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Put your gun down, now," Axel snaps.
Michael bends and places his gun on the floor.
"Kick it over to me," Axel orders.
Michael slides it over and Axel stops it with his foot. "Now ask the others to do the same."
Michael nods at his men. First Massimo, then Adrian, and Michael's bodyguard Antonio place their guns down and kick it in Axel's direction. Luca makes a growling noise at the back of his throat.
"Do it," Michael admonishes him.
With a glare in Axel's direction Luca places his gun on the floor and kicks it toward Axel.
"Get on your knees now, all of you."
Michael hesitates. I am sure he is going to refuse, then he lowers himself to his knees.
"Hands behind your neck," Axel snaps.
Michael complies, and Axel glances sideways at Seb, "That goes for the rest of you guys, too. On your knees, hands behind your neck."
Seb hesitates and Axel cocks his gun, "Do as I say and no one gets hurt."
"Get down," Massimo snaps as he himself drops down to his knees. First Seb, then Adrian complies.
"I told you he was up to no good!" Luca laughs. "I wish I didn’t have to say I told you so," he points a finger at Michael, "but I told you so."
"Shut the fuck up," Axel glowers at him, "and get the fuck down."
Luca shakes his head, wraps his hands behind his neck, and sinks down to his knees.
Antonio, Michael’s bodyguard takes a step forward and Axel shoots at him.
There’s a scream from behind me, then the sound of people scrambling up from their seats and racing for the door fills the space.
"On your knees, or the next time, my shot will find it’s mark," Axel says in a hard voice.
Antonio glances at Michael, who nods. He sinks down to his knees, as well.
The minutes stretch. Axel kicks each of the guns behind him and into the pews where they scatter in different directions. By the time I risk a glance over my shoulder, the space is empty. Except for Karma, Cass and Nonna, as well as Theresa's parents and sister who are rooted to their seats, everyone else has left.
Axel turns to the priest. "Leave," he growls. The man doesn’t need a second prompt: he turns and scampers off and out of the rear door.
Axel begins to back up toward the front door of the church, forcing me to walk backward with him. As we pass the pew where Nonna is sitting, she rises to her feet. "Don’t do this Axel," she pleads with him. "Let her go, come back to us and all will be forgiven."
"What about what you did to my mother? Do you think she ever forgave you for that?"
Nonna pales, "I tried to tell your father to not let her go, to definitely not accept the deal that your mother’s family was proposing."
"And yet, you let him exchange me for increased power and assets." Axel chuckles, "Now, let’s see how you deal with the aftermath of one of your own double-crossing you, and in front of the entire world."
Nonna presses a hand to her chest, "You don’t mean it."
"Oh, but I do." He laughs and the sound echoes through the space. "This is going to show you lot as weak. It’s only a matter of time before your enemies come after you and try to undermine Michael’s power. And if they fail, well, I am always available to finish off what I started."
"Let her go," Seb growls, "Xander loved her. For your triplet’s sake, let her be."
"It’s for my triplet’s sake that I am taking her with me. My brother would have wanted her to be well looked after, and that’s exactly what I intend to do with her." His arm about me tightens. He increases his pace and I struggle to keep up with him, seeing as we are still walking backward.
