Graham
L ightning strikes in the distance as the first drops of rain fall from the starless sky. I stare out the window, my chin resting against my hand as my jaw clenches so tightly that pain stretches through my face and neck.
We’ve been off the main highway for miles, traveling toward some off the map location. A private, unknown airstrip that Will says belongs to one of the New York bosses. Which means Dominic’s information was accurate.
Sick, maniacal thoughts fight with consuming fear. I envision inflicting maximum damage on Krista and whoever was involved with taking my girl while fighting the images of what they’ve done to her.
Please, let her be okay .
The road goes dark as Will cuts the headlights and turns. He must know the road well because we travel another mile or two in darkness and rain. When lightning strikes again, the silhouette of the private jet comes into view. “We’ll have to park here and walk the rest of the way, or we’ll lose the element of surprise.”
I’m already climbing from the SUV, not giving a shit about anything but getting to Casey, when a hand grips my shoulder. “Someone needs to stay here,” Henry tells me.
“If this is your way of suggesting me, you have lost your goddamn fucking mind.” I jerk away from him, ready to punch him in the face if he tries to stop me.
He drags a hand over his head, shaking it with annoyance. “It doesn’t have to be you. And you know it won’t be me, but when we get Casey out of there, we need to get her in the car as fast as we can. Someone needs to get to us.”
“I will do it,” Christian says as the sound of metal on metal reaches my ears. I look and find him crouched on the ground with the long case he placed in my backseat opened and him putting together a rifle. “I’m going to be the long distance on this.”
“Do we have any idea how many there might be in there with them?” Will asks. “The Grasso I remember went nowhere alone. Any chance he’s changed that pattern?”
“None.” This comes from Sebastian, making Henry and Will both raise their brows. “He will have a minimum of six guys with him, not counting the pilot and this Lambert guy. He doesn’t even appear at business meetings without men surrounding him. Fighetta del cazzo.” He spits on the ground, then adds, “And expect high-powered fire. He’s got a lot more than these,” he waves his 9mm before shoving it in the back of his pants. “But if we can help it, I need one of them alive.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Henry asks.
“Do I look like I’m joking?” He tilts his head to the side, his multicolored eyes looking like steel.
I’ve had enough of the bullshit. My girl is in there, and every second that passes is another second she feels fear. Another second I can’t fucking breathe.
I turn away from them, clinging to the shadows. The sudden storm that blew in and the heavy cloud cover dimming the moon couldn’t have happened at a better time.
I sense the other two behind me as we slip through the darkness, closing in slowly on the plane. My heart pounds harder with each step. The restraint it takes not to barrel in there is more than I ever knew I possessed.
Something snaps beneath our feet. I spot movement ahead of us near the plane’s tail and stop, not wanting him to see us yet, and alert whoever is inside the jet. The person stands taller, looking around. He can’t see us, but I remain still.
“Keep moving,” Sebastian hisses. “Christian will handle him if he becomes a problem.”
I start forward again, and the guy spots us. He reaches behind him for a weapon, but before he can pull his hand from behind his back, his body is thrust against the side of the plane.
We don’t stop moving, but we’re also waiting for someone to appear at the door of the plane. Sure enough, light appears when the door opens. Another person steps out, looking around. We’re close enough now to be seen and seen we are. He yells at whoever is inside. No sooner than the words leave his mouth, he flies back.
Chaos proceeds as more men scramble out of the plane. Gunfire from both sides ensues, but it’s obvious we’re outmatched when a submachine gun fires.
“Fuck, we’re too wide open,” Henry yells just as the smell of exhaust appears, and Christian slides my SUV around us.
We lean against the black, bulletproof vehicle panting as we fight to catch our breath. “This is the best thing to happen all night. You should pull that stick out of your ass and enjoy the fun. It will be over before you know it,” Sebastian says, laughing as if this is a thrill ride for him.
We stand there for what feels like centuries, my patience running thin. Having enough, I try to slip around, only to barely miss getting hit.
“Fuck!” I hiss, ripping my hand through my hair. “I’ve got to get in there to her.”
“I’ve got you, fratello,” Sebastian reloads his gun, then darts around the SUV, drawing fire toward him.
“Son of a bitch is going to get himself killed,” Henry murmurs, following behind Bastian despite his comment as I move to the opposite end.
“Don’t you know?” Christian says, stepping out of the vehicle and following behind Henry. “He’s immortal,” He growls as he drips sarcasm.
The door to the plane is unobstructed, and I race to it quickly, firing at those around me. I’m not sure how many men this guy brought, but it’s more than six for sure. I hit two just as I dive for the stairs leading into the plane. More gunfire makes me dive into the plane. Bullets pierce through the fabric missing me, but the familiar sound of clicking tells me whoever is firing has run out.
I look at Will, who ducked in behind me, then cautiously look around the seats. There are two men close to Will and me loading guns. We both nod to each other, raise up, and fire, killing them both instantly.
I’ve got my gun aimed at another, ready to fire when I see Krista dragging Casey through the front exit. I pull the trigger, only to hear the telltale click, and Will’s does the same.
“Fuck,” I mutter. “Krista has Casey.” I rip my hands through my hair. The firing outside the plane hasn’t subsided at all. “I’ve got to go after her.”
He nods. “Load. On three, we run out of here.”
I reach into my coat and retrieve another clip. Quietly, I slide out the empty and reload.
“It’s been a while, Guglielmo. I thought you were dead.” I look over at Will, curiosity pulling my brow.
“That’s not my name, and you knew I wasn’t dead, motherfucker,” Will replies as he reloads his gun silently as I did.
“You should just give up.” He fires, another bullet piercing through the seat I’m ducked behind. “I know you’re empty. Aren’t you tired of your pathetic existence yet?” the man taunts, his voice getting closer. “No family. No woman.”
Will’s face morphs to rage the longer the man talks. He cranks his neck from one side to the other as he inhales, then looks at me. “One, two, three,” he mouths as he raises and fires as I leap behind him, back through the door. I follow Krista’s retreating form as she heads right for the empty SUV. My heart slams against my ribs as I watch Casey fight against her mother’s hold. Bullets fly around us from the rapid-fire weapons as I chase after them. I feel a bullet rip through me, going clean through, sending fire through my arm as another whizzes past me and strikes Krista. When she stumbles, my speed increases, hoping Casey will seize the opportunity to break free. My breath catches in my lungs when she’s hit again.
The world stops moving when I watch Casey fall to the ground, then Krista on top of her. Bullets continue to bounce all around them. My voice breaks as I call out to her but is muffled by the sound of the jet engine firing. Gravel and concrete rip through my pants, digging into my flesh as I slide to where they fell.
I shove Krista off Casey’s body, barely registering the shouts and screams around me or that the plane is taking off.
And when I see the dark stain of blood on the fabric of her crimson dress, pain ricochets through my body. I crumble as a piece of me dies with her.