Page 60 of Sweet Retribution

The curve of his lip is his death sentence. I pull the trigger ridding him of his sadistic smile.

CHAPTER TWELVE

My heart races in fear, panic, and pain for Stone. I pray he read through my words, and realizes I understand what he’s doing. He fooled me at first. I really believed I meant nothing to him, then his voice cracked.

Stone Parlatore’s voice doesn’t crack. He doesn’t look away or down from a fight, yet he couldn’t make eye contact with me while insulting me. Instead of the vein, I saw remorse. Pain. I understand why he distanced himself after we had sex in his office. While in the car. While on the plane.

I’m pretty sure he tried to distance himself from me in his office as well, only I didn’t give him the option. I would have smiled at the memory had Antonio not been gripping onto my hip, holding me firmly against him.

Marco sits in one of the wicker rockers, his ankle crossed over his knee as if simply enjoying the beautiful scenery. I would have believed that had his hand not been resting so close to the gun I know he wears at his hip.

“Your father knew this would happen to you,” Antonio whispers in my ear.

My skin crawls from his touch, from his breath on my skin. “That a sadistic man would hold me hostage and rape me?”

“Stone Parlatore is sadistic, isn’t he?”

I don’t correct him because he needs to believe Stone is who he pretends to be. “You’re a sick fuck, Antonio.”

“Such language,” he tskd. He spins me around so I face Marco right as a shot rings out in the air, knocking Marco to the ground. “Go.”

“No!” I scream as my knees buckle. He pushes me down the stairs and hauls me by the hair, dragging me to his SUV. It starts as he throws me in the back, and slides in next to me.

“What the fuck was that?” Antonio barks at the driver.

A man wearing all black steps on the gas, and I fall forward in my seat.

“I was watching the cameras. He killed Vinney. You told me if he shows any signs of double-crossing to get rid of the muscle and get you out of here.”

“Fuck.” Antonio slaps me across the face. I cry out and cover my cheek with my palm. “Are you in on this too, bitch?”

I want so desperately to tell him off, but giving away Stone will only cause him more trouble. “If I knew he was bringing me to you I would have slit my throat first.”

“Fuck.” Antonio turns and looks behind us. “If this goes south, you won’t need to slit your own throat. I’ll do it for you.”

I glance in the rear view mirror and can only see a cloud of dust as the SUV speeds down the windy, dirt roads. Tio and Lucca have their car parked somewhere. I pray they see us speeding by and follow us, shoot the tires out, something to stop Antonio from kidnapping me again.

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