“She’s unconscious, not dead,” Niccolò says, his gaze locked on Julianna’s bruised face.
“Same difference to me. Take her in the other room.” Dario’s eyes find mine and I shudder with disgust. “I need every available surface to play with my toy. I can’t wait to hear her scream.”
I’m going to be sick.
“Whatever you want.” Niccolò reaches for Julianna. I bite his hand, my mouth floods with a coppery tang. “Fuck! You bitch.” He backhands me so hard, I see stars.
“Hey!” Dario yells. “Careful with her pretty face.”
By the time my head stops spinning, Julianna’s gone and Dario has me by the upper arms. My back’s pressed to his chest. I struggle against him as I watch Niccolò carry Julianna into the adjoining room—a bedroom. He shuts the door.
No. I can’t let that happen to her. I can’t. She’s too young, too innocent.
Dario spins me around, his hold on my arm firm enough to leave a bruise. “I’m so glad you’re not a virgin—I don’t have patience for that shit. Can’t stand all the crying. Nah.” His lecherous gaze sweeps my body, making me feel dirty. “You’ve been thoroughly plowed. You know how to take cock.”
He shoves me down, face-first on the couch. I catch myself on my forearms and spin around to face him. He’s huge, so much larger and stronger than I am. If I’m going to take him down, I can’t fight him the same way a man would—face to face with punches. Or take too many hits. If he knocks me out, I’m screwed.
Go for the soft spots.
The vulnerable places. Crotch, throat, ears and eyes.
Dario leers down at me, slipping off his shoulder holster and gun. “Can’t risk you getting any violent ideas while we play.” He opens a desk drawer and drops his weapon inside. Followed by his cell phone and an extra magazine of bullets. Then he locks it. He pockets the key.
With the gun out of reach, I frantically scan the office for a weapon, anything I can use against him. Many objects perch on the book shelves, but I need something heavy. I have one chance at this, I can’t mess it up.
Dario comes around the desk, his gaze pinned on me. “Want to hear a secret? I’ve always wanted to fuck the boss’s wife,” he says.
But it’s Julianna’s sudden scream from the other room that spurs me into action.
CHAPTER 55
Maximo
Blake Baronflashes on my caller ID. I answer it as I continue to drive to the rendezvous location. “Yeah?”
“What in the hell are you doing?” he drawls as if he’s already bored with this conversation. “Trying to get yourself killed?”
“What do you mean?” Did Cian tell him what’s going on?
“Niall told me everything. Why are you meeting Lazaro for an exchange that will never happen? You’re sacrificing yourself for nothing. Don’t be stupid.”
I glower at the road, annoyed at the way he speaks to me. “I don’t know that for sure. He could have her there, and if I don’t show up, he’ll kill her. That’s not a risk I’m willing to take.”
“And what if she’s not there?”
I grip the steering wheel tighter. “Then I’m fucked.”
“You’re not very good at asking for help, are you, Pontrelli?” Baron sighs. “That arrogance will get you in trouble.”
I’m pretty sure it already has, but I don’t tell him that. I don’t need him to make me feel worse than I already do.
“Are you offering to help?” I growl.
“Maybe.”
“What will it cost me this time? You want another open-ended favor from me?”
“Oh shut up, you make me sound like some sort of villain. Niall gave me the address of the Achilli’s brothers destination. We know where they are hiding out. Since you can’t be in two places at once, I’ll bring some men and check it out while you go meet Lazaro. Since you’re dead set on doing that.”
