Page 15 of Dangerous Contract: Part 2

"There's nothing you can say to make me believe you don't love me. Sorry, love. But you've spoiled me. You loved me too well for me ever to believe it was a lie. Before I met you, I didn't even know what it felt like to be truly loved," he told her. "I had no idea what love was or that I could love someone so deeply and fiercely."

He paused, letting those words sink in. "I've felt your love, Monique. In every touch, every taste, every whispered word, and every smile you've given me. You are love personified in my life. Youaremy life, Monique Rose. And nothing can change that."

Her choked sob echoed through the phone. His grip tightened, the cell phone's edges digging into his skin. He longed to hold her in his arms and hated that he couldn't comfort her. Her sobs grew louder, tugging at his heart like barbed wire.

Muffled voices reached his ears, and he strained to hear them.There– he heard it. It was Trevor's smug tone, unmistakable as ever. Fury surged through him, white-hot and all-consuming.

Damn it.He wished he would've put a bullet in that bastard when he had the chance. They would've been spared this nightmare if he had, and Monique wouldn't be in danger. Then again, his father would've found another way to separate him and Monique.

"Rosa," Raz said, but she spoke again, silencing him.

"Raz," she started, then took a deep breath, sounding like she was trying to keep herself from crying again. "I have proof that our love wasn't real. The truth is, I was only there to steal from you. It's the main reason I approached you in the first place. I just pretended it was because of a dare."

"You stole from me?" he asked.

"Yes. I did."

"How can you steal from me when everything I own belongs to you, including me? You can't steal what's already yours, Rosa. Do you have any more lies to tell, or can I address your captors now?" Orazio looked up when Rome motioned to get his attention.

"Got them," Rome announced, smiling, just as the doorknob to the room turned.

Shit. His father or Leo was back. There was a knock on the door.

"Hi, this is Nurse Jennie," someone called out. "Open the door. The doors aren't allowed to be locked or blocked in any way. It's a safety hazard."

Rome moved over to the door, leaning against the chair to keep it from opening. He motioned for Raz to wrap things up. They had the information they needed.

"Raz, I really did steal from you," Rosa said again. "I stole the..." She paused. "I stole the C459 file for my husband."

"You don't have a husband," Raz told her. "I haven't proposed yet. But I will. Soon."

"I stole it for my husband, Trevor."

"That bitch will never be your husband again, Rosa," Raz growled. "That's one lie I won't tolerate."

"Raz," Rosa started again.

"It's okay, love. I know you're being forced to say this. Don't worry. I'm going to get you back. And when I do, I'll never let you leave my side again. The only man who can be your husband is me. And the only woman who can be my wife is you. I'm coming for you, Monique Rose. Just wait for me. I'll talk to your captors now. Okay, sweetie?"

A few seconds passed, and then she whispered, "Okay, Orazio. I'm glad you're not breaking our contract."

"Never," he told her. He smiled, happy that she sounded a bit more confident now. His smile faded as he addressed her captor.

"This is for Trevor," Raz stated as he climbed out of bed, ignoring the pain in his body and the nurse on the other side of the door, who was shouting for security. "Trevor, you stole money from the casino. And I gave you a second chance. You lied to my family. And we let you live. But you've fucked up now. I don't know who gave you the balls to pull this, but I'm going to chop those balls off when I find you. You took my heart from me. A man can't live without his heart. I will get her back and make you wish you'd never heard the names Monique Rose or Orazio Cattaneo. And whoever helped you take her from me will suffer my wrath too. Get ready, bitch. And don't try to run. There's nowhere you can run or hide to escape the pain I'm about to deliver to your weak ass."

Raz ended the call. It was time to kill. He limped over to the duffle bag. He winced, his body still sore from his injuries, but the pain would not slow him down when Monique's life was on the line.

"Did you happen to bring any clothes?" Raz asked.

"Yeah. I did."

"Good."

His brother was always thinking ahead. Raz pulled the clothes from the duffle bag. He had black jeans, a dark shirt, and a leather jacket.

"No shoes or socks?" Raz asked.

"Shit. I forgot. I've got some boots in my trunk."

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