Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Our children will grow up the same age, too. They will be just as close.”
I lean in, surprised, keeping my voice calm. “You're pregnant?”
"Yep!" she says happily as I pull her into a hug.
Just as we pull apart, a rapid popping noise rings through the air. I jump, perplexed as to why someone would shoot off fireworks. I can see the confusion mirrored on Emilia's face.
“What was that?” Helen asks.
“I’m not sure but it was loud. It carried over the music,” Zoe adds.
It happens again. This time one of the windowpanes shatters. We all duck close to the table. I let out a scream before I can stop myself and I think one or two others do the same thing.
"Gunfire!" Zane yells out. "Levi, get the women."
Everything happens in a split second. Levi and Helen's guards jump into action. One of Helen’s guards help me and Emilia, while Levi and the other helps Zoe, Helen, and Angelina.
"Levi and Gordon, take the women to the panic room while we face off with the attackers. I'll call in reinforcements," Zane yells.
One of the taller guards faces off with Zane. “I'm staying with Helena. That’s my job.”
“Fine,” Zane gives in, too worried about keeping us alive to argue. “Levi, go with him and get them to the panic room. Lock them inside and one of you stay in the room to guard it. The women need to be out of the line of fire until the cavalry arrives.”
Levi takes charge, ushering us away as more shots ring out. I keep looking over my shoulder as we quickly walk hunched down as low as we can get. The men lead us away from the windows.
Zane looks at Gordon. "Two are down outside. Mack and Stone need help. You secure the entrances with...” He looks at Helen's other guard.
“Lane,” the guy responds to the silent question, stepping up.
“Gordon, you and Lane cover the entrances and find whatever you can to reinforce them. I'll provide gunfire to shield the others as much as I can. I’ll put a call through to Antonio.”
That's all I can hear as we get closer to the back room. It’s an office with a giant shelf in it that is full of cleaning supplies. At least, that’s what I thought. Instead, Levi pushes a button that must be hidden on the shelf. It makes the entire thing slide back. When that’s done, it reveals a shiny steel door. You couldn’t even see it when the shelf was in place.
If I survive this mess, I will tell my husband what a genius he is…
antonio
I head straight for the artillery room, opening the door with the keypad and grabbing up guns as the others follow my lead. I heard Niko call Callan, letting him know what's going on with his wife, Zoe. Callan can hold his own but didn't sign up for this life—not like we did. I hope the man stays clear of all the gunfire. If he doesn’t, I’m praying he has enough street smarts to handle himself.
The ride to the club is quick, but every second feels like it takes forever to pass. The minute the SUV stops, I barrel out, guns blazing. I don't have to hide it. I have the city government—especially the cops—on my payroll. They’ll drag their feet so my men can do what needs to be done. Still, even with that worry gone, it doesn't negate that the problem is happening downtown. It'll take one new officer on the force who's in the area swooping in, causing more chaos.
Luckily enough, the club is off the main drag, affording us a little privacy. Thank God, I had the forethought to close the club to outsiders tonight. If I hadn’t, there would be a fucking bloodbath going on.
The men jump out behind me, already firing off shots. I can see the legs of one of ours. Mack. I know because he always wears these stupid neon socks, and I can see bright green around his ankle. One of the men goes to him and indicates they found a pulse. I’ll get him an ambulance when we clear the rest of the building. I can’t bring more people into the area just to have them become casualties. We're just behind Levi and Zane's SUV when Victorio and Marco join me. Niko's is behind a second SUV with some of my best men.
"Motherfucker," Marco yells, leaning in so I can hear him. “That dumb fuck peeking out behind the dumpster is my brother.”
"I'm going to kill any of your family that are here," I growl at him.
Marco looks back at me, the lines on his face harsh as his body vibrates off hate and adrenaline—just like mine. "Not if I kill them first."
I click my phone, calling Zane as I use the car for cover.