Dark Vengeance by Kristi Belcamino (libby ebook reader .txt) 📗

He was a man I could’ve loved under different circumstances. In another lifetime.

But I didn’t have a home anymore, and he was solidly grounded in his life in Cannes. We didn’t stand a chance.

As I thought this, I reached the small town. Even though it was nearly noon, the shops were buttoned up tight. I wondered if it was because of the recent violence. People were afraid. And it was partly my fault. I poked the sleeping bear.

I slowed near the mechanic’s shop, but the heavy garage door was closed and secured with a heavy chain and lock. The normal door was closed. I knew if I tried to open it, I’d be stopped by the two deadbolts.

Part of me had hoped I could stop by and apologize for any trouble I’d caused. And pay for any damage, of course. But that would have to be done at another time.

I drove through town until I found the turnoff to X’s house. This was the first time I’d come in from the main road. I looked around for hidden surveillance cameras, but didn’t see any. I think X was too sure of himself. He intimidated through fear. His security didn’t need to be that high-tech.

I started up his long driveway. Knowing I’d lost the element of surprise with the noise of the bike, I gunned the engine and put my head down low near the handlebars to increase the aerodynamics. That’s why I almost ran over a body in the road before me.

At the last second, I swerved and the bike skittered across the gravel sideways and then laid down partly on my leg before I was thrown into the bushes, bouncing through the brush until I came to rest at the foot of a large tree. My head was spinning, and I lay there for a few seconds doing an inventory.

I was rattled, but didn’t seem to have a concussion. My head didn’t hurt. Thank God for my helmet. But my leg did. Gingerly, I stretched out my foot and flexed and pointed my boot to see how that felt. It worked. Looks like the pain was localized on my upper thigh. Luckily that was the most padded part of my body. Still lying down, I reached my hand for the area to see if it would come back sticky with blood. My palm was dry. I probably would just have a serious bruise. I had been damn lucky.

I sat up, leaning my back against the tree trunk. I’d carved out a pretty good path through the brush. I pulled myself to a stand. Not dizzy. So far, so good. I made my way back to the driveway. Along the way, I passed a huge rock. I must have missed that in my tumbling. Thank God. Even with a helmet on, if I’d have hit that there would’ve been some serious damage. I stood at the entrance to the driveway. My bike was in the bushes on the other side of the road. I had no idea if it still would run. Finally, reluctantly, I let my eyes find the body in the middle of the driveway about ten yards away.

I swallowed. It was Matteo. I’d known that before I saw his spiky hair and combat boots. His face was hamburger. I swallowed again. I didn’t think anyone could still be alive with a face that looked like that, but I had to check. I walked over and kneeled down beside him, reaching for his neck to feel a pulse and trying not to gag. No pulse. But I waited, staring at this chest now to see if there was any sign of movement there. Just in case, I reached for his wrist and held it, waiting. Nothing.

I shook my head and stood.

Ruthless and vicious. X was heartless and impulsive.

Matteo could not have been here very long. He’d been killed instantly. And gauging by the lack of blood around his body, he’d been killed somewhere else and his body dumped here. For me to find? Maybe.

Reaching for my cell phone, I dialed Asahi. I didn’t know who else to call.

“Hey, I know I’ve already asked too much from you and you’ve paid too much for your help, but I’m in X’s driveway and Matteo’s body is here. They killed him. I want to go up to the house, but don’t want to leave him here alone. I know it’s dangerous to even ask—”

“I’ll handle it,” Asahi said, cutting me off. “Wait for me and we can go together.”

I hung up without answering.

I already felt like a big enough douche bag for calling him for help, I wasn’t going to hold his hand and lead him into the fire. I was going to the house by myself.

I dragged my bike out of the bushes. It didn’t look as bad as I thought. A few big scratches. I hauled it upright and straddled it, closed my eyes and said a silent prayer as I tried to start it.

It purred to life.

I took off up the driveway, making a wide berth around the body.

Motherfuck.

That kid was just trying to save the idiotic girl and now he’s dead.

It was total bullshit.

The more I thought about it, the angrier I got.

The wind was blowing my hair back and I leaned down over the bike’s handles, taking the gentle curves as I approached the house. When I grew closer, I slowed down. At the last second, I saw the trip wire across the driveway and skidded to a halt less than a foot away from it. I looked to both sides and saw the red lights in the trees. Not only was there a trip wire, which probably would have taken my head off at the right speed, but there were also laser beams cutting across the driveway.

So, he did have a security system. It made me wonder if the bodyguard I killed had fallen down on the job and forgot to set it the