Page 101 of Promise Maker

“Domenico…” They tug me down the stone steps,passing the bodies of more guards on the dock.

I yelp when they fling me into the waiting boat.

“Ugh…” I dash for the edge, attempting to escape.

Luca smacks me so hard it dazzles my vision.

But I don’t miss the blaze as Domenico’s getawayhouse goes up in flames on the cliff, lighting the dark sky.

With it, my heart shatters even more.

I’m all alone.

My dad’s gone, and now so is Domenico. Myprotector. My love.

As the boat speeds away, I realize it’s over.

No one’s going to save me this time.

33

Solari.

A mysterious force jolts my eyes open, and I swimas fast as I can to the rocks, coughing up water.

My body hurts.

I have a bullet in my shoulder and cuts andbruises from that fucking blast. But I numb myself to the pain and focus on onething only:

Saving Solari.

With everything I have, I climb the rocky hilluntil yellow-orange light comes into view. Reaching the top, I see that myfucking house is on fire.

Anger and fear surge.

Solari isn’t in there. Luca took her.

I know he did.

Moving through the trees, I glimpse figures comingup the steps. I halt and search for a weapon in the grass, only to make outRodrigo and Father amid the smoke.

“Father,” I bellow, dragging myself forward.

“Nico!” He meets me halfway and grips my arms. “Graziedio. Solari?”

“Luca took her,” I grit through clenched teeth.

He regards my shoulder and bloodied shirt. “Weneed to take care of your injuries.” He motions to one of the men, and he peelsoff down the steps.

“I can’t delay. I have to go after the bastard.He’ll kill her once he gets what he wants.”

“But we have no idea where he went,” Father raspsfrustratedly.

My stomach clenches out of disappointment inmyself. I promised Bishop and Solari I’d always protect her. I’ve let them bothdown.

Moans catch my ears from the rocks.

Father and I look over at the same time.

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