Page 38 of Cruel Love

“It’s not. I don’t envy you right now.”

I lay my palms on my belly and look down at the eight more months of prison I’m about to endure as he opens the door.

“Wait, Box.”

He pauses in the doorway. “Yes, dear?”

I smile. “Aren’t you going to kiss me goodbye?” I ask.

Boxcar bites his lip. “Actually…” He drops his bags to the floor. “I’ll do you one better.”

I laugh as he strides back to me. As soon as I feel his hands on me, I give a quick hop and he picks me up off the floor. We kiss, our mouths open and tongues wild, as he wanders over to drop me onto the bed.

“Shouldn’t you get going?” I ask, not really caring as he unzips my jeans.

“Yeah, but they’ll wait,” he says, our lips grazing. “I’m Boxcar.”

Chapter 11

Sofia

My life has only just begun.

That’s the same for most twenty-one-year olds in the world but I’m quite certain my situation is more unique than your average young adult.

I never went to school. Beatrix Zappia taught me how to read and write. Other than that, I didn’t need to know anything else. Mathematics and sciences weren’t in their plan for me. History was long forgotten. My purpose was the future. Not mine, of course, but theirs.

The Zappia name. Their bloodline would pass through me. I was a stepping stone, plunked down between the generations and I would be forgotten long before I was even dead.

I am more than what they told me I was.

I am more than what I dreamed I could be.

I am more.

But Sofia Zappia is not yet gone.

“Giovani is here.”

I hear his name and my blood still turns cold.

“Here?” Luka asks. “In Moscow?”

I wait outside the door of Markov’s workshop with one hand on the wall.

“Yes,” Markov says. “One of Nikita’s men spotted him last night.”

“Where?”

“The Chernyy Obuvi.”

“Are you sure it’s him?”

“He sent footage…”

I knew that someday I’d have to face Gio again. Truthfully, I prayed the day would never come. I could still turn back and forget this moment ever happened. Luka would deal with it and I’d be none the wiser unless he told me himself — and he would. Lutrova women are involved in all aspects of the family business.

I’ll find out either way.

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