Page 24 of Promising Her Forever

“They didn’t get who did it. But the witnesses say they had Feral Raptor cuts on.”

“Who got shot?” Riley blurts out.

“RILEY!” we hear Daphne scream, we turn and she’s running towards us.

I watch them hold onto each other for dear life. I walk over to them and wrap my arms around them both as they cry. Oliver and I are shielding them from everyone. I need to find out who got shot. I look around and make sure I see all the mamas and the women that work in the bakery and cafe. That’s when I realize I don’t see Fiorella, but I see her employees. And I see Salvatore screaming at one of the officers that was on the scene when we got here. And my heart drops.

“I need to check on Sal, I’m leaving Oliver with you. Stay here and please don’t move.” I say to Riley as I kiss her, she nods at me and I head over to Salvatore.

“Was it Rella?” I ask him as he’s yelling still.

“Fuck, Fionn. They said she was shot, my mamà went with her. Papà is headed there and I have to call Gianluca.”

“Let me do that. Go to the hospital. I can help here.”

“You’re not on duty. You need to take care of Riley. She’s his target.”

“I can do both. I’ll get the girls back to the property. She’ll understand that I need to do things. Now go to the hospital.” I wave Hugh over to us. “Get Sal to the hospital don’t let him drive. No matter what he says.”

“I got him. You should get back to the property.” Hugh says.

“We’re headed there now. Let me know how Rella is.”

I hug both of them before I head back to Riley.

“Omg. Was it really Fiorella that was shot?” Riley sobs.

“It was. I need to get you to the property. You’ll be safe there.”

“Are you going to the hospital?”

“I will after I talk to my Zio.”

“I need to go with you. She was shot because of me.”

“No, mo fhíorghra, it wasn’t because of you.” I say as I hold her.

“Playboy was trying to get me. And he got her instead, I should’ve been there.” She sobs harder.

I hold her tighter as Daphne helps me get her to the car. Oliver gets us to the property, it’s on lockdown and the gates are locked. There’s three guards working it, they let us in and we get her to our house. I make sure Daphne and Oliver know not to let her leave. Then I head to the Cimaruta clubhouse to talk to the council.

Leonardo Mancini is the only one of the council missing. His triplet brothers, Enea and Antonio are pacing.

“This bastard is crazier than we thought.” Antonio snaps.

Enea gets off his phone.

“Fiorella’s in surgery. Leo will call us as soon as there’s news. But when we’re done, I’m headed over there. Graínne’s waiting for me at home. I had Seamus drive all of the women home.”

“Do we know where Playboy is?” I ask.

“No. But we have guys out looking. And I’ve called Scrapper, they’re getting on a flight now, instead of tomorrow.”

“Do you still think that he’s on our side?” Zeus asks.

“I do. But I want to look him in the eyes before I say I’m one hundred percent sure.” My Zio says.

“I agree. We’ve made mistakes before, let’s hope Scrapper isn’t making the same mistakes T-Rex did.”