Memories Without Him novel · Chapter 21 of 24

Chapter 21: Kneeling Beside Him

Vincent's POV

Aldo's gun cleared his coat before anyone at the table had finished standing.

He did not point it at me.

I had known him all my life, and in all that time he had never pointed anything at me.

He pointed it at Gemma.

I was out of my chair before I thought.

The table was too wide to cross, so I threw myself sideways and put my body between the barrel and her black dress.

The shot was very loud in the room.

Something hit my left arm above the elbow, and the arm went numb.

I heard Gemma scream my name.

I did not feel myself fall.

I was against the wall with my shoulder in the plaster, and my men were already shouting.

A second shot came from the door.

Then three more, all at once, from three sides.

The Dons' bodyguards had drawn on him, and my own men with them.

Aldo's two men by the elevator stood with their hands open at their sides and did not lift a finger.

They had known the weight of the room before he did.

He staggered back into his chair.

The gun rattled on the walnut and slid halfway down the table.

The chair went over, and Aldo went over with it, and lay on the carpet looking at the ceiling.

"Nobody touch him," I said.

My voice came out thin.

I got to my feet by holding the table.

Gemma was at my side with both hands pressing on my sleeve, and her face was white.

"Sit down. Vincent, sit down. You're bleeding."

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