Page 136
His attention shifts to Charlotte.
“Beat me, sell me, kill me…” she pleads. “Do whatever you want to me. But please, I’m begging you, just return her to Alex. She has no part in this. It’s me you want!”
A moment passes before he says, “You really have grown an attachment to this child.”
Her lips part, but she doesn’t speak.
And I know exactly why.
Because she just revealed how much Clara means to her. And Garrett will do anything to take her happiness away.
He looks at the guard and motions toward the free chair on the other side of the room. The guard strides over, sets Clara on the cushion, and she scurries to the corner, hugging Squish as she stares at everything around her. Big fat tears roll down her cheeks, and I fucking lose it.
Garrett shifts his shoulder, moving his jacket aside to retrieve a gun. He points it directly at my daughter, but I still don’t have a clean shot without hitting her myself.
Tilt your head to this side, stronzo!
“It brings me no joy to do this…” His head shifts just enough… Bingo, motherfucker. “On second thought, yes it does.”
Before his finger moves, I pull the trigger. Glass shatters right before the bullet hits him in the neck, blood spurting across his shoulders. After that, everything happens in the blink of an eye.
I take out one of the guards standing off to the side in the room. Vin gets the other. Leo and Mauro rain hell down on the five guards on the porch. Once the last guard falls, I drop my weapon, spring to my feet, and sprint to the front door.
I shove it open, my chest heaving and my heart pounding. My eyes land on the chair across from Garrett, my chest swelling with an abundance of warmth at the sight before me.
Charlotte is covering Clara with her body, using herself as a damn shield to protect her. Her eyes widen when she sees me, her bottom lip trembling.
Tears well in my eyes as I stride forward.
Charlotte’s lips part. “Alex?” Tears stream down her cheeks, falling to the floor.
I drop to my knees and scoop them both into my arms, tugging them against my chest.
“Dada!” Clara sobs as she buries her head in the crook of my neck, clinging to me with all her strength.
“Daddy’s here, little one.” I smooth my hand down her back, up and down, and press a kiss to the top of her head. Holding her against me, feeling the steady beat of her heart beneath my palm, unravels every knot of tension wound tight inside me. I’m never letting her out of my fucking sight again. “You’re safe now.”
Charlotte presses her face into the other side of my neck, her trembling fingers curling into my shirt as her tears soak through the fabric. I tilt my head toward her and press a kiss to her temple, inhaling her floral scent, which instantly eases my racing heart. “I’ve got you, Fiorellina.”
Tires crunch over gravel at a fast speed as our men approach the cabin. I glance to my side and see Vin rubbing his jaw, staring at Garrett as he gurgles blood.
The fucker is refusing to die.
“Vin,” I say, gaining his attention. “Think you can take Clara for a minute?”
His expression softens, a faint grin tugging at his lips. “You don’t have to ask me twice.” He steps toward me, standing between Garrett and me so Clara doesn’t see anything that will give her nightmares. Charlotte pulls back from my hold to make the transfer easier. “Hey, Princess.” He holds out his arms wide, and Clara looks up at him.
“Win, Win.” She sounds so sad; it nearly breaks my heart right down the middle.
“It’s been a tough day, huh?” He lifts her into his arms, holding her securely against his chest, his hand rubbing gentle circles over her back. “How about we get some ice cream?”
“It’s almost midnight,” I murmur, shaking my head.
“As Madeleine always says, any time is a good time for ice cream.” He taps her nose, causing her to smile, which makes me instantly cave.
“Fine. Get her whatever she wants. All the toppings.”
“I was already planning on it.” He winks.
