Chapter 18 - Holding the Line
Time seemed to freeze as the masked gunman locked his crosshairs on me.
Before I could even reach for the heavy surgical scissors on the metal tray,
a deafening gunshot echoed behind the intruder.
The gunman's chest exploded in a crimson spray,
and he collapsed forward onto the Persian rug with a lifeless thud.
Dominic stepped into the doorway,
smoke still curling from the barrel of his smoking pistol.
His face was splattered with ash and blood,
his dark eyes wide with frantic terror.
He dropped his gun,
crossed the room in two massive strides,
and grabbed my face with both hands.
"Are you hurt?" he demanded,
his voice cracking with raw emotion.
"I'm fine!" I gasped,
breathless,
my hands resting against his chest to steady myself.
"You saved my life.
"
"Nobody touches you in my house,
Nora,
" he vowed fiercely,
pulling me into a crushing embrace against his armored vest.
Outside,
the gunfire began to die down into scattered,
isolated pops.
Leo appeared in the doorway moments later,
holding a bloodied Vince by the collar of his ruined trench coat.
"The perimeter is secured,
Boss,
" Leo reported,
panting heavily.
"Vince's crew has surrendered or fled.
"
Dominic slowly released me,
turning his gaze toward his traitorous second-in-command with eyes like frozen glaciers.
"Bring him outside,
" Dominic commanded coldly.
May you like
"Let's finish this.
"
