Caught In Her Vengeance - Book 2

24

Chapter 24

Catalina

Shaking my head, I brought a hand up to shield my eyes from the bright morning light. "Ya' know what? It's too damn early for this," I looked up at Nic—squinting, my homemade visor doing absolutely nothing to shade out the ungodly sun as I poked him in his hard chest, "and I'm still pissed with you for last night."

Yeah, I wasn't the happiest camper this morning, but that most likely had to do with the fact that after Nic and I had fallen asleep last night, it felt like no time had passed before his stupid ass was up: ripping the warm blanket off my body, yanking my sleepy ass out of bed and tossing my half-naked butt in the cold as fuck shower. I was guessing mister nice guy from last night had taken a back seat, and I was getting good ole' Domenico Mariano today.

Now we stood in some fancy secluded shooting range in the middle of fucking nowhere owned by none other than... That's right, you guessed it, The Mariano Brothers. Because why the fuck not, right? Homes worldwide, exclusive clubs, expensive cars, secret properties... How much money did they actually have?

Snorting, Nic rolled his eyes at me then pointed over my shoulder, but I did nothing to follow his action because I already knew what was behind me. "You'll get over it now, focus."

"Sir, yes, sir," I saluted, sarcasm rolling off me in unsubtle waves. I went to turn and face the target, but Nic's voice stopped me.

"Actually, it's just, Sir. That whole sir yes sir isn't a thing... and I'm serious Catalina. You are going to be handling a firearm. Pay attention."

"Okay-Okay, dad," I said jokingly, still a bit nervous about shooting a real gun. But he just gave me a 'you know this is NOT a joking matter' look, and I threw my hands up, finally dropping my bullshit. "Fine, I got it."

"Good, and it's actually Daddy to you, by the way," he winked with that signature smirk that would make any girl weak in the knees. Bastard. With the roll of my eyes, I turned on my heels. Picking up the gun, I followed Nic's attentive guidance step by step until my unsteady hand clutched the loaded handgun in my outstretched arm.

Okay focus. Taking a deep breath and holding it in, I closed my eyes, listening to my surroundings—the birds and crickets chirping in the distance, grass swaying in the wind while the fall leaves rustled against the ground. Then parting my lips, I slowly expelled a deep breath from my tight lungs, slightly curling my index finger and squeezing the small trigger the same way I'd seen Lorenzo do the night he killed Liam.

Bang. Suddenly, airwaves rippled around as a boom crackled like a small firework through the empty shooting range. The loud ringing in my ears made my eyes shoot open instantly, seeking out the target. You're shitting me. I'd didn't even graze the stupid freaking thing. Maybe I did need him more than I care to admit, but he didn't need to know that. Ever!

Lost in thought, I hadn't even noticed Nic was right up on me until he casually brought both his hands to each side of my small neck from behind. Feeling his thick-tatted fingers gently caress my hot skin, I let out a shaky sigh and leaned into his touch. Really, I tried to fight it, but an involuntary shiver rolled through me when his hot breath gently stroked the hairs on the back of my neck—and it was over for me.

"There," he applied a bit more tension, making me shiver again despite my best efforts to hide it. I was still mad at his oversized baboon ass for using sex as some sort of weapon or something to get me to talk last night. Screw that shit. I told them I'd talk when I was ready, and I would.

Biting down on my tongue, I battled against unleashing the hungry moan, trying to crawl its way up my tight throat, but God, I missed his hands on me this way. It wasn't supposed to feel this good—he wasn't supposed to feel this good. I told myself as his huge ink-covered hands slowly slid down to my shoulders, his thumbs lightly pressing into my pressure points and calming me even further.