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"There's a motel up ahead," he says. "We're going to have to make a stand."

My heart beats harder, painful in my chest. "A stand? Sebastian, there are too many?—"

"We don't have a choice," he cuts me off, his voice hard but not unkind. "They’re going to run us off the road. Surround us and start shooting. I need to pick a spot to take some of them down. With some of the men dead, we can buy ourselves some time while they regroup."

Dead. The word makes my chest cramp. I knew there would be consequences, but it sounds so final. So terrible. The thought that men will die because of my choices makes me feel sick.

But I can’t go back. Not to Vito.

Sebastian pulls into the parking lot of a rundown motel, the tires squealing as he veers in, driving around to the back where our car won't be visible from the road. He kills the engine and turns to me.

"Listen carefully," he says, reaching to pull out the revolver tucked between the seats. "I need you to hide. Take this and find somewhere safe."

I stare at the gun he's pressing into my hands. It's cold and heavy, and terrifyingly real. The reality of the situation is making it hard for me to think clearly.

"I can't?—"

"You can," he insists. "You're stronger than you think, Estella. I've seen it. But I need you safe."

"What about you?" I ask, my voice breaking.

His expression softens for just a moment, and he brushes his thumb across my cheek. "I'll be fine. I've dealt with worse."

But I can see the lie in his eyes. There are too many of them, and only one of him.

Before I can protest further, we hear the crunch of tires on gravel. They've found us.

"Go," Sebastian urges, pulling his own gun from his waistband. He grabs the duffel, swinging it over his shoulder so that the strap goes across his chest and the bag is behind him. "Now."

I slip out of the car, crouching low as I make my way around one side of the motel, crouching around the corner. My hands are shaking so badly that I can barely hold the gun. Through a crack in the shed door, I watch as Sebastian positions himself behind our car, weapon ready.

The first SUV pulls into view, followed by the second. Men pour out—six, seven, eight of them. Too many. And at the center of them all, stepping out of the second vehicle with casual arrogance, is Vito Bianchi.

My blood turns to ice at the sight of him. He's smiling, like this is all some amusing game.

"Sinclair!" he calls out. "Let's not make this any harder than it needs to be. Hand over Estella, and I’ll tell my men to kill you quickly."

Sebastian doesn't respond, but I can see his grip tighten on his weapon.

"No?" Vito continues. "That's disappointing. Your father is furious with you, by the way," he adds, clearly speaking to me now, though he can't see me. "He's promised punishment when you get home. But he’s also promised that as long as I bring you back, our arrangement stands. You’ll be my wife within days, once we’re home. I won’t tolerate any further delays, after this little stunt of yours, Estella.”

The thought makes me physically ill. I watch as Vito signals to his men, who begin to spread out, surrounding Sebastian.

"Last chance," Vito calls out. “I hope you keep pushing me, I really do. This time, I’ll be the one to carve pieces off of you, Sinclair. And I won’t leave your cock attached to your body this time, I promise you that. Especially if I find out that you’ve touched my fiancée.”

I watch, shaking, as Sebastian aims his gun. His response is a single shot that takes down the man nearest to Vito. And then everything explodes into chaos.

Gunfire erupts from all directions. Sebastian moves with deadly precision, taking down two more men before they force him to retreat behind a dumpster. But they're closing in, and I can see he's running out of options.

I can imagine my father on my return, his face grim, victory in his eyes. I can imagine my wedding day to Vito, if he really does insist he wants me still, even though I’m no longer a virgin. Maybe he will, just so he can torment me further. So he has reason to treat me as cruelly as he could possibly wish.

Sebastian’s words echo in my head.You’re stronger than you think.

Before I can think twice, I burst from behind the corner of the motel, gun raised. I fire at the man closest to Sebastian, catching him in the shoulder. He goes down with a shout of pain, and suddenly all eyes are on me. I stumble back from the recoil, the sound of the shot ringing in my ears.

"Estella, no!" Sebastian yells, but it's too late.

I fire again, and again, forcing Vito's men to scatter for cover. I don't know if I'm hitting anyone, but I'm creating enough chaos for Sebastian to reposition. He takes advantage immediately, taking down another man with precise shots.