Page 44 of Unbridled Fire
“Not him or Dmitry,” I cried.
Leo’s eyes cemented to mine, and I saw the swirl of potent emotions: fear for my safety; anger at my captors; and somewhere, deep in the blue depths, I swore I saw howprofoundlyhe cared for me... Slow recognition spread across my entire body, and I promised myself I would explore it when I had the chance to process the intense emotion.
“Just get me out of here,” I pleaded. “No one needs to die.”
Leo’s gaze swerved to Marco; his gun aimed directly at his forehead.
“You are welcome to kill me, amigo,” Marco said. “Just know that I have men staked outside your father’s home right now. 47 Lovelace Lane. What a lovely address. If any harm comes to me, your father will take his last breath there shortly.”
Leo’s nostrils flared. “You touch him and I’ll destroy every person you love.”
An evil laugh left Marco’s lips. “That’s the difference between us, Leo Stabler. I don’t love anyone. You’ll do well to remember that.”
I saw the wheels in Leo’s head turning as he debated shooting Marco, wondering if he was bluffing.
“Please, Leo,” I whispered, wanting to escape the nightmare. “Just get me out of here. We can fight them another day.”
“Unbind her,” Leo called over his shoulder to Joaquin. He rushed toward me, setting me free and helping me to my feet. I limped toward the shattered door, my eyes lifting to Dmitry’s. I made sure they held a clear and solemn message.Thank you.
I knew he’d somehow sent the address to Michael or Alexis, and vowed to repay him once I was healed. If I was able to, I’d extract him from his terrible world and help him find a better life. That would be the best repayment of all.
“We’re not done with you, Katia,” Marco called, his tone ominous. “I can’t wait to see you again.”
Joaquin, Enzo, Leo and I exited the room. “Keep your guns aimed,” Leo said, rushing to my side and holstering his gun. We meandered to the front door and headed into the sunlight, Joaquin and Enzo backing away from the house with their guns held high.
“I’m parked just over here,” he said, crouching down and lifting me in his arms.
“I can walk,” I mumbled, wrapping my arms around his neck and burying my face against his warm skin.
“I’ve got you,” he said softly. “Just relax.”
We approached his car, and he opened the front door before gently setting me in the front seat. I pulled on the seat belt as he ran around the other side and slid behind the wheel. Revving the engine, he pulled onto the street and hightailed it out of the neighborhood.
He called Michael, whose deep voice vibrated over the speaker.
“Did you get her?”
“Yes,” Leo said. “She needs medical care.”
“No hospital,” I said, resting my head on the headrest. “Please, Leo.”
“Can Adrian meet us at your house?” Leo asked.
“Yes,” Michael said. “I’d already called him just in case, and he’s off today. He can be here in twenty minutes.”
“We’ll be there soon.”
Leo tapped the red button on the console before dialing another number.
“Hey, son.”
“Dad, there’s some shit going down at work, and some really bad guys have your home address. Are the fence alarms and cameras set? And are your doors locked?”
“Yes, but I’ll check the cameras again,” he said. “But you know I’ve got this place fortified like Fort Knox.”
“Thank God you do. Keep it that way, and stay alert. I’m sorry, but I have to go.”
“Does this have anything to do with your pretty lady accountant?”
