Page 167 of Savage Don

She’s only on her third shot when our car swerves again, throwing her back against the far wall. This time, the collision is so brutal that it seems to knock her out.

I can only watch as the gun drops from her limp hand, falling to the floor, just out of reach.

Fucking hell. Every inch of me wants to lunge forward and grab it. I want to shoot her and Roberto. I want to let this old car crash into some cement wall. I want to go out in a fireball of destruction. I want to create the chaos that takes me out, not fall victim to it.

At the very least, I want to have that.

Something that will make Ray proud of me when we meet in whatever afterlife people like us are doomed to. Even if it’s hell, I know it won’t be so bad as long as I have his shoulder to lean on.

But my restraints are tied too tight to break out of. I’m still a prisoner. Just like I’ve always been, just like I’ll always be…

“Francesca!”

The distant sound of my name cuts through the roaring wind like an arrow, somehow finding my ear through all of the chaos.

It makes me perk up. Even through the overwhelming weight of my self-pity, I manage to straighten my aching back and look around the bloody back seats.

That voice…

“Francesca!”

There it is again.

I recognize that voice.

No. It couldn’t be.

“Francesca!” This time Ray’s roar overpowers the rushing wind. The sound of squealing tires follow closely behind, drawing my eyes towards the shattered window.

That’s when I see a ghost.

In the driver’s seat of an approaching black Escalade is Ray fucking Byrne.

That ruggedly handsome face of his is twisted in a primal snarl, filled with furious determination as he peels up next to me.

“Ray!” I choke. Just like that, all of the painful emptiness inside of me erupts in an explosion of agonizing hope.

He’s still alive.

And he’s come for me.

My king. My savior. My love…

But just as quickly as he’s appeared, the car I’m trapped in takes a sharp turn and Ray is forced to back off. My aching heart follows him as he disappears behind a flurry of racing cars.

“Son of a bitch…” Sonia grumbles from the other side of the car. She’s coming to. But not quickly enough.

Ripping my gaze away from the shattered window, I spot her gun sliding across the floor. Calling on every last bit of strength in me, I kick out my leg and catch it with my foot. Then, I pull it back until it’s hidden behind my heels.

There’s no way I’m letting her take another shot at my man.

There’s hope.

Whatever past Sonia and Ray share, it’s over.

He’s with me now. And I’m going to do whatever it takes to keep it that way.

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