“Because they won’t shut up about you.”
Voices echo from somewhere beyond the door. They’re slightly muffled, but I can hear their laughter, the boots thudding against hard concrete as they shuffle across the concrete.
Antonia leans in closer. “They aren’t happy that you ran away.”
My stomach drops. “But I didn’t run… I was just coming to celebrate my friend's vow renewal—”
She cuts me off. “In their eyes, that means nothing. Now you’re special to them—a challenging prize.”
“What do you mean?”
She tucks her head into her knees. “It doesn’t matter. Once that plane takes off, we’re all dead.”
“Why are you here?” I ask.
She lifts her chin. “Wrong place. Wrong time. I thought it was because of who my brother is, but I quickly realized that they’ll take anyone that’s got tits and is pretty.”
I frown. “Who’s your brother?”
“He rides with the Fratellanza dei Demoni MC. His road name is Ombra. It means the shadow.”
Antonia sees a flicker of recognition in my eyes.
“You know of him?”
I shake my head. “No, but I have a biker of my own. His name is Krampus.”
She smiles. “That’s good.” Lifting her head again, she presses it against the wall, voice riddled with pain.
“If he’s anything like my brother, he’ll come,” she says with quiet certainty. “They always do.”
Before I can respond, we hear footsteps approaching, then the squeal of the rusty door’s hinges as it’s slowly opened.
Light filters in, blinding us all.
Rico steps into the light first, clapping lazily like we’ve put on a performance just for him. His suit is immaculate, as always, like filth can’t touch him no matter how deep he wades.
Moseley follows closely behind him, hands clasped behind his back, his smile thin and smug.
“We got her, Rico. Just as I promised. A fresh delivery right as the bell strikes midnight.”
Rico grins.
“You’re officially mine now, bitch.”
My blood turns to ice.
His eyes rake over Antonia, studying her with a strange fascination that makes my skin crawl.
“Well,” Rico drawls. “Look at this beauty. You’ve done well, Moseley. Not only have you brought me my property but also an appetizer for me to feast on.
“Careful,” she says coolly. “You’re not my type.”
Rico laughs. “I like her.” Then his eyes darken. “How much for the feisty one?”
Moseley shakes his head. “That one’s not for sale.”
Rico whips around without warning, digging his gun into Moseley’s fat, double chin. “And why not?”
