Page 90 of Savage Prince

The ride to the airport passes much too quickly and before long, the roar of an airplane landing echoes over our heads. I glance at Antonio, and my chest tightens at the thought of never seeing him again. Unexpected emotion constricts my throat, and I can barely swallow it down.

Merda, this was not the plan.

I was never supposed to develop actual feelings for this man.

And yet, here we are.

Hot tears prick my eyes as the driver steers the Mercedes to the security entrance. Averting my gaze out the window, I blink quickly to keep the traitorous tears from spilling over. The gate opens and we roll through the entrance, heading for the private hangars at the end of the runway.

My phone buzzes, jerking me from the startling onslaught of emotions. ThankDio. I glance at the screen and find a message from Ale. He’s landed and waiting for me on his father’s jet.

“It’s hanger number four,” I call out to the driver.

“Very well,signorina.”

He swings the Mercedes to the right and pulls into a parking spot just behind the row of enormous white structures, then cuts the engine. Oh shit, this is it. My stomach twists, knotting into a pretzel, and a wave of nausea crashes over me.Dio, what is wrong with me?

“I’ll accompany Serena to the jet,” Antonio says to the driver, distracting me from my downward spiral. “Wait for me here.”

“Si, signore.”

Antonio slides out of the car then comes around to my door, opening it with a flourish, then offers a hand. The silly move brings a smile to my face, and grim realization sets in. I’m totally fucked. Ihavefallen for my kidnapper. What type of a stupid cliché am I?

I glide across the car seat and fit my palm in his. The touch is electric, sparking a wave of longing and desire that surges straight to my heart. He closes the door behind me and tugs me forward, but I grind my heels into the tarmac.

“What’s wrong?” His eyes widen, that faint line between his brows furrowing.

“I—I…” Ugh, just spit it out. But what exactly can I say without sounding like a complete nutcase?

His fingers tangle with mine, squeezing as he brings our interlaced hands between us. Then he leans me back against thecar, and his mouth captures mine. The fire behind it has my toes curling inside my sneakers. His free hand snakes around the back of my neck, angling my head to deepen the kiss. Each stroke of his tongue is punishing and ravenous, filled with heat and promise. It’s as if he knows this will be the very last time, and he’s committing every second to memory.

The understanding sends ice through my veins, and I jerk back, pulling free of those fiery lips.

“I’m sorry,tesoro,” he whispers, agony etched into his beautiful features. “There’s so much more I wish I could say, so much I want to tell you. There simply aren’t enough words in the English or Italian language to encompass it all. If only we had met in another life, under different stars, I know I could have made you happy. Just know that every moment spent with you was a treasure I will carry with me to the end.”

My throat thickens, roaring emotion making it impossible to breathe. He thinks he’s going to die. He believes this really is the end for not only us, but him.

“Papàswore to me he wouldn’t kill you, Toni,” I blurt. “I made him swear it.”

A rueful smile spreads his lips, and he nods slowly, almost begrudgingly. “Thank you.”

“You don’t believe me?”

“No, I don’t believe Dante,tesoro.” He squeezes my hand again before tugging me off the car and leading me toward the awaiting jet, our fingers still intwined. “And I don’t blame him. If I was in his position, I would do the exact same thing.”

The jet door glides open only a few yards away, jerking my attention to a scowling Alessandro. “Did you just fucking kiss Antonio Ferrara?” he shouts from the top of the steps.

Well, this is going to be a long trip back to Manhattan.

Ale stomps down the steps as a luggage transporter drives by, toting a dozen suitcases. His foot hits the tarmac, and anexplosion rockets across the airstrip. Flames burst from the luggage cart, engulfing the front half of the jet. A scream lodges in my throat as Antonio throws his body on top of mine, and I hit the ground with a bone crunching smack.

CHAPTER 44

WRECKAGE

Antonio

“Ale!” Serena shouts, but it sounds like nothing more than a whisper over the deafening whistle ringing in my ears. She struggles beneath me, but I hold her down as a ball of crimson fire consumes the plane. “Let me go! I have to get to him!”

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