Page 5 of Savage Book Boyfriend

The man’s gaze softened slightly when he saw me. “Are you Genesis?” he asked, his voice deep and calm.

I nodded, my hand tightening on the door. “Who are you?”

“My name is Beniamino DeLuca,” he said, slipping a card through the crack in the door. “I’m here to help you.”

I glanced at the card but didn’t take it. The name sent a chill down my spine. “DeLuca? You’re one of them?” Chant had mentioned the DeLucas before, spitting their name out like it was poison. They were enemies, locked in a power struggle that I didn’t understand but knew was dangerous.

Beniamino’s eyes hardened. “I know what Chant has been doing to you,” he said softly. “And I know about your daughter. I’m here to offer you a way out.”

My heart pounded in my chest. How did he know about Mia? I opened the door a little wider, curiosity overriding caution. “Why? Why would you want to help me?”

He hesitated, glancing over his shoulder before looking back at me. “Because you don’t deserve to live like this,” he said, his voice firm. “And because it will hurt Chant more than anything to know that he’s lost control over you. I can offer you a chance to get away from him, to start over. But you need to trust me. If it helps any, Cecil sent me to help.”

I wanted to laugh. Trust was a luxury I couldn’t afford. But the way he looked at me, with a mix of determination and something else—pity, maybe—made me pause. I looked down at the card he dangled between us. Beniamino DeLuca. If I went with him, it could be a trap. But if I stayed… I knew what would happen if I stayed.

“Okay,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “What do I have to do?”

Beniamino nodded, his expression softening. “Pack a bag for you and your daughter,” he said. “I’ll take care of the rest.”

I closed the door and leaned against it, my mind racing. This was my chance. My only chance. I moved quickly, gathering what little I had for Mia and me. A few clothes, some food, and a small stuffed bear that Mia loved. I glanced around the small apartment, the place I had called home for too long. I wouldn’t miss it.

Mia stirred as I entered her room, her big brown eyes blinking up at me. “Mama?” she mumbled sleepily.

“Shh, baby,” I whispered, scooping her up. “We’re going on an adventure.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I held her close, feeling the weight of her small body against me. I walked back to the door, my heart pounding. Beniamino was still there, waiting. I met his eyes and nodded.

“Let’s go,” I said, my voice steady now. I didn’t know what lay ahead, but it had to be better than what I was leaving behind. For Mia’s sake, I would take this risk.

I stepped out of the apartment, clutching Mia and the duffle bag, and closed the door behind me, shutting out the past. Whatever happened next, I was ready.

I slid into the backseat of the car while Beni put my bags in the trunk, clutching Gia close to my side. The interior was sleek and polished, a stark contrast to the chaos swirling in my mind. Beniamino took the seat in the rear of the three row SUV, while a quiet, suited driver handled the wheel. Another man with dark hair, who I presumed was a brother since they resembled one another, occupied the seat next to Beniamino.

There was a man in the seat beside me who glanced at me as I settled in. His gaze was steady, trying to offer reassurance. Unlike the two Italian looking men, this one was black and though his broody expression seemed natural, it was less harsh than the other two. Though, he kind of looked like them as well. I think it was the eyes.

“We’re heading to my place,” the guy beside me said. “It’s safer there. We’ll talk more once we arrive. I’m Dante DeLuca by the way.”

I nodded, my heart pounding. “Genesis Ricci.”

The car began to move, and the hum of the engine did little to calm my nerves. Gia rested her head against my shoulder, sensing the tension.

Beniamino turned slightly in his seat. “We know about Chant and the trouble you’ve been in. Cecil’s the one who told us where to find you. He’s got his reasons, but that’s why we’re here. To keep you safe.”

The mention of Cecil again made me shiver. Though he was my brother, I kept out of his business. I had heard of his influence and the fear he commanded. The idea that he knew where I was when I’d tried to hide from everything like my father only heightened my anxiety.

“Why are you helping us?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Dante met my gaze. “We have our reasons, but the main thing is that you need protection. You and your daughter. If Chant finds you, it won’t end well. This arrangement—marriage to me—it’s a way to ensure your safety.”

I felt a surge of panic. “Marriage? But I don’t even know you.”

“It’s not ideal,” Beniamino said, “but it’s the best way to secure your safety and fulfill some… obligations on our side.”

“Marriage is a shield,” Dante added softly. “It puts you under the DeLuca’s protection, legally and otherwise. I understand it’s a lot to take in, but I promise you, I’ll keep you safe.”

The gravity of what they were proposing was overwhelming. My heart raced, and I could feel the weight of the decision pressing down on me. But as I looked at Gia, her small face buried against my shoulder, I knew I had to do whatever it took to protect her.

“I’m scared,” I admitted, my voice trembling.

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