Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 103124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
“You wanted me here.” He holds out his arms. “Well, here I am.”
“Well armed, too.” He gestures with his head. “Put the guns down or your bride dies.”
“I told you, you can take me. That’s who you really want.”
Luca scoffs. “You’re trading your life for hers. How sweet. But the moment I let her go, you’ll put two bullets into me.” He jams the knife into my skin, not deep, but enough to draw blood. I wince, terrified.
“Fine!” Nico says quickly. He puts his two guns down on the ground. “Satisfied?”
“No, Domenico, no, I’m not satisfied. But spilling the blood of a De Kysa bride will fix that.”
“You know this is a declaration of war,” Nico growls. “The De Kysa will decimate the Bamcorda for good. I’ll make it my life’s mission to fuck up every single one of you.”
“You think I’m going to let you walk out of here after I kill her?” Luca laughs coldly. “Son, your bride is just the beginning. Once I gut her, I’ll take pleasure in killing you too.”
Nico snickers. “That’s the thing about us De Kysas. You cut off one head and another one will grow. You kill me and my brother will come looking for revenge. And he might be the funny one, but his temper is just as dark and just as creative as mine. To put it plainly, you’re fucked.”
The blade slides into my skin, but quicker than a blink, Nico rips the gun from his waistband and fires.
I feel the whoosh and crackle of the bullet as it strikes Luca right in the middle of his face and blows out the back of his skull.
With a thud, the old gangster falls to the floor.
Nico storms over and puts another one in his chest. Then thinking better of it, he fires a third and says to the corpse, “No one touches my wife.”
He quickly unties the binds holding me to the ceiling, and when I crumple to the floor, he catches me in his strong arms.
He presses a kiss onto my lips and carries me out of the warehouse, stepping over the bodies of Luca Bamcorda’s men.
“You’re safe,” he says, holding me tight.
But I don’t feel safe.
And I don’t think I will ever feel safe again.
41
Nico
I carry her to the car and climb in, but I don’t let her go. I hold her in my arms during the entire drive back to my apartment. She wraps her arms around my neck and buries her face into my shoulder, as if letting me go would mean sure death.
“I’ve got you, baby,” I assure her as my hatred for Luca Bamcorda collides in my chest with the fierce love I feel for my bride.
She nods against my shoulder, a small whimper escaping her slightly parted lips, and I hold her closer, knowing I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
The city is a blur as it rolls past the window because all I can see, think, and feel is the need to protect my queen from further harm.
A soft rain begins to fall as we pull into the underground garage, and Mateo parks the car in our usual spot.
“Call Dr. Sage,” I instruct him as I carry Bella to the elevator.
“No,” she murmurs, her lips brushing against my neck. “I don’t want to see anyone.”
“You need medical attention,” I say.
“What I need is my husband.” She lifts her head. “And only my husband.”
Her big eyes are soft and pleading, and how the fuck am I supposed to say no to that?
I look at Mateo. “I’ll call the doctor later myself. Until then, I need to be alone with my wife.”
Mateo nods. “I’ll wait for further instructions from you.”
The elevator door closes, and we ride to the penthouse alone.
Bella’s salty tears pool on my skin, and I can feel the thud of her heartbeat as if it is syncopated with my own. My arms are beginning to get tired, but I’ll let them fall off before I let her go.
Once inside my apartment, I carry her to the bedroom and set her on the end of the bed. “I’m going to run you a bath, okay?”
She nods, shivering, and I take another look at the bruises on her arms and can almost make out a handprint. Flames heat every inch of my body, knowing it is Luca’s handiwork, and my hands fist at my side.
Keep focused. Bella needs all of you right now.
I stalk to the bathroom and run the bath, waiting for it to fill with warm water before adding the perfumed bubble bath I know she loves. When it’s ready, I stand and take a steady breath, trying to calm the anger that I know will only be dampened by the flames of violence.
Not tonight.
Tonight is all about Bella.
She’s where I left her on the side of the bed, her hands gripping the edge and her hair hanging limply past her shoulders as she stares with unfocused eyes at a spot on the carpet.