Page 67 of Heartless Union

“We have to get out of here now,” Rocco says, slinging an arm around Massimo’s shoulders and hoisting him up. “Help me.” Emilio gets on the other side of Massimo, and they begin carrying him to the back door.

The front door bursts open, and Carlo runs inside, swinging his gun around.

“Lara, get down!” Rocco shouts.

I dive behind the couch as Carlo starts firing. I curl into a ball, wrapping my arms around myself and praying I don’t get shot.

“You’re not going to survive this,” Carlo growls.

When I peek around the couch, I see the three brothers huddling inside the kitchen. It’ll only take Carlo a couple of steps to reach them.

But I can do something about that.

Massimo shouldn’t have to die because of this war. Neither should Emilio.

And Rocco … I can’t see him die.

I was willing to die before, and I still am.

I sneak up behind Carlo and pounce onto his back. He stumbles forward, dropping his gun.

Rocco runs out of the kitchen and right up to Carlo, grabbing him by the shirt and punching him in the face. I drop down and run to Emilio and Massimo. Emilio grabs me, pulling me close. Massimo is slumped against the wall, his breathing ragged. The blood stain is getting bigger.

Rocco and Carlo end up in a fist fight. For how much older Carlo is, he sure is handling himself well.

“Get out of here, Lara,” Emilio whispers. “Rocco wouldn’t want you to die.”

“I can’t leave,” I respond.

Carlo manages to get a solid hit to Rocco’s face, sending Rocco stumbling back. Carlo rushes to grab his gun but Rocco lands a kick to his stomach, sending the older man sprawling to the ground. They both scramble for the gun.

The back door bursts open, and my father comes inside.

“Lara,” he calls out, motioning for me to come to him.

I look between my father and husband. Rocco is holding his own in the fight, and my father is looking worse for wear.

I have to make a decision.

If I don’t leave right now, my father could get hurt. But I can’t leave knowing Rocco might die.

Carlo grabs his gun and points it at Rocco. Gripping Carlo’s wrist, Rocco points the gun away from him … right in the direction of my dad.

The gun goes off.

My father stumbles backward and falls to the ground. The scream that escapes me is inhuman.

Rocco growls and punches Carlo so hard in the face he slumps over, no longer moving. Rocco stumbles up to stand and walks over to me.

“Lara? Lara, are you all right?”

I push his hands away as I run to my dad, who’s lying on the ground, bleeding out.

The thud of more footsteps ring out, coming from the front door. Multiple men with guns come running inside.

“Emilio, take Massimo,” Rocco calls out, running over to me. He scoops my dad up into his arms. “Come on, Lara.” He runs out the back door.

I follow.