Page 36 of Stolen Union

“Let me go,” I say, wrenching away from Rocco as we head to his car.

“Fine. Gabriella, you’re acting like I’m the villain here. I’ve come to save you.”

“Did it ever occur to you that I didn’t want to be saved?”

Rocco scoffs as he opens the passenger side door. “Get in. Stop being difficult. You’re clearly experiencing some sort of trauma. I walked in and saw that monster taking advantage of you.” He throws a glare Dante’s way. Massimo and Emilio are holding onto Dante and clearly don’t intend to let him go. Dante is still naked. I can tell it makes him feel vulnerable, and I hate seeing him like this. He’s the man who stole me away from my wedding. Who took what he wanted.

But now, he looks defeated—like he knows he’s going to die.

And he probably will. If I don’t find a way to stop it.

“Don’t kill him,” I reiterate. Dante lifts his head and meets my gaze. “Please, Rocco. Don’t kill him.”

“Why do you want him to live? He kidnapped you, Gabriella. He raped you.”

I flinch back. “He didn’t rape me.”

“Then what was that I saw back there?”

“We were making love.”

Rocco scoffs again, shaking his head. “I love you, sister, but you’re delusional. Now, get in the car.”

I know fighting with Rocco is pointless, so I do what he says as my other brothers stuff Dante into the back seat. Massimo and Emilio sit on either side of him, making sure he can’t escape. Rocco gets behind the wheel, and all five of us head for Rocco’s home.

I know what’s going to happen next. They’re going to torture Dante, and then they’re going to kill him, and I’ll be locked up once again.

The drive is silent. Painfully silent.

We reach Rocco’s home within an hour and a half. Rocco doesn’t even look at me as he drags Dante from the car and forces him inside. Emilio follows right away, but Massimo hangs back to stay with me.

“It’s good to see you alive,” Massimo says, holding out his arms. “Can I hug you?”

“Of course, you can.” I wrap my arms around Massimo—the only one of my brothers I’ve ever been super close to.

“I’m so sorry you had to go through all that.”

“I’m fine, Massimo. Really.” I pull back and smile as he stares at me with a dubious frown. “Really. Dante wasn’t raping me. I was willing.”

His eyes widen. “I … believe you. I can tell you mean it.”

“I do. I don’t want Dante to die.”

“You sound almost as if you … love him.”

Do I love him? I think I do. “I want to be with Dante. Help me convince Rocco of that.”

Massimo laughs. “Gabi, I can’t convince Rocco of anything.”

“So, I’m on my own?”

He shrugs, which only pisses me off more. “Sorry.” He heads for the house.

“Dante is my husband now, Massimo.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t think he’s going to be your husband much longer. Rocco intends to make you a widow.”

“And what? Marrying me to Antonio?”

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