The entire flight, Sabrina racked her brain about her best options. Knuckles had tossed her suitcase in the back of the cabin, and it was completely out of reach. The key to the lock box which held her gun sat in her jacket pocket. As long as they didn’t search her suitcase, she had access to a weapon. But would she have an opportunity to get to it? And just how stupid were they?
Hell, she hoped incredibly stupid.
Unfortunately, they never gave her the opportunity she needed. Even when she’d asked to use the bathroom, Bling stuck to her like glue, standing guard outside the door.
Following what felt like the longest flight of her life, the thugs took Sabrina to a high-walled compound in the desert. Rocco must’ve fled for safer quarters after they’d breached his penthouse at The Starlight. Unless he’d never been there in the first place.
Now, Sabrina stood in front of Rocco Ferrante in his office. The mob king wore an expensive suit and a smug expression on his too-tan face. Unlike his overweight, older brother Donato, Rocco looked fit and was much more attractive. Well, if you liked evil personified. And she certainly did not.
“Agent Ross.” Her name rolled off his tongue like a snake’s soft, yet deadly, hiss. “It’s so nice to finally make your acquaintance.”
“I’m sure,” she responded, voice dry, somewhat acidic, and hopefully very antagonizing.
“My plan always centered on getting to you. Taking Knight’s daughter was a distraction, something to keep them occupied while a team came for you. Except you went with them. I wasn’t counting on that, but everything worked out. And killing that little girl wouldn’t have given me the satisfaction I’m going to have with you.”
An ice-cold trickle of dread crept down her spine.He’s just trying to scare me.Pushing her shoulders back, she met his dark eyes. So empty and flat. A killer’s eyes.
“You see, Agent Ross,” he practically cooed, “while dear Emma was merely a trinket, you are a prize. Because you’re going to tell me everything I want to know. Give me all the information I need to get the FBI off my ass. I want to rule my empire without their constant harassment.” He stepped closer—close enough for her to smell his obnoxious cologne—and she willed herself not to shrink away. “You’re also going to give me the name of the bastard who killed my brother so I know exactly whose balls I’m going to cut off and grind up in my sink’s disposal.”
“I don’t know who—”
“Then I’ll kill them all!” he shouted. Immediately regrouping, he smoothed his hands down his suit jacket and stepped back with a low chuckle. “Either way, we’re going to have so much fun together, Agent Ross.”
Yeah, she didn’t think so.
“Take her to the bunker,” Ferrante ordered. “See you soon, Agent Ross.”
Biting her tongue, she steeled herself when Knuckles and Bling each grabbed an arm and hauled her out of the room.Doing her best to appear stoic and unafraid, she hurried along, preventing them from dragging her. Even though they probably would’ve enjoyed it thoroughly.
When they reached the back door, they pushed through it and led her outside.
Blinking against the bright Las Vegas sunshine, she walked forward, her boots kicking up sand as they trudged forward past cacti, succulents, and pavers making up the desert chic landscape. A big, ugly concrete wall circled the entire property. Once they reached the middle of the yard, the men stopped.
Beside a large boulder, she barely discerned the edges of a hidden door in the ground. Painted tan, it blended right into the rest of the yard’s warm earth tones. Knuckles leaned over and hoisted it open. “Go!” he ordered.
Sabrina hesitated, staring down into the yawning darkness. A horrible feeling consumed her.
If you go down there, you won’t ever come up again. At least, not alive.
Sidestepping the pit to hell, she made a break for it. Yeah, she had no exact plan, but her fight or flight kicked in hardcore, and she bolted for the edge of the property. She’d always been fast, and she reached the concrete wall quickly, lifted her arms high over her head and whipped them down. The duct tape snapped and she was reaching up for a handhold when a hand yanked her backward.
She hit the ground hard and let out an “Oomph!” Her ass was still vibrating from the impact when Knuckles dragged her up onto her tiptoes, bringing her eye to eye with him.
“There’s no way out for you,Agent Ross,” he sneered. “It’s over.”
Before she could respond, Bling struck the side of her head with the cold barrel of his gun. The force of the impact caughther off guard, and her world spun before descending into darkness.
Chapter seventeen
With a groan, Sabrina’s eyes fluttered open. Blinking against the harsh light suspended above her, she took stock of her current situation. She was flat on her back on some kind of table, her hands and legs bound. Panic flared and she pulled at the restraints, but they didn’t budge.
“Ah, it’s about time you woke up.” Rocco Ferrante stepped from the shadows. “We have much to talk about.”
Digging deep, she speared him with an unflinching look. She had to keep up the forced bravado, or she’d crumble. “I don’t know anything,” she croaked, her throat dry.
“Don’t lie to me!” he barked. “Give me the name of the person responsible for Donato’s death.”
Pressing her lips together, refusing to tell him anything, she tugged again at the straps holding her. They didn’t loosen even a fraction.
