MY HUSBAND IS A GANGSTER

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Enemy lines

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The next morning, Neil and I decided to go grocery shopping. It felt like such a mundane, normal task, but it was a refreshing change from the chaos of our lives. As we walked through the aisles, Neil pushed the cart while I grabbed items from the shelves, occasionally throwing in something extra just to see his reaction.

"You know, if you keep putting those snacks in there, we're going to need another cart," Neil teased, nudging me playfully.

I laughed, tossing a bag of chips into the cart. "Oh, come on. We deserve a little treat."

He shook his head, but his smile betrayed his amusement. "Alright, alright. But you're carrying them."

"Deal," I said, grinning.

We continued shopping, our conversation light and easy. It was nice, this semblance of normalcy. But as we approached the checkout line, I noticed a group of rough-looking men entering the store.

Their presence immediately set off alarm bells in my head. Neil tensed beside me, his posture shifting from relaxed to alert.

"Neil, what's wrong?" I asked, my voice low.

He glanced at me, his expression serious. "Stay close to me. We might have a problem."

The men sauntered down the aisle, their eyes scanning the store. I felt a chill run down my spine when one of them, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, locked eyes with Neil. Recognition flickered in his gaze, and he smirked.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Neil Carters," the man said, his voice dripping with malice.

Neil stepped in front of me, his body shielding mine. "Lace Donovan. What a surprise."

Donovan's smirk widened, revealing a row of crooked teeth. "Surprise? Nah. More like a coincidence. Didn't expect to see you playing house."

His eyes shifted to me, and I felt a wave of nausea as his gaze lingered. "And who's this lovely lady? She looks familiar."

I stood my ground, trying to hide my fear. "I'm Rachel. Neil's wife."

"Wife, huh?" Donovan's interest piqued. "I remember you from that party. You were the one Neil was so protective of. Interesting."

Neil's grip on the cart tightened, his knuckles turning white. "What do you want, Donovan?"

Donovan chuckled, stepping closer. "Just having a little chat. It's been a while since we've caught up. And I'm curious about your wife here. She's quite a catch."

"Back off," Neil growled, his voice dangerously low.

Donovan's expression darkened, and his goons closed in around us. The tension was palpable, the air thick with hostility.

"Or what, Neil? You gonna fight me in the middle of a grocery store?" Donovan taunted, his eyes gleaming with malevolence.

Just as it seemed like things were about to escalate, the distant wail of police sirens reached our ears. Donovan's expression shifted from amusement to irritation.