Rosa’s head rests on my shoulder as Keller drives us to the airport. I let mine roll against the seat and let out a breath. “A few more minutes and we start our new life.”
She sits up, her face beaming. “It’s going to be everything we ever dreamed of.”
I nod. “And more.” I pull her back against me.
Keller looks at me through the rearview mirror and smiles.
I stroke her silky hair, finally feeling complete. I have everything I’ve ever dreamed of right here.
Our hangar comes into view. We did it.
“I love you, Ro–”
My body jolts and crashes into the metal door. Glass shatters around me. I instinctively wrap Rosa closer to me to protect her.
“Stay down,” I shout. I rub my forehead and blood covers my fingers.
“Rosa.” Panic laces my voice. I turn to her, her worried eyes stare back at me.
The door slams, making her jump in my arms. Keller rushes out of the vehicle and rounds the front of the car, aiming his gun at the blacked-out SUV that’s impaled into the passenger side of our car.
My Bentley.
Grabbing Rosa’s face in my hand, I let out a ragged breath. I check her over, relieved when there isn’t a mark on her.
She flinches and squeezes her eyes shut as the gun goes off. I squash her face into my chest and hold her tight, my other hand wrapping around my pistol.
Keller storms back to the car, opening my door. “We gotta go.”
He puts his aviators up on the top of his head, fury in his eyes. I hesitate until I hear the rumbling of engines in the distance. I knew it was too good to be true.
And I know exactly who they want and they aren’t having her.
“Rosa, look at me.”
Tears stream down her cheeks.
“I need you to be strong for me,” I whisper, doing everything to keep my voice from breaking. “I need you to be brave.”
She shakes her head. “Luca, no. I know what you’re thinking. Please don’t leave me. Not again.”
I stroke my thumb under her eyes and wipe her tears. I turn to my brother, his face stoic. “Take her. Keep her safe.”
He shakes his head. “Luca, don’t do this. We can find a way. We need to run.”
I gesture behind him at the convoy of blacked-out SUVs.
“There’s too many. Take her. Get to Frankie as soon as you can. Tell him to do whatever he has to, to keep Rosa safe. Don’t worry about me.” I rush my words out.
“Luca, I swear to god. I’m not letting you do this.” She clambers onto my lap, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck.
Tears burn in my eyes as her sweet vanilla scent invades me.
I bury my face in her neck. “I love you, Rosa. I’ll be yours forever. One day we will have it all, whether it’s in this life or the next. My heart only beats for you. Now, please, go with Keller. Let me finish this.”
Before she can reply, I yank her head up and crash my lips over hers. One last kiss.
I turn to Keller. “Please, just take her.”
“Noo!” she screams, tightening her grip around my neck, but I don’t move. I release my hands from her and hold them in the air and look to Keller, who leans in and grabs her by the waist. Her body hangs onto mine as he pulls her off me, taking my heart with him.
Her body flails against Keller’s.
“Get off me!” she screams.
I can’t look at her. I can’t have this be the last memory of her.
Keller holds her up in one arm, his fingers tightly wrapped around his gun in the other. “Just hold them down. Don’t give them anything. We will get to you. I swear to god. There isn’t anywhere in this city we won’t be able to find you. I’ll burn the whole fucking place down if I have to. Just keep yourself alive.”
I’m likely walking into my own death. I know this. It’s strange, but I’m okay with that so long as Rosa lives.
“Make sure you tell my nieces and nephews how legendary their uncle was.”
“Luca. Stop it,” he warns.
I slide out of the car and hand him my gun.
“What–”
I hold up my hand to cut him off and shake my head. “You protect her. With everything. Now go.”
He doesn’t move.
“Fucking go!” I scream.
“Shit,” he mutters.
I watch as he sprints away. Rosa’s wails ringing in my ears. She will be safe with him. At least I know that. I watch until he turns the corner and they’re out of sight.
Tugging my suit jacket, I straighten my tie. Then I twirl the ring on my finger and wait.
The engines of five SUVs roar towards me.
I hold up my hands and walk towards them, dropping to my knees on the ground.
I keep my eyes pinned on the car in the center. I know that bitch is in there, so I give her my best grin.
The car door slams and three masked men run towards me, training their barrels to my head.
“Is this really necessary?” I mock. “You want an empire, Maria? I’ll give you mine if you ask nicely,” I shout towards the middle vehicle.
That will get her. She might want revenge, but she’s also greedy. I’m betting on the fact she’s trying to get power and prove to her dad that she’s worthy. It’s the only thing I can use to my advantage. I lived with her long enough to know her weakness.
One of the men puts his hand to his earpiece, and he nods.
Grabbing me by the collar, the gun is now pressed against my temple as he drags me to the SUV.
“We’re going to have so much fun, Luca,” Maria purrs, making my skin crawl.
“I can’t wait,” I mutter.
Something sharp jabs into my neck. “What the hell?” I squeeze my eyes shut. Of course she’s drugging me.
“You bitch,” I hiss as everything starts to blur into one. Her cackle is the only thing I can hear before the world goes black.
