Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 85834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Before he can lift her to safety, Nina is there to grab Simi, sobs bursting over her lips.
“My heart,” she cries, the sound heartbreaking as Dad and my friends haul my ass to safety.
“Ma-ma,” the little girl hick-ups through her tears.
As I drop to the floor and Dad wraps his arms around me, my eyes lock on Nina.
She takes one look at all the men, and as she spins around to run away, I shout, “Stop her! She’s coming with us.”
Santino moves fast. When he grabs hold of Nina, she lets out another harrowing scream, and it has me forcing my exhausted body to move.
Dad helps me to my feet, then he growls, “Fuck, son. We need to get you to a hospital.”
“I’m fine.” My eyes flick to his, so he can see I mean it, then I focus on Nina again and limp closer to her. “It’s going to be okay. You’re coming with me.”
She yanks her arm free from Santino’s hold and shakes her head wildly, looking like a cornered animal.
I tip my head at Simi, who’s the spitting image of her mother, then say, “You need to calm down for your daughter’s sake.”
Nina’s tears dry up instantly, and as her face grows even paler, she looks at me as if I’m the one who betrayed her.
“Grounds are secured,” Lorenzo, Augusto’s guard, shouts from the first floor.
“There’s no sign of Boris,” I hear Atanas Petkov growl angrily.
Glancing over the banister, I see the head of the Bulgarian mafia and his men, fully armed.
Not wanting to hang around a second longer than needed, and knowing Nina isn’t thinking rationally because of the rape and watching her daughter almost die, I turn my attention back to her and say, “You’re coming with me, Nina, even if I have to carry you out of here.”
When Santino takes hold of her arm again, she jerks hard, and it has me ordering, “Let go of her. She’ll come on her own.” Nina’s eyes dart to mine, and I tilt my head as I ask, “Right?”
She quickly nods and takes a step away from Santino.
I hold my hand out to her and gesture with a curl of my fingers for her to come to me.
Still looking wild and out of it, she slowly inches closer.
“No one is going to hurt you,” I say, hoping the words sink in. Noticing the scared expression on the girl’s face, I switch to Bulgarian and smile at her. “You’re safe now, little one.”
“Mama…” The mini version of Nina gives me a curious look. “Why is he so dirty and bloody? I thought he would be clean and have a sword.”
“Shh…” Nina’s hand trembles terribly as she places her palm against Simi’s cheek. Her voice is hoarse and filled with fear as she tries to smile and look brave for her child. “We’re going on a little adventure. Okay?”
“Tell Santino where Simi’s room is so my men can get her belongings.”
Nina’s eyes snap to me, and even though she gives me a pleading look, she says, “On the third floor. The one by the bodies.”
Santino gives orders over a radio, and once he’s done, I lock eyes with him. “Go to the basement. The first room is Nina’s. Bring everything.”
“There’s no time for this,” Dad snaps. “You need medical care right now.”
“Nina will patch me up at the hotel,” I mutter as I gently place my hand on her side, nudging her toward the stairs.
She walks stiffly beside me, holding her daughter tightly. Simi’s eyes keep drifting all over my face, and when I meet her big brown eyes, a hopeful smile curves her mouth.
I return the smile, then wink at her.
She scrunches her nose. “You stink.”
“We have to keep quiet, my sweet one,” Nina whispers.
“She’s just being honest, Mama,” I say with a chuckle. “Let her be.”
Nina gives me a surprised look, but it disappears as quickly as it came when we reach the front door.
Atanas glances at Nina and Simi before meeting my eyes. “Christ, you look like shit.”
“I’ve been better.”
“After you were taken, I moved Raya and your men to my place. I hope you don’t mind.” The instant my expression darkens, he lets out a chuckle. “Don’t stress. I didn’t touch her.”
“Raya is safe,” Dad says to set my mind at ease. “Atanas has been a great help, letting us all stay with him.”
Feeling less worried, I give Atanas a grateful look, and knowing my sister is okay, my thoughts instantly turn back to Nina.
The memory of Anton forcing himself on her shudders through me, and I growl, “I want to see all the bodies.”
“Why?” Dad asks.
“I’m looking for a specific man.”
Nina stiffens even more beside me.
Atanas gives me a questioning look. “Who?”
“Anton.” I search my memory, then add, “Belinski.”
“He isn’t here,” Atanas assures me. “I already checked the dead, hoping to find Boris.”