Chapter 27Eden(After she was captured…again…)Lying on the floor, I struggle to keep my eyes open.My head hurts so much. I’m cold.Through blurring vision, I see Milania crying. The other’s just stare at random spots, no life on their faces.I was so close to escaping.That might’ve been my only chance.I feel a needle prick my skin, and seconds later, my pain starts to fade.No. I’d rather take the pain.I blink and blink as the drugs rush through my system. Time warps, and everything feels upside down. My mind grows fuzzy until it feels like I’m floating.When it looks like the beds are moving across the floor before jerking back into position, I frown because it’s weird.Something crawls over me, and I try to rub it off, but moving is difficult as if I’m restrained.I’m tied up again. No!I struggle, but I can’t free myself, and more bugs are crawling over me. I scream and fight the restraints, then suddenly, the restraints are gone,and Mandy’s sitting in front of me, brushing
Chapter 28DarioI’ve just spent the last few hours impatiently waiting for the doctor to do all kinds of tests on Eden. His biggest worry was the knocks she took to her head.He wants to keep her overnight for observation because she has a concussion. She was allowed to take a warm shower, and dressed in a hospital gown, she’s finally in bed with warm blankets covering her.Sitting on the side of the bed, I keep staring at the bruises on her face. She has a busted lip, a purple shadow over her jaw, and a cut above her eye that’s all the colors of the rainbow.She looks at me with confusion in her eyes, but she hasn’t asked any questions.“Renzo went to get Tyrone. They’ll be here soon,” I mention. “Thanks,” she whispers, her gaze not leaving my face.She takes a deep breath then chuckles. “So, what are you? A spy or some CIA agent?”I shake my head. “The opposite.”Her eyebrows start to lift, but she stops when it tugs at the cut on her forehead.“The opposite?” Her gaze darts over m
Chapter 29EdenI hear Dario’s voice as he calls Esmerelda to let her know about Tyrone so she can get a room ready for him.I didn’t even argue when Dario said we’d be staying with him.Why?I’m still trying to find the answer when he comes back into the room.Snuggled beneath the covers, I watch as he sits down on the armchair and removes his boots. Standing up, he pulls the two guns from behind his back. I’d forgotten they were tucked into his waistband.He places them on the bedside table, and leaning over me, he presses a kiss to my temple, while whispering, “Move up, Tesoro.”I scoot back and lift the covers so he can climb beneath them. When he lies down, he wraps an arm around me and positions my body half over his.Melting into the feel of his warmth, I let out a sigh. This is why I didn’t argue about staying with him. I feel safe and loved.He keeps giving me gentle hugs and pressing kisses against my hair. “Want to talk?” he whispers.“Yeah.” I rub my good cheek against his
Chapter 30DarioAfter Eden falls asleep, I lay her down on the bed and cover her with the blanket.I quickly go to my office and place my weapons in the cabinet. Grabbing my laptop, I head back to the bedroom so I can watch over Eden while I work.Careful not to wake her, I get comfortable on my side of the bed and open the device.I have just as much interest in finding Miguel as Damiano has.I have a couple of photos of the man, and uploading them all to my facial recognition app, I start the search for him.Opening another program, I go into the dark web, offering a reward of one million dollars for whoever has information on the whereabouts of Miguel.Done with that, I enter chat rooms and search for code words that drug dealers like to use. I spend the next couple of hours, sifting through shit, but I don’t find anything we can use to our advantage.Knowing Damiano will want an update, I dig my cell phone out of my pocket and send him a message.Busy searching for Miguel. Will u
Chapter 31EdenIt feels like all I’ve done since Dario rescued me is sleep and eat.I’m lying on the bed, staring up at the ceiling while Dario’s working. At first, I tried to take an interest in what he was doing, but that shit’s so far over my head I quickly gave up.Suddenly, it hits me like a lightning bolt that I haven’t called Sylvia, and I shoot upright into a sitting position. “Shit!”The laptop almost flies off Dario’s lap as he shoves it aside, and a second later, his arm’s wrapped around my shoulder.“What? Are you in pain?”“I didn’t call my boss. She’s going to fire my ass.”Shit, I lost my phone when I was grabbed.Dario gets up and leaves the room, which has me calling after him, “Can I use your phone?”Less than a minute later, he comes back, and when I see my phone in his hand, I crawl to the edge of the bed, asking, “Is it charged?”“Yes.”He hands it to me, and I quickly dial the diner’s number. It takes a while before the call is answered.“Ben’s Burgers, how can
Chapter 32Dario“Dario,” Eden gasps, looking shocked out of her mind. “You call this meeting me in the middle?”I point at the phone and laptop. “You need those. Your phone is from the Middle Ages.”Tyrone lets out a chuckle, which earns him a scowl from Eden, then she gestures at the earrings and necklace set that I couldn’t resist getting for her.“I suppose you’re going to tell me I need those too?” she asks.I figured she'd be okay with them as long as she didn’t know they cost thirty-eight thousand dollars.“No, I got them because they’ll look beautiful on you,” I explain.“They sure are sparkly,” Tyrone adds his two cents. “Must’ve cost quite a bit.”“You’re not helping,” I mutter at him.“Hey, I’m on her side.” He points at Eden, who shakes her head while she waves a hand at the Louis Vuitton handbag.I shrug. “It’s just a handbag.”She waves her arm wildly over the Dolce & Gabanna wallet, theCartier watch, and Dior perfume.“I could’ve redone your entire wardrobe,” I say in
Chapter 33Eden“So you basically fired me,” I say, lifting my eyebrow at Dario, where he’s standing in the doorway of his office.“No. I got a replacement to work as a janitor at the ballet company because you need time to heal after the shit you went through.”“I’ve been off for a week. The bruises have faded a lot,” I argue. “Besides, I work the night shift where no one actually sees me. I can go back to work.”He walks closer to me, and taking a deep breath, he says, “I’m not referring to the bruises, Tesoro. You need to process everything that happened to you.”“I’m much better.” Taking hold of his hand, I grip it between both of mine. “Shit happened, and I’m moving on. You should, too.”His eyes narrow on my face. “We’re not talking about me.” His expression grows softer. “You killed a man and watched another woman die. You got drugged and beaten. You don’t have to be strong around me. I know it will take time.”God, I love this man.A smile forms around my lips. “Growing up in
Chapter 34DarioI managed to track down Miguel’s uncle and passed the information on to Damiano, who sent his men to capture him.While we’re waiting for them to return, I’m still searching for Miguel, who’s somewhere in South America.“You wanted to see me?” Tyrone asks.I glance over my shoulder and nod. “Come take a seat.”I wait for him to sit down, his eyes flicking over my system before settling on me.“I have a job offer for you,” I get right to the point. His eyebrow lifts. “Yeah?”“How would you feel about driving Eden around and being her bodyguard?”He doesn’t even think about the question. “I’d like to do that. Beats working construction.”“I’ll send you for defensive driving courses and weapons training.” This time, his eyebrows fly up. “Okay.”“Ever fired a gun?” I ask as I get up to grab a Glock from the cabinet where I keep all my weapons.“Yeah. I shot bottles and shit as a teenager.”Letting out a chuckle, I shake my head and sit down again. Taking the magazine out,
Chapter 40GabriellaI was allowed a very quick shower before a nurse tended to my wounds.I sit on the side of the hospital bed, and clench my jaw while I watch as Damiano talks with a doctor.I just want to be alone with my husband.Somehow, I manage to keep my expression neutral as I struggle to keep all my emotions from spiraling out of control.Finally, the nurse leaves, and I slip off the bed. Even though my feet are raw and ache from running barefoot through the damn woods, I walk to the window and pull the blinds shut.“I’ll take her home first thing tomorrow morning,” I hear Damiano tell the doctor while I gingerly move back to the bed.I brace my right hand on the white sheets and suck in a desperate breath of air.I hear the door shut, and I glance at Damiano to make sure we’re alone.I suck in another breath of air, then all the trauma I’ve been forced to endure shudders through my body.Damiano moves closer to me, and when his fingers wrap around the back of my neck, I ca
Chapter 39DamianoDirt shoots into the air as we come to a screeching stop in the lot at the front of the property. The house is medium-sized and looks like it hasn’t been painted in the last decade.There are a dozen armed men scattered around the property, and they open fire on the SUVS while they try to find cover against the sides of the house.I shove the door open and order, “Launch the fucking grenades!”Tommy sends a grenade flying into the side of the house where a group of men are taking cover, and bodies fly into the air.Using the door as a shield, I open fire on the fuckers that are shooting from inside the house, and I have to reload the magazine before I’m able to move away from the SUV. With the submachine gun held in position, I run toward the house while shooting every fucking man I lay eyes on.My vision tunnels on the front door, and I riddle it with bullets before my body slams into the wood. It gives way easily, and I keep going, taking out target after target u
Chapter 38DamianoWith Mamma and the other women and children safe, we all focus on getting everything ready for the attack.Impatient as fuck, I glance at Dario, who hasn’t stopped working since I gave the order. “Do you know where Stefano is?”“His phone signal is bouncing off three towers. I have the area but not a precise location.”“Where?” I bark.“Somewhere near Manorville. Just over an hour away by car.”My phone buzzes, and I rip the device out of my pocket. Unlocking the screen there are more messages from Stefano.I haven’t tried to call him, because then I’d be playing straight into his hands.They’ve had Gabriella for twenty-four hours now, and I try to brace for the worst as I open the text.You’re quiet, cousin. I hope you don’t think you have any other option than to step down.I suck in a deep breath before pressing play on the attached video. It shows Gabriella still hanging from the ceiling by a rope.She must be in so much fucking pain.“Let’s get started,” the sa
Chapter 37GabriellaWhen I startle awake, my entire body aches so badly, I let out a gasp before groaning.Dio.They left me hanging overnight, and the room is freezing. The extreme chill in my body makes the pain so much worse.There’s complete silence as I glance around the room.Yesterday, I was too shocked by the attack and torture to take in anything.I see a metal table and various tools and knives. There’s also a stick with prongs, which they used to electrocute me with. The laptop is still on the table, and the camera’s pointed at me. It looks like I’m in a basement.Knowing I’m being recorded, I lift my head and school my face into an emotionless expression.What doesn’t break you makes you stronger.With nothing to do but think, my thoughts turn to the attack.Aunt Greta. Gerardo. Martha.Sorrow pours into my chest.Please let Aunt Greta be okay. Dio. I hope they got to her in time.When a lump forms in my throat, I try to swallow it down.Before I’m able to process my sorr
Chapter 36DamianoI’m standing in the armory with Angelo, Franco, Renzo, and Dario.Dario’s set up a working station for himself by my systems where he’s searching for anything that can help us find out who’s behind the attack.My phone starts ringing, and letting out a growl, I pull the device from my pocket.“What?” I snap.“The club,” Pippa, the manager of my club, says. Panic laces the words. “There was a car bomb, Mr. Falco. It blew the side wall away. We won’t be able to open.”“Motherfucking Christ,” I shout. “Deal with the shit. I’m busy.” “Yes, sir.”I end the call, and before I can throw my phone against the wall, Carlo grabs it from me.“We need the phone,” he reminds me. “In case the fucker calls.”The fucker, being the person who’s attacking me.I let him keep the phone as I stalk a few steps away before turning to face the men.“Who is behind the attacks?” I bark.“We took out Miguel’s entire family, but maybe it’s one of his men,” Angelo says.“No. The person knew wher
Chapter 35GabriellaMy body jerks as I regain consciousness. My shoulders strain, and rope bites into my wrists as I jerk again from being hauled into the air.A headache starts to pulse behind my temple, and when I crack my eyes open, I see a concrete floor beneath me.Shit.The memories of the attack pour through my mind.I remember the mansion shuddering from loud blasts. Gerardo falling.Aunt Greta gasping for air.Aunt Greta.Dio, I hope she survives the gunshot.I lift my head, and seeing two men in a room with me, horror ripples through me.One of them secures the rope so it will keep me hanging in the air.My shoes are gone, and the pencil dress I’m wearing is pulled up high on my thighs.Shit.“She’s awake,” one of the men mutters. “Get the boss.”Boss?My mind starts racing, flashes of the attack hitting me while I worry about what’s going to happen.I hope Mamma’s okay.Maybe Damiano found out about the attack, and he got to her in time.Damiano.Suddenly, Stefano walks in
Chapter 34DamianoCarlo lands the helicopter on top of the building, and I wait for him to switch everything off.“Who would attack the warehouse?” Carlo asks as he joins me“I have no fucking idea,” I mutter while sending Emilio a text demanding an update.Anger vibrates in my chest as we walk toward the elevator. When my phone vibrates, I read the message from Emilio.Three men dead. Nothing was taken. It’s weird. I don’t feel it’s safe for you to come here. Go to the club. I’ll meet you there.Letting out a sigh, I mutter, “We’re going to the club. Emilio will meet us there.”The news of the attack was unexpected. Sure, an enemy can crawl out of a fucking hole at any time, but usually, things are quiet over the festive season.We take the elevator down to the basement and head to the SUV, and soon, Carlo steers the vehicle in the direction of the club.A couple of blocks from our destination my phone starts ringing while it buzzes with message after message.“Jesus fucking Christ,
Chapter 33GabriellaWhile Martha carries the clothes between my old suite and Damiano’s room, Aunt Greta helps me pack everything into my side of the closet.Aunt Aida’s sitting on a chair we brought into the room for her, keeping us company.“Did you enjoy the wedding before Damiano dragged you away?” Aunt Aida asks.“Yes.” I let out a chuckle. “Thank you for everything you did to make it a perfect wedding, Aunt Greta.”“You’re welcome, cara.”“Oh, I just remembered,” Aunt Aida says. “You can call me mamma or mom. Whichever you prefer.”I stop what I’m doing and drop the hanger on the floor. “Really?”When she nods, I rush to her, and leaning down, I wrap her up in a hug. “Thank you.”“No need to thank me,” she chuckles as she pats my back. “We’re family now.”Letting go of her, I get back to work.Damiano comes into the closet, then glances over the clothes. “Is it all going to fit?”“Yes.” I shoot him a smile. “I’ll make it fit.”“You can always leave your summer clothes in the ot
Chapter 32DamianoWith every passing second, where the guests are drinking champagne and enjoying the reception, I grow more and more impatient for them to leave.“Stop scowling at everyone,” Gabriella whispers, where she’s sitting beside me.“How much longer?” I mutter.“We only get one wedding,” she says, “try to enjoy it.” “I am, but I also want to be alone with you.”She pats my chest and smiles at Samantha as she walks by the table.“You look stunning, Gabriella,” Samantha says, not even daring to look in my direction.“Thank you,” my bride accepts the compliment like the queen she is.Aunt Greta rushes toward us and says, “It’s time to open the dance floor.”“Dance floor?” I mutter. “No one said anything about dancing.” “Do it for me,” Gabriella whispers before standing up.Unable to refuse her anything, I climb to my feet and follow her to the middle of the floor.A song starts to play, and as I take Gabriella into my arms, I ask, “Which song did you pick?”“Anyone by Tommee P