Page 56 of Tainted Ties

The man pressed the knife against my throat and my eyes widened in shock at the coldness of the blade.

I stared at Roman, waiting to see if this was his order, but he was expressionless, void of emotion.

“I’m tired of this,Don. The whore needs to get what she deserves, and you haven’t done anything to see to it,” the man holding me seethed.

Roman’s eyes narrowed, blazing as he glared at the man. “Get your hands off my fucking wife.Now.”

In seconds, the atmosphere changed. I squeezed my eyes shut when Roman held a gun in my direction and didn’t hesitate before firing, the sound ricocheting off the walls, deafening.

I accepted death.

Except I was very much alive as warm liquid splattered the left side of my face.Oh, no.

I didn’t dare open my eyes because if I did, I knew this wouldn’t end in my favor.

“Does anyone else want to attempt hurting my wife in front of me? I have plenty more bullets,” Roman snapped, his voice booming as loud as the gunshot. The room was silent. “No? Then get thefuckout.”

Despite the metallic smell of blood overpowering my senses, the one thing that was on the forefront of my mind was that, for the first time, Roman had called me his wife. And considering the position I was in, that shouldn’t have elicited the sensation of butterflies in my stomach.

I heard the shuffling of footsteps fading before the door clicked shut. Then silence.

The hairs on my neck stood to attention and my breathing shallowed.

Even with my eyes closed, I knew he was nearby, his presence all-consuming and suffocating.

“Open your eyes.”

By the sound of his voice, I was right. He was a step away.

“Roman,I can’t.” My voice broke to a whisper. I rarely used his name and I hoped he understood the seriousness of what I said.

The only response I received was his hand circling my throat, his thumb dragging across my skin. I winced at the burning sensation and realized the man Roman shot must’ve nicked me with the knife as he went down.

“Are you scared,anima mia?”

I swallowed against the pressure of his strong fingers. I wouldneveradmit my fear of blood to him. He’d think I was weak and use it against me. “No.”

He could crush my windpipe in one swift movement and the thought of dying at the hands of this man…

“Open your eyes,” he repeated, squeezing my throat further to emphasize his demand.

And I did, if only to get closer to leaving this room.

My heart violently crashed against my rib cage when my eyes locked on his—a dark abyss, wild and feral.

Roman’s demeanor had changed entirely from when I saw him last.Thiswas the man who everyone feared and would rather die at their own hands than be at the receiving end of his wrath.

“Liar,”he taunted. “Though I must admit, you’re far prettier when you’re scared.”

I’d never experienced such intense whiplash until I met Roman Mancini and I had a suspicion that it was a feeling I’d get accustomed to.

“I’mnotscared.”

His head bent low, mirroring my height. “Your pulse skittering against my thumb says otherwise.” He applied more pressure. “Unlessit’s for an entirely different reason.” One corner of his mouth tipped up, and it was then that I noticed his unkempt beard.

Roman was never one to falter in appearance or control, yet here he was, untamed.

Awareness rippled through me at the unbelievable conclusion I came to.

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