Page 49 of Syndicate of Sin Bundle

No reply.

Cristian: How’d you get past my guards?

No reply.

Cristian: If you make me come out to find you, I’ll tie you up and make sure you don’t ever leave.

My lips curled into a smile as I cleaned up my station and placed my gun back into my purse. I really needed a girls’ day with Chiara to relax and not think about her anymore. She didn’t deserve my anger or my fear.

And before I stuffed my phone back into my purse, I typed back to him, knowing that he was probably staring his phone down like a madman, waiting for my response.

Me: You won’t do that.

I shoved my phone into my purse, tossed the strap over my shoulder, and walked out of the shop and into beautiful New York City, alone for the first time in ages. I had been with Ben for so long and wound up in Cristian’s arms. It was finally time for me.

“Over here!” Chiara shouted from a black BMW parked at the curb right in front of a Do Not Park sign.

I arched a brow and walked over. I guessed being part of the Mafia let you do whatever the hell you wanted to do.

She leaned over the center console and opened my door from the inside. “Get in, before anyone sees. Cristian has people out looking for you.”

After scooting into the passenger seat, I relaxed and laid my head back against the headrest. Pushing some hair out of my face, I glanced over at her and smiled. Truly smiled. Though running away from Cristian for a day probably wasn’t the best idea, it sure gave me a rush, just like the thought of killing Alessa did, but in a totally different way.

“Why the hell are you hiding from him?”

“I stayed in his room last night,” I admitted, sinking down in the passenger seat so nobody could spot me as we drove through the streets of New York. “He was gone this morning, and Alessa showed up, threatening to kill me.”

Chiara slammed on her brakes. “Shut the fuck up. No, she didn’t.”

I tightened my hand into a fist. “She did.”

“And you didn’t tell Cristian?!”

“No.”

“Why?” she asked, staring at me with confusion. “He’ll kill her for it.”

“I don’t want him to kill her.”

“Why not?”

“Because I want to do it.”

38

cristian

Roxie: You won’t do that.

I stared at the text message sent hours ago and hurled my phone at the wall.

Where the fuck was she? How’d she slip past my guards? And what if someone had stolen her from me? Everyone in the business was slowly starting to figure out that Roxie and I were a couple. At least, that was what I thought we were. She’d be my wife one day. And I’d make sure that one day was soon once I found her.

If someone wanted to reprimand me for something, all they would have to do was take her.

Torture her.

Fucking hurt what was mine.

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