Page 90 of The Godfather’s Christmas Twins
“Your father was a traitor to the family who got what he deserved." I edge closer, watching his grip on Gia tighten. "You're even more pathetic than he was.”
"Shut up!" Spittle flies from his mouth. "You don't know anything! My father helped build this family. Nic neverappreciated everything his father, my father, did. He’d be nothing without them.”
I can't stand another second of his ranting, not with his hands on Gia. Something primal snaps inside me. My body moves before my mind can catch up, lunging forward with a roar that tears from my throat.
Ricky's eyes go wide. His gun turns to me, muzzle flashing. I drop and roll instinctively, feeling the bullet whistle past my ear. My training takes over as I come up in a crouch, weapon already aligned.
One shot. Clean through his throat. A little low for the head. A little high for his heart. But still effective.
Ricky's gun clatters to the ground as his hands fly to his neck. Blood sprays between his fingers as he stumbles backward, eyes bulging with shock. He collapses in a heap, making wet, choking sounds that echo through the warehouse.
My hands shake as I lower my weapon, the acrid smell of gunpowder burning my nostrils. “He’s down,” I say, knowing Nic and the team can hear me.
I turn to her as I approach Ricky, wanting to make he’s neutralized. “You okay?”
Her head bobs up and down.
I look down at Ricky’s writhing form, my gun still warm in my hand. Blood pools beneath him as he claws at his throat, eyes wild with pain and fear. Good. He deserves every second of agony for what he's done.
The warehouse door bursts open behind me, boots thundering on concrete as my men flood in with Nic at the lead. Through my peripheral vision, I see him rush to Gia, working quickly to free her from her bonds. Every cell in my body screams to go to her, to hold her, to make sure she's truly safe. But I have unfinished business first.
I crouch beside Ricky, watching him struggle for breath through the hole in his throat. "Would you like to suffer, or should I end this now?" My voice comes out cold, detached. The monster he deserves to see in his final moments.
Ricky's only response is a wet gurgle, his fingers now scrabbling weakly at the concrete floor. Behind me, I hear Nic leading Gia away, her soft sobs fading toward the exit. My chest aches with the need to follow.
"I don't have time for this." I press my gun against Ricky's forehead and pull the trigger. “Enjoy hell with your father.” I rise, standing over Ricky's lifeless body. "Let’s get this cleaned up.” I want nothing more than to follow Gia out of this nightmare, to hold her and never let go. But I have responsibilities to handle first. Evidence to clean up, loose ends to tie off.
The men are already at work, efficient and discrete as always. I pull out my phone to coordinate disposal teams and set up surveillance sweeps of Ricky's known associates. No one else will ever get close enough to threaten Gia again.
Once I’m sure the men are taking care of Ricky, I slip away. Nothing else matters now except getting to Gia.
I get into my SUV and weave through traffic, making a beeline to Nic’s house, knowing that’s where he’ll take Gia. The drive takes forever. Every red light feels like an eternity, every slow driver an obstacle between me and Gia.
The image of her bound to that chair burns behind my eyes and with it, guilt, my constant companion for six years, attempts to swallow me whole. I should have been there sooner. Should have claimed her years ago. Should have confessed my feelings for her and the kids. Each mile closer to Nic's house brings a fresh wave of self-recrimination mixed with desperate need to see her, to know she's truly safe.
My tires screech as I pull into Nic's driveway, barely remembering to put the car in park before I'm out and running toward the front door. The guards recognize me, stepping aside as I burst through.
"Where is she?" I demand, pushing past Nic in the foyer with Bella.
"Max, wait.” Nic's hand catches my arm, but I shake it off.
"I need to see her." My voice cracks with an emotion I've never let anyone hear before. "Please."
The desperation in my tone must register because Nic's grip loosens. "She's up checking the twins. She's fine, Max. You saved her."
My heart stops as Gia appears at the top of the stairs. Her gaze latches on to mine as she descends the stairs.
The sight pierces my chest, straight through to my soul. "Gia." Her name comes out rough, desperate. My feet carry me forward without conscious thought, drawn to her like a magnet.
She pauses on the lowest step, one hand gripping the banister. The space between us crackles with everything I've never said.
"Why are you here?" Gia's voice is soft but guarded, her fingers still gripping the banister like a lifeline.
Before I can answer, Nic steps forward. "Max had concerns about other potential threats. He came back to protect you."
Gia’s shoulders stiffen, her eyes flatten, and I see that Nic’s words have hit wrong. Of course they would. Didn’t she accuse me of operating only out of duty? She thinks I’m here solely out of obligation.
"I see." Her voice is carefully neutral now as she turns away. "Thank you, Max. Once again, you’ve saved the day.”