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“Niki.” Gio said my name in a tone that was low and placating, almost like he was scared of me. “What happened to you? What did he do to you? Please tell me, tesoro, so I can make it better.”

Marko and Gio approached me like one would a wounded animal.

I felt like one, unable to control my breath, my thoughts, or the emotions spiraling inside of me.

“Don’t touch me! Stay back!”

They both stilled and I moved further away until there was nowhere else to go. It wasn’t far enough.

I squeezed my eyes shut, but the image of Liam shooting Amergio point blank with not an ounce of remorse, just to teach me a lesson, was too real, too heart-wrenching. I couldn’t deal with what had happened and darted for the sliding door that led out to the enormous deck. I had to get to the edge.

I’d tested a ruthless man and someone else had paid the price, a young man with his entire life ahead of him. A sob erupted and it took a moment for my adrenaline-riddled brain to realize it was me that made that sound. I needed the haunting images to stop. To be rid of the need to purge the overwhelming guilt.

If I jumped…would it make everything that happened right? Would I be forgiven? Marko caught me long before I could reach the edge and decide for myself if I could make up for my sins

“Please let me go!” I thrashed. “I need to go; I need to die. Please!”

Marko held onto me, but it was Gio that approached me, his eyes boring into mine. I was sure he could see the guilt. I was a murderer, responsible for his cousin’s death.

Gio cupped my chin firmly. “Niki, is this about what happened at your apartment?”

I froze. My heart hammered so violently I was sure it would burst through my chest.

“He’s dead.”

“Who’s dead? Who is she talking about, Gio?” Marko frowned, his confusion evident.

The fact that he didn’t know yet made me feel worse. It was all my fault.

“My cousin, Amergio. Niki’s driver. He was shot point-blank between the eyes.” Gio spoke to Marko, but his gaze held mine. “You saw it, didn’t you, bella?”

An avalanche broke through me. I began to scream hysterically, no longer in control of myself.

“Niki. Nicolette! Enough! Stop it this instant,” Marko demanded.

But I couldn’t stop it, I couldn’t control anything.

“Bring her inside, we need to calm her down,” Gio replied.

Marko half-dragged, half-carried me all the way back into the bedroom. I fought every step of the way. Clawing at him, at doorframes, at plants, anything I could get my hands on, but eventually Marko got me back inside, and placed me gently in a sitting position on the edge of the mattress.

“Now leave, Marko.”

Gio’s order took us both by surprise. My attention darted between the two of them as Marko scowled at his boss and best friend.

Gio didn’t back down. “I know what she is suffering from, and I know how to fix it. Right now, she doesn’t need a Daddy to indulge her and make her feel better. She needs the devil to take her into the dark and bring her back into the light.”

“Okay,” Marko grunted, though it was clear he didn’t really understand what Gio meant. “I’ll be in the living room if you need me.”

“No.” Gio regarded him darkly. “I need you to leave.”

A series of emotions flickered across Marko’s boy-next-door features before he nodded his head and left the room. I was stunned into silence; they always did everything together and now Gio had sent Marko away. I didn’t know what to think of that.

When we heard the apartment door open and close, Gio trapped me between his legs and wrestled me over his lap. He slung his leg over mine and trapped one hand with his, pinning it to my lower back while his other stroked my backside.

“Are you a bad girl, Nicolette?”

“Yes!” I howled. “Now let me go.”