Page 35 of Taboo Flames

I push away from her and stagger out of the dressing room, knowing that at any moment, she’s going to recover enough to come after me.

I don’t hesitate to dig out my phone and dial Gio’s number.

“Princess, this isn’t a good time?—”

“Help me,” I croak.

His voice is sharp when he barks, “Where are you?”

Before I can reply, the phone drops from my weak hands, and the screen goes black as it hits the floor loudly. I leave it there, knowing it’s now all but useless.

The store I’m at is at the farthest end of the mall, and the closest exit to it leads out to an alleyway. I don’t think aboutthe implications of being trapped in an alleyway. In fact, I don’t think at all as I make my way toward it.

Just as I exit into the alleyway, I hear loud footsteps behind me.

I whirl around and see the attendant following after me. In my frantic state, I trip on my high heels and fall to the ground, scraping my elbow against the hard concrete.

She smiles triumphantly as she rushes toward me. I scream weakly, but thankfully, at that very moment, a cop car pulls up at the mouth of the alleyway.

At the sight of the cop car, the woman freezes in her steps, shoots me a dark glare, and runs off in the opposite direction.

All of a sudden, the door leading to the alley bursts open, and Carlos, Gio’s man who has been in charge of watching me, rushes through, gun drawn.

His eyes flash with panic when he sees me on the ground.

“Miss Vitale!”

“Where’s Gio?” I ask feebly.

“On his way. Let’s get you inside.”

He helps me to my feet and leads me back inside the mall. I shiver in terror as I’m suddenly surrounded by concerned mall security and attendants.

I feel like I can’t breathe, and their presence isn’t helping. Just when I think I’m going to pass out, I hear Gio’s voice.

“Give her some fucking space,” he barks harshly.

The crowd around me immediately parts, and there he is, larger than life, angry, and terrifying.

He’s in black pants and a black dress shirt that’s open at the collar to reveal the tattoos around his neck.

As soon as he’s close enough to me, I jump up into his arms.

“Gio,” I whisper, “you came.”

“Of course I came.”

His arms wrap around my body, making me feel safe and owned.

“You’re safe now, princess,” he says in a low voice before tucking me under the crook of his arm.

“Boss,” Carlos begins, “I didn’t catch sight of?—”

The rest of Carlos’s words end in a groan as Gio’s fists fly back and slam into his jaw.

I gasp in shock. “What are you doing?”

“You were supposed to be watching her. Where the hell were you when she was being attacked in a public mall?” Gio seethed.

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