The vice around my chest loosens an inch. “I really appreciate it?—”
“Don’t get emotional on me, Pontrelli. I don’t do emotions.”
I huff out a chuckle. “Noted. One more thing… Lazaro didn’t just take Elena, he took someone else too. You and your men are looking for two women, not one.”
“Who’s the other one?”
I only hesitate for a moment with this vital information. “Julianna Pontrelli. My sister.”
“Would this be your dead sister?”
“How did you know?—?”
“Information is my currency. Though no one told me she came back to life. How interesting.”
I grit my teeth. “Just make sure she’s safe.”
“I’ll pass along that information.” The call ends before I can thank him. Not that he cares. Blake Baron doesn’t seem big on pleasantries. I owe him for his help though.
This whole situation with Julianna’s getting out of control. I can’t keep her identity hidden without putting her at risk. By the time this is over who knows how many people will have her name. Will know she’s alive.
Damn it. Cat’s out of the bag now.
Hiding her away after this is going to be a real headache. If Nero doesn’t know where she is, he will now. People don’t often come back to life. Nero will know exactly how we deceived him.It’s only a matter of time before he lands in Manhattan. Before he comes to punish all of us, and steal away my sister.
But I can’t think about that right now. I have to stay focused on the present.
The dashboard screen lights up with Niall’s text. Finally, he sends me Niccolò and Dario’s location. But Blake’s right, I can’t be in two places at once. And fucking hell am I putting a lot of faith in Blake to rescue Julianna. If anyone can do it, it’s him and my other in-laws.
CHAPTER 56
Elena
Irealize this is the way it was always going to be. Men take whatever they want, and they expect us to let them. To hell with that.
Dario saunters towards me, oozing confidence. I’m just a little girl, he has nothing to fear from me, and every right to do as he pleases. A cocky grin twists his lips. As he reaches for me, I scramble over the back of the couch.
Heart in my throat, I sprint away. My gaze lands on a collection of three trophies with metal bases.God give me strength.
Dario laughs, rounding the couch to lunge at me. Fingers grasping air as I leap out of reach. Though I won’t escape for long. There’s nowhere to go.
I reach the bookcase just as Dario catches me. He shoves me roughly into the corner. I’m trapped. Panic threatens to overwhelm my senses, but I shove it down.
Don’t freeze up.
Don’t panic.
Or he’ll win.
“Shh.” Dario’s fingers find the hem of my dress, slowly sliding it up. “If you don’t fight me, I won’t hurt you too badly. Just give in. You know you want it.”
In the blink of an eye, anger overtakes my fear.No, I don’t want it, cazzo bastardo!
I ram my knee into his junk. Hard.
He doubles over, momentarily stunned. Face a deepening shake of purple, he chokes out, “Bitch.”
I grab the largest, heaviest, of the trophies and smash in across the side of his head. A sickeningthunksounds on contact. Keeping hold of it, I lift my arm but the base separates. It falls to the floor.
