Page 19 of Promise Never

Is he frustrated because of me?

I ignore him and hurry from the gym, heading backto the guesthouse.

As I undress and lower into bed, I remind myselfagain that I cannot soften to AlessandroFattore.

Yet, his grunts, those muscles, and the sweatdripping down his body keep replaying in my head.

Against my self-loathing, I slide my hand betweenmy thighs and pleasure myself while tears stream down my face.

8

I call it a night hours later and drag myselfupstairs. I usually don’t go at the punching bag for so long, but Tiana’spresence infuriated me.

It’s only been two days, and she’s starting tocrawl under my skin.

I detest the way she shields herself as if I’mtoxin, and she needs to hold her breath around me.

Why the hell did I share such a vulnerable time inmy life? I hate that I slipped up only for her to toss the brutality of mybrother in my face.

But fuck it.

It’s probably a good thing that she’s remainingcold because I’d hate to develop any form of desire for her.

I’m icing my knuckles at the counter when my earsperk up at the sound of feet.

Thelight’son, so themen must realize I’m in the kitchen.

Runiandthree others rush through the doorway, looking alarmed.

“Ales, c'è un problema!” heexclaims.

My first thought is Tiana, and my body tenses upwith great concern for her.

“How did she get away?” I snarl. “Who the hell isat the gates?”

Confusion veils their faces.

“Not the woman,”Runihurries to clarify. “Men are attacking the unit in Messina!”

I toss the bag of ice in the sink and open thesecret compartment below the island, grabbing a machine gun.

“Keep watch on the guesthouse,” I order one of theguards, then say toRuni, “Call the others!”

We reach Messina two hours later, and I’m surewe’ve missed the attackers because it’s quiet, with no sound of gunshots.

Fire is the first thing noticeable from the road.The busted gate is next.

Runispeedsinto the marina.

“Cazzo!” I grunt,realizing my storage unit is the one burning.

Men are bustling to escape in a boat.

I hurry from the car withRuniand open fire on the bastards, hitting those undoing the rope.

The other men in the boat shoot back, forcing usto take cover by barrels.

My guards in the second SUV pull into the marinaand immediately run over to offer backup.

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