Chapter 31

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

BELLA

I move as quietly and ninja-like as I used to when I was a kid, sneaking out to meet Emily. I wasn't much of a party animal, but we'd head into the night together now and then. Though busy with all her jobs, Mom was still attentive when she was home, so I had to be careful.

Now, I stand over the bed, looking down at my man— my man . I don't care if others think we rushed things with the " I love you " exchange. The fact is, I might die tonight, but I refuse to put other people's lives at risk. Mom insisted she be at the party. Sofia is determined.

When Orlando Gallo somehow found my cell number and texted me, I knew I had to arrange something. I knew I had to take my chance. It happened tonight, his taunting beginning with, I'm going to cut your mommy into pieces unless you agree to meet.

Those weren't just empty threats. Thinking about the other thing almost makes me cry.

He thinks I'm some misguided little girl, some scared bird. Let him believe that. Let him be deluded. Let him underestimate me. That's exactly what I need if I'm going to make this work.

Leaning down, I wince when Matt suddenly opens his eyes. He catches me with my hand inside his suit jacket pocket, my hand wrapped around the grip of his gun.

"What are you doing?" he snarls.

I swallow, looking straight into his eyes. My body is still ablaze with what we did, the lust pulsing between us, the heat of his grinding into me, almost like we were made for each other. No, not almost. I don't care if the human body naturally releases a bunch of chemicals when a person has sex. If this isn't love, then what the hell is?

"I'm going to kill Orlando Gallo," I say.

He sits up, the blanket shifting aside to show his muscled body, as he stares at me. "Explain."

His tone is on fire, his voice deep and rumbling.

I swallow, feeling tears prick my eyes. "He texted me last night, threatening to hurt Mom if I didn't come and meet him. I told him to meet me at the arcade. I wanted one last night with you," I shudder, "if it went wrong."

"If he killed you, you mean?" Matt grits his teeth, letting out a shaky breath. "He's across the street now?"

I pick up my phone, glancing at it. Ticktock, bitch …

"Yeah," I murmur.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"He said if I told anybody, he'd kill her."

"Kill who? Your mom?"

My whole body trembles as I scroll up in the conversation thread. The photo is almost too sick for words. When I show it to Matt, his entire demeanor changes. It's like a demon slithers into him, ready for pure bloodshed.

"Sick fuck ," Matt growls, tossing the phone down. "He thinks he can take this city by hurting kids? Does he think we're going to let him get away with that? He seriously believes that?"

Matt stands, his big cock bouncing as he leans down for his clothes.

"You did the right thing setting up this meeting," he says, "but there's no damn way I'm letting you go out there."

"What if he has the kid with him?" I whisper. "Is he capable of?—"

"He's not just capable. Every Gallo is, and they've done it countless times. Fuck ." He looks at me bleakly. My phone vibrates from the bed. Another photo, this one showing Orlando smiling like a vampire ready to feast on blood, a knife in his hand, and his other hand wrapped around the back of a child's neck.

Come alone, or you'll be eating her brains . Five minutes. TOPS!

"What do we do?" I whisper.

Matt grits his teeth. "You'll have to go," he says, his voice heavy, "and I'll need to hide. When the time comes, we'll have to pray he can't get a shot off before I do."

"What's the plan, then?" I say.

He pulls his shirt on and then takes the gun from my hand, tossing it side to side, chewing the inside of his cheek. "You'll go out there and keep him talking. I'll try to find a good vantage point. He's inside the arcade building?"

I nod. "Yeah. We haven't got long."

"Okay," he nods.

I know it's going to happen a few moments before it does. It's like his whole face changes. His entire demeanor, his personality even, becomes that of somebody else. He narrows his eyes with this savage focus. He's almost scary—this man I love. I said that because I wasn't sure we'd have enough time together, but I meant it.

He lunges forward and grabs my shoulder.

"Stop!" I yell. "Let me help."

"No. Damn. Way."

"Matt!"

He pushes me into the en suite with complete control of my arms and my shoulders. The only thing I'd be able to do is kick him, bite him, but it wouldn't stop him. There's no way I've got it in me to do that to him.

I grab the handle when he closes the door, but I can't turn it. Then, suddenly, it gives way, and the door flies open. I rush for the main bedroom door, push that, and it crashes into something cumbersome on the other side. I push against it again, yelling, "Matt, not on your own! Let me help. Please!"

He's barricaded me in here.