Page 24

RITCHIE

THE SURPRISE WEDDING GUESTS

G lock held low at my side, I inched along a wall down a short hallway. There were only so many places these guys could hide. I knew Melina Massa brought back up. Malone, her brother, wasn’t in the chapel. But he was nearby. I told my cousin to nip that shit in the butt a while ago. I said, “Catch the Don is going to use his daughter’s obsession with you to get what he wants.”

“Ritchie, I told her it was just sex, nothing more. And go live your life.”

Now we’re here hunting down the Massa men. It wasn’t totally my cousin’s fault. When someone’s kind of crazy, that person doesn’t see logic the same way as normal people. They twisted your words in their head. She might have taken his words; go have a good life to mean let’s take a break and we’ll see each other soon. It was like comparing apples to fucking oranges. The way Melina acted told me she was a tad crazy.

Catch and I were in a tough spot.

I stepped into a room and pointed my muzzle into a closet door that was left a jar. Pulling the trigger, I let off two shots.

Pip, pip.

The sound of a body hitting the floor like a bag of bricks let me know I hit my target. I eased off to the side. Good thing I did instead of peeking in the closet.

He fired back. Pip, pip, pip.

Pulling out my second Glock, I lowered myself to the ground and slid backwards, keeping my arms extended as I fired several shots at both closets. The second man fell to the floor with a thud, his gun also landing with a light noise. My heart raced in my chest as I rushed over to the first closet, never knowing what I may find inside. The first man was barely hanging on, but still managed to raise another Glock. Without hesitation, I aimed and fired another shot, taking him down for good. After retrieving his weapon, I kicked open the second closet and cautiously peered inside. The second man’s lifeless body slumped against the wall, his eyes staring off into nothingness. He was dead.

I gathered his weapon, then pressed a gloved finger to my earpiece. “Two down in here. How’s it looking for you guys?” I asked.

“The threats have been put down,” Ezra stated.

“What’s with the military talk?” I chuckle.

“Hey, it’s a habit,” Ezra laughed.

“It’s rubbing off on us,” Rémy added.

“Keep it up, Ezra. I like it,” Romeo admitted.

“Brock, get a couple of guys to get this cleaned up.”

“On it, boss.”

“Catch, what did you find?”

“Three D.O.A.’s. All secure on my end. Are we done? I’d like to get to my reception.”

“Sounds like we’re all clear,” I stated.

Gripping Tori’s hand tightly, we strolled into the reception venue. I kept my woman close just in case any more unwanted guests arrived, and bullets started to fly.

“I hope the food is good,” Tori stated.

“I’m starving.”

My lips melt against her temple. “Did you eat this morning?”

“Yeah, but this hulking, sexy guy wore me out last night. I feel ravished yet starved.”

A chuckle rumbled in my chest. “Is that so?”

She smiled up at me. “Yes.”

I loved all things, Tori. What I loved most she was all mine.

As soon as I stepped inside, my eyes darted around the room to locate all the exits. I had already searched the venue beforehand, but with Melina’s unexpected appearance at the wedding, I didn’t know what to expect. Her brother was also missing, but fortunately, we had extra help on hand. All I wanted was to find him and put an end to this chaos so that we could finally enjoy the reception. And most of all, I couldn’t wait for some alone time with my woman tonight and tomorrow.

Tori left my side and ran over to her friends.

I tapped my earbud. “Brock, how are we looking out there?”

“So far, so good, boss.”

A chill swept up my spine. I didn’t know what to expect. Whatever was coming, we would be ready.