Holy shit, he really didn’t pull that hit.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” he barks.
“The Mafia Matchmaker ensures everyone gets something out of a match. The participants and their families, instead of women being sold to men who will treat them like a baby factory,” I spit. I shouldn’t provoke him, but I can’t help it.
Arranged marriage in the Mafia always had women losing, and I’m so lucky Cruz never wanted that life for me before the service started, and even then he gave me a choice.
My family always gave me a choice, but not every Mafia princess is so lucky.
I wouldn’t have been that lucky if Dad were still alive. He would have sold me to the highest bidder without a single thought for whether it was in my best interest.
I don’t take for granted that Cruz killed him before it could come to that.
“You know, I’ve approached your brother for your hand several times, and you know what he said each time?” Grant seethes.
I shake my head. I can guess, but I’ve already pushed too hard.
“He said that you were free to make your own choices. And then what did you do? You went ahead and signed up for the matchmaker anyway.”
“And that was my choice,” I whisper.
Trying to reason with a madman is pointless, and when I meet Laken’s gaze again and notice the bruising across her cheek, I realize she’s been in this same position.
Jay calls from somewhere down the hallway we just walked down, and Grant takes the time to double-check our restraints before leveling us with a hard stare.
“No chatting. If I hear either of your voices, you’ll both be drugged until we get you to Dallas.”
He leaves before I can ask what the hell we’d be doing in Dallas, but I don’t need to ask because he’s already told us.
That’s where the next girl is.
FIFTY-THREE
COLTEN
The idea of Lexi ever hurting has always broken me out into a cold sweat. As if somehow her pain is linked to mine, no matter how far-fetched that might seem.
But when she’s in danger? Every cell in my body is screaming, begging me to bring the other part of my soul back.
Because that’s what she is. What she’s always been.
I have no idea how I ever thought I could watch her love someone else, but now I won’t have to, because I will bring her home, and I’ll never let her out of my sight again.
My fingers fly over the keyboard, following the bouncing ball through servers and databases, blasting through firewalls like it’s what I was put on this planet to do.
But the reality is, I was only put on the earth for one thing.
To love Lexi.
Cruz barks orders into his phone on the other side of the room, occasionally softening when Pancake weaves through his legs, staring up at him through big green eyes until he inevitably relents and gives her a pat.
I had no idea cats were so aware of strong emotions. People always speak of dogs being emotionally intelligent, but from the way Pancake moves from the couch where Riley and Mary speakin hushed whispers to me and Cruz, I’d argue that cats are just as aware.
A small, manicured hand appears on the desk, just an inch from where mine rests on the keyboard.
I blink up at Riley, worry etched into her brow.
“Do you need anything? I haven’t seen you stop since we got here.”
