Page 69 of Mischief Mayhem

“No, no, no,” I murmured, covering my ears as loud thumps hit the floor above us. My legs locked into place, my stomach churning as the pain surged through my chest again. Agony exploded in my body, and I couldn’t move. I had to stay there. I had to get to my brother. I had to make sure Wheels had?—

“V!” Alba shouted, grabbing my face so all I could see were her bright, sky-blue eyes. “You’re okay. Just follow me. That’s all you have to do.”

I didn’t want to walk. I didn’t want to listen to her. I wanted to curl into a ball and pretend none of this was happening, but when she grabbed my hand and yanked me up those cement stairs, I found myself moving. When she raced across the backyard into the woods, hardly sparing a second glance for Castor and Wheels, I focused on my inhales and exhales, gripping the pistol tighter in one hand, her fingers in the other. Selene and Ru were a few paces ahead of us, disappearing into the tree line. Alba and I were almost there, and if I could just keep pace with her, we’d make it.

Keep breathing. Inhale. Exhale. It’s okay. I’m okay. I’m going to make it.

Ten yards out from the woods, a burning hot stab hit me in the calf, and I dropped to my knees, wailing with the sting. Another bullet nearly got me in the shoulder, zinging past me and colliding with the tree immediately to my right. Bark exploded, hitting me in the face, and I blinked, hoping this was a dream, that I’d wake up in bed next to Hollywood.

I’m okay. It’s okay. Keep breathing. Inhale. Exhale.

“Fuck!” I got back to my feet, limping to keep up with Alba and the others, but I couldn’t take a step without the agony tormenting my leg and spine. I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t run. “Go! Go! Leave me.”

“No fucking way,” Alba said, coming back to wrap her arm under my shoulders, using her body weight to help me. But this would only slow them down, and judging by the shouts behind me, the Caputis were gaining on us.

“Granddaughter,” called a female voice. “Stop running or I’ll kill them.”

Alba’s steps faltered, and for a moment, I thought she wouldn’t listen. I looked over my shoulder to see my brother and Wheels on their knees in front of the house, two guys standing behind them, pointing guns at their heads.

“Shit,” Alba groaned, freezing just before we would have met up with Selene and Ru.

Selene kneeled on the ground behind a log, setting up her rifle on the fallen tree so she could peer down the scope.

“Get behind me,” she hissed, trying to keep her voice low enough so the Caputis didn’t hear.

“The MC will be here soon.” Ru hunched down next to Selene, holding up her gun. “We just have to hold them off until then.”

Alba and I stayed where we were, the sounds of Gabriella’s footsteps growing closer as we turned around to face her.

“I’m not your granddaughter,” Alba said, holding her chin up higher. “I’m a Rose, and I always will be.”

Gabriella smirked, holding her fur coat tighter around her body as she sauntered closer, four men flanking her on either side.

“I promised you, Alba, one day you would know what a mother’s grief could do.” She put her hands in her coat pockets and stared at us with eyes so similar to the woman standing at my side. I could see the family resemblance, but where Alba’s life had made her more radiant, Gabriella’s had worn her down, turned her features drawn and ragged. “Today is that day.”

“What do you want?” Alba said, taking a deep breath. My pulse thundered in my veins and my leg throbbed, warm, sticky blood coating the side of my calf and ankle. I clutched the pistol harder, waiting for the opportunity to raise it and blow this bitch’s brains out.

“This is not about wanting anything,” Gabriella said. “This is about blood.”

“Haven’t you spilled enough?” I hissed, sneering at the woman who had started this war. It was because of her Benito and the former SRMC president had gotten into a fatal dick-measuring contest. It was because of her Penny Wright ran away with Aris. Gabriella had started it all. “Haven’t you taken enough from us?”

“Where is Leo?” she asked, ignoring me altogether. “If you tell me, I may let you go.”

My stomach churned for Castor and Wheels, who still kneeled on the ground with their hands behind their heads.

“What makes you think we know?” Alba said. “We don’t have access to the club’s information.”

“Hmm.” Gabriella nodded and waved a hand over her shoulder, beckoning more henchmen our way. The guys standing behind Wheels and my brother hauled them upright and brought them toward one of the SUVs, but the queen bee didn’t move. She just stared at us with hatred echoing out of her evil gaze.

“Not another step,” came Selene’s threat from behind us.

“If you don’t come willingly, I’ll kill both of them in front of you,” Gabriella said, purposely ignoring Selene by putting one foot closer to us . . . then another . . . and another. I didn’t know if she met Castor and Wheels or me and Alba, but either way, I heard Selene’s frustrated groan before the sound of her dropping her gun to the ground.

With nowhere to run and no way out, I let go of my pistol and stared Gabriella down as her Caputi bastards lead us to their vehicles.

24

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