Page 121 of Roman

I felt the cold barrel of her gun pressed into my neck. “You think you want my worthless sister?” she goaded him. “She can’t be that good in bed.”

“I’ll give you five million. You name the account, and it’ll be transferred now. You let her go and leave us alone. You can live a good life with five million.”

Marianne scoffed. “Why should I let her be happy?”

Roman looked distressed. “She won’t be. She doesn’t even love me. But I love her. Give her back to me. Ten million.”

I felt Marianne’s excitement. Ten million dollars. She would live the life she always wanted and would cease to care about me.

Until she ran out of money.

“No,” I protested, struggling against her. “Roman, no!”

He shook his head, listing slightly. He was losing blood. Too much blood. It soaked through his jacket sleeve and dripped from his hand. I had to get to him.

“I love you,” he insisted. “She can have it all.”

“I’m not worth it!”

“Yes,” he insisted. “You are.”

Marianne’s temper broke, and she dug her gun deeply into my neck. “You can’t have her. She doesn’t deserve it!”

Roman rushed forward, stumbling, trying to stay upright. Trying to get to me. Every instinct kicked in, and I lifted my foot, stomping on Marianne’s instep. She cried out, and I spun, pushing her away. I raced toward Roman, pointing the gun I had taken from Alex’s lifeless body and shooting it over my shoulder, not knowing where the bullets would land. I felt a sharp pain graze across my leg and another along my head, but I ignored it. I heard Marianne’s cry of agony as I dropped to my knees, cradling Roman’s head.

“No,” I sobbed. “Roman, please. Stay with me. I do love you. I love you so much. I need you. Please.”

Marianne lurched to her feet, spitting in rage. Blood ran down her arm where one of the bullets had pierced her skin. She lifted her gun, aiming it right at me, but before I could do anything, another gunshot rang out. A small hole materialized in her head, and the look on her face was one of shock.

Then she dropped.

Aldo appeared, running fast, his gun drawn. He looked determined. Furious. Like an avenging angel set on murder.

Roman’s eyes fluttered, and he lifted his hand, the blood from his injury coating his skin.

“Now you’re safe.”

“Stay with me. I love you,” I pleaded.

He tried to smile, but it was more of a grimace. “That’s all I need.”

And he passed out.