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Tommy swore under his breath. "Fine. We'll trust him, for now."
"We're wasting time," Connor growled. "Let's go."
I led the men around the back of the house. It was eerily quiet, and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. I knew this house well, and the silence was unnatural. Even in the dead of night, guards were everywhere.
Our little group slipped into the shadows. The men fanned out as we approached the house, and I found myself tucked in close to Alfie's side.
"Stay behind me," he whispered.
We moved silently through the garden, sticking close to the walls. I could hear shouting, and the sound of gunfire echoed through the night. It was close, too close. Luca had set his diversion in motion.
The keypad for the tradesman's entrance glowed red. I'd never snuck in and out of the mansion this way--that was Sofia's area of expertise, and I sent up a prayer of thanks as the keypad flashed from red to green.
"Thank god for horny teenagers." I unlocked the door and swung it open.
Connor and Tommy darted inside, but Alfie caught my arm. "No."
"I want to help." I tried to pull free, but his grip was too strong.
"You've already done more than enough." His expression was grim. "We've got it from here--now, go."
"But--"
A burst of gunfire echoed down the hall. Alfie swore and shoved me behind him, shielding me with his body as bullets bit chunks out of the masonry behind us.
The world slowed to a halt. Alfie's body jerked backwards into me, and he went down hard on one knee, pulling me down with him. One hand pushed my head to the ground and held me down while he returned fire. I couldn't see who he was shooting at, couldn't see if he'd been hit. Couldn't see if I was about to lose him again.
A strong hand curled around my bicep and hauled me to my feet. My hands were clamped around my ears, and I didn't realize the shooting had stopped.
"You hurt?" Alfie's hands ran over my arms and legs with a competence that was at odds with the look of panic on his face.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," I gasped. "But you--"
Alfie fingered the tiny, singed hole in the center of his shirt. "Hit my vest. You need to get out of here, Emilia.Please."
"Alfie, if you're still breathing, get your ass up here!" Tommy yelled. "Connor's gone after Cass, I lost him!"
Alfie's eyes met mine. "Go," I whispered, giving him a push. "Be safe."
He kissed me, hard and desperate, then turned and ran down the hall.
fourteen
Emilia
Iwent back tothe bookshop. I didn't know what else to do. Alfie and his friends were fighting to rescue Cassidy, maybe even fighting for their lives. Luca was knowingly betraying Lorenzo. I didn't know where the hell Sofia was; her brother Julian would have been at the mansion tonight, too.
I paced the length of the bookstore, too nervous to sit down. Every minute that passed seemed like an hour. I couldn't erase the image of the bullet hitting Alfie's chest from my head, even though he'd told me the vest had stopped it. I didn't even know if Luca was alive or dead. I'd heard the commotion out front of the house, and I knew it was his distraction. He had willingly betrayed the family for me. If he was caught...I couldn't even imagine what Lorenzo would do to him.
Even Angel and Dom. I didn't agree with them, but I didn't want them dead, either. They were family.
My head was pounding, and I pressed my fingertips to my temples, trying to massage away the pain. My mind was racing,and I couldn't seem to focus on anything but the fear and anxiety gnawing at my insides.
I tried calling Alfie's number again, but it went straight to voicemail. I didn't bother leaving a message. He wouldn't call me back until it was safe to do so.
I'm an anxiety cleaner along with the best of them, and soon the air reeked of cleaner and dust. I found a broom in the corner and began sweeping the floors. The rhythmic motion was soothing, and the tension in my muscles slowly eased. It felt good to do something; I couldn't just stand here and wait.
The bell above the door chimed, and I whirled around, heart racing. I grabbed the closest object I could reach--the broom--and held it in front of me like a weapon.
