Page 67 of Savage Prince

“Pa it’s me. I’m okay, but things kind of went to hell at Antonio’s place. The villa has been burned down, and he doesn’t know who’s behind it. He took a bullet in the back, and we’re hiding out until this blows over. We’re not sure if they came for me or him. It’s gotta be that Sartori guy, right? Anyway, neither of us have a phone so I’m not sure when I’ll be able to call you again, but I’ll try soon. We’re in Como, and I’m going to head back to Milano the first chance I get. I’m safe with Antonio sodon’t worry too much.” I hang up, purposely being vague about the whole hostage situation. IfPapàknew I had the opportunity to run and didn’t, he’d be really worried about my sanity. And rightfully so.

Before I relinquish the phone to Elena, I make one more quick call.Please pick up. Please pick up.

“DottoressaBergamaschi?” Raf’s voice echoes across the line and unexpected emotion tightens my throat. I never thought I’d have a reaction like that to Bella’s bodyguard.

“No, it’s me, Serena.”

“Serena, what the fuck? Where are you? Isabella’s been going nuts?—”

His voice cuts off, replaced by a much more pleasant, if not high-pitched one. “Sere!”

“I’m okay, Bella. I’m safe.”

“What? Why wouldn’t you be safe? I thought you were ghosting me because you were scared I’d yell at you for not telling me about your permanent move to Milano.”

“What? No… I was abducted the night of your welcome home party and dragged back to Italy.”

“What?” she screeches across the line. “Abducted?”

“Papàdidn’t tell you?”

“No, I haven’t heard from your father since that night. Even my dad has been MIA besides an occasional text message. What is going on?”

“It’s Antonio Ferrara.”

“Raf’s brother?” She shrieks again and now Raf’s back on the line.

“I’m going to murder that fucking traitorous—” His voice echoes across the speaker.

“Stop, Raf. He was shot, almost burned alive at your family’s villa in Como.”

“Why the hell did he bring you there? He vowed never to return?—”

“It doesn’t matter,” I cut him off. “All that matters is that I’m okay, and I think he’s going to be.”

“I don’t give two shits about thatbastardo,” Raf growls.

“Sere?” Bella interrupts. “Are you still with him?”

“Umhmm.”

“Put him on the phone,” Raf barks.

“I can’t. He’s still unconscious.”

“Then what the fuck are you still doing there?” I can hear the venom in Raf’s tone, and a twinge of sadness rears up. I just told him his brother almost died, and he didn’t even flinch.

“Sere, are you okay?” The concern in Bella’s voice is palpable.

“I am now.”

“Then why are you still with him?”

“I—I don’t know.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Serena,” Raf grumbles. “Bella said you had bad taste in men, but?—”

“Shut up!” Bella hisses, then there’s the sound of a scuffle and the speaker shuts off. “Sere, it’s just me. Are you going to explain what is happening or will I have to jump on a plane to Como and drag your ass back home?”

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