“Which way?” he clipped out.
“How the hell should I know—”
“Not you, Mandy.” Vincenzo shot me a look. I realized he was speaking into a wireless headphone and rolled my eyes.
“Got it.” Vincenzo tugged me to the stairwell, pushed through the door, and began to climb.
“What the hell is going on?” I hissed.
“We’ve been followed.”
My stomach dropped. The warm food in my hand no longer smelled appetizing. It made me feel sick.
“Who?” I demanded as we paused on the third landing.
“Just a second.” Vincenzo tipped his head, nodded once, then approached the thick door. The security box blinked green a moment later. He pushed through the door. Below, the sound of the stairwell entrance clanged with a brutal shove.
The door fell shut.
The security box on this side flicked to red.
It seemed…magical. But clearly, Vincenzo had backup supporting him from a distance. I didn’t have the energy to ask. It was all that I could do to breathe.
None of the overhead lights were on, and the office rooms were empty. This place was waiting to be rented. Vincenzo took us to the furthest office, ushered me inside, and then stood waiting behind the glass door.
“They can’t get in,” he said, speaking to me. “We’ll be safe until it’s dealt with.”
Dealt with….
I arched a brow. He caught the silent demand and sighed.
“Your dad sent some of hisfriendsto collect you.”
That statement sent me stumbling. Vincenzo reached out to catch me, but I backed away, going to the wall. I braced myself against the sturdy structure.
“Sent people? Who?” I gasped.
“Mercenaries. We’ve been monitoring him, and my guys just cracked the encrypted transaction.” Vincenzo shifted, casting a quick glance down the hall before refocusing on me. “They were hired to transport you abroad.”
“You’re joking.” I gripped the wall, squishing the sandwich. “Why? Why would he do that?”
“I’m not. I’ll show you the transaction,” Vincenzo growled. “But that doesn’t matter. You’re safe, Mandy. I’m not letting them take you.”
Take me.
Kidnapme.
“Why?” I croaked. My knees gave out, and I slid down to the floor. “He hasn’t called. He said—he said I had time.”
Vincenzo studied me. Something shifted in his hard black gaze, and then he crossed the few feet and crouched in front of me.
“It’s not going to happen.” He peeled the squished sandwich from my fingers, tossed it to the side, then wiped my hand on his thigh. “Boston is my city.”
I shook my head.
“You, Mandy, are my woman.” He placed his hands on my knees, rubbing away the chill that was determined to freeze me.
Not here!I was not having a panic attack. But fighting the oncoming disaster took everything I had. I forced my lungs to expand. Then release. Vincenzo was right there. I let him ground me.
