Page 70 of Savage Prince

As soon as I register the slam of the door behind me, I race down the cobblestone street, sending a thank you up to Mariuccia for getting me these sneakers. If it had been up to me, I would have been in high heels which would have made this escape impossible.

Rushing down the back alley, I emerge onto the main street two blocks later. Pausing at the corner, I glance down the avenue and heave out a sigh of relief when my stalker is nowhere in sight.

You’ve still got it, Sere. I smile as I cross the street and head toward the lake in a quick, but not breakneck, pace. My stomachgrumbles again, reminding me the apple wasn’t enough to tide me over. I consider reaching for another one but decide against it just in case. That guy could be anywhere. I can’t wait to be back in the safety of the boathouse.And near Antonio.

I mentally slap myself for the traitorous thought.

I’ll eat, feed him, if he’s awake, then tomorrow we go our separate ways. I’ll be back in Milano just in time to meet up with Alessandro, and I’ll head back to Manhattan for a few weeks while the dust settles. Hopefully, I’ll still have a job when I return to Dolce & Gabbana.

The narrow street widens, giving way to the glistening lake beyond, and I quicken my pace as I cross the busy street.

“There she is!” A shout echoes from my right, and I twist my head over my shoulder in the middle of the crosswalk just in time to see the guy from earlier racing toward me. There’s another man running up behind him, only a few paces away.

Shit.

I dart across the street, and the shrill blast of a horn thunders across my eardrum as a truck screeches to a halt not even a foot in front of me. My hands slam down on the front bumper, my heart leaping up my throat.

Another crash resounds from behind, metal crushing against metal.

The driver shouts curses in Italian, but I don’t stop to apologize for the three-car pile-up I’ve just caused. Instead, I weave through traffic, thanking all the gods and saints that ever lived for the cars blocking the path of the men sprinting after me.

Clutching my bags, I race across the dock, the Italian flag of the Riva waving on the breeze. Antonio’s gun beckons from the shopping bag, but I don’t dare pull it out. Nothing like calling more attention to yourself than revealing a gun in a crowded street. Pumping my arms to move faster, I dart across the worn wooden floorboards and leap onto the boat.

The two men are only yards behind me now and gaining as I stab the key into the ignition and twist.Come on, baby. The engine revs, but much too slowly.Come on. It finally flares to life, and I jerk it into motion, turning the steering wheel to maneuver out of the dock.

The two men barrel toward the end of the marina, barely stopping before plunging into the lake. I turn around, then offer a wave and a cheeky smile. “So long suckers.”

One of the men pulls a gun from his jacket and points the barrel at me.Merda! I draw in a breath before diving for cover, my heart battering my ribcage. Pinned to the floor, I rifle through the shopping bag and clutch Antonio’s gun in my fist. Then, I wait for the longest minute of my life, but the shots never come. Interesting… Maybe they were told to bring me in alive. My frenzied breathing slows, my racing pulse following soon after. Once I’m sure I’m beyond shooting distance, I poke my head up.

They’re gone.

CHAPTER 35

TASTES LIKE MINE

Antonio

My lids flutter open, a crushing weight on my chest. Fuck, that hurts. Exhaustion weighs on me, heavy and almost unbearable.Serena. I force my heavy lids open and meet the dimly lit room. The boathouse. Slowly, memories muddle their way to the surface. I force myself to sit up, and my head spins. I reach for the empty lounge chair beside me, and a tangle of emotions crash across my insides.

Serena’s gone.

Good.

Yes, she did the right thing, the smart one.

So why is the thought of never seeing her again more painful than the bullet wound and the terrible fire I’d endured all those months ago combined?

“Merda…” I grit out.

Then my gaze lands on the supplies strewn across the lounger to my right. Antibiotics, bandages, disinfectants… where had these come from? And how long have I been out for? Iglance at my wristwatch and stare at the tiny number in the corner. Muttering a curse, I try to stand and fail, as I process the fact that I slept through two entire days. What else had I missed?

Raking my hands across my face, a familiar strawberry scent laced with vanilla fills my nostrils. I bring my fingers to my nose and inhale Serena’s intoxicating natural fragrance still clinging to my skin. At least, I hadn’t dreamt that part.Dio, the sound of her coming on my fingers was like a forgotten symphony that would forever be emblazoned in my mind. Even half delirious from pain and infection, it had been unforgettable. And I hadn’t even had the chance to come myself.

I hadn’t even cared to. It was all about her.

And now, she’s gone.

Rightfully so, Tonio. After what you did to that poor girl.Mamma’s voice is exceptionally clear as it bounces across my skull. Which makes me wonder if I’m not still a bit feverish after all.

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