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“Get down!” Carmen yelled, her nails digging into my arm as she dragged me to the floor.
Gunfire boomed through the space in a rapid-fire stream.
“Fucking Zetas,” Carmen cursed. “They think they can assault my home and get out alive?” Her eyes glinted with fury, and I saw an echo of Stefano’s fearsome personality. She cursed again. “We’re too exposed here.”
The gunfire hadn’t stopped. The men on the mezzanine level were taking cover, but several of them had weapons and were returning fire. Whoever had assaulted the ground level was trying to fight their way through a hail of bullets.
Mere seconds had passed since the assault had begun, but everything slowed. I saw Massimo barreling toward me, racing to close the distance between us. His body jerked, and blood blossomed on his right shoulder.
I screamed and lunged for him, desperate to get to him.
Pain ripped into my abdomen, and agony consumed me. The world swam, the flashing lights of the club making everything flicker.
Massimo roared my name, but I couldn’t get up. I couldn’t move.
Stunning silver eyes stared down into mine. They were stormy with panic, and his lush lips were drawn back from his white teeth like a cornered predator baring its fangs. His jaw was tight, so I trailed my fingers over it to sooth him. His rough stubble made my fingertips tingle, our electric chemistry sparking with every tender touch.
“Farfallina,” he rasped.
“I’m okay,” I said, wanting to erase his worry. My voice was soft, barely audible with the booming gunfire around us.
I was only dimly aware that the violence continued. In my little haven with my dark protector, nothing could touch me.
Chapter 15
Massimo
“Get the doctor!” I barked at Carmen.
“I will as soon as we survive this,” she shot back, but her voice was tight with worry. “I’ll get you a gun.”
“A gun won’t save her!” I meant to shout at the cartel queen, but my voice was ragged with desperation.
I couldn’t fight my way out of this. Killing the men who threatened her wouldn’t matter.
Because Evelyn was dying. She was bleeding out in my arms.
Her long lashes fluttered, her peridot eyes losing their sparkle.
I cupped her cheek in my hand. “Eyes on me, dolcezza.” My good girl always obeyed my commands. “Stay with me.”
“I will,” she whispered, staring at nothing. “I’ll stay with you, Massimo.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.” She mouthed the words, but no sound came out.
“Good girl.” I kissed her forehead.
She released a shuddering sigh, and her slender body went limp. Her eyes were closed, her lovely face still and serene.
“Look at me, farfallina.” I shook her slightly, but she didn’t obey.
“You promised you would stay,” I reminded her, coaxing. “You’re mine, Evelyn. You’re not going anywhere. Evelyn!”
I called her name again and again, until the sound became an agonized roar. I couldn’t compel her to stop bleeding. I couldn’t order her to keep breathing. There was nothing I could do to prevent her from slipping away from me.
There was nothing I could do to save the woman I loved.
