Assassin Territory [Assassins Book 1] (26 page)

Luke narrowed his gaze onto Christy; she glared back defiantly, not about to back down where a child was concerned.

“I am a bully, and I don’t care who I bully,” Luke said his tone dangerous, his insinuation clear.

“You better start worrying,” Wolf said with soft menace. His expression was unmistakable as he glared Luke down. His large hand settled over Christy’s, his fingers curling protectively around hers. He firmly established he would allow no harm to come to Christy, no matter the circumstances.

“Why don’t we keep it friendly? Everyone, please eat,” Tony suggested, and though he was smiling, his tone brooked no argument. Christy sat amazed as Tony took complete control of the conversation.

She hazarded a quick glance at Wolf under lowered lashes; he seemed to have settled down. His look stopped being predatory. The food before him disappeared. Tony was obviously well respected by everyone. Christy bowed her head and nibbled at her toast. She surmised this was going to be the longest breakfast of her life.

* * * *

Tony sat comfortably in his easy chair, his mind reflecting back to the altercation he witnessed at breakfast; with interest he watched the confrontation between Wolf and Luke. Wolf seemed attached to the pretty little thing he’d brought with him. That would prove useful as long as he could keep Wolf from killing Luke.

Luke was a good man to have, yet he was unpredictable, a wet gun. Tony decided he’d best have a word with Luke about the girl. Tony saw Luke’s interest when she challenged him over the boy. Few men challenged Luke and as far as Tony knew Wolf’s girlfriend was the only woman. Whether she pissed Luke off or not, he’d have to keep his temper under control. There was enough dissension surrounding the family already. But perhaps it might be a good idea to hand the boy over to the woman for a while, if Wolf were receptive to the idea.

The woman did seem tired and exceptionally pale and fragile. Tony wanted the boy alive when his father showed to retrieve him. Luke was anxious to finish his contract. The boy was reluctant to eat, Tony noted the child picked up his toast and taken a hesitant bite while the woman gave him an encouraging smile.

They could keep each other occupied while he offered up his proposal to Wolf. He could use his help when the boy’s father showed. It was always good to have a trained wolf amongst your ranks. They were very loyal. They also took care of their own.

Later in the day, Christy sat at the large dining room table. She had encouraged the boy, Mark, into playing a game of Go Fish. At her incessant asking, Wolf relented and approached Tony, asking if Christy could spend time with the saddened, lonely little boy. Christy was privy to the conversation, Wolf hinted her maternal instincts were flaring, and he would be grateful if Tony would be indulgent. Tony was more than eager to comply. When Christy asked for a deck of cards, Tony sent Jackson to find them.

“You win again,” Christy said, smiling at the boy as he lay down the last of his cards.

“My daddy taught me,” Mark answered. He sat back with his arms crossed looking proud.

“Did your daddy teach you to whine like a little girl, too?” Luke said meanly from the doorway.

Christy was aware of Luke’s presence. There was something annoying the man. He remained silent as she and Mark played, for the most part. He hadn’t interfered, though her temper rose when he snorted rudely each time Mark won a hand. Christy allowed the boy to win every game, and for some reason the idea seemed irksome to the large man.

“Go away.” Christy glared at Luke. She saw Mark’s smiling face pale with apprehension when Luke spoke.

“Make me,” Luke said, his lips curling into an
animalistic grin. Christy’s agitated breathing increased.

“Wolf won’t like it if you’re cruel to me,” Christy said instead. She gathered the cards up off the table together, shuffling with shaky hands, knowing she was playing a dangerous game.

Luke scowled. His fists balled. “You gonna tell on me?” he said in a mean, simpering, taunting voice.

“Yes, I will. I’m not a child. I’m not a man acting a role at being brave. If you frighten me, I’ll tell Wolf. I don’t have to pretend you don’t frighten me. I’ll ask Wolf if we can leave because I can’t risk my baby. I don’t think Tony would like that,” Christy challenged. She felt certain satisfaction as Luke appeared to be the one now agitated. A red hue crept up his throat and face.

“You’re as big a coward as the kid.”

Christy’s hands stilled. She glared at him.

“Why? Because a man more than twice my size threatens me? I’m no coward, and neither is Mark. You’re the coward. You’re the one who picks on those vulnerable and defenseless. Are you afraid to challenge an equal? If I were in a dark alley alone with only you or Mark, forced to fight off vicious men, I’d choose Mark to fight at my side. He at least has courage.”

Luke grabbed her by the shoulders and slammed her against a wall. Her chair clattered to the floor behind her. The cards she’d been holding scattered across the table and onto the floor. Christy looked up into Luke’s enraged face. She saw the pitiful attempts of Mark as he pulled to no avail on Luke’s massively muscled arms, trying to defend his new friend. Tears streamed down the boy’s face as he pleaded with Luke to put her down.

Christy’s anger soared. She was enraged. How dare he frighten the child, how dare he risk hurting Lando’s baby? Christy pulled her knee up viciously into Luke’s groin, obviously shocking him. Luke let her drop to the floor, where she ducked around him and grabbed Mark by the arm. They raced from the room. To her dismay, they collided with Tony.

“Playing tag now?” Tony said, with a look of surprise as Christy and Mark collided against him. His arms shot out to steady her.

“Tony, stop him,” Christy cried out.

A fleeting look of confusion washed over Tony’s face until he watched as an enraged Luke barreled from the dining room. Christy pulled Mark between her and Tony, pressing against the man, hoping he could tame his gorilla. Her hands clutched at his shirt and arm in desperation, Luke looked ready to kill them both.

“That damn bitch kneed me,” Luke howled, advancing on the trio.

“You threw me against the wall,” Christy countered. Terrified, she pulled harder on Tony’s arm as Luke came closer. Mark clutched at Christy and buried his face into her chest.

“
Enough,
” Tony demanded. “You were warned, Luke, and the reasons why. No one touches the woman or the child.”

Luke stopped short, snarling in rage and frustration. His large, meaty hands balled, and Christy could tell he wanted to use one of those large-fisted hands to smash into her jaw. The blow would kill her. At that moment, Wolf entered the chalet.

“Wolf,” Christy screamed in relief. She wasted no time abandoning Tony and, grabbing Mark off his feet, she raced to him. Christy flung herself into Wolf’s embrace, clinging to him.

“I want to leave, please take me away. He wants to kill us,” Christy cried. “I can’t lose my baby.”

Christy had enough, she wanted to vomit, her belly was in knots, Mark clung to her. She shuddered at the look of murderous intent on Luke’s face. Only Tony stood between them. Christy clutched at Wolf, pulling him closer. She hated this place and the men in it.

“Did he hurt you?” Wolf snarled, glaring into Luke’s face. It was Wolf who now looked murderous. Wisely, Tony took a cautious step back, no longer standing between the men.

“He slammed me against a wall. I had to protect the boy. I couldn’t let him beat me; please, I don’t want to lose my baby.” Christy sobbed. She clutched at him frightened for her life and the boy’s.

Luke was advancing, his evil intent clear. The man moved with confidence past Tony, closer and closer until he was but a breath away, his fists raised. Terrified, Christy wondered if Wolf would protect her.

Christy screamed as Wolf pulled his gun and, in one fluid motion, put a bullet through Luke’s head before he could react. Luke thumped to the ground. Tony sighed, shaking his head as though he had already sensed the outcome. The confrontation had been inevitable and perhaps unavoidable.

“No one harms what’s mine to care for,” Wolf said. He glared ominously in Tony’s direction.

Four huge men entered the room, guns drawn. All of them were pointed at Wolf. Christy pulled Mark between herself and Wolf, hoping to shield him. Tony held up a hand, stopping any confrontation.

“Paulo, get rid of the body,” Tony said, referring to Luke’s slumped form. A giant of a man came forth, in a single toss Luke was over his shoulders and Paulo disappeared.

“You just took out one of my best men,” Tony said to Wolf. The other men advanced, circling them. Christy was terrified of what would happen next, her gaze darting from man to man. She shouldn’t have let Luke bait her.

“I’m your best man now,” Wolf declared, “as long as no one pisses me off; that means get the fuck away from my future wife.”

Tony nodded, his face impassive, and the other men noted Wolf still held his gun. The glare on his face was enough to stop a bull elephant in his tracks. It was subtle, but Christy could tell the tables had turned to Tony’s advantage no matter how angry Wolf was. It was apparent Tony was pondering how well he could use the situation to his benefit. She buried her face into Wolf’s chest with dismay. She knew absolute power corrupted absolutely. Tony had absolute power now and there was no denying the man was corrupt.

“Your fiancée seems distressed, and congratulations, I had no idea you two were that serious. Perhaps she and the boy would like to have dinner in your room while we talk business.”

“I’m certain she would, but I want to be positive she’s not hurt. I’m fucking pissed, Tony; Luke never should have been allowed near her,” Wolf countered. It was a direct challenge to Tony’s authority and for a second, the man’s jaw twitched.

“I suppose we’ll have enough time to talk later. Take your time, attend to her, by all means,” Tony conceded.

Replacing his gun behind his belt, Wolf grabbed Christy’s shuddering body to his. He took the stairs to their room two at a time with Mark trailing. Once entering, he ran his hand over her, searching for any new spots that pained her. He had seen her exposed and vulnerable. Wolf had witnessed her hurts. Wolf knew every scratch, every aching bone, and every bruise adorning her slight form.

“Are you hurt?” Wolf asked.

Luke had been huge; he could’ve hurt her without trying. Wolf scooped her up and headed for the bathroom, commanding the boy to wait for him. Christy allowed him to ease her shirt over her head, rendering her upper body unclothed looking for any new injury. Wolf had seen her nude. She was hurting; what did it matter if he looked? Her hands covered her breasts. Wolf inspected her back, grumbling in fury. Christy listened as he berated himself for having allowed this to happen. He knew Luke was a live wire, he was muttering. He shouldn’t have taken it for granted Tony could control him. Wolf became angrier while noting the large, red fingerprints on Christy’s upper arms.

“Damn the fucking bastard. I should have blown his brains out years ago.”

“I was afraid. I’m still so afraid.” She pulled him closer to her naked chest, needing to be held.

“They won’t hurt you. I’ll kill every last one if I need to. You may not be mine, but right now you’re my responsibility. Lando would kill me if you were hurt in my care.”

“I’m all right. I’m so happy you’re here with me.” His concern was sincere, and for perhaps a brief moment didn’t reflect solely on money.

Christy pulled her shirt back over her head with Wolf’s help. Once dressed, they returned to the bedroom with Wolf supporting her as she moved. Now that her adrenaline was slowing she could feel her pain. Christy could see Mark huddled in a corner. She could see his confusion and fear—she understood it. Christy gazed into Wolf’s eyes, distressed. She felt so much sorrow for the small boy. How on earth could Tony expose him to this? Following her anxious gaze, Wolf saw Mark pressed into a corner, his small body shaking almost as violently as Christy’s.

“Everything will be fine. I need to go take care of business.” Wolf headed for the door.

“You watch out for her, Mark. I’m depending on you,” Wolf said. The boy nodded, gazing with awe at the large man who saved them. Christy heard the lock snap in place after the door closed.

Christy called Mark to her and pulled him into her arms. “It’s all right, sweetheart, soon your daddy will come. He’ll take you away from here and your mommy will be holding you,” Christy soothed. Again she wondered why on earth the child had been placed in Tony’s care.

“No she won’t. My mom died a long time ago. My stepmom and my new baby sister were killed in a fire a few months ago. We were a real family for a little while. I even got to hold Jenna a few times,” Mark said. It was apparent the deaths were devastating to the child.

A deep, cold icy blanket of doom settled over Christy. She knew the boy who was in her arms was the child Lando had been ordered to kill. Now it made sense why Tony had the child, why Luke was allowed his verbal cruelty, but not to physically harm the boy. The child was bait and Tony needed Wolf for a mob war.

Oh God.

Christy clutched the boy to her chest, knowing when his father came they would both be killed. All of Tony’s men were heavily armed. They would be in Tony’s assassin territory, an unforgiving terrain. Christy couldn’t allow anything to happen to the child in her arms. She liked the boy. He was brave and caring. He had pulled on the arms of a man many times larger hoping to save her.

“It’ll be all right, honey, Wolf will keep us safe, I promise,” Christy pledged.

She ran her hand down the child’s hair, trying to soothe them both. The image of Luke’s large form slumping to the ground weighed heavily. She knew Tony was making his demands of Wolf. Using her as his leverage, thinking Wolf actually held some affection for her when he didn’t.

Christy wondered how much Wolf would take before deciding to throw her to the wind. She belonged to Lando, after all, not him. She was nothing but a contract to him when all was said and done. He’d already gone to great extremes for her. Did he even know about the critical circumstances he was in? Did Wolf know who Mark was? Christy didn’t think so. What if Wolf became fed up, deciding the risk she placed him in was too much.