Page 99 of For Your Eyes Only
He turns into a column of fire in front of me, grabbing me by the front of my shirt. “Didn’t you get enough or are you asking for more?”
Calm settles through my limbs, and I decide she’s probably right. “That was a test. Just making sure you’re good enough for my friend.”
He releases me, and I watch as he saunters away, following his partner up the dark alley in the direction of the street. My phone buzzes again, and I pull it from my jacket. I’d hoped it would be Franco, but it’s Grish.
Andre is dead.
Everything falls quiet, like I’m waking from a fever dream. My chest tightens, and I can’t believe it’s over that easily. I need to know how. I want proof he’s gone, and he didn’t tell what he knows.
Quickly tapping, I reply,I’m headed to your place for the details.
* * *
My throat hurtsfrom being nearly strangled to death. The bodyguards are good at their jobs, and I’m glad to know my friends are covered if anything were to happen to me.
What I don’t expect when I arrive at the loft, is to find Blake there, holding a gun. Hutch steps up behind me as I enter the room.
“Well, hello.” I chuckle. “Still don’t trust me?”
“Not on your life,” he growls.
“Why did you bring him?” Grish snaps at me, sounding rattled.
I can’t believe he thinks Blake would actually shoot him. I mean, she has reasons, but Blake doesn’t know how to handle a gun.
Going to the cabinet, I attempt to cut the tension in the room. “Why yes, I will have that drink, thanks.”
We’re all old friends here. No reason to pull guns on one another. Turning, I catch Grish sliding his hand inside the small bookcase in the corner.Fuck. The vodka is on my lips when I realize he’s actually going for it.
“Get back, bitch,” Grish lunges at her, slapping her hard.
Blake’s gun hand swings wide, and I see the flash of light as a loudBLAST!echoes in the room. I’m hit in the chest so hard, I’m thrown against the wall.
The glass I was holding slams against the cabinet, and I’m on my ass, pushing into a sitting position. I can’t inhale all the way, and looking down, I see a small, black halo on the front of my white shirt.Fuck, Is that a bullet hole?
The question forms in my mind as the pain explodes through my chest. The spot starts to grow larger, red and sticky.
“Stay down,” Hutch orders, but I don’t think he’s talking to me.
I couldn’t get up if I tried.
He’s fighting with Grish, but my vision is clouding. My old pal hits the floor beside me, but I can’t help him. I’m too weak as I watch my life drain out of me in a thick, bright-red stream.
“Trip?” Blake’s voice breaks, but Hutch lifts her off the floor and carries her away.
The door closes, and the room falls silent.
Grish is unconscious at my side, and I’m bleeding out fast.Shit.
Blinking my eyes takes effort. Looking around the room, I don’t have the strength to reach for my phone. Dammit, I’m not going to escape this time.
I always said I didn’t care if I died. Now I realize I can’t die this way. I can’t leave things how they are. I have to see her one more time. I have to explain.
I need to tell her why I hurt her like I did, tell her how sorry I am. How I started dying the day I sent her away.
Closing my eyes, I remember the first time I saw her. I fell in love with her pretty brown eyes, wide and shining, open and innocent. She was so beautiful. How could I not fall in love with her? I didn’t deserve the gift that was her.
With my final breath, I speak her name. My beautiful Gia.