Page 20 of Promise Never

Fury soars at the revving of the boat’s engine.

I straighten and damn near empty my rounds,shooting until the boat is far in the distance, blanketed in the darkness oftheMediterranean sea.

Twisting, I stare at the blaze. We have animpending deal with Cavalli, and now I have no goods.

“Fottutobastardo!” I look around at my men and snarl, “ZenoCostantini. I want his fucking head!”

They stagger from me, nervous.

“Ales,”Runimutters. Herushes to the crates, where a guard is twitching on the ground.

I quicken over and grip the man’s shoulder. “Didthey take the goods?”

“No, signor… Burned everything…” He coughs andgrasps at my shirt. “Signor, the man…Zeno….”

“What is it?” I urge, jerking his shoulder.

He reaches his other hand to me, placing acrumpled piece of paper in my palm.

He starts to convulse, blood gurgling in histhroat. One final breath leaves his body, and he becomes utterly still.

“Shit.” I unfold the bloodied paper. Anger burnseven more throughout my body when I read Zeno’s threatening message.

Questo è solo l'inizio.

Distruggerò ciò che resta della tua famiglia.

Teeth clenched, I crush the paper in my hand andglance back at the burning storage unit.

Runinudgesme and straightens to full height. “We must leave before the authorities—”

“I know. Andiamo!”

We hurry to the cars, and I look out the window atthe flames as we speed from the marina.

Fury clouds my mind, leaving me eager for answers.

Had I missed any details?

Why can’t I find the bastard?

A thought seeps in amid all the questions. Did Tianawithhold any more information from me?

9

I never expected to still be in Sicily.Yet,here I am.

It’s a new day, and I have no more clean clothesor underwear.

At least there’s a washer and dryer in the guesthouse.I might as well do laundry, so I’m not just wearing pajama shorts and a sportsbra. I’d be uncomfortable around Alessandro, especially after my shameless actthe night before.

I swear on my sister’s grave that I’ll neverpleasure my pussy to an orgasm with him on my mind again.

Never.

“Ah!” I jump at the heavy slamming of the door.

Peeking into the passage, I see Alessandrostomping towards me, a tyrant ready to unleash hellfire.

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