Chapter 74 Chapter 74
Chapter 74 Chapter 74
Ayanna
I slam into the stage floor, the wind knocked out of me at the brutal impact. Coughing and aching, I try to push myself back up, but it’s no use.
Salvatore’s hand shuts around the back of my bun to jerk my head back. The open palm of his hand collides with my cheek.
A burst of pain smarts across my face. It might not be the hardest hit in the history of physical confrontations, but it’s enough to have me crying out and seeing stars.
“You stupid little bitch, look what you’ve done. You think this is going to turn out in your favor? You’re coming with me, and now it’s going to be so much worse for you and your pathetic family!”
“DON’T EVER TOUCH HER!” roars Massimo from out of nowhere. He leaps across the stage and spears into Salvatore with crushing force.
Salvatore’s grip on me vanishes as his long, gangly body sails backward. He lands on the ground, already half unconscious.
Massimo couldn’t care less as he follows up with a fist to his jaw. Blood splatters onto his tattooed knuckles as he goes back for seconds, thirds, and fourths.
The grotesque crack of Salvatore’s teeth shattering makes me cringe. So does the limp way his head dangles as Massimo lifts him off the ground and cages his jaw between his large hands. An even louder, sharper crack whips through the air.
He’s broken Salvatore’s jaw.
With his bare hands.
Massimo lets go of him. His body thumps to the floor. It hasn’t even been a full minute yet bruises bloom across his skin and his blood drips down his front.
It’s the goriest sight I’ve ever seen. I’m shirking away when Massimo rounds on me. Then relief fills me as our gazes meet and I move to push myself up off the floor.
My ankle protests with a dull twinge of pain. My fall from fighting Salvatore was so rough it’s injured my fragile right ankle again.
Massimo’s scooping me up at once. I’m tucked into his arms and propped against his chest. He keeps his other arm free to aim his weapon at others posing a threat.
Salvatore’s men dash toward the stage to avenge their boss who’s passed out and broken on the floor. At the sight of me and Massimo, they open fire.
“C’mon, bella, we have to go!” Massimo shouts. He shields me with his broad shoulders as he turns to dive behind the curtains. He pants, running for cover, occasionally returning fire himself.
“Massimo,” I say, bobbing as we sprint backstage.
“What about Salvatore? His men?”
“We’ll finish this rivalry another day. All that matters is I’m getting my ballerina back. Time to go.”
His men seem to realize it’s time end the gunfight, because they begin making their exits too.
I close my eyes and cling to Massimo, overwhelmed by the deep relief of being in his arms again. Relief that we’re both still alive and relief that we’re still going to be together.