Chapter 48 – Ilya
T he dead bodies of the guards littered the front steps, the landing before the door, and the pavement beyond. There shouldn’t be anyone left. However, the sound of the shotgun being pumped begged to differ.
“You said you shot the don,” I snapped at the lad as we took cover along the side of the house.
“I did!” The Bruno boy panted after us. “Right in the heart!”
So young! So sheltered. I bit back my anger. I should have checked, instead of leaving it all to the kid.
“He was probably wearing body armor,” I ground out.
The gun exploded, and pellets scattered against the doorframe.
Not probably. Most definitely.
“Always put a final bullet in the forehead.” They hadn’t taught this kid anything! He planned to disappear and go to college in California. I would wire him ample funds, and he was content to start a cozy life there.
But it seemed he lacked basic survival instinct to even make it that far.
“Rusalka, baby, I need you to listen.” I tugged at Isabella, who held onto me for dear life. “I have to go clean this mess up so we can be done here. That means I need you to let go—”
She whimpered.
My sweet siren fucking whimpered.
I ground my molars. Death was too kind to the people who did this to her. She’d been through hell the past week—well, longer than a week. But this? This was terrible. Graphic! I didn’t know what torment they inflicted on her, but someone was going to pay. If not in this life, then the next. I would hunt them even through the afterlife to make sure they suffered.
“Izzy,” I protested, pressing my lips to the sensitive skin of her temple as another shotgun blast shattered behind us. “I need to go end him.”
“No, it’s my responsibility, my mess to clean up,” came the soft declaration behind us. Alonzo pulled himself tall, turned to the door, and took a step forward.
Mid eye roll at the kid’s bravado, I staggered as Isabella launched herself from my hold. She managed to take two steps before I overcame my surprise.
A hollow roar croaked from my lips.
I wrenched her back, forcing her to stay safely behind the stone of the exterior wall.
The siren struggled and fought. “He’s playing knight! He’s going to get hurt! Ilya, please! I have to save him. One of them has to live!”
Each plea was a stab to my heart.
I drew my remaining weapon but didn’t move until I knew for sure Isabella wouldn’t rush forward. Violent shouts in Italian rang out behind us. Isabella flinched.
“Go to the front gate. Wait for me,” I commanded through tight teeth.
Defiance flashed in her eyes. “Aldo needs to die.”
A laugh barked out of my throat. “I promise you, siren, he will.” I dangled the slim chain between my fingers, the Italian horn dangling in the air. Isabella looked at her own hands, which were shaking too hard and had dropped it when we ran. “I have all the luck I need, Izzy.”