s smile widened. “A shame.” Then he swiveled, yelling orders at the police officers handcuffing Navarro and his men. They began loading the prisoners into police vehicles.
“Finally, it’s over,” Brynn said.
“Yes.” Vander slid an arm around her and hugged her to his side.
The Ferrari pulled to a stop beside them.
“Brynn! Vander!” Justin slid out of the SUV and strode their way.
Rhys was a few steps behind him, moving a little slower.
“We’re fine.” Brynn turned her worried gaze on Rhys. “Rhys, how are you doing?”
Despite being coated in dust and blood, Rhys flashed his trademark smile. “Already feeling better.”
Haven’s voice cut through Brynn’s earpiece. “He’s going to the hospital.”
“Your wife wants you to go to the hospital.”
Rhys’ brows drew together. “No.”
“I bet he said no,” Haven said. “Give him the earpiece.”
Brynn handed it over and Rhys slipped it in his ear. “Angel—”
When he paused, Brynn figured Haven was giving him an earful.
“Angel—” he tried again.
“I know a guy,” Justin said. “A paramedic. He owes me a favor. He can take a look at Rhys.”
Rhys’ eyes lit up. “Haven, gorgeous, Justin has a better plan.”
Justin smiled. “Let’s head to my house and I’ll call him. Haven can meet us there. I don’t know about anyone else but I’m starving.”
“I’m not sure your wife would be happy about that,” Brynn said.
“Alessandra loves to cook.” Justin slapped Brynn’s arm. “She’ll be happy everyone is safe, with no bullet holes in them.”
“Vander has a bullet hole,” she said unhappily.
“It’s just a graze.” Vander gripped the back of her neck and pressed his lips to her ear. “I’ll let you clean and bandage it for me.”
She leaned into him. “Deal. Damn. I really wanted a hot shower. And my husband.”
He kissed the top of her head. “You can have them after breakfast.” He tipped her chin up. “Thanks for coming to save me.”
Love filled her. “I’ll always come for you. Through snow, fire, or mafia bad guys.”
Then she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. In an instant, her tiredness, the bad guys, the police, even their friends ceased to exist.
It was just her and Vander.