My eyes grew wide when I realized what he was going to do, and then Falcone’s muffled scream sounded and blood was spilling over Growl’s knife. I retched and turned away, my chest heaving in an attempt to stop myself from throwing up.

Another muffled cry. I began shaking, and slowly raised my hands and covered my ears. I’d wanted this, had wanted Falcone to suffer, but I couldn’t watch. I couldn’t bear seeing Growl as the monster I didn’t want him to be. Falcone deserved this. He was the reason why Growl was capable of such atrocities in the first place. Now he got a taste of his own medicine.

A hand on my shoulder made me gasp, and I whirled around to find Growl watching me with haunted eyes. “We need to go. I know where your sister is. It’s not far from here.” I peeked behind him to where Falcone was lying on the asphalt, clutching his bleeding hand against his chest and crying. When he noticed my scrutiny, he scowled. He would kill me if he got the chance. “That was quick,” I said, relieved.

Growl scanned my face then nodded. “He’s not used to pain anymore. It makes things easier.”

I wondered how often Growl had done this before, but I knew I’d never ask him.

“I couldn’t watch,” I whispered.

“That’s good. You are a good person.”

“I’m not,” I said. “If I were a good person, I wouldn’t want him to suffer and die, but I do. I’m only too weak to watch.”

Growl touched my cheek. “It’s better, believe me.”

“Will you kill him now?”

“No. We might still need him as a shield. And we should hurry.” He dropped his hand and loaded Falcone back in the car, not caring that he got blood all over the seats. Growl’s shirt was already covered with it. But before he got in the car, he changed into a fresh shirt.

After a short drive, we arrived in front of a small house. “This is where your sister is kept,” Growl said. “I’m not sure what to expect.”

“That’s why I should stay in the car,” I finished for him.

Grown nodded. “I will be back soon.” He pulled Falcone out and began to drag him toward the house, but Falcone struggled. He managed to free himself. I quickly got out of the car.

In that moment, another car pulled up. Cosimo was behind the steering wheel. He opened the door of his car.

Falcone stumbled a few steps away from Growl. I was about to call a warning, but Growl grabbed Falcone and cut his throat. Bile rose in my throat as blood spilled out. But this time I couldn’t look away. “Now you know how it feels,” Growl rasped.

Falcone dropped to the ground in a puddle of his own blood. My eyes flew back to Cosimo. He watched with wide eyes, then his gaze moved from Falcone to Growl and he got back into his car and began backing off. “Growl,” I called.

Growl cursed, but didn’t stop Cosimo from escaping. “I can’t shoot him. It’s too loud. Stay here.” With those words, he ran toward the house, gun drawn. I picked up the gun Growl had given me and crawled on the backseat, shuddering at all the blood there, but I wanted to be at Talia’s side.

I counted the seconds until suddenly Talia came running my way. “Here!” I screamed and her terrified eyes focused on me. She fled toward me and flung herself into the car. I clutched her against me, thankful to have her back.

Shots rang out. Growl limped toward the car and half fell into the seat. He pressed his lips together as he started the car. “Get down,” he ordered, and only a second after Talia and I had crouched in the backseat, a bullet tore through the window. Talia screamed, and I hugged her more tightly. “It’s okay. Everything will be okay.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Cara

Two cars followed us but eventually we managed to shake them off. Growl steered the car toward the vacant factory that he and Mino had chosen as their meeting spot. When we arrived, the pickup was already waiting and Mino was smoking a cigarette. I didn’t see Mother anywhere.

Talia raised her head when we came to a stop, her face tearstained and frightened. “What’s happening?”

“We’re leaving,” I told her, stroking her hair. She didn’t ask more questions. I could tell she was in shock. We left the car and Growl opened the trunk so Bandit and Coco could jump out. I had to support Talia. She was shaking too hard to walk on her own, but Growl, too, had trouble. His limp had gotten worse. He noticed my gaze and gave a shrug, as if it was nothing. I didn’t believe him. I knew he had to be in a lot of pain.

“What took you so long?” Mino asked, then noticed Growl’s limp as well. “Have you been followed?” Worry filled his face.

“Probably. Let’s hurry,” Growl said. The words had barely left his mouth when a car turned the corner and barreled our way. “Take the dogs and the girls, I’ll stop them!”

“What?” I cried out, but Growl was already pulling his gun and shooting at the car, which jerked to a stop. Four men got out, and a second car shot around the neighboring building. Growl quickly aimed at its wheels and one of them exploded. The car spun around itself, then halted.

“Quick now!” Mino screamed, pulling at me.

“Cara,” Talia whimpered. Her eyes were pleading with me, and that made me move. Mino and I carried her toward the pickup. Mother was in the back, and when Mino opened the locks I realized why she hadn’t been getting out to help us. He’d locked her in. Probably for good reason. Talia got in the backseat with Mother, but I wanted to go back to Growl. I never got the chance.

Mino grabbed me and shoved me into the backseat with them, then shut the door. He got behind the steering wheel and activated the locks so I couldn’t get out.

“What are you doing?” I screamed as I watched Growl fighting several men. He was crouching behind his car and shooting at them. But how long would he be able to keep them away?

“Let me out!”

Mino ignored me. He hit the gas and the car lurched into motion.

GROWL

I allowed myself a moment to watch the car drive away, watch Cara leave. I’d probably never see her again, and that was for the best. She would be happier without me in her life.

I shoved a knife into my next attacker before I fired two shots at the car to my left. I would fight and I would die today, but not in vain. For once the blood spilling would serve a good cause.

And if I died, I’d die with the memory of Cara’s sweet taste, the feel of her perfect skin, and the image of her pretty face branded into my brain. I’d close my eyes with a good memory, no matter what awaited me after.

Cara

I banged my fists against the window, ignoring the dull pain zipping through my arms from the force of my motion. “Let me out,” I screamed again, even louder. Not that Mino hadn’t heard me the first time. We were barely two feet away from each other. Instead of listening to my request, he drove even faster.

I thrust my arms up and braced myself against the glass. Growl was surrounded by Falcone’s men. Even a fighter like him couldn’t possibly stand a chance against so many opponents.

I cried out. “Please, we have to help him.”

Mino shook his head. “I have strict orders to take you away from here.”