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Switching my aim to Giuseppe, I pull the trigger, letting the bullet blast through his shoulder. He yelps out in pain, but I don’t so much as glance at him.

Because now I have two guns aimed at me.

“I know you’re not going to kill me; you need me to get intel on Enzo,” I say, matter-of-factly.

Terzo and Carlo look at each other, and promptly back to me.

“Don’t you think you deserve a bullet to the shoulder like Giuseppe? Eye for an eye, remember? You followed the rules with Fabio," Carlo says.

I’m going to kill all three of them, eventually. I’m holding out hope someone out there, whether it’s Colten or Dom, knows about this entrance and they’re coming. It’s the only way out I have.

This is the first time in my life I know in my bones that I can’t do this on my own. I’m buying time. That’s it. A few months ago, this would have brought shame. I would have been fighting until my last breath. I didn’t have a reason to stay alive, not really. Only for the empire, which I was at peace with dying for.

But now? I’ve got a family. I’ve got Colten. I’ve had a glimpse of a life I never even contemplated. So now I have to play smart to protect myself. And I have to admit that I need help, that there is strength in relying on others.

“If I insult you, then you can shoot me. I am not my father's daughter; if I was, I wouldn’t be willing to offer you a deal.”

Terzo takes a step forward.

“I’ll help you stop Enzo. I’ll give you everything I know for Tatiana. All I ask in return is you leave the Sterling family out of it.”

Carlos laughs. “Did your father never give you the lesson in never falling in love, Gianna?”

I glare at him. “He must have missed that one.”

“Drop the gun, Gianna, and we’ll talk once you’re back in your cell.”

Letting out a laugh, I swear I see the faint flash of lights. It’s enough to give me hope. So I bend down slowly, placing my gun on the floor, holding up my hands.

Now I really am fucked.

Come on, Colten. Please help me. I need to tell you that I love you.

CHAPTER NINETY-EIGHT

Colten

The cemetery exit wasn’t as close as I thought it was from Dom’s instructions. I’m running until my lungs burn, gun in one hand. Running to save the love of my life from her fucking deranged family.

There’s too much left to say between us. She’s got a sheep that needs her. I fucking need her. We all do.

Gianna didn’t just come to Sterling Ranch and steal my heart; she earned the trust of all of us. She’s a part of our family now.

I come to a skidding stop, and my hand flies to my chest as a boom echoes against the walls.

A fucking gunshot. My blood is running cold. I pick up the pace until the stairs to the trap door come into view.

I’m working off pure adrenaline at this point. No amount of training, no amount of trauma in your life can get you ready to lose your soulmate.

A thud vibrates against the tunnel walls, and voices travel towards me.

“I said I’m going, don’t fucking touch me.” Gianna’s voice is music to my ears.

Pressing my back against the wall of the tunnel, I hold my breath and slip around the corner so I’m out of view. Dom and Tate are so far behind me, I don’t need to worry about them.

I can’t see the people outside, but I can hear them.

She’s breathing. There are two, maybe three footsteps alongside hers.