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The bullet slices through the window, and Angelo and Lux’s mother fall to the ground. Before my brain can process anything, I aim my rifle at Fausto, who now has Lux positioned directly in front of him with a frantic look in his eye, and take my shot, knowing I wouldn’t have much time to do so.
Another bullet flies through the window, and Fausto and Lux fall to the ground before I take off into another sprint, using my long legs to jump the three front steps and barrel through the door. All I hear are the muffled hollers of Enzo and my men as they follow suit.
My gaze locks in on Lux’s body when I enter the cabin. She’s lying still on the floor under Fausto. “Check on her mother,” I tell Enzo before jumping over the small coffee table to reach Lux.
“Lux, Lux baby,” I call out as I lift Fausto’s dead body off her. The blood from the shot I took to his forehead ran downher shoulder and pooled on the floor beneath her. I move to her other side to get a better view of her face.
Kneeling, I brush the dark strands of hair out of her face, revealing dried blood that runs from the top of her cheekbone down to her jawline. I almost lose my mind at the sight, but when I’m met with those beautiful brown eyes of hers, the rage seems to disappear. Nothing else matters but her.
“T-Teo?” she whimpers out, and relief floods her face as her eyes widen and her lips part. It’s as if she can’t believe I’m standing here before her.
“I’m here, baby.”
She attempts to push herself up but winces, which sets alarm bells off inside my head. I reach for her. “What hurts?” I run my hands over her body as softly as I can while trying to locate the source of her pain.
“I-I think I’m okay,” she whispers, but I hear the pain in her strained voice.
She pushes herself up again, releasing small grunts with her slow movements. “Easy now,” I say but am immediately caught off guard when she throws herself into my arms, and I stumble back.
I’m worried I’ll hurt her, but when she tightens her grip around my neck, I cave, embracing her in what feels like the longest hug of my life. I never want to let her go, because I’m afraid she’ll disappear on me again if I do.
Her body quivers and a sob breaks free from her lips. The sound seeps into my chest and wraps its way around my heart, squeezing it tightly.
“Y-you came,” she cries out.
My hand finds its way into her hair as I cradle her, rocking us back and forth in subtle movements. “I’ll always come for you, Little Lux. I’d go to the ends of the earth and back to find you. Never giving up until you’re back in my arms,” Iwhisper. “I’m so fucking sorry, baby. No one will ever take you away from me again. I promise you.”
Her cries lighten, then she freezes, tensing in my arms as if she’s just noticed something. “Mom!” she calls out over my shoulder.
I help Lux up, and her mother rushes over to us from around the coffee table. “Oh, sweetie,” she cries out, and they embrace each other, tears falling down their faces.
“Tell Doc to meet us at the house,” I say to Enzo who’s already on his phone, typing out a message.
“Already ahead of you, Boss. He’s heading over there now.”
“Are you hurt?” Luxtyn asks her mother, concern piercing through the air while she runs her hands along her body like I did with her just moments ago. “I thought you got shot. I-I thought we both got shot,” she says, grabbing her shoulder where Fausto’s wet blood remains.
She looks at her soiled hand with wide eyes, and I rush to her side. “It’s not yours,” I say, taking her hand in mine, doing my best to hide the harrowing memories. “It’s from the gunshot I left in Fausto’s head. You and your mother weren’t shot.”
Her eyes raise to mine. “You shot him?”
I nod.
Her eyes move to Mancini’s dead body before quickly returning to mine. “And Angelo?”
I nod once more and study her, waiting to see what reaction she’ll have to knowing how easy it is for me to kill people. I have to remember she’s not from this world, and while Fausto and Mancini deserved the bullets they received, that doesn’t mean she’ll be okay with it.
Lux reaches up, taking my face between her soft hands. “Thank you,” she breathes out. Her eyes glisten as more tears threaten to break free. “You saved me. You saved us.” Leaningin, she raises herself on her tippy toes and kisses me. The sound of someone clearing their throat causes her to pull away.
“Dammit, Teo. Where are your manners?” Enzo reprimands. “Luxtyn’s mom isrighthere.” He tilts his head towards her. “At least introduce yourself before you maul her daughter.”
Fucking Enzo.
Although, I can’t say he’s wrong. But the adrenaline coursing through my veins mixed with the need to feel Lux had me distracted.
Giving my attention to Lux’s mother, I extend my hand to her while pulling Lux into my side. “My apologies, Ms. Stockwell. My name is Matteo DiMaggio. I wish we could’ve met under better circumstances, but it’s an honor to finally meet you.” I want to introduce myself as Lux’s husband, but after everything that’s happened tonight, I know the best thing would be for Lux and her mother to catch up on everything.
Lux’s mother eyes me suspiciously before dropping her gaze to my left hand. She quickly shifts it to Lux’s before sliding it back to mine. It’s a quick and subtle movement I know Lux didn’t notice. It’s not something anyone would notice unless they were studying a person.
