Chapter Four

Ruby's POV

The sound of the gunshot still echoed in my head. My heart was racing, and my body felt frozen in fear. I could barely breathe as I clung to Massimo's arm, my fingers trembling. What have I gotten myself into?

Massimo reached into his pocket and pulled out a gun. Alessandro did the same, his expression dark as he stepped forward, shielding his mother.

“Everyone get down!” A man barked. His voice boomed through the hall, sending people scrambling to the floor except Massimo. I crouched low, my breaths shallow. My chest felt tight as if I would collapse any moment.

“Massimo!” The man's voice rang out again. I turned my head slightly, trying to see where it came from. My vision blurred, but I caught a glimpse of a woman standing by the doorway. She looked furious, holding a gun in her hand.

Massimo looked down at me, and said, “don't stand up.” He whispered in a low tone that sent chills down my spine. The man stepped forward, pointing a gun directly at Massimo. My blood turned cold.

My heart pounded so loudly I could barely hear over the chaos. A thousand thoughts raced through my mind, but none of them made sense. I just wanted to run. Run somewhere safe. Somewhere where I wasn't tied to this mess. I swallowed hard, feeling the sting of tears but refusing to let them fall.

“I'm here to kill you,” the man said, his voice filled with venom. Massimo laughed. His deep, rumbling laugh echoed through the hall silencing everyone. The man's face twisted in anger. Why was Massimo so brave even with a gun at his face? He could get killed!

“Laugh again, and I'll kill your mother right here.” He snarled, turning the gun toward the older woman huddled near Alessandro. “No!” Alessandro shouted. His voice trembled as he pointed his gun at the man. “Take her!” He gestured toward me.

My heart stopped. Alessandro's eyes darted toward me, and I felt like I had been punched in the gut. The man's gaze shifted to me. His lips curled into a sinister smile. “Ah, Massimo's wife? She's fucking beautiful.” He said, stepping closer. “I think I'll take her instead.”

“No,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. Massimo's face was unreadable behind his mask. Then he said something that shattered me.

“Take her.” He said coldly. What?

My eyes widened in shock. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. How could he say that?

The man grabbed my arm, yanking me to my feet. My knees wobbled as I tried to pull away, but his grip was iron-tight.

Massimo ignored my pressing gaze. I wanted to fight back, but all I could do was stay still, afraid of what might happen if I moved wrong. Still, I wasn't going to give Massimo the satisfaction of seeing me scared. I wasn't some helpless girl.

“Hey, boss. This one seems clean. She'll serve us well.” The woman at the door said, smirking at me.

“Let's go, chica.” He sneered, dragging me towards the door. Before we could reach it, a loud bang filled the room. The man screamed, clutching his left arm where Massimo had shot him. Massimo moved like lightning, in the blink of an eye, he pulled me back, his arm wrapping protectively around my waist.

The man tried to raise his gun again, but Massimo punched him square in the face as he fell on the floor, and shot the lady's arm when she wanted to shoot.

The sounds of footsteps thundered behind us. More men stormed into the hall, guns in hand. “Get mother out of here!” Massimo shouted at Alessandro.

Alessandro grabbed their mother, guiding her toward a side exit as the men began firing. Everyone started to flee. The hall erupted into chaos. Massimo pulled me behind a table, shielding me with his body as bullets slipped past us.

“Stay down, Freckles!” he ordered. His voice was fierce. I pressed myself against the floor, my hands covering my ears. Screams filled the air as people tried to escape, but I couldn't move. All I could see was Massimo, standing tall and fearless as he fired at the intruders.

He moved like a machine, dodging bullets and taking out anyone who came too close. He was so fast. I had just gotten into a different world entirely. Everything seemed like an action movie trailer.

Luca appeared from nowhere, throwing a smoke grenade that filled the room with thick gray clouds. The gunfire slowed as confusion spread among the attackers.

“Boss! We need to go.” Luca yelled through the smoke. Massimo grabbed my arm and pulled me to my feet. “Let's go.”

Why had he saved me? Why had he dragged me into his world? I should hate him, but he's the one keeping me alive. I hated that a man like him, someone who could order death with a flick if his wrist was the one who kept me from harm.

I stumbled behind him, coughing as the smoke burned my throat. We rushed toward the back exit, where Alessandro was waiting with their mother.

The gunfire faded as we entered the car. Once we were inside, I couldn't hold back my tears any longer, I buried my face in my hands, sobbing quietly.

“What the hell happened back there, Massimo?” Alessandro growled, holding the old woman who was already in shock.

Massimo didn't say a word.

“You risked our lives just for this girl you brought from nowhere, Massimo.” Alessandro turned to me, his cold gaze making my skin crawl.

“Luca, drive faster. I've been shot.” Massimo's voice cut through the tension.

What?