AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Come on, I got her. Let her go.”
The voice was calming, but as I tumbled to the ground, Aspen was ripped out of my hands. “No. No!”
“Get the goddamn fire blanket!”
I didn’t recognize the voice, but I refused to listen, trying to scramble toward her. She was so lifeless. Helpless. As something was tossed over me, I panicked, fighting with everything I had.
“Montgomery. Stop. Stop!” Jackson called.
Nothing was going to make me stop.
Growling, I managed to get closer, reaching out. “Aspen.”
“She’s not breathing,” one of the EMTs shouted.
As a mask was placed around her mouth and nose, I clawed the ground. “Aspen!”
“There’s no pulse.”
The vacuum of voices was spinning in my mind, echoing.
“Get the goddamn paddles over here.”
I felt a hand on my arm and with everything still in slow motion, I turned my head. The vision of Carmine’s face was almost too much to take. I could feel her touch. I could sense her presence. Then I heard her voice, her whisper just as lilting as I remembered.
“Everything is going to be all right.”
But as I concentrated on the sound, I heard something else.
“We’re losing her. We’re losing her!”
Buzz…
Flatline.
* * *
I took a deep breath, trying to control the rattle in my chest. I continued to ache all over, but it had very little to do with the few burns and other scratches I’d suffered during the fire at the villa. My aches had entirely to do with my heart. While the burning anger remained, what I was experiencing was a combination of remorse and guilt, frustration and determination.
The bastard was going down.
I’d selected the time of day knowing I had a better chance of catching him undistracted from business or family ventures. I pounded my fist on the solid mahogany panel, planting a smile on my face. The second the housekeeper opened the door, I pushed my way in.
She gasped as she stumbled backwards, fear crossing her face.
I simply placed my finger in front of my lips, giving her a stern look.
Nodding, she shifted her eyes toward the same location where I’d found the motherfucker before. As I headed toward the sunroom, I placed a mask of sorts over my face, swaggering closer. I wanted the asshole to think nothing in this world could bother or touch me. He would look learn what fucking with the Wolfe family truly meant.
When I burst outside, I threw my arms out, enjoying the brightness of the sun. “What a beautiful morning, Prescott. Don’t you think?”
Instead of being startled as he was the last time, he simply took another sip of his coffee, moving both his mug as well as whatever national paper he was reading to the table in front of him. Even out of the corner of my eye, I could tell he was gloating.
“Should I hold a standing reservation for you, Montgomery?” he asked in an even tone of voice.
“That might not be a bad idea. I think you and I do have quite a lot to talk about. Don’t you?” I turned my head, issuing a cold stare in his direction, allowing my gaze to fall slowly.
“I was oh-so sorry to hear about the fire. I can’t imagine what you must be going through. I understand that pretty little thing you had working for you perished.”
