Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
“Nothing… yet.” Sal laughs when Piper’s face drops. “Look at you two little lovebirds. I have to say, Logan. I didn’t think somebody like this would be your type.”
“Shut your goddamn mouth,” I snarl. “Piper’s the most beautiful, the kindest, the best person I’ve ever met.”
“I suppose beauty’s in the eye of the beholder, huh?” Sal lights the blowtorch again. “Might be hard to hold that opinion without eyes, though.”
“Don’t you dare touch him!” Piper yells. I can hear the fear in her voice, but she buries it beneath layers of bravery, standing up straight and glaring at Sal.
“I was going to hurt you, actually.”
“No,” I growl.
“Fine,” Piper hisses, stifling her terror and simultaneously making me so proud and infuriated. “Just don’t touch Logan. He’s been through enough.”
“Piper!” I snap.
“I don’t care, Logan. If they’re going to hurt anyone, let it be me. I came here to save you.”
“Sal, I’ll give you what you want,” I snap. “I’ll give you the fucking shares. But first, let Piper go.”
Sal smirks, shaking his head. “In my business, you learn the value of proving a point. Piper’s going to watch you burn, Logan. Just for a minute or two, just enough so you understand how deadly serious this is.” He swaggers slowly toward me, the flame leaping about in his hand. “And after, you’re going to watch her burn. Only then you’ll get it. I’m in charge.”
His words ignite desperation inside me, a need that burrows into my bones and goes far beyond protective. It’s primal. I can’t let him hurt Piper. Nobody gets to hurt her. Ever. For the rest of our lives, I’ll keep her safe. It’s as simple as that.
When Sal is within touching distance, I roar and lurch forward. There’s a snap as a bone in my hand breaks, maybe my wrist, searing pain pulsing through my arm as I slip out of the shackle and swing around in a violent arc. I slam my aching hand against the side of Sal’s head, then wrench the blowtorch from his hand as he instinctively grabs at his head, and I push it against his face.
He cries out, bringing his hands up to strike at me. As he rushes me, I dart out of the way, slip my hand into his waistband, and grab his gun, aiming it right at his head.
Sal gasps, stumbling backward.
Enzo grabs Piper, aiming his gun at her head. The other guard moves to the other side of the room, aiming his gun at me.
“Enough,” Enzo growls. “Drop the gun, or I’ll put a bullet in her.”
I want to do what he says. I can’t risk hurting Piper. But there’s no damn way they’ll let us go if I drop this weapon. I remember everything I’ve learned here, including the dynamic between Enzo and Sal and that Sal is doing this on his own.
I have to save my woman. That means risking her.
“No,” I say, struggling to breathe as I carefully transfer the pistol to my shackled hand, my unbroken one, all the while keeping it aimed at Sal. Adrenaline allowed me to use the busted hand for a few short bursts of primal protectiveness, but it quickly became useless.
“I can tell you don’t like Sal, Enzo, but he’s part of the Family. The Don won’t be happy if he dies on your watch. You didn’t want to be here, anyway. You didn’t want to do this. Let Piper go. Take your men and leave. This can end here.”
“Shoot her!” Sal cries, waving his hand at Piper.
“Don’t fucking move,” I growl when he steps toward my woman.
A tear slides down Piper’s cheek as she stares at me. But other than that, her expression is fierce and defiant. Pride overwhelms me.
“You know…” I take a ragged breath. “I’m speaking sense, Enzo. Nobody has to die. I know you’re a reasonable man. I guessed you were sent here to babysit Sal the moment he dragged me down here. I’m right, aren’t I?”
“Enzo,” Sal snaps. “Shoot the bitch, now.”
Enzo looks at Sal. “I told you; you’re not my boss. And he’s right. The Don sent me here because he knew you’d fuck this up. We can’t execute a civilian just because your pride has been hurt.”
“Then… what?”
Enzo sighs, then shoves Piper toward me.
“What are you doing?” Sal roars.
I catch her with my busted hand, then move her behind me, standing wide as I keep the gun trained on them.
“We’re going,” Enzo snaps. “Logan’s right. It’s our only choice now. We’re clearing out.”
Piper wraps her arms around my middle, hugging onto my back. I keep the gun trained on them as they file out of the room. Sal walks backward, his eyes glaring hatefully at me the whole time.
Upstairs, I hear the men filing out, Sal yelling at Enzo, Enzo yelling back.