Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 61692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“Franco.” Gio’s voice from behind me forces me to break the kiss. When I meet his eyes, there’s horror painted on his expression.
“What happened?” My tone is ice when I say the name with fear racing through my veins. “Cali—”
He shakes his head. “Calista is a bit banged up, but she’s okay. It’s…” His voice drops as he flits a quick glance at Rai, then back at me. “It’s Adria. She’s hurt.”
“Baby.”
Rai stirs and blinks away the sleep from her eyes. She’s exhausted, but she’s refused to leave the hospital bed. When we found out her best friend had been hurt so badly, she couldn’t move. Needless to say my brother was beside himself. I’d never seen Matteo so fucked up before.
When we rushed her to the hospital, I lost two men in the process when their car was wrecked. I don’t fucking know what happened, but Cristiano managed to shoot one and overpower the other. The fucker escaped, but I’ve got a search going for him. When I find that asshole, he’ll pay. This time, it will be with his life.
He was right. I’ve never killed if it wasn’t warranted. There was information I needed from him. That’s why I didn’t put a bullet in him. Also, I wanted to make sure Raina was safe. I should have shot the fucker when I saw him lying on top of her.
Handing her the coffee, I settle into the chair beside hers and watch the machines beep. The respirator lifts and drops with each breath.
Matteo’s asleep in the corner. He’s not left the room. It’s been three days and my brother hasn’t moved. The only time he’s gotten up is to shower and take a piss. And even then, it’s in the en suite bathroom. There are dark circles under his eyes. He looks like shit, to be honest.
Luckily, we can afford the best care. So the hospital has set up a private room, as well as giving us all hour access. Although, I think if they told him to leave, he’d kick up such a huge fuss, they’d give in anyway.
Leaning in, I whisper, “I think you need a break. Come with me.” Teary blue pools dart to me and she nods with a small smile.
I want to take her out of here, for fresh air, just to calm her down. Lacing my fingers with hers, I tug her into me as we quietly shut the door. There’s a stairwell that leads to the roof and I guide her that way. With each clinking step, I can feel the tension leaving her body.
Pushing the door open, I allow her to step out first. The sun is shining brightly and the air is thick with summer heat. From up here, you can see for miles. Los Angeles has always been one of my favorite places. The people, the weather, the wine—although I do prefer the Italian blends—it has a certain charm to it.
“I’m worried about her, Franco. She’s broken. She’s so fucking broken.” Her words fall on a raspy whisper and I pull her into my embrace. When she breaks down, it feels as if my heart is being ripped from my chest. I wish I could make things better, but I can’t. I wish I could fix Adria’s body, but I can’t.
Those fuckers did a number on her. Luckily, Calista wasn’t harmed, besides a few cuts and scrapes. And thank God Raina wasn’t hurt. “Tell me, bella.” She shudders at the word and I step back to regard her. “Did he hurt you?”
She’s quiet for a while as if she’s contemplating what to tell me. However, at this point, I need the truth. I need the anger to fuel me so when I find that asshole, I’ll not think twice.
“He hit me, once. I was tied to a chair. When it fell, he kicked me a couple of times.” Her confession rakes through me. Slicing my heart, flaying it, and allowing it to pour emotion from my chest. The need to kill and maim runs rife through my veins.
“I’ll find him, baby. I’ll find him and I’ll fucking kill him.” I vow. There’ll be blood on my hands. There’s no doubt about that, but I will avenge everything she and the other two girls have been through.
“Franco, there’s one more thing,” she murmurs. Lifting her eyes, she looks at the sky, blinks, and then pins me with a questioning stare. “When we arrived at the house. He was taking me to the room where I was tied up and…”
“What, Rai? You need to tell me.”
“My brother was there. I saw Andrea walking out of one of the rooms with two other men.”
I promised I’d never tell her. I vowed that the secret would stay with me to my death, but I can’t keep it anymore. I need to be honest. I need to explain to the woman I love that her brother isn’t hers by blood. Instead, he’s a snake. An undercover mole for the Russos.