“Good.”
The worry in Gabriel’s voice makes a tremble shudder through me. Once again, I focus on keeping my hands steady, pushing any fear trying to surface back down.
You can do this.
Stay calm.
Shoot anything that comes through that door.
Protect your loved ones.
I hear glass breaking somewhere behind me and swing around. The moment I see movement, I pull the trigger.
Nisa lets out a shriek that is drowned out by the sound of the shot.
“Almost there,” Gabriel shouts. “I see the smoke.”
Slowly I inch a couple of steps forward. A dark shadow moves, and I instantly fire a shot. Dust sprays into the air as the bullet hits a wall.
“We just want you, Lara. If you come willingly, we’ll let the old women live,” a man shouts.
“Don’t you fucking dare, Lara!” Gabriel snaps. “I’m here.”
“Allah Allah,” Nisa wails softly. “Hurry, Gabriel Bey.”
“Move in,” I hear the man command. “Don’t kill the target.”
More glass shatters, and bodies pour into the store. I just open fire, trying to aim as best I can.
All hell breaks loose. Bodies drop to the floor. Nisa and Alya Hanim sob.
I hear the cabinet give way and fall over.
Then the gun clicks in my hand, all out of bullets.
God, help us.
I’m grabbed from behind. “I’ve got you,” Daniel’s voice sounds in my ear. He shoves me behind him, then his arm lifts, and he opens fire, not missing a target.
Flashes light up the dimly lit room, the smell of gunpowder filling the air.
Movement by the door draws my attention, and when I see Murat leaning against the doorjamb, blood staining his shirt, I break out into a run.
“I’m okay,” he grinds out as I reach him.
Lifting his shirt, I find the bullet hole and press my palm to it as hard as possible. “Shit,” he groans.
Silence descends around us, then I hear, “Where is she?”
My head swivels to the side, but I struggle to see anything through the cloud of smoke.
“Lara!”
“I’m here. By the door.”
I hear his footsteps before he appears through the smoke.
“Murat’s been shot. He’s losing a lot of blood.”
Mirac is right behind Gabriel, and he comes to help. Mirac pulls Murat’s arm over his shoulders so he can lean on him.
“Where’s Nisa and Alya Hanim?” I ask, moving back into the store to check on them.
“Emre and Daniel have them,” Gabriel answers as he grabs hold of my bloody hand. “Let me just hold you!” He yanks me to this body and wraps his arms around me. “Jesus, woman.”
I hear him suck in deep breaths of air, then the realization sinks in.
It’s over.
We’re safe.
“What the fuck are you made of?” Gabriel grumbles. He pulls back and frames my face, pressing a hard kiss to my mouth, then he grins at me. “My badass woman. I’m so fucking proud of you.”
Chapter 42
Gabriel
I’ve just lost ten years of my life.
The moment we stop in front of the house, Lara darts out of the SUV and runs up the stairs. “Nisa! Alya Hanim!” she shouts as she runs inside.
I set after her, and I’m just in time to see her hug the older women. “Thank God,” she breaths with intense relief. “I was so scared.”
I stop and stare at the three women I love more than life itself, so fucking thankful Lara was able to ward off the attack.
Fuck, she’s incredible.
I need to give her shooting lessons.
I glance at Emre, who’s on a call. He’s probably making arrangements for the injured men and those we lost.
Then Lara mutters, “I’m sorry you couldn’t get your supplies.”
I rub a hand over my face. My phone vibrating in my pocket has me pulling it out. Seeing an unknown number, I answer, “You don’t train your men very well.”
“That’s just the start, Demir.”
“We can meet right now and end this. I have some time available before dinner.”
“Do you think this is a joke?” he snaps, clearly upset that he failed. “Just give me the girl, and no one has to die.”
My eyes flick to Lara, who’s staring at me.
“The only way you’ll get Lara is by killing me, and that will never happen,” I say with confidence lacing my words.
“Don’t beg for mercy when I shove my gun down your throat,” he tries to threaten me.
“I dare you to try.”
“Let me speak to Lara,” he demands, her name sounding bitter on his tongue.
“No.”
“Let me speak to her!” he shouts.
Lara starts to walk toward me, and I shake my head. “Anything you want to say to her, you can say to me.”
Mazur lets out a throaty chuckle. “Tell her Agnieska is alive. If Lara comes to me, I won’t kill her.”
Frowning, I bark, “Who the fuck is Agnieska?”
Lara’s eyes widen with shock as Mazur mutters, “Her mother. Lara has twenty-four hours to return to my house in Seattle before I put her mother down like a dog.”
I watch as Lara covers her mouth with her hands, her eyes glued to me.
I let out a humorless chuckle. “I know you’re in New York.”
“I’ll be in Seattle tonight. We end this farce then.”
“Oh, I’ll end it.” Then I think to say, “I want proof of life.”
“I’ll send it.”
The moment I cut the call, Lara asks, “What did he say about my mother?”
I walk closer to her, not sure whether I should tell her. Mazur could be lying.
“Nothing.”
“You’re lying.” Her chin starts to tremble. “Tell me.”
“There’s no proof.”
“Of what?”
Just then, my phone vibrates in my hand. I open the message and press play on the video.
There’s an older version of Lara sitting on a chair, the camera trained on her. Her face is covered in bruises.
Fuck.
‘Lara…’ She swallows hard as her face crumbles.
‘Talk, woman!’ a voice I don’t recognize barks.
‘Lara, nie przychodź tutaj. Biegać.’
“Bitch!’
The recording ends, and my eyes snap to Lara.
“Mama,” she breathes, then she sinks to her knees and lets out a devastating cry. “Noooo!”
I quickly crouch and engulf her in my arms. “I’ll get her back for you,” I promise. “I’ll go and fucking kill them all. I will bring your mother to you.”
“She’s alive,” Lara sobs, then pulls back. “I need to see it again. I didn’t understand what she said.”
I hold the device between us and press play again.
‘Lara, nie przychodź tutaj. Biegać.’
“Don’t.” Lara shakes her head, and I play it again. “Run? I don’t understand!”
“I’ll get it translated.”
I forward the message to Elif with the instruction to translate it and see what else she can pick up in the background.
“We’ll know soon,” I promise Lara.
“Allah Allah,” Nisa whimpers. “My heart can’t handle this. Let’s have tea.”