Page 49 of Deadly Don's Savage Vows

He swings his arm back again and this time his fist connects with my ribs. I hear the crack.

I bite back the scream that won’t leave the walls of this place.

He won’t kill me.

I have to remind myself of that.

He wants to marry me - so he won’t kill me.

But I know I will get close to death tonight.

And if I’m lucky - I’ll pass out - into the soothing blissful peace of oblivion.

Chapter 20

Nico

I’m sitting at my desk, trying to focus on the screen in front of me, sifting through information and leads and contacts and trying to figure out how the hell to find out why Marcus is here - but the fucking phone in the office won’t stop ringing. It’s loud and jarring and continuous.

Every time the person gives up and hangs up on the other side I feel a momentary relief - but then - they pick up, dial again and it starts all over again.

It’s so annoying, because I’m already waiting for the midnight meeting to happen and now the sound of the ringing phone is like a grater against my last nerve. The longer I let it ring the more it aggravates me and drives me crazy. I’m on the edge of sanity as it is.

I don’t know who the fuck is phoning at this time of night because it’s obvious she isn’t here. So why the hell don’t they stop.

When it starts again, for the tenth time, I shout and shove myself away from my desk - storming into her office I yank the phone up and hold it to my ear. Every muscle in my body is tense.

“Who is this?” I say, too harsh, too rude - because what if it’s a client?

I take a deep breath, trying to settle my annoyance.

A nervous voice comes through the line.

“Um - hello - um - my name is Lisa. I’m looking for Bella. Is she there?”

Lisa. This woman doesn’t understand how phones work. If Bella was here, she would have answered - a while ago.

“Bella left to go home a long time ago. It’s after-hours. You can get her on her mobile if it’sthatimportant, or call again in the morning, duringworkinghours - “ I reply with the annoyance clear on my voice. I am about to hang up when Lisa’s desperate voice shouts out, “No, wait - please - you don’t understand - “

I sigh. Putting the phone back against my ear.

“What is it Lisa?” I huff.

“I’m her son’s nanny. I’m at her apartment right now. She called me almost three hours ago to tell me she was leaving the office - but she never got home. She only lives ten minutes away - she should be here - I tried her cell phone so many times - and then I started calling the office - I don’t know where she could be and it’s not like her - she wouldn’t just leave her son - I don’t know what to do - I’m so worried—”

“Lisa.” I say her name because she is panicked and is hardly breathing between her words. “Lisa.”

She stops talking.

The blood is running cold in my veins. My mind is going to the darkest places - worried about where she is - knowing it can’t be good.

So, that explains why Lisa refused to give up. She is worried, panicked and fearful for what’s happened to Bella. And she doesn’t even know about her ex and the threat he poses.

I take a deep breath. Focus.

“My name is Nico. I’m Dante’s father. I need you to stay with him. Lock the doors and do not open them for anyone but me.Not even Bella.If Bella arrives -do not open that door.Do you understand?”

“I - why - why wouldn’t I open for Bella - “ she mutters.

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