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“You do the devil’s work,” Mike growled, scowling at him. “It’s time to join your master.”
“What the fuck are you playing at?” Roland demanded. “Put that thing down, you moron, before I—”
With the shot still echoing across the quiet beach, Roland’s lifeless body flopped to the sand. Stepping forward, Mike removed Roland’s wallet and phone, then straightened up and looked across at the couple in the water.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to worry,” he yelled, thinking the girl was as lovely as the beautiful Bianca. “You’re safe for the moment, but you must get out of here. The demon has evil servants. They’ll come looking for him.”
“Who are you?” the handsome man called. “How can we thank you?”
“Thank almighty God. He sent me.”
Feeling a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders, Mike turned and began limping back to the track between the two houses. Roland always carried plenty of cash, and his credit cards could be sold for a decent amount, but Mike suddenly realized he couldn’t go anywhere. The beautiful Bianca, the angel he’d worshipped for so long, was still missing. He couldn’t leave without saving her and punishing those who had dared to take her. She mesmerized him, and had from the first moment he’d laid eyes on her. Whenever he was at the Albertini compound, he hoped and prayed their paths would cross. When they did, he would walk around in a daze for hours, endlessly reliving the moment. Now with God’s help, he’d rescue her, and her father would bless their union.
He had just started walking between the two houses when he felt the compelling need to rest for a few minutes. The walk up from the water through the heavy sand had hurt his ankle, and he was almost out of breath. Slumping behind a tree stump, he thought about where to start the hunt.
“Bianca, where are you?” Mike murmured under his breath, closing his eyes and picturing her. “Please, God, give me guidance.”
As her image swam in his head, he smiled—then frowned. Except for the blonde hair, the lovely woman in the water bore a striking resemblance.
His eyes popped open.
Peering around the tree trunk, he stared at the couple now standing over the demon’s body. Though he tried to see the girl’s face, she was too far away, but the man took her hand and they began striding up toward the cottage. Hoping to see them when they entered, Mike crept across to a half-open window and peered inside. Two men were standing in a living room decorated like a beach shack from a 1960s movie.
“He couldn’t have gone far,” one of them remarked. “He was limping like he had a broken leg.”
“Maybe it’s just as well we didn’t find him. That was mob business.”
“Hey, what we’re involved with is mob business. Bianca is Albertini’s daughter!”
“True, but that’s different, and the last thing Nick wants is to draw attention to himself. He wants to get Bianca out of here with no fuss and as fast as he can.”
* * *
Nick’s first instinct had been to race from the water and chase the shooter, but he wasn’t about to leave Bianca, and things were complicated enough. As the seconds ticked past and the man hobbled away, Nick began to hope Brad and John would leave well enough alone.
Waiting until the assailant had disappeared, he moved Bianca behind him and moved slowly to shore. Now standing over Roland’s body with an arm around her waist, Nick’s mind raced with the various scenarios that could come from the man’s demise.
“A quick death was too good for him,” Bianca remarked, her voice trembling. “I’d heard he could be ruthless, but what he did to Matteus was horrible. Dad’s in a rough business, but how could he have a bastard like that working for him?”
“That’s a complicated conversation for another time,” Nick said gravely, then lifting his eyes, he scanned the beach. There were no signs of life except Brad and John stepping onto the porch. Knowing what had to be done, he took Bianca’s hand and started up to the house.
“Did either of you see the shooter?” he asked as they approached.
“We were in the garage when we heard the shot,” Brad replied. “By the time we got to the living room and looked out on the beach he was gone. I thought I saw movement at the side of the house, but when I checked, there was no one around.”
“I went out to the street, but it was empty,” John declared. “He must have climbed up the bank to the coast road, or maybe he broke into the house next door.”
“Okay, listen up. Brad, you call it in. When the police arrive, tell them just what you told me. You two were in the garage, you heard a shot, ran into the living room, and briefly saw the perp as he moved between the houses. If they ask about me, stick to the story. My roof was damaged during the storm, and I rented the house a few doors down. Add that I left early this morning because some guys moved into the neighboring property and were making my girlfriend uncomfortable. That will send them over there and they’ll find Matteus. Any questions?”
“Not a one,” Brad replied.
“John, I want to get out of here fast, so I’m taking your car to my sister’s. This is the key to the Marshalls’,” he continued, handing it to him. “Pack up our stuff, put it in my Porsche, and drive up there. Be quick, but be thorough. The key fob is in the center console, and so is the remote control for the gates.”
“I’m on my way.”
“Have I missed anything?” Nick asked Brad as John hurried away.
“You were worried Roland might have left eyes on you. One of his guys could still be lurking on the street somewhere.”
