Page 69 of Hearts Held

I try to rear my leg up to hit him in the balls, but he pins me down with his hips, his other hand fumbling with his zipper as his neck continues to bleed onto my dress.

He ceases my screams by shoving his fingers into my mouth, causing me to gag.

“Shut the fuck—” He doesn’t finish his sentence, for the door bursts open.

The pain in my head begins to morph into a horrible throb and I see spots within my vision. I hear two other voices, then feel his body lifted from mine.

From what I can see, someone has wrapped something around his neck.

A tie?

He is struggling, but at the same time I am struggling to maintain consciousness.

My vision clears a little, and I see Bobby running toward me, then carefully wrapping me within his suitjacket. “We got you, baby. We got you,” he keeps repeating.

I peer over to see who else is here.

Everett, his broad shoulders and tense stance making him look like an avenging angel as he stands over the Italian’s body.

He’s staring at him with so much ferocity. More emotion than I have ever seen in his face.

“He isn’t dead,” he mutters through clenched teeth. “Yet.”

Chapter 22: Everett

The Death of Peace of Mind, Bad Omens

Malice courses through my veins.

The thought of ripping this sack of shit limb from limb ignites something in my soul.

I took my tie and wrapped it around Giorgio’s neck like piano wire, applying the perfect amount of pressure to cause him to black out.

He needs to be alive for the glorious reckoning I have planned.

His body has slumped to the ground, drool expelling from his mouth. Taking two fingers, I check to verify his pulse is still beating, then I peer across the room to check on Brielle.

I find my brother soothing her, wrapping her up with is coat.

White-hot jealousy licks up my spine.

That should beme.

He should not be touchingher.

Biscuit and Kenneth come barreling through the doorway just as I stride toward Bobby and grab his shoulder. “Don’t touchher,” I seethe through my teeth.

Bobby snaps his attention to me as he ceases comforting Brielle’s shaking form.

“She needs medical attention, Everett!” he hisses.

Kenneth looks at us, anger dwelling in his gaze, “What thefuckhappened?”

As Biscuit hobbles over toward Brielle, I place a hand out to stop him. “Take Giorgio out the side exit to the shop, so no one from the party will see. String him up. Biscuit and Bobby, you watch him. Kenneth, do damage control for the party and work the room, making sure everything is stable,” I order.

Kenneth crosses his arms. “You will be starting a war. We won’t be able to hide this,” he states.

“Theystarted it by allowing this jackal to continue his ways. If it wasn’t Brielle, it would have beenanother woman this evening,” Bobby retorts, then he turns toward Brielle, trying to reach for her again. I bolster myself in front of him, then warn Brielle of my touch.