Page 92 of Malevolent Secrets

I shake my head, defiance bubbling up inside me. “I’m not going to be a pawn in your game anymore. I won’t do anything you tell me to do.”

Massimo’s eyes narrow, but before he can respond, Victor steps forward and backhands me across the face. The force of the blow sends me sprawling to the ground. Pain explodes in my cheek and I can taste blood in my mouth.

“Victor, stop!” Massimo barks in Italian. “You’re messing up. Wait for my lead next time. Do that again without my permission and it’ll be the last thing you ever do.”

Victor mumbles an apology and steps back, but the damage is done. I’m curled on the floor, cradling my stomach protectively. “No, no, please, God, please, not my baby,” I whisper to myself, the fear overwhelming.

Massimo crouches down beside me, his eyes cold. “Are you curious, little mouse, to know why there’s so much bad blood between Lorenzo and me? Didn’t your boyfriend tell you everything that happened between us all those years ago, between Renee and I, and between me and him?”

I’m too dazed to respond, my body trembling with pain and fear. Massimo’s words swirl around in my mind, but I can’t make sense of them. What is he talking about? What happened between them?

“I was supposed to become part of the family, you see,” Massimo hisses. “The beautiful Renee, my childhood friend, was supposed to become my wife. But your beloved Lorenzo decided I wasn’t good enough for her. They took away everything, and then they cut me out of their lives. It was a deep cut from old friends, but I recovered. And now I will get what is mine, no matter who I have to kill.”

As I lie there, different men come and go, talking business and ignoring my presence. I try to pay attention, to find a way out, but every movement sends a jolt of pain through my body. My mind is foggy, but I know I need to stay alert. I need to find a way to escape.

Victor calls Lorenzo, and I can hear his side of the conversation. “How does it feel? How does it feel to have everything slipping through your fingertips?”

I try to shout, to warn Lorenzo not to come, but my voice is too weak. “Lorenzo, don’t come! They’ll kill you if you come!”

Victor smirks and crouches beside me, whispering in my ear. “If you don’t shut up, I’ll tell Massimo about the secret you’re holding in your belly. You don’t want that, do you?”

I freeze, the threat sinking in. If Massimo finds out I’m pregnant with Lorenzo’s child, there’s no telling what he’ll do. Another heir to the Duretti family name and fortune is not a part of his plans. I have to keep quiet. I have to protect my baby.

The minutes drag on, each one filled with trepidation. I’m scared, my heart pounding with fear for Lorenzo. He was shot, he’s injured and now he’s coming here, alone. The thought of what might happen is almost too much to bear.

Finally, the door to the warehouse bursts open, and Lorenzo steps inside. His presence fills the space, and for a moment, all my fear melts away. He’s here. He’s come for me.

“Lorenzo,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.

He strides forward, his eyes blazing with fury. “Let her go,” he demands, his voice low and dangerous.

Massimo laughs, but there’s a flicker of fear in his eyes. “Not so fast, Duretti. We have some business to discuss first.”

Lorenzo’s gaze never wavers. “What do you want?”

“Your territory. Your businesses. Everything you own.”

“Fuck you,” Lorenzo spits. “You think I’ll just hand everything over to you?”

Massimo’s smile widens. “You will if you want her to live.”

Lorenzo takes a step forward, his eyes locked on Massimo. “You harm a single hair on her head, and I will tear you apart piece by piece.”

Before Massimo can respond, Victor steps forward, his face twisted with malice. “Let’s see how tough you are, Duretti.”

Lorenzo’s eyes flick to me and for a moment, all the fear and anger fade away. There’s only determination in his gaze. He’s here for me. He’ll do whatever it takes to keep me safe.

Massimo’s mocking voice cuts through the haze. “Well, well, Duretti. You really came alone. How noble.”

Lorenzo’s voice is a low growl. “Let her go, Massimo.”

Massimo laughs, a sound filled with malice. “You think it’s that easy? You know better than anyone that our feud isn’t something that can be settled with a simple exchange.”

Lorenzo steps closer, his eyes locked on Massimo. “Bruno negotiated a treaty on your behalf. You should respect that.”

Massimo’s eyes flash with anger. “You, of all people, should know there is no way in hell I would leave you alone. The only way this feud ends is when one of us is dead.”

Lorenzo’s jaw tightens. “You’re right. I only agreed to the treaty to humor the old man.”

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