I frown at Elio as he watches me drink, not understanding his change in expression. But it’s soon wiped away as he heaves a little sigh, studying me. “So,” he says, casual. “You knew our little Cristian growing up, did you?” “Yes,” I say, holding my mug tight in my hands, wondering where the tra
“That’s right, little slut,” he murmurs, groping me with abandon while he holds me tight. “This is how you should be anyway – not some jumped up little donna who caught my little brother in some kind of sexual haze – just a pretty face, here to do whatever I want her to do –“ I moan in fear and mo
I gasp suddenly awake, my heart pounding, sitting up fast in my bed. Immediately, I realize that that was a mistake as a wave of nausea courses through me and my head spins, aching more than it ever has in my life. I groan, my whole body shaking suddenly with shivers as my stomach clenches. I
I grab for the handle, twisting, pulling the door open – But it hits on something. A deadlock. I twist again, pulling hard, but it doesn’t budge. And I cry out, bending down, trying to fiddle with the lock but it doesn’t give – doesn’t move. I’m still wondering what happened to it when the rea
After a few long minutes of Frankie quietly stroking my back while I cry myself out, I lift up my head and sniff, breathing easier, still not okay but…pulling myself back together. “How are you feeling?” he asks quietly, loosening his arms so I can stand up straighter as I sniff. “Um,” I say, ra
And then further back – his father, Tony, and Lorenzo – with Frankie’s bullets in their heads at Christian’s order. And perhaps these deaths were not completely for threatening my safety, but at least in part, under the full knowledge that they were coming after us – that they wouldn’t let us live.
Frankie moves quickly, pulling me through the bedroom to the closet, and I immediately cede him control. “Get dressed,” he murmurs to me, dropping my hand and moving for the door, quickly flicking the lock. “Fast. Put on…whatever, Iris. Something warm. And shoes.” I do as he says, stepping into Ch
And Frankie, if he gets caught stealing me from beneath Christian’s nose…god, but Christian will kill him. He’ll absolutely kill him. My hands begin to shake. “No going back, Bambs,” Frankie says, taking my chin sharply in his hand. “We already decided. Yes?” “Yes,” I whisper, realizing the