Page 66 of Captivated

He grins like he likes the idea of me trying to hurt him. “That’s a pretty big threat.”

“It’s not a threat. It’s a promise.” One of the men punches Sean in the stomach and then face as he struggles to break free from their grip, and he instantly slumps in their arms. His ribs are still broken.

“Hey!” I yell, and Liam just laughs.

“He’ll be fine as long as you bring me my money.”

“Fine!” I shrug him off and push him away from me. “I’ll get you the money. Just don’t hurt him anymore.”

“I can’t make any promises. It all depends on how he behaves.”

I stare after where they dragged Sean off to, then turn on my heel and leave the bar as quickly as I can.

Once outside, I burn off my suppressed anger by walking for a few blocks.

What am I going to do?

How am I going to get twenty grand before they do something terrible to Sean?

I just…

I want to scream, cry, and throw up, but none of those things are going to help my situation. None of those things are going to get me twenty grand.

I’m alone in this, and it’s up to me to save the only family I left.

I’m so desperate, I might have had the courage to tell Nico everything so he could at least give me a hug, if nothing else. I can’t do that now, though. Not after what I did to him, and not after what he said to me.

I’m sure he doesn’t want anything to do with me now.

I was all in with him yesterday.

I had never felt happier than I did yesterday with him. I let my guard down so he could see I’m falling in love with him, but I fucked it up. In the moment, I thought it was more important to just keep my head down and continue to do what I was doing, not taking his feelings into consideration. At least, not seriously.

I knew he’d be pissed, and I still did it.

I don’t deserve him, and I don’t deserve his forgiveness. I just hope when this is all over, I’ll have the courage to ask for his forgiveness anyway.

~ Chapter 24 ~

Nico

Waking up to a pounding headache is not how I intended to start my day. When I got back to the city, it was still dark and my apartment was too quiet, too cold, and too…empty. I went straight for the whiskey, and didn’t stop drinking until I passed out. Which, of course, is what I wanted. I didn’t want to have any dreams. I wanted to give my brain a break from all things Cassandra Connelly.

But now that I’m awake, of course she’s my first and only thought.

Reaching for my phone, I see I have a text from Rocco.

Rocco:She just left with her brother. Should I follow them?

He texted that a few hours ago, so I call him.

“Hey.”

“Did you follow her?” I ask, my voice rough. Jesus, I need some water.

“No, I didn’t.”

“Why the hell not?”

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