Chapter 36

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Roman

Leo speeds round the last corner to Maddie’s house, the Civic taking the corner like it’s on rails, as Vigo’s bright yellow Lamborghini comes into view.

Vigo is kicking at the door while Vincent…

Fuck.

He turns from the trunk, a very large weapon in hand. I don’t even get the chance to identify the rifle before it’s showering us with bullets.

But Mason wasn’t wrong. This car is built like a tank. It takes every shot, as Leo jacks the breaks.

“Jesus,” Leo roars, the car skidding out sideways as he tries to stop.

It barely misses Vincent, crashing into the back left side of the Lambo.

Vincent recovers first grabbing a gas can from the back of the car.

I see it and I know what he’s going to do.

Hitting the window button, I pull out my pistol. Amazingly the window still works, even as I level the gun and shoot.

Not at Vincent but the gas can. Fuel spills to the ground even as he throws some on the hood of our car.

“Fucking reverse,” Mason booms from the back seat.

Leo throws the car into gear and jacks the gas, the car careening back, bumping over what I can only guess is a busted front tire.

But I don’t take my eyes off Vincent.

I’ve always known the Vendettis were unhinged.

But even I’m not prepared for Vincent to fire up his lighter, still holding the leaking gas can.

He raises the Bic over his head like he’s going to launch it at us but I watch his sleeve catch. Like lightening, flames engulf his clothes. “Stop,” I boom. “Stop the car.”

Leo hits the breaks again and I’m out in a second, rolling on the pavement.

This began with the death of Vincent and Vigo’s uncle, Nia’s father.

But it doesn’t end with more killing. Shrugging off my jacket, I race toward Vincent, ready to douse the flames.

That’s when the gas can catches though.

I see it a second before it blows and I drop to the ground, my hands covering my head.

I hear Vincent’s scream, Vigo’s war cry.

Lifting my head, I see Vigo racing to his brother’s rescue. “Vigo, no! The car!”

But he doesn’t listen.

And that’s when I hear another distant cry from the backyard. Maddie.

I’m on my feet in a second, sprinting toward the wall. Just as Luke did, I vault myself up and over, the roar of an explosion filling my ears as the car blows.

I have no idea what carnage is behind me.

I don’t look. In the very back of the yard, I see Maddie, partially hidden between two bushes. “Sweetheart!”

“Roman,” she cries, pointing toward the house. “Mrs. Higgins!”

I turn to see the old woman crouched on the stairs.

Smoke billows through the air as I pivot, sprinting up to her and grabbing the old woman in my arms. I barely stop as I head straight for Maddie.

“We have to get out of here,” she cries as soon as I’m at her side.

Looking back over my shoulder, my heart stops in my chest.

The house has caught on fire too. It’s going to burn…

I look back at Maddie, a tear slipping down her cheek.

“Come on, sweetheart.” With Mrs. Higgins still in my arms, we step out into the alley, the sound of sirens already filling the early-evening air.