Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 102833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
My time is limited, so I go straight to the texts so I can try to send my location to Matteo since I have his number memorized, but as I click on the app, a new text comes in.
Hillary: Our deal was that I seduce Lorenzo to get you info. I did that. Our deal is done.
My stomach sinks. I’m saddened that the woman my brother loves is as fake as my husband. But I don’t have time to dwell on that. Right now, I need to save my life. I’ll deal with her later.
I type in Matteo’s number and then click the plus sign so I can find the Location option to send a pin of where I am when the door swings open and Henry stalks out.
The moment he spots his phone in my hand, he cuts across the room and wraps his fingers around my throat, pushing me back until my head hits the wall so hard that I go dizzy.
“You think you’re fucking smart?” he spits, tightening his hold on my neck and cutting off my air supply. “You’re a dumb fucking Russo!”
He slaps me across the face, and I drop the phone out of my hand.
“And now, you’re about to be a dead Russo.”
He didn’t kill me.
He choked me.
Raped me.
Beat me.
But he didn’t kill me.
As I lie in bed, alone and sore, I kind of wish he had.
11
Matteo
Little Russo: What do you think is the purpose of life?
I stare at the screen and know that something bad has happened. Something worse than her being raped. The only time people contemplate the purpose of life is when they’re questioning if they want to continue to live it.
I’m just about to type back when a guard calls out my name.
“Let’s go. You’ve made bail.” Then, he glances at Lorenzo. “And, you, come grab this.”
It’s a phone.
Shit, that means Dominick couldn’t get Lorenzo out yet.
“You have to go,” Lorenzo says. “You need to find my sister, please. I’ll be okay.”
“You have my number. I’m going to do everything I can to bribe the guards to keep you safe, but if it gets bad, you need to fight back, lash out, and get thrown into isolation.”
He swallows thickly and nods.
Lorenzo is a lot of things—a smart businessman, a loyal best friend, a romantic with a heart that’s too big for his own good—but he’s not a survivor. He’s never had to be because he’s always had me.
I glance at the gate, torn between staying and protecting my best friend or getting out to find Daniella, when the sound of my phone getting a text beeps in my ear, and I hit play.
Little Russo: If I don’t make it, can you please tell my brother that I love him and I’m sorry for bringing Henry into our lives?
And with those words, my mind is made up. I need to find Daniella and save her because there’s not a world that Lorenzo would want to live in where I chose to save him over his sister.
Me: Hang in there. I’m coming for you.
I go through the release process and change into the clothes Dominick brought me and then head out to find him waiting for me.
“What about Lorenzo?”
He shakes his head. “Our new attorney, Kevin, is working on it. You had to surrender your passport to make bail, and I had to pay a hefty fee, but at least you’re out. I can’t figure this shit out on my own. I have Peyton and the babies.”
“It’s fine,” I tell him. “I appreciate you getting me out. I’m just worried about Lorenzo. Whoever this fucker is, he’s worked overtime to pay off several inmates to go after him.”
Dominick curses under his breath. “We’ll get him out. But for now, let’s focus on finding his sister.”
We walk out of the jail and into his awaiting car. Fernando, his driver, is sitting in the front seat, and when we get in, he smiles at me.
“Good to have you back.”
“Thanks.” I ask Dominick, “So, what do we know?” getting straight to the point since time is of the essence.
“Not much,” he admits. “Henry obviously doesn’t exist, but we don’t know who he really is since he’s disappeared with Daniella and not left a single breadcrumb. I haven’t been able to question Michael since we don’t want to risk alerting him that we know he’s been compromised. And the list of enemies is a mile long. Any of them could have a son who’s looking for revenge.”
He sighs. “And … while you were out, two of our shipments got hit, and four of the businesses were vandalized—I don’t know if the two are connected—and”—he swallows thickly, and I know whatever he’s about to say is going to piss me off—“Lucian’s Gym was shut down.”
“Are you fucking serious?” I bark, the inside of the car suddenly feeling really damn small.