The front door rattles lightly, most likely from a gust of wind.
My hands shake as I resume sawing the zip tie. I need my hands. I need control. I need—
The zip tie doesn’t budge. My shoulders sag in pain.
Maybe this is it.
A crash hits.
Sharp.
Loud.
Nico’s head jerks up, every muscle snapping taut. His hand goes to his waistband in one fluid motion.
My heart slams against my ribs.
Another sound . . .
This time, it’s footsteps. Heavy. Fast.
Nico heads toward the door, gun drawn, eyes hard. “Stay here.”
Then the front door explodes.
The entire frame splinters inward with a violent crack that shakes the cottage.
I scream.
Nico’s gun lifs—
A figure storms through the broken doorway like the devil himself.
I know exactly who it is.
Lorenzo.
For one second, the world stops.
Nico’s gun is pointed at Lorenzo. Lorenzo’s gaze locks on Nico. And something in Lorenzo’s eyes goes feral.
He moves before Nico can even think to pull the trigger.
Lorenzo slams into Nico, driving him backward like a battering ram. The gun flies from Nico’s hand, skittering across the floor. They both crash into the wall. Nico grunts, trying to swing at Lorenzo, but he’s too fast. Lorenzo’s fist connects with Nico’s jaw first, and the hit must have been hard because Nico’s head snaps sideways.
Nico stumbles, and Lorenzo catches him by the collar and drives him down to the floor with a savage shove. Then Lorenzo is on him again, this time with a boot to Nico’s throat.
My breath tears in my throat. “Lorenzo.” My voice cracks, but I don’t even care.
That gets his attention, because Lorenzo’s head snaps toward me. His gaze finds mine but then drops to my bound wrists.
Something in his expression shifts. Nico is no longer important. I’m the only thing he sees.
He crosses the room in three strides. Then, before I know what’s happening, he’s kneeling in front of me. His hands hover near my wrists.
His voice comes out low, rough. “He did this to you?”
I stare at him, blinking hard, because my eyes are burning, and my throat is closing, and I don’t know if I’m hallucinating.
