He breaks out into a run, and as we tear down the path, I ask, “Where is the fucker?”
When she doesn’t answer, I roar, “Valentina!”
“The pool,” she whimpers so softly I barely make out the words. “Shhhh….”
As I rush toward the SUV, Nico opens the doors and darts around the front to jump in behind the steering wheel. I dive into the passenger seat while Remo gets into the back.
“Valentina’s place! Fucking fast.”
Nico starts the engine and floors the gas, the wheels screeching as he tears down the driveway.
“Five minutes, Valentina. I’m coming.”
“Where are you?” I hear Will call out in the background. “I promise I won’t hurt you again. Come out so we can talk about this.”
“Stay right where you are,” I order, my voice filled with rage.
My muscles lock in place as Nico takes a turn so fucking sharp the SUV fishtails before it jerks back into place.
Just as he steers the SUV onto the front lawn of Valentina’s mansion, my sister screams, and the kids begin to cry.
“Got you,” I hear Will sneer, and the darkness consumes me completely.
Throwing the door open, I drop my phone and run as fast as I can around the side of the house. When I see the fucker dragging my sister by her hair toward the pool, my vision tunnels on him.
Too late, Will notices me, and as his eyes go round with fear, my body hits his. I tackle the fucker off his feet, and my fist connects with his face before he even hits the ground. The sound of his jawbone cracking feeds the monster in me, and I punch him twice more. The weak bastard loses consciousness, and I let out a frustrated growl as I climb to my feet.
Seeing the kids’ wide and traumatized eyes, I breathe hard as I say, “We’re just playing.” My eyes snap to Remo, who has his arm around Valentina’s shoulders. Then I see the red marks around her throat.
My voice sounds unnatural as I order, “Take them into the house and have them pack a few things, then get them out of here.”
“I’ll call Hugo to come so he can take you home,” Nico tells Remo.
Valentina looks at the man she married as Remo picks up the kids, and when he carries them away, she comes closer.
The fucker begins to regain consciousness, and when his eyes focus on her, she whispers, “Bye, Will. I’ll lie to the kids and tell them you were a good man.”
Valentina knows there’s only one outcome to this scenario. Her eyes touch on mine, and when I lift my hand to brush a thumb over the red blemishes, a tear rolls down her cheek.
“Thank you for coming so quickly,” she whispers, her face crumbling under whatever hell Will made her endure.
“We’ll talk later,” I say, while tipping my head toward the house.
She turns away and walks toward the open French doors where Remo is waiting.
Looking at the man I’ve never liked, I order, “Get up.”
“Please don’t kill me,” he begs, his pathetic tone annoying the living fuck out of me.
I reach down, and grabbing hold of his collar, I yank him to his feet. The fabric of his shirt rips, and when I shove him forward, he stumbles a couple of steps before catching his balance.
I notice his entire body shaking with fear as he walks toward the side of the mansion. I glance up, and seeing Asher standing by a window, I growl, “Wave goodbye to your son.”
Will lifts his hand, and when he stops walking, I place my arm around his shoulders, forcing him forward. As we round the corner of the mansion, I say, “Once Valentina has recovered from the hell of being your wife, I’ll arrange for her to marry Remo. He will adopt your children, and they will call him Dad. I’ll make sure everyone forgets you ever existed.”
“Please,” he begs again, his voice trembling severely.
Reaching the SUV, I shove him into the back seat and join him while Nico gets in behind the steering wheel.
