“Target and hostage on the third floor.” Although he could see inside, he didn’t have clear shots of anyone. They were smart and not standing in front of any windows. “Send in the mercs.”

  “Copy that,” Cat replied.

  As the mercenaries stealthily approached the hotel, Dev picked off the guards outside the property one by one, giving the team the all-clear as they slipped inside.

  With the team taking care of the guards, Dev ran back downstairs and out to the hotel. He went around the back and slipped inside. Making sure to stay out of the team’s way, he quickly made for the stairs. There was enough light coming in from various parts of the house and moonlight for him to make his way through without having to wear the night vision goggles.

  He’d just reached the second floor when a set of double doors in the ballroom slammed open, and more of Banetti’s men flooded out like roaches. Knowing the sniper rifle would slow him down, he chucked it and grabbed the Glocks from his holsters, pulling them out and shooting as he ran for cover behind one of the marble pillars. His team of mercs joined him, and it was a fucking free for all.

  The stairs were through the doors the bastards had come from. Running for the next pillars as the bullets flew, Dev fired at every asshole who tried to take him down. He started with shots to the legs. These guys wouldn’t be getting up with their knees fucked. Cartridges empty, he ejected them as he ran behind a pillar, slamming the Glocks down onto a couple of full cartridges on his belt. After hitting them on the pillar to lock them into place, he rolled onto his back.

  That’s when he spotted the huge, mirrored wall in front of him.

  Well fuck.

  A small army of guys in gray camo tactical gear headed his way. Dev tapped his earpiece.

  “Masks on.”

  The team scrambled to put on their masks, and Dev grabbed his own from his bag. He smiled at one of the bastards in the mirror, snatched the smoke bomb clipped to his belt and jerked its pin free. He flung it behind him, pulled on his mask, and darted out from behind the pillar.

  The room filled up fast with smoke, the guards coughing and scrambling. Dev walked through the clouds of gray and fired at the doubled-over men, picking them off one at a time on his way to the stairs.

  Reaching the stairs to the floor where Remy was held, he braced himself. No way Banetti didn’t know he was here. Just as the thought crossed his mind, he heard Banetti shout.

  “Glad you made it, Dev. Now, how about you put down your weapons and join me for a little chat, or I’ll put a bullet in your boyfriend.”

  “Or,” Dev called out. “You could let him go, and I won’t shoot you in the head and throw your ass out the window.”

  “Make the smart choice,” Banetti replied.

  Remy cried out in pain, and Dev gritted his teeth. Banetti had no idea, but he was about to be a dead man.

  It looked like they were doing things the hard way.

  TEN

  They weren’t going to shoot him.

  Dev stepped into the room and fired at the guards inside the door. The others rushed him as Banetti, Gabriele, and a third guy who looked vaguely familiar watched from across the room.

  The wind was knocked out of Dev when a brick wall came out of nowhere and slammed into him, sending him soaring. He hit the wood floor and slid, his guns landing who knew where. He quickly scrambled to get up when a beefy pair of hands wrapped around his neck and squeezed.

  Dev gasped and smacked the bald giant in the face. Teeth gritted, he swiped one of the Glocks he’d tucked in his belt. He clicked the safety off and shoved it into the guy’s chest, but the guy’s hand grabbed his and twisted before Dev could get a shot off. Dev screamed, the gun falling out of his hand and hitting the floor.

  Dev kicked and punched at the guy, but the fucker didn’t flinch. He might not kill Dev, but he could knock him out. Not happening.

  “Fuck you,” Dev spat, slipping his hand into his pocket to don the brass knuckles. He swung his fist, the brass knuckles making contact with the side of the guy’s head hard enough to send the bastard reeling.

  Getting to his feet, Dev swiped his sweaty hair away from his face and put his fists up as the guy got to his feet. A massive fist came at him, and Dev ducked, coming up with a left hook, the brass knuckles slamming into the guy’s ribs. He cried out but kept coming at Dev, getting in a couple of punches that had him seeing stars.

  After receiving a split lip and a bloodied cut on his right brow, Dev was finished playing games. With a fierce cry, he switched the brass knuckles onto his right hand and launched himself at the guy, coming at him without pause. He ducked a punch and slammed his fist into the side of the guy’s knee, the crack resonating through the room.

  Banetti didn’t give a shit about this guy, so with one final punch to the asshole’s neck, the guy went down for good. Banetti clapped, then smacked Gabriele in the arm.

  “What did I fucking tell you? Dev here can do more than drive.”

  With a growl, Dev spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with saliva and stepped forward until Gabriele put the barrel of his gun to Remy’s head.

  “Easy there, lover.”

  “Do you think I don’t have more men coming?” Banetti said. “I never underestimated you, Dev. Work for me.”

  Dev’s earpiece came to life.

  “Team’s in position.”

  Dev kept his eye on Banetti and Gabriele as he moved the hand behind him toward the remaining Glock tucked in his belt. “I’m thinking about it,” Dev said, his fingers wrapping around the grip. “I just need a second.”

  “Three,” Cat said in his ear.

  Dev moved his gaze to the third guy. Why did the guy look so familiar? Wait, he’d been in the alley the night Remy had gotten into Dev’s car. Which meant he worked for Banetti and likely knew Remy. The guy subtly tilted his head toward Remy. Was it possible he didn’t want Remy dead?

  “You don’t have to do this,” Dev told him.

  Banetti laughed. “Oh, but he does. He fucking owes me. Sergio here pissed off some dangerous men, and I’m the only thing keeping him alive.”

  “Two,” Cat whispered.

  Dev ignored Banetti. If there was the slightest chance they could get Sergio on their side, Dev had to take it. “You know this isn’t right.”

  Gabriele narrowed his gaze at Dev. “Shut up and decide.” He cocked his gun and aimed it at Remy’s head.”

  “One.”

  “I’ve decided,” Dev said, swiping the remaining Glock from his belt.

  Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. An explosion outside shook the building just as Dev took off toward Banetti, dropping and sliding as Gabriele fired. But Dev’s gun went off at the same time.

  Banetti dropped to his knees, blood trickling from the hole in the middle of his forehead. The room erupted into chaos, and Gabriele spun on his heels with a roar, Sergio rammed into him just as he fired, the bullet hitting the wall just above Remy’s head.

  As Sergio and Gabriele wrestled for Gabriele’s gun, Dev darted over to Remy and cut through the rope binding his hands. There was no time for a reunion. He grabbed Remy’s hand and turned when fire pierced his leg.

  “Dev,” Remy cried out as Dev hit the floor. With a growl, he held onto his leg, Remy rushing to his side but stopping when Gabriele aimed at him.

  Dev screamed for Remy, and to his astonishment, Sergio stepped in front of Remy, shielding him from Gabriele.

  “What are you doing? Get the fuck out of the way!”

  “No.”

  “I will shoot through you.”

  “Gabriele, please. He doesn’t deserve this.”

  Gabriele let out a harsh laugh. “Oh, shit. I’m sorry. I forgot. You’ve never killed someone who didn’t deserve it.”

  “Banetti is dead. What does it matter?”

  “You think this was about Banetti? Banetti was never going to walk out of here,” Gabriele growled. “Do you know why Banetti wanted Remy dead? Because the guy he killed was the boss’s nephew. That’s why. Banetti knew if it got back to his boss that he’d offed the dumbass, it would be over. Thing is, I’m not on Banetti’s payroll. Never was.”

  Shit. It was worse than Dev thought.

  “What?” Sergio stared at Gabriele.

  “The job was to get Dev on board and then kill Banetti and the kid.” Gabriele motioned for Sergio to move.

  Sergio shook his head. “I’m not letting you hurt the kid.”

  Gabriele gritted his teeth and aimed at Sergio’s head, his finger moving on the trigger, but he didn’t fire.

  “Fuck. Fuuuuck! You father-fucking son of a bitch asshole!”

  And that was what it looked like when an assassin lost his shit.

  The doors at the end of the room burst open, and Banetti’s men came flooding in. Behind Dev, his backup infiltrated, and Gabriele let out a frustrated growl.

  “Get these assholes out of here,” Gabriele snarled at Sergio, motioning from Remy to Dev.

  “Gabriele—”

  “Just fucking go before I change my mind.” Gabriele pulled a second gun from beneath his suit jacket and started firing at Banetti’s men.

  Not wasting time, Sergio ran over to Dev and threw out a hand, helping him to his feet. Wrapping an arm around Dev’s waist, they started moving, the three of them making a run for it.

  “I think he cares about you,” Dev teased Sergio as they hurried down the stairs as fast as Dev could hop.

  “So help me, I will leave your ass here,” Sergio grumbled.

  “Right. Car’s parked in the old candy shop.”

  “Course it is.”

  It sounded like a war zone upstairs, and Dev hoped his team made it out. Not Gabriele. He might have saved their asses, but he was still a sadistic asshole.

  Sergio got them to the car, but he took a step back instead of getting in.

  “What are you doing?” Dev asked. “Get in the car.”

  Sergio rubbed his hands over his face and cursed. “Fuck!” He shook his head. “I can’t leave him.”

  “We’re not waiting,” Dev said. “I can’t.”

  Sergio looked from Remy to Dev, then smiled softly. “I know. If you’re as smart as I think, you’ll take your man and get as far away from this hellhole as possible.”

  With that, he turned and vanished into the shadows.

  “Nuts, the both of them.” Dev grabbed a first aid kit from his trunk and quickly bandaged himself as best as he could.

  “We need to get you to a hospital,” Remy said worriedly.

  “I’m fine. Bullet went through the muscle. We need to get the hell out of here. You’re going to have to drive.” He closed the trunk and hopped to the passenger seat, where he climbed inside. As soon as he had his seatbelt fastened, he tapped his earpiece.

  “Cat?”

  “Thank god. You two okay?”

  Remy slipped into the driver’s side and turned on the ignition. Seatbelt on, he put the car in reverse and got them the hell out.

  “We’re a little banged up, but we’ll live. Thanks, Cat. For everything.”

  “That sounds like a goodbye,” she said, and he could hear the smile in her voice. “If it is, just know I’ll always be here for you.”

  “Same. Thank you.” He hung up, and soon they were on the highway.

  “Where are we going?” Remy asked, his breath shaky.

  “I don’t know yet. Just drive.”

  Instead of driving, Remy pulled over to the shoulder.

  “What are you doing?” Dev asked, sucking in a sharp breath when Remy kissed him. He melted into the kiss, adrenaline finally dropping and leaving him exhausted, but he focused on the feel of Remy’s lips on his, the taste of his mouth. Dev deepened their kiss and slipped his hand around Remy’s neck.

  When neither of them had any breath left, they came up for air. They rested their heads together.

  “I was so scared I’d lost you,” Dev whispered as if there was a chance it might still happen.

  “I’m so sorry for everything.”

  Dev shushed him gently. “No. No regrets.” He pulled back just enough to look into Remy’s eyes and smiled. “We should stop at a gas station.”

  Remy looked confused. He checked the gas gauge and then turned his attention back to Dev. “But we still have half a tank.”

  Dev shrugged and gave him a playful smile. “I was thinking maybe we’d buy a map….”

  Remy’s smile lit up his beautiful face, and Dev knew he’d made the right decision. He kissed Dev again. “I think I might be falling in love with you.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Only a little,” he teased.

  “I think I might be a little in love with you, too,” Dev said, returning Remy’s kiss. He sat back in his seat and laced their fingers together. “Let’s hit the road.”

  Over the years, Dev had driven thousands of miles, but the destination had always been picked for him. Now? Now he and Remy got to decide where the road took them, and Dev was good with that. He closed his eyes for a moment before the burning sensation flaring in his leg had him throwing his eyes open again. Oh right. He looked over at Remy.

  “Maybe we should get the hole in my leg sorted out.”

  “You think?” Remy asked, chuckling at Dev’s grumbling. Then he shifted gears, hit the accelerator, and let out a loud whoop as they sped down the empty highway.

  Yeah. This was going to be one hell of a ride.

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  Thank you so much for reading Love for the Reaper, a part of The Elite shared world. I hope you enjoyed Dev and Remy’s story, and if you did, please consider leaving a review on Amazon.

  Reviews can have a significant impact on a book’s visibility on Amazon, so any support you show these fellas would be amazing.

  If you enjoy romantic suspense, check out my Four Kings Security Universe. The series kicks off with Love in Spades, available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.

  Want to stay up-to-date on my releases and receive exclusive content? Sign up for my newsletter.

  Follow me on Amazon to be notified of a new releases, and connect with me on social media, including my fun Facebook group, Donuts, Dog Tags, and Day Dreams, where we chat books, post pictures, have giveaways, and more!

  Looking for inspirational photos of my books? Visit my book boards on Pinterest.

  THE ELITE

  WHERE THE DARKER SIDE OF THE CITY COMES OUT TO PLAY

  Check out all the fantastic titles in The Elite series. All books can be read as standalones and in any order. They are connected only through a shared premise.

  Reckless Roulette by Alice Winters

  Leave No Trace by Sammi Cee & Michelle Frost

  Ace of Maids by K.L. Hiers

  Poison Hearts by Jennifer Cody

  Liar’s Gambit by Kelly Fox

  Dealer of Secrets by Davidson King

  Bullets & Butterflies by Maz Maddox

  Love for the Reaper by Charlie Cochet

  Chance Encounter by Luna David

  ALSO BY CHARLIE COCHET

  Shifter Scoundrels Series

  Co-written with Macy Blake

  FOUR KINGS SECURITY UNIVERSE SERIES

  Four King Security

  Four Kings Security Boxed Set

  Black Ops: Operation Orion’s Belt

  The Kings: Wild Cards

  The Kings: Wild Cards Boxed Set

  Runaway Grooms

  THIRDS UNIVERSE SERIES

  THIRDS

  THIRDS Beyond the Books

  THIRDS: Rebels

  TIN

  THIRDS Boxed Sets

  OTHER SERIES AND NOVELS

  Paranormal Princes Series

  Soldati Hearts Series

  North Pole City Tales Series

  Love for the Reaper

  DID YOU KNOW?

  If you own a book or borrow it through Kindle Unlimited, you can get Whispersynced audiobooks at a discounted price. Interested in audio? Check out the Charlie Cochet titles available on Audible.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Charlie Cochet is the international bestselling author of the THIRDS series. Born in Cuba and raised in the US, Charlie enjoys the best of both worlds, from her daily Cuban latte to her passion for classic rock.

  Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a highly opinionated sable German Shepherd and a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found devouring a book, releasing her creativity through art, or binge watching a new TV series. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.

  Website: www.charliecochet.com

  Email: charlie@charliecochet.com

  Sign up for Charlie’s newsletter:

  https://newsletter.charliecochet.com

 

 

  Charlie Cochet, Love for the Reaper (The Elite Book 1)

 

 

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