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Grinding my teeth, I push back the desire to rage. “Enough with the chitchat. Let’s get on with this shit.”
Seemingly pleased, he nods. “I like efficiency. All you have to do is give me what I want, and you can have your beautiful sister-in-law back.”
Carina is pushed forward, then yanked back hard. They’re toying with her.
“Release her, and you get what you want, Black. Not before.”
“What if I just kill her and take what I want anyway?” He motions to Scarlet.
In a movement so fast that it’s difficult to register, she pulls out her blade and presses it to Carina’s throat.
Carina winces as the steel cuts into the delicate skin, creating a thin crimson line. But she doesn’t move, doesn’t cry out or fight it.
And neither do I. Because it’s not meant to kill her. It’s meant to scare us. The intent is evident in the woman’s expression.
However, the idiot that is Gregorio doesn’t realize this.
He rushes out from the vehicle, his arms outstretched. “I’m here! I’m here! Take me!”
Instantly, he’s subdued by the nearest guard who slams the butt of his rifle against the back of Gregorio’s head, knocking him out cold.
Although I can tell there’s panic brewing in her gut by the slight change in her expression, Carina doesn’t move. Good girl. All that would do now is get her killed.
“You have Gregorio.” I point to him. “Now give me Carina.”
“Ah, but you see. He’s not the only one I want. A little birdie told me you’re attempting to form an army against me.” He clucks his tongue. “I don’t like that at all.”
From within the shadows behind them, I spot movement. Something nearly imperceptible, and were I not aware he was there, I wouldn’t have seen him.
Gunn.
He’s doing what he does best. Disappearing, becoming even more lethal.
To my surprise, it’s Gideon, and not his blonde assassin, who seems to sense someone behind him first. He angles his ear toward Gunn, but before he has a chance to fully turn, he’s on Scarlet. His hand slides between her blade and Carina’s neck, receiving a vicious cut in the process.
Carina is thrown so hard, she goes over the edge of the deck and splashes into the water before Gideon can grab hold of her.
Scarlet and Gunn engage in a fight I’d ordinarily enjoy watching. But as all hell breaks loose, I find myself in a brawl of my own as I wrestle my way through the sudden battle, desperate to get to Carina. I have no idea if she can swim, much less with her hands tied behind her back.
I’m tackled to the ground by a massive dude when I attempt to run toward her. He instantly begins to pummel my chest with fists that could double as sledgehammers. I swing my arm upward, uncurling the knife I have hidden in my sleeve, and jam it into his temple.
I throw his limp body off me and scramble to my feet, only to be attacked by yet another soldier. But it takes him too long to rack his firearm, giving me enough time to stab him just under his sternum.
“That’s why you always load one into the chamber, dumbass,” I say as he slumps.
A thug with a gun aimed at my head rushes to me, only to have his chest blown open by someone behind me. I look over my shoulder to see Noah Esposito, his rifle still smoking. He nods, then motions instructions to the men.
Just a few feet away, Gideon loads into the waiting boat. He’s close enough that I could take him. But with Carina still nowhere in sight, I can’t risk the chance. He gives me a smug smile because he knows I’d rather let him go than let her die.
I dive into the murky water, my arms reaching out in every direction, frantically searching. When my lungs begin to burn, I come up for air, then go back down. Again and again, I repeat it, my heart pounding harder in my chest with each passing second.
“Carina!” I yell before going down again.
“Luca!” I hear from somewhere in the distance when I come up to breathe. “I’m here!”
I follow the sound of her voice and finally spot her near the floating deck.
As soon as I reach her, I take her into my arms. “You’re safe.”
