Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 132498 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132498 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
My breath tears in my throat. “Lorenzo.” My voice cracks, but I don’t even care.
That gets his attention, because Lorenzo’s head snaps toward me. His gaze finds mine but then drops to my bound wrists.
Something in his expression shifts. Nico is no longer important. I’m the only thing he sees.
He crosses the room in three strides. Then, before I know what’s happening, he’s kneeling in front of me. His hands hover near my wrists.
His voice comes out low, rough. “He did this to you?”
I stare at him, blinking hard, because my eyes are burning, and my throat is closing, and I don’t know if I’m hallucinating.
“Are you—” My voice breaks. “You’re here?”
Lorenzo’s jaw clenches. His hands close around the zip tie, fingers steady despite the blood on his knuckles. “Of course I am.”
He grabs a knife from his pocket, and a moment later, the plastic snaps with a sharp pop.
Relief floods me as my hands regain sensation.
He tosses the broken tie, then takes my wrists gently.
My breath catches on a sob.
Lorenzo’s eyes sweep over me. First over my face, then down my body. He’s checking for injuries.
I shake my head quickly. “I’m—I’m okay.”
My hands tremble as I flex my fingers.
Lorenzo’s thumb brushes the red indentations on my skin, and the small tenderness of it nearly breaks me.
“Victoria.”
I don’t answer with words.
I collapse forward.
My body pitches into him, and his arms wrap around me. He’s got me. Always.
I sob.
It’s ugly and loud.
And I don’t care.
Because he has me.
And that is enough.
Behind us, Nico groans, but I don’t care. I’m exactly where I need to be right now, in Lorenzo’s arms.
Lorenzo’s arm tightens around me, protective and possessive. I love it.
Nico coughs out a laugh that sounds pained. “She deserved better.”
Lorenzo finally lifts his head, eyes hard as rocks. “And you thought keeping her chained up was better?”
Nico spits blood onto the floor, panting. “I got her away from you.”
Lorenzo’s mouth curls, ugly. “You kidnapped my wife.”
The word hits the air like a gunshot.
His voice booms so loud that my breath catches. Nico’s eyes widen, and for one terrifying second, I think he will erupt.
“You were supposed to guard her. Protect her.”
Nico’s face twists with anger. “You forced her into this.”
Lorenzo laughs. “Does it look like I can force her to do anything?”
Nico drags himself farther away from us. “I was trying to protect her.”
“Then congratulations, you failed.”
He shifts me gently to the side, guiding me back against the cushion.
“Time to go home,” he whispers against my lips.
I nod too quickly. “I’m not leaving your side.”
“Damn right, you aren’t.”
He turns back to Nico, crouching down so they’re eye level.
“Why did you take her? Who put you up to it?”
It’s only then that I realize he doesn’t know.
“Grant. It was Grant,” I tell him.
Lorenzo turns to Nico, jaw locked tight. “Where is Grant?” he grits out. His voice is so deep and low that a shiver runs up my spine.
Nico’s lips press together.
Lorenzo tilts his head. “We can do this nicely.”
Nico scoffs. “You don’t do nice.”
Lorenzo’s mouth twitches. “I do nice. I’m doing nice right now. I haven’t even broken anything yet.”
Nico swallows.
Lorenzo’s gaze sharpens. “Where. Is. Grant?”
Nico’s eyes dart to me.
Lorenzo follows the glance, and his expression turns darker. “Don’t look at her. Look at me. I’m the problem you created.”
Nico’s voice cracks. “He left. An hour ago. He said he had to make calls. He—”
Lorenzo’s laugh is soft, humorless. “Of course he did.”
I wipe my face with shaky hands, trying to get air. My throat burns.
“Why did he take her?” Lorenzo asks.
Nico looks over at me. “He said she was his. That she loved him, and that you stole her. That—”
“Shut up,” Lorenzo snaps. “I don’t need to hear any more of this bullshit.”
Lorenzo’s gaze holds mine, steadying me without touching. “I’m here. And you’re mine. And no one will take you from me again.”
“You mean it?” I whisper.
“Of course I do.” His voice drops into something raw. “There’s no version of this life where I survive without you.”
My lips part, but no sound comes out.
“Later,” Lorenzo says softly to me. He knows me well enough to know it’s all too much right now.
He straightens, rolling his shoulders back before he turns to the door. It’s only then that I notice Rafe is there.
Rafe steps farther into the cottage, eyes flicking over me quickly. Relief flashes on his face when he sees I’m fine, then his gaze cuts to Nico with absolute disgust.
“Tie him up,” Lorenzo tells Rafe.
“With pleasure.”
Nico’s eyes widen. “Lorenzo—”
Lorenzo ignores him, already reaching his hand out to help me up, but before I stand, he wipes a tear from my face.
“You okay?” The question comes out rough, but I know he’s not angry with me. He’s angry at the situation.
I nod once, then shake my head, then nod again because my body can’t decide between honesty and survival.