Page 111 of Ruthless Guardian

Hypocrite. “Cardiac arrest would be my guess.” I offer the men a cheeky smile.

“You stay with her,” the other guy commands. “I’ll get the body out of here before the rats come.”

Rats? I smash my lips together to keep from squealing. Ugh, I hate rats. It reminds me of the subway in the city, and all those disgusting little rodents crawling across the tracks. Right now, I’d give anything to be back there, even put up with the nasty little creatures.

I watch as one of Ferrara’s men hauls my former professor off the floor and throws his motionless body over his shoulder. A wave of nausea threatens, but I swallow it down. I’ve seen worse, much worse.Now is not the time to be weak, principessa. I can practically hear Raf’s voice in my head. Clapping my hands over my ears, I push away that voice and the pain it brings. I don’t want to believe his father, but what if it’s true? What if he planted Raf all those months ago and capturing me was all part of his elaborate plan?

No, it can’t be… Then why would Raf’s brother have said my bodyguard would lose his mind when he found out?

Alfonso eyes me from his post at the door, as if he’s not quite sure about me. This could work in my favor. I saunter closer, batting dark lashes. “I killed him, you know.” Ticking my head toward the door, I pause only a few feet away from the big guy. “My professor, I mean.”

He blanches, mouth curving into a capital O.

“I’m not some defenseless little mafia princess, Alfo. And if you don’t watch out, you’ll be next.” I erase the remaining space between us, and he flinches as he hits the door. “I wasn’t exaggerating earlier. My father is one of the richest men in Manhattan, and you could be too. We’ve got a private jet and everything. Just help me get out of here, and I’ll make sure Ferrara never gets his hands on you.”

“My family…” he stutters. “He’ll kill them all.”

“Then we can bring them all to America. Wouldn’t you want that? A new chance at life? More opportunities? I’m surePapàwould even hire you himself for saving his daughter, his heir.”

The man’s brows furrow, and I can practically see the gears turning in his head.Come on, come on. It won’t be long until the other guy comes back.

“Please, Alfonso.” I reach for his arm and cling on tight. “Don’t do this. I can tell you’re not like them. You’re a goodman.” I stare at the gold cross nestled between the thick curls of dark hair peeking through his unbuttoned shirt.

“I cannot risk it,signorina. I have my family to think about.” His lips press into a hard line, but I can tell he’s wavering. I’m right. He’s not happy here. And Raf says I’m not observant…

“I swear they’ll be protected,” I continue. “You have my word.”

The slap of quickly approaching footfalls puts an abrupt end to our conversation. The heavy door squeals open, and a familiar face peers through the crack. It’s Giuseppe, the younger of Raf’s two brothers. His bright green eyes linger in my memory from the night at the dance club. He shoves by Alfonso and growls a quick, “Get out.”

The man scrambles away, and my shoulders round, defeated. Still, I refuse to give up, not yet. Whirling around, I march to the row of empty shelves and nonchalantly run my finger through the layer of dust covering the wooden ledges. “My father is going to annihilate your entire family.” I speak softly, keeping my gaze trained on the dusty imprint of where a wine bottle once lay. Then on a shard of broken glass. It’s no longer than my finger, but it’s still sharp and could do some damage.

“Maybe…” he mutters. “I’m Giuseppe?—”

“I know who you are.”

“I’m surprised you remember me.” His footsteps draw closer.

“I only met you a few weeks ago,” I reply.

“I’m glad to hear I left a lasting impression.”

“Only because of the terrible story your brother told me after we ran into you.”

“Ah, so he told you?” He’s closer now, judging by the prickle at the back of my neck. “I suppose it’s true then, he truly is taken by you.”

I don’t reply because I only want to ask if what his father said about planting Raf is true. And I’m not sure I can bear the answer…

“What are you doing here?” I grit out as I gingerly reach for the glass and slide it into my pocket.

“I only came to check on you.”

“To make sure your father hadn’t slit my throat yet?” I whirl around, eyes shooting venom.

He staggers back a step. This time I hold off on using my new weapon. Massimo was a senseless kill, and this next one could be my last shot at escape. I must use it at the right time.

“I don’t condone what my father did.” His dark brows pucker, a frown twisting his lips.

“But you didn’t stop him.”

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