Beautiful Prey 4

by Phoenix Daniels

  “Bellissimo,” Rosa breathed.

  “Si, bellissimo,” Tracy agreed.

  Tracy and Rosa walked across the ballroom, totally amazed by the sheer elegance of the room. The only thing more beautiful than the wedding and the ballroom was Tammy herself. The gown that Anna had created for her new daughter-in-law was more beautiful than any wedding gown Tracy had ever seen. The bodice was a soft, white lace with sheer skin toned mesh that mimicked Tammy’s beautiful dark skin. The skirt fit Tammy’s hourglass figure like a glove, and then it flowed into a sexy mermaid silhouette.

  Tracy walked Rosa to the table reserved for the Savelli family and over to Victoria and Jack.

  “Have you seen Francis?” she asked Jack.

  “No. The last time I saw him, he and Luca were in a huddle by the pool. I’ll go see what he’s doing.”

  “Oh, okay, thanks. Vic, this room is amazing,” Tracy gushed. “I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.”

  “Thank you, but this was all Mary and Katherine. They supervised the whole project,” Victoria admitted.

  “Get out!” Tracy exclaimed. “I would have sworn that you guys hired a team of designers.”

  “We did,” Victoria chuckled. “But they supervised.”

  Tracy laughed along with Victoria, all the while looking for Francis.

  “I’ll be back,” she told Vic as she headed for the deck doors. For some reason, she really wanted to lay eyes on her man.

  Tracy was halfway across the ballroom when she saw Paolo tearing through the deck doors. He seemed to be frantically in search of something until his eyes landed on her. The hair on the back of Tracy’s neck immediately stood up as Paolo raced toward her.

  “What, Paolo?! What’s wrong?!” she asked in a panic as he approached.

  Without so much as a word, Paolo, less than gently, grabbed her by the arm and pulled her in the other direction. Suddenly, Tracy heard the sound of gunfire. She looked back as Paolo damn near dragged her to the other exit of the ballroom. She could see Lorenzo running toward Tammy. Her heart began to race uncontrollably. Everyone was running, and she couldn't find Francis. She was in a full out panic.

  “Paolo, what’s going on?! Where is Francis?!”

  “He’s fine!” he shouted as he hurried her along.

  As they closed the gap between them and the other exit, the doors flew open, and at least five men with guns rushed into the ballroom. Before she could help it, Tracy screamed. Paolo pushed Tracy to the floor and pointed a weapon at the men. Tracy crawled under a table and covered her ears. The sound of the gunfire was nearly deafening. She prayed that it was just a nightmare, but screams throughout the ballroom forced her to realize that she was fully awake. This was really happening. Someone had ambushed Tammy and Luca’s private island wedding.

  TAMMY

  Tammy stood with Annabella and Mary, but she couldn't think of anything but her beautiful wedding and the wonderful things that Luca had said to her during the exchange of their vows. Looking at him, no one would believe that he was so romantically eloquent. In front of everyone, Luca recited the most endearing vows. Now, for most, that would be nothing. But there were soldiers and business associates present that surely had never seen the loving, or even human, side of Luca. At best, he would be described as harsh. But, when he recited his vows, he was loving and gentle.

  Natasha walked over and joined the group.

  “So how does it feel to be Mrs. Luca Savelli?” she asked.

  “It feels like I won the lottery of men,” Tammy respond honestly.

  “Yeah?”

  “Yes. Luca is like a dream and a nightmare at the same time,” Tammy chuckled. “But I would give my life for the man.”

  Natasha nodded with understanding. “I know exactly what you mean. I never thought I could love a man so much until I met Gianni’s crazy ass.”

  “We are lucky indeed,” Tammy concurred.

  Unfortunately, they were unable to bask in their incredible luck before they heard gunshots. Natasha pushed Tammy back and pulled a small gun out of her purse.

  “No, no, no,” Tammy began to chant.

  “Go to the other door!” Natasha shouted as she searched the ballroom for the shooter.

  “Nooo!” Tammy screamed.

  “Go!” Natasha ordered as she scanned the room.

  The scene became chaotic. Her guests were scrambling, trying to find safety. Tammy couldn't believe that someone had ambushed her wedding. They were on a fucking secluded island.

  Fuck!

  They were trapped on an island. Where would they run? She searched the room for Luca. She just needed to see his face. Then she would know that everything would be okay. But instead of finding Luca, she was suddenly eye to eye with Lorenzo. Barely healed from the last time he took a bullet for her, he was tackling her again.

  “Get off of me, Lorenzo!” Tammy screamed. “Where is David and Luca!”

  Tammy struggled to get up as she repeatedly screamed Luca and David’s names.

  “They’re fine, donna. Calm down!” Lorenzo shouted. “Luca has David safe. He sent me to keep you safe.”

  He was covering Tammy’s face, which only served to create more anxiety. She needed to see Luca. She needed to find David. Her dad was out there, and so was Mary, Anna, and the rest of her family. Tammy was hysterical. She needed to know that her family was okay.

  On the verge of hyperventilating, Tammy did her best to control her breathing. She tried to calm down, but when the feeling of something warm and wet oozed down to her chest, she knew all was not well.

  CHAPTER 39

  NATASHA

  Since she didn't have any extra rounds to reload, Natasha fired carefully as she made her way over to the other exit of the ballroom. As precise as possible, she took out as many men as she could. Over to her right, Paolo, Francis’ former bodyguard and now Tracy’s was firing his weapon with Tracy safely tucked behind him. Over to her left, there were other soldiers in the Savelli family. Some were firing toward the men at the doors that led to the hallway, and others were firing toward the doors that led to the deck. Natasha knew that in order to survive, they needed to clear a path to the hallway. One by one, she took out as many men as she could.

  As things got hairy, Natasha took cover behind a table, only to be sitting directly next to Victoria. Her friend was cowering behind the flimsy wooden table,

  “What are you doing down here,” Natasha asked Victoria.

  “What the fuck it look like? I’m hiding.”

  Natasha narrowed her eyes.

  Victoria held up both hand to show that she didn't have a weapon.

  “You ain't got no gun?!” Natasha yelled.

  Victoria blew out a harsh breath and rolled her eyes. “Bitch, I am on a secluded island in and evening gown. Why the fuck would I have a gun?”

  “What the fuck family have you been in for the last few years?” Natasha scolded.

  Victoria closed her eyes and shook her head. “We’re on an island!”

  “Go get a gun!” Natasha snapped.

  “Ughhhh!” Victoria grunted. “This is some bullshit!”

  Victoria slid her heels off of her feet and tied the bottom of her gown. She crawled around the table and looked back at Natasha.

  “Shoot somebody!” Victoria ordered.

  Natasha nodded and leaned around the other side of the table. By now, there were four shooters by the door firing into the ballroom. She fired a round, taking out one of the men. Firing another, she took out one more. By that time, Victoria had made it to the entrance. She stood to the side and waited for the third man to cross the threshold. Once he did, she backhand punched the shooter in the throat, and side kicked his knee. As he fell over in pain, Victoria snatched his automatic rifle and shot the man in the back of the head. The look on Victoria’s face made Natasha sad. Everything that her friend had been through was showing on her face as soon as she killed the shooter. Victoria was a strong, fierce woman, but what she needed wa
s peace. Sadly, Natasha couldn't give Victoria the peace she needed because the fourth shooter had focused his attention on her. Natasha took him out before Victoria could raise the weapon. For now, the doorway was clear.

  Victoria snatched one of the dead shooter’s AK47s and ran across the ballroom. She tossed the automatic weapon to Joseph who, because of his time in Vietnam, was a sharpshooter in his own right. Without a word, Joseph ushered their family and friends into the kitchen. He didn't take them to the hall because the hall hadn’t been cleared yet.

  Natasha walked over to the doorway where the dead shooters were and gathered the rest of their weapons. She passed one to Jonathan, and the other two to Carlo and Vincenzo. Since they were both in law enforcement, Natasha assumed that they could handle a weapon.

  She searched the ballroom for her husband, Catarina, and Gio. For some reason, Natasha was not worried. She could physically feel that Gianni was okay, and Catarina would never let anything happen to Gio. In her soul, she knew that her family was safe, but that didn't stop her from wanting to lay eyes on them.

  “Natasha!” she heard from behind.

  She turned. It was Catarina. She had Gio tucked on her hip as she followed everyone else into the kitchen.

  “Come with us!” Catarina cried.

  “No, mamma. I gotta find Gianni. Take care of Gio.”

  “Nata—”

  “Take care of Gio!” Natasha repeated.

  Catarina said nothing. She only nodded and entered the kitchen. Natasha could still hear the sound of shots fired outside, and now that the ballroom had been cleared, she was going to get her man.

  FRANCIS

  They were taking heavy fire from the beach. Francis was firing his forty-five, frustrated that he didn’t have his twelve gauge. He wanted to tear through every motherfucker on that beach. Shooters were rapidly disembarking from two ships, and he and his men couldn't take them out fast enough. They were outgunned and outmanned but determined to keep the men away from their family.

  Jack took out three shooters that were close to making it to the pool deck, giving Francis enough time to take off his tuxedo jacket. Gianni ran far right, and Luca ran far left. The plan was to triangulate the shooters, closing them in. Some of his men took shielding and attempted to secure the beach. Unfortunately, whoever had ambushed them came prepared. They couldn't hold them off.

  Francis looked out into the horizon and spotted another boat.

  Fuck!

  They were already struggling to keep the first batch of shooters at bay, but another boat full of men would certainly seal their doom.

  They managed to hold them off, but when the other boat reached the shore, Francis felt as if he had nothing to lose. He ran toward the beach, killing every man that he could on the way. If he was going to die, his plan was to take a lot of motherfuckers with him.

  Luca, Jack, Gianni, and several soldiers followed his lead and rushed the beach. Together, they took out more men than Francis thought possible. When the third boat docked, and what looked like at least sixty men hit the beach, he knew it was the end.

  But the men started firing at their enemies. Francis was shocked and confused, but he kept shooting. It was only when he saw Angel Medina running up the beach, killing everyone in his path, did Francis understand what was happening. They had reinforcements.

  Francis ran harder and with purpose until he got his hands on one of the shooters. He grabbed the man by the throat and slammed him into the sand. This man would be unfortunate enough to endure the rage that was created by putting Francis’ family in danger. Francis yanked his blade from the sheath on his belt and ripped into the man’s throat. He dragged the knife past the man’s sternum to his gut. Blood spattering on Francis’ face gave him a unique satisfaction. By the time Francis was done gutting the shooter, Angel, Luca, Gianni, and the rest of the men had successfully secured the beach and were looking at him as if he had gone insane.

  “You gonna cook him next?” Jack chuckled.

  “Maybe,” Francis grumbled, wiping the blood from his hand into his victim’s clothing.

  The laughter was solemn, but it was stifled immediately by the sound of gunfire in the ballroom. Every man on the beach took off like lightning toward the resort.

  CHAPTER 40

  LUCA

  “Move!” Luca yelled as he tore through the ballroom, tossing chairs and even people, out of his way as he sprinted toward Tammy. Initially, he’d assumed that the threat was outside of the ballroom. But when he heard shots fired inside, Luca soon realized that he was wrong. His heart was pounding. He was in a full out panic as he raced to his new wife. He frantically scanned the frenzied guests until he spotted Tammy. The look of terror in her eyes caused his feet to move miraculously faster. As he got closer and she came into full view, the sight of blood covering the front of her dress caused his heart to nearly stop. The dark red was a stark contrast to the crisp white of her gown.

  “Tammy!” Luca shouted, causing her eyes to connect with his.

  “Luca!” she croaked, holding her arms out to him.

  Just as Luca reached her, Tammy fell to her knees. He caught her just before the rest of her hit the floor. Luca’s vision blurred as he cradled Tammy in his arms. Tears welled in his eyes. Luca had never shed not even a single tear for anyone or anything not even when his beloved father died.

  Tammy looked up with sad eyes and began to sob. He had failed her, failed to protect her like he promised. Luca released a painful groan as he held her head to his chest.

  In his arms, he rocked her.

  “La mia bella moglie,” he whispered.

  TAMMY

  “Search the property! Every inch!” Luca shouted at one of his men.

  He was still cradling her in his arms, and since, in her eyes, there was no safer place, Tammy was content. There were dead and wounded all around them, her gown was covered in blood, and her guests were hysterical. But, in Luca’s arms, she managed to be content. Minutes ago, as blood seeped from Lorenzo’s chest, Tammy thought that he had been shot again while protecting her. Thankfully, it was discovered that he’d only aggravated the wound from the previous shootout.

  Luca stood, lifting Tammy with him, and began walking toward the ballroom exit.

  “Luca, baby, I can walk,” she told him. “And where are you taking me?”

  “I’m taking you upstairs to lie down.”

  “No,” Tammy told him, trying to wriggle herself free. “Put me down. I don't want to go upstairs. We have a room full of friends and family that we need to see about.”

  “Everyone is okay. The kids are upstairs now, and no one is hurt.”

  “Luca, put me down,” Tammy insisted.

  Luca stopped and looked down at Tammy. “Are you sure you're okay?”

  “I’m sure. Put me down.”

  Luca was hesitant, but he eventually put her down. He placed protective hands on her shoulders to make sure that she was steady on her feet.

  “Luca, I’m fine. Really,” Tammy assured.

  “Okay,” Luca exhaled. “Well, come with me.”

  He grabbed her hand and led her across the ballroom. Tammy looked around at the disaster area that was once a beautiful ballroom. Chairs and tables were flipped over, beautiful centerpieces were destroyed, and to top it off, there were dead men on the elegant marble floor. Even with all that, Tammy was thankful. None of their friends and family had been seriously hurt, and she was finally married to Luca.

  “Tammy.”

  Luca’s voice diverted her attention from the disarray to him. She turned and came face to face with the man that had to be David’s grandfather. He was a handsome man with dark hair and hazel eyes that seemed to glow. Javier’s dad was as tall as Luca, but he was considerably leaner. He seemed too young to be a grandfather, but it was clear that he was since Javier and David were spitting images of the man.

  “Tammy, meet Alejandro Medina…Angel.”

  He smiled and extended his hand. “Tammy,
it is so nice to finally meet you.”

  His accent was strong, but his words were clear and precise. Tammy smiled in return and placed her hand in his.

  “It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for coming.”

  Tammy looked around at the mess that was her wedding reception and chuckled. “Typical Savelli and Storm event,” she joked.

  Angel nodded with his own chuckle. “Aww, this is not so bad. All we need is music, and maybe an open bar.”

  “Yeah,” Tammy scoffed. “We’ll just dance around the dead men on the floor.”

  “Si,” Angel responded, raising his eyebrows.

  Luca snaked his arm around Tammy’s waist and narrowed his eyes at Angel. “You can let go of her hand now,” he almost growled.

  Tammy hadn't realized that Angel was still holding her hand. Tammy retrieved her hand and pressed herself to Luca’s side.

  “Luca told me that you wanted to see David, but now isn't the best time. Can we discuss it later?”

  “Of course.”

  “Thank you, Angel.”

  Tammy stepped away and looked up at Luca.

  “You guys talk. I’m gonna go check on my dad.”

  Luca studied her for a bit before nodding his approval. Tammy turned and scanned the room for her father and stepmother. They were sitting at a table across the room. She could see the worry on her dad’s face from where she was, so she took a deep breath and headed in their direction.