“Keeping you two from getting yourselves killed. Lorenzo’s outside right now. He’s here to meet a friend—not someone he doesn’t know. Don’t you think a friend would have a light on inside, so he’d know it was safe to come in? You two need to get out of here right now and let me handle this.”
My eyes adjusted to the total darkness of the room, and I was finally able to make out the outlines of their shapes.
“No.” Jillian’s voice was firm and sure, with no hint of lingering anxiety. “I need to do this, Damon. For my mother.”
“And I will let you do whatever you want to do to him, doll. I won’t try to stop you. Just let me make sure he can’t touch you first. Please, Jillian.”
That was the first time I’d ever begged anyone. But she was more than worth it to me. My pride meant nothing if she and our babies were gone.
She was silent, weighing my request and her options.
“Jilly, listen to me. If anything happened to you and our babies, I could not handle it. Do you hear what I’m saying?”
“I hear you, Damon.”
From her softened tone, I knew she understood the entire meaning behind my words. Losing her would result in more than sorrow, more than depression. I’d have no reason to go on.
“Where do you want us to wait?” Carrie asked.
“Go out the back door, through the gate, and to the end of the alley across the street. Benny is waiting in the car there. I’ll come out and signal when it’s safe for you both to come back.”
“Okay. As long as I have your word that he’s mine soon.” Jillian moved to stand directly in front of me. “Swear it, Damon.”
“You have my word, on my honor as a Marchetti capo. He’s all yours as soon as it’s safe. Please go now, doll.” I placed my hands on her face and pulled her lips to meet mine. “I love you, Jillian.”
Her jaw dropped open, and a quick gasp followed. She brought her hands up to mine, her smaller fingers covering mine. “Damon, I lo—”
“Now this is just too fucking sweet.” Bright, fluorescent light filled the room, temporarily blinding me when my involuntary reaction kicked in and made my eyes squint from the sudden harshness. “And how fortuitous that I’d find the Marchetti family in my father’s business establishment. I mean, I really couldn’t ask for a better setup, could I?”
Fucking Lorenzo Sanfratello.
I snatched my Glock 19 from the waistband of my jeans with one hand and began to move Jillian out of his line of sight with my other arm. My aim stayed trained on Lorenzo as I stared down the sights of my barrel.
And that was when all hell broke loose.
Doors opened and closed from every direction. The shouting of angry voices echoed off the cinder block walls, creating more confusion and chaos. Multiple feet shuffled and scraped across the concrete floor, making it impossible to keep up with who was where. The loud crash of office furniture breaking after being overturned or knocked out of the way came from every direction all around me. There was no way I could shield Jillian or Carrie. We were completely exposed from every angle.
The earsplitting bang of multiple shots fired in close quarters sent my adrenaline through the roof. The loud cries of pain just before the sickening thud of bodies hitting the floor filled my ears. Though I’d heard it many times before, knowing the love of my life and my sister were unprotected made my gut churn.
Then the urgent scream of my name quickly became a muffled whimper.
And my blood ran cold.
More Damon and Jillian is coming soon in Warning, Part Three.
Acknowledgements
This part is the hardest part of the book to write because I don’t want to leave anyone out or make anyone feel unappreciated. I am so grateful for everyone who supports me in this endeavor. Singling people out for their specific support is my way of saying an extra special THANK YOU for their unwavering help.
First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior for His continued forgiveness of a sinner.
To my husband – I love you. Thank you standing beside me and helping me every step of the way.
Readers – I am so grateful for each and every single one of you! Without your constant support and willingness to shout from the rooftops about your favorite books, none of these characters would have a chance to live, even for a moment, in this fictional world we love so much. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything!
Bloggers – I know how much work goes into what you do for free, to support others, to share the word of new releases and books you love. I just want you to know I appreciate you so much!
Special friends – Michelle Dare, T.K. Leigh, MJ Fields, & Gina Whitney, I’d be lost without your friendship!
My beta team – You yell, cry, and threaten me with almost every book—and I love you for it!!! Thank you for your time, your input, and your loyalty. Beth, Dana, Becca, Cheryl, Chelle, Meghan, Kelly, Rachel, Heather, Crystal, Christy, Brittani, & Tabitha—all my love to you!!!
Tabitha – thank you for always standing by my side, helping in any and every way, and giving your honest opinions. I know I can always count on you!
Lisa Hollett, with Silently Correcting Your Grammar – my editor and my friend, thank you for all your help, the last minute penciling me in, the witty messages that always make me laugh, and your honest feedback as a reader and a professional.
Deena Rae, with E-BookBuilders, thank you for making my baby gorgeous…always on short notice!
Dana Leah, with Designs by Dana, thank you for the making my covers gorgeous, being so patient with everything you do, and being such a wonderful person!
About The Author
A.D. Justice is the USA Today bestselling author of the Steele Security Series (Wicked Games, Wicked Ties, Wicked Nights, Wicked Intentions, Wicked Shadows), the Crazy Series (Crazy Maybe, Crazy Baby), the Dominic Powers series (Her Dom, Her Dom’s Lesson), the Immortal Obsessions series (Immortal Envy), and a few stand-alone romance novels, such as Completely Captivated, Just One Summer, Envy, and Intent.
When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her own alpha male character in their North Georgia mountain home. She is also an avid reader of romance novels, a master at procrastination, a chocolate sommelier, a twister of words, and speaks fluent sarcasm. An avid animal lover, A.D. Justice has two horses, a dog, and two cats.
While the primary focus of her books has been romantic suspense, she has expanded into different sub-genres of romance. Stay tuned to read what she has in store for you!
Connect with her online at:
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/a-d-justice
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adjbooks
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Website: www.authoradjustice.com
Email: [email protected]
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Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/angelswickedcrazycrew/
Books by A. D.
Steele Security Series
Wicked Games (Book 1)
Wicked Ties (Book 2)
Wicked Nights (Book 3)
Wicked Intentions (Book 4)
Wicked Shadows (Book 5)
Crazy Series
Crazy Maybe (Book 1)
Crazy Baby (Book 2)
Crazy Love (FREE Short Story)
Dominic Powers Series
Her Dom (Book 1)
Her Dom’s Lesson (Book 2)
The Vault
Warning, Part One
Warning, Part Two
Immortal Obsession Series
Immortal Envy (Book 1)
Standalones
Saving
Grace
Completely Captivated
Intent
Just One Summer (Novella)
Envy (Kindle World Novella)
F*cking Awkward
F*cking Awkward Holidays
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Warning, Part Two Page 12