Page 27 of Bound to the Mafia Guard

His figure loomed in the doorway, broad shoulders blocking the light, his shadow stretching toward us like a predator’s paw. Then I heard it. The tap of the cane, the shuffle step, then the tap of the cane again. My vision blurred. My breath came in heavy pants. All at once I was thrown back into the room where I washeld for so long. No sunlight streaming through the window. No light, nothing.

Someone grabbed my hand and squeezed.

I’d seen pictures of Brutal Brutus, but I wasn’t prepared for what he looked like in reality. From across the room, I could make out the sharp lines of his tailored suit and the glint of something metallic tucked into the waistband of his trousers. A sickening realization washed over me. I didn’t know what he was capable of or what he had planned. Even though I knew that I was surrounded by people intent on protecting me, including my own mate, my pulse throbbed in my ears, drowning everything but the sense of impending doom.

Trev stepped in front of me, blocking my view. I leaned against his back. He shifted, and I heard the click of his weapon as he undid the safety. “Stay there, Brutus.”

“Put your weapon away. We can settle this amicably. That omega has information I need kept quiet. Surely we can strike a bargain. Name your price.”

“That omega isn’t going anywhere. He’s my mate, and if I had it my way, I’d blow you away right now. As it is, the only reason you’re not lying dead on the floor is because my omega wants to make sure you don’t have others kidnapped and hidden somewhere. Give us the information we want, and you can live.”

I pinched my eyes shut as the guards began to move. There were gasps and shouts from the patrons of the cafe who weren’t in on this whole set-up. Brutus grunted as he hit the floor. His cane clanged against the tile.

“Get him out of here,” Trev commanded.

I kept close to Trev’s back and didn’t move. There was a scuffle and some cursing. The door chimed again, and it was quiet. A few people murmured, questioning what it was they had witnessed. Andro would figure out how to clean up that mess.

Then Trev was turning around and pulling me into his arms.

“It’s over,” he said. He kissed my cheeks and whipped away the tears that fell. I hadn't even realized I was crying.

“So much for being brave.” I sniffed.

He cupped my face in his hands and forced me to look at him. “You were incredibly brave, Rowan. I was the cowardly one, the one who wanted to lock you in the house and keep you safe by not letting you experience life. You were the one who faced your fears head on. And now he’s taken care of. You’re safe.”

“What will you do with him?”

Trev shrugged. “Put him in the torture room. Andro will want to find out what sort of secrets he might share. We can find out if he had anyone else kidnapped and figure out where they might be. Then, once he has given us enough information, we’ll rid the world of scum like him.”

“Promise?”

Trev leaned down and kissed my lips, then kissed my cheeks. He buried his nose into my neck and inhaled. “I promise, omega mine. He can’t hurt anyone anymore.”

15

TREV

I didn't let go of Rowan for the entire drive back to Andro's house. I knew that just a few cars ahead, Brutus was being held under guard. I hadn't yet spoken with Andro about what would happen once he was captured. If it were up to me, he would be drawn and quartered, stretched and broken until the life slowly drained from his body.

Andro intended to find out what information he might be able to get out of him.

Orsino was the one of us who was most adept at loosening lips.

I wouldn't stand by while they worked over Brutus. I intended to help.

"Are you all right?" I asked Rowan.

"Yes. I promise."

"I hated every moment that you were in his presence." I kissed his temple and inhaled his citrusy sweetness. "Fuck, I can't?—"

Rowan turned in my arms so that we were face to face. He put his hands to my cheeks and forced me to look at him. His forehead rested against mine. "I'm safe, alpha. I'm here."

I kissed his lips softly and closed my eyes. I let myself get lost in the sensation of him in my arms. I tugged at his shirt, pulling it from where it was tucked into his jeans.

"Alpha?"

"I need to feel you, Rowan. Your skin on mine. Close to me. I need to know you're okay."

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