Chapter 17 #3
“Jameson and the others are preparing us to leave for Rome soon,” Leo suddenly adds, and my jaw drops.
I wasn’t sure how serious he’d been, but then again, it’s Leo, but then again, it’s Rome.
“Nancy will have everything she needs while we’re gone.
Jameson will oversee Trix’s centers moving forward. ”
“Why? It’ll be awhile before…” my voice trails off, meeting his tentative gaze, “…you don’t how long we’ll be gone.”
“Could be a weeks…or months.”
I stare at him. “Can you be out of the country that long?” Fuck, can I? I’d ask about a passport, but knowing Owen and Julio, I likely have three already.
“I’ll attend meetings virtually. The Crew will take care of the rest, and Mila will oversee the mobs along with Jameson. The crime bosses have been assuaged, too focused on their newly acquired territories and redoing their ranks. They may even calm more with me being gone.”
“Will anyone go with us?”
“Rudolph, Drew, and Owen. Only ones who can leave the country without raising red flags.” I raise my brows. He rubs his thumb over my wrist. “They have their reasons.”
New lore unlocked for the Forgotten Demons.
I swallow hard. “Months?”
He cups my cheek, stroking it as he silently breathes with me to sway the potential panic. “Hopefully not.”
I nod slightly, breathing deeply with him.
“I’ll show you Rome,” he murmurs gently. “Take you anywhere you want. Use the time as a honeymoon.”
A sudden giggle escapes, and he smiles kissing my hand again. “Honeymoon? Between mafia family business, right?”
“Make the trip more worth it. For us, not them.”
Inhaling deeply, I nod. “Okay. Where you go, I’ll go.”
Leo kisses me, tracing his tongue over my lips. I sigh against him as he clutches me with need. Suddenly, the car stops and then there’s a knock on the divider. Leo breaks the kiss, sliding his glare towards the front of the car. I almost giggle, grabbing his chin and make him face me.
“We’re home, mister. More time together, uninterrupted.” I kiss him again.
I smile, getting out of the car.
Leo’s door opens and closes as I come around the car, looking up at the penthouse building.
My gaze comes down to the entrance when warning tugs at the back of my neck.
It runs down my spine and I straighten. I glimpse to both sides, but the prick doesn’t leave me even as I stare through the glass to see Xavier standing behind the main desk.
Rudy and Chesty talk with each other near the front of the car as Leo takes my hand, leading us into the building. I wait for the warning to wane, but it doesn’t as we pass through the doors. I can’t tear my gaze away from Xavier, who looks up with a smile. It’s forced. Sadness in his eyes.
No.
“Good evening,” he greets. My stomach drops as I notice him not calling either of us by name. Xavier flicks his gaze down.
Leo grunts, “Get down!”
Everything becomes a blur.
I drop on command just before gunshots sound.
Leo grabs me, pulling towards the pillars as he brings his gun out.
Two men stand up from behind the desk, holding Xavier hostage.
Shots pop off, ringing through my head. Shouting occurs as I crouch, covering my ears as the glass doors shatter.
Sulfur fills the air. Two more shots echo, and then bodies hit the ground.
My ears ring as my heart pounds, looking up to find Xavier and the gunmen gone.
“Three more incoming!” Chesty calls. “Stay low!”
Leo grasps my arm, pulling me towards the desk and I dive for cover as he shoots off rounds behind me. Glass shatters and wood splinters, stonework cracking. I raise my gaze, finding Xavier slumped on the floor with another body next to him.
Gasping, I crawl to Xavier and search for wounds.
Two spots of red blossom, one at his shoulder and another at his gut.
Noise blurs as I rip off my sweater, using the concealed knife in my boot to tear it apart.
Xavier gasps for breath as I tie off his shoulder, using the rest to press against the gunshot wound at his stomach.
“Stay with me,” I rasp, flinching as another shot echoes and there’s distant yelling. Tires screech outside, along with more shouting.
Xavier’s eyes flit about, finally landing on me. “I’m sorry, Miss Autumn…I’m…”
“Stop. Stop, it’s not your fault.” Fear wrecks through me as I press against the wound. “You’re gonna be okay.”
The gunshots stop. Leo’s gruff voice sounds behind me. “Change in plans. Get back up here, now.”
I’m suddenly being pulled away from Xavier, and I start screaming. “No! Wait!”
“Autumn, they’ll take care of him,” Leo reassures. I realize it’s his arm wrapped around me. “We need to leave. Chesty!”
Sight blurring, I stare down at Xavier who gives me a small smile.
My heart clenches as Leo drags me away. Chesty comes around the corner, and my head pounds as the biker kneels next to Xavier.
The roaring in my head worsens as hurried conversation happens around me.
I can’t focus as I stare at the crimson painting the marble floors; dead bodies strewn about.
The lobby damaged with carnage everywhere.
I can’t breathe. Home. They attacked home.
Leo suddenly grabs my face. “Focus on me, dear Watson.”
Hazel eyes come into view.
“Listen to me,” he instructs. “We need to leave. Xavier will be taken care of. We need to get to the airport.”
“Airport?”
“We’re leaving for Rome. Now.”