“What about you?”
“What about me? I’m going to take a nap. Enric is here.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Now go see your family before your mother wants to kick my butt. Besides, I think hearing our news will make her forgive your extensive absence.”
Melina pulled Mac close and kissed him softly on the lips before pushing him away.
“Just a taste, doll?”
She laughed. “There’ll be more when you get back. Don’t I always keep my word?”
“Indeed, you do.”
Mac leaned close and kissed her again. Hard. His tongue invaded her mouth and when he moved away from her again she felt bereft.
“You never play fair, Mac.”
“All’s fair in love and war. You taught me that, doll.”
Rising with a final wink, her husband left their bedroom. Feeling as if some of the gloom that had been clouding her mood was slowly lifting away, Melina laid down and held a pillow close to her body.
Yes. Everything would be all right.
Her husband would keep them safe. She’d never met a man more determined than Mac.
Family was everything to him and somewhere along the way it had become everything to her, too.
Melina didn’t know how long she’d been asleep.
What she did know was that her stomach was rumbling.
Stretching, Melina rolled out of bed and made her way through the apartment. Stopping in the living room, she found Enric sitting on the couch, sharpening the blade of a knife. She watched for a moment, listening to the rhythmic sound of the knife rubbing up against the stone.
It was soothing somehow.
Order in a chaotic world.
“If you’re going to keep watching, you might as well come and sit down.”
Melina laughed. “How did you know I was here?”
Enric turned to face her. “You do realize I’m pretty good at my job or your husband wouldn’t have trusted me to protect you, right?”
“Yes. I’m well aware of how much Mac trusts you.”
“Good.” He turned back to sharpening his knife. “I heard you in the bedroom when you rolled over and the minute your feet hit the floor, ma’am.”
“Remind me never to try and sneak up on you. Now, I’m going to find something to eat.”
“I wouldn’t be opposed to a snack either,” Enric called out.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Walking into the kitchen, Melina went to the refrigerator first. She grabbed the jug of lemonade and poured herself a glass. Then she pulled out the ingredients to make pesto pasta salad with a side of proscuetto and fresh foccata bread. No doubt her husband would love a little something home-cooked when he made it back home. She was certain this pregnancy was going to put her in the Suzy Homemaker mode she had been running from for so long. Absentmindedly, she touched her belly as she reached for one of the large mixing bowls.
A loud crash made her stop what she was doing.
Pop. Pop. Pop.
Gunfire.
Melina held back the scream that threatened to tear from her throat.
Looking around the kitchen, she grabbed a large steak knife. She didn’t know what the hell was going on, but she wasn’t about to go down without a fight. The sound of gunfire continued and then there was only silence.
And then she heard men’s voices.
Melina wanted to run, but she didn’t know what she’d be running into. Besides she’d never make it to her bedroom. She held her breath as the sounds of footsteps came closer to the kitchen.
“Hello, cunt.”
What the fuck?
James Maccari Sr. was pointing a gun at her.
“What are you doing here, James?” She struggled to keep her voice steady.
“Melina, I always pegged you for a smart girl. Don’t be stupid. You don’t need me to spell it out for you.”
She clutched the knife tighter in her grip. Fear clawed at the back of her throat, but she couldn’t give in to it. Not now. She had to survive.
For herself.
For the child that she carried.
Two men appeared in the kitchen behind James.
“What are we waiting on?” one of the men asked.
“I’m just waiting for my daughter-in-law to realize there’s no point in fighting and come peacefully.”
James’ henchmen came around him and toward Melina.
“If you think I’m going to just give up, you have another thing coming.”
Melina slashed at the man nearest her. The knife connected with his bicep. He grabbed it as blood started to pour from the wound. The other man moved toward her and Melina struck out again, but he caught her wrist and twisted it, forcing her to drop the knife. She cried out when she heard a loud crunch. Pain shot down her wrist, hot and burning. A hard punch to the face sent her stumbling to the kitchen floor.
“We could’ve done this the easy way, Melina, but now I don’t give a fuck. Take care of her, boys.”
Hurriedly she tried to pick herself up, but a kick to her ribs left her panting in pain.