Page 77 of Trapping His Darling

“Know this, Tiffany,” Roger whispered, his voice dropping to an unsettling hush as he leaned close to me, “your fate is sealed,but Viktor’s... Viktor’s is a different story. Blood may be thicker, but loyalty can be a treacherous mistress. And when the time comes, I’ll have to make a choice that could change everything.”

I gulped.

With those ominous words, Roger turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving me bound and alone, my mind racing with the revelation of the dark forces at play.

As I struggled against my restraints, I knew that I had to find a way out, not just to escape Roger’s grasp, but to confront the shadows that had consumed me, and chart a new path, one defined by my own choices, and the pursuit of redemption.

???

I didn’t know how much time had passed, but my arms grew tired and I was starting to feel hungry. Where was my man? He should be here already to rescue me. I heard the sound of footsteps from far away. Someone was coming. I didn’t have the energy in me to fight any longer. Should I tell them I’m pregnant? I didn’t want to put my baby at risk, but I feared I might not have a choice.

Roger came back with someone who looked a little bit like him in tow.

“Here she is,fratello.”

The man, who I could only assume was the Don, grunted. His lecherous gaze wove around my curvy body and I shuddered from the assault.

“You have to let me go.” I didn’t know who did my bindings, but they were damn good and deserved a raise.

The Don chuckled. “Sorry, no can do.”

He walked around me. I tried to swing my head back so I could see what he was doing, but my body didn’t twist that way.

“What a delicious neck,” he groaned before placing a kiss on my shoulder.

I shuddered. Gross, why the fuck were men like this? I didn’t want to kiss the Don. He was too old for me. And yet, he wanted me so he took me. Now, I needed to figure out what he was going to do to me before I lost my life.

“Should I report back?” Roger asked.

“No, they will be onto you by now. You must stay here.”

I could see the sadness in his hunched shoulders at his brother’s behest. Roger had made a big mistake. He’d trusted someone and it was the wrong person. Now, he would die for it.

“Let me go,” I gritted through my teeth. I batted my eyelashes. I used every trick in my repertoire to no avail. I was going to have to take these men out with a butter knife. If I found one. I was certain there could be one on the property.

Oh shit.

I shouldn’t be distracted in my head when I have a lot going on right in front of me. Without another word, the Don straightened and headed out the door. He never once looked back and I thought that was pretty weird, but I had other things to worry about. I still hadn’t gotten an answer out of Roger, as to what they planned on doing with me.

“Why am I here, Roger?” I spat out, trying to control the fear bubbling inside of me.

Roger stopped his pacing and took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. “Tiffany, you’re leverage. It’s as simple as that.”

My heart pounded in my chest. “Leverage for what?”

“For the Italians,” he responded, taking a moment to run a hand through his slicked-back hair. “You know what your new family did, don’t you? The chaos they’ve caused?”

I frowned, unsure of where he was heading. “What are you talking about?”

Roger sighed, as if regretting the words he was about to utter. “The late Don’s wife. She was carrying a child... Alexie’s child. The Don held the Bratva responsible for her death, and now he wants retribution.”

Cold dread settled in my stomach. I’d heard whispers of Alexie’s reckless actions from the guards, when they thought they were alone, but hadn’t known the extent of the consequences. “And what do the Italians want?”

“They want what they’re owed, Tiffany. Money, territory, power. But above all, they want someone to pay for what was taken from them.” Roger paused, his gaze fixed on me. “They believe the Bratva owes them a life for a life.”

Swallowing hard, I tried to wrap my mind around the gravity of the situation. “So they’re going to use me to get what they want from Viktor.”

Roger nodded. “Exactly. The Don believes that Viktor will bend to his will, if your life hangs in the balance.”

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