Page 53 of Poison and Wine
After hearing Caterina’s translation, Nera bobbed her head. “Grazie.”
“Prego,” I replied.
My gratitude expanded even further when I saw the air field’s tower. She hadn’t screwed me over. More than that, my bride hadn’t screwed me over. But I wouldn’t fucking admit it. Not now in front of my brothers and Fionn. Only weak leaders admitted they were wrong.
When we wheeled up at the airfield, our jet sat on the tarmac. Normally, it would’ve been a welcomed sight, but considering the two black SUV’s on either side, I knew we weren’t out of the woods yet.
“Tell Nera to get down on the floorboard,” I commanded as I reloaded my assault rifle.
“Salire sulla pedana,” Caterina commanded.
Nodding, Nera shakily unbuckled her seatbelt before slipping onto the floor. With my rifle reloaded, I turned to Quinn. “What do we have to take them out?”
“A rocket launcher and two grenades.”
Caterina gasped. “We’ve been riding around with all of that weaponry in the car?”
“Among other things,” Quinn replied tersely.
After paling slightly, she murmured, “I don’t want to know.”
Nodding, I pointed at Dare. “You take the second SUV out with the grenades.” Cutting my gaze to Quinn, I instructed, “Use the rocket launcher on the first. Seamus and I will cover you. Then Kellan, while everyone is distracted, I want you to get Caterina on the jet.”
With a shake of her head, Caterina held out her hand. “Give me a gun.”
“You’re kidding me.”
Her expression darkened. “I have every right to protect myself.”
“You’re trembling like a leaf. How the hell do you expect to protect yourself?”
“You know as well as I do I’m a decent shot.”
“Kellan and I will be protecting you.”
“We’re outnumbered. We need all the ammunition and firepower we can get.”
“Forget the fact we need all hands on deck. I wouldn’t trust you with a gun against me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Do you really think after everything we’ve been through in the last couple of days, especially the last half hour, I would seriously shoot you or one of your brothers?”
Deep down, I knew she wouldn’t. With the parameters of our contract, I was giving Caterina the life she’d dreamed of in spite of being forced to be my wife. At the same time, I wasn’t a man who would allow women to defend themselves. As long as I had breath within me, I’d lay down my life for her. “I’m not risking it.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she huffed, “I’m a good shot.”
“We don’t have time to argue about this.” I turned back to my brothers. “Let’s do this.”
The moment the SUV doors opened, gunfire erupted on the tarmac. Using the driver side door as a shield, I began rapid firing my rifle. Across from me, Seamus began doing the same thing on the passenger side.
As Quinn and Dare got into position, I nodded at Kellan who had a very reluctant Caterina by the arm. I texted the pilot to taxi the plane slowly down the runaway towards our vehicle. Once the jet was in motion, I gave the signal to Quinn and Dare.
The force of the simultaneous explosions jolted me back against the driver’s seat, knocking me into Fionn. Once I repositioned myself, I trained my gun on the SUV to the left. Kellan and Caterina crept out the back and then around to the front of the car. Although Kellan was armed, I held my breath that we’d taken out all the threats.
The fear dwelling within my chest was a surprise. It wasn’t directed at Kellan but at Caterina. It was more than just not wanting anything to happen to her because she was a woman. It was about the depth of my growing feelings for her.
Turning to Fionn, I said, “Once we’re on the plane, you get the hell out of here. Don’t bother taking her back to the house. Just get her safely back to Catania.”
“Sure thing, boss.”