In the shadows, I discern one of Luca’s mencrawling along the rocks in an attempt to escape.
He’s bleeding out, clearly in agony.
Hope fills my chest.
I may be able to find my treasure.
Father waves to draw Rodrigo’s attention.
He and another guard dash to the rocks and heavethe wounded man from the ground.
“Nondiròunaparola!” he grits amid his pain.He won’t say aword?
Iutterasinisterhuff.“One wayor another, I will make you talk.”
Forgive me, Solari. To save you, I will torturethis man and becomeportatoredimortetonight.
I will kill them all for my love.
34
I’ve never been more terrified.
The boat slows at a dock. The men haul me from itand drag me behind Luca down the boardwalk.
The pier is dark, with dim lighting in some areas.
No one’s around because it’s late.
If Mr. Martelli comes after us, he won’t know ifLuca stopped at this location.
I have to leave a sign.
Aside from the romper that I’m wearing, all I haveis my necklace and wedding ring. Neither of which I want to part with,considering Domenico is gone.
But I have to lead Martelli to me if I want tosurvive.
As quickly as I can, I use my thumb to push downmy wedding ring.
No one’s behind me, so if it falls, they won’tnotice.
The second the men turn left, I sadly let mywedding ring fall to the ground and cough a bit to mask the sound in the quietnight.
They approach waiting SUVs.
One of the men releases me and heads to the car atthe back.
Luca hops in the first.
The other asshole pushes me towards the car. Iswiftly touch my neck, break the necklace, and drop it on the ground beforegetting inside.
Hopefully, Mr. Martelli will figure out thedirection and find a way to us from here.
“Guidare!” Luca barks athis driver.
The man speeds off with the other SUV keeping upbehind us.
Luca smirks at me before carrying his gaze over mybody. The nasty way he’s regarding me makes my skin crawl.