Page 92 of Massimo

"You kinky fucker." Vito grunts with a laugh.

"Soaked with lye and wrapped in barbed wire."

"Adepravedkinky fucker," Raf says.

Mario pushes away from the wall. "On it, Don. Anything else?"

Panic is escalating in my captive. I see the reflection of my monster looking back at me in his terrified, wide eyes. Smiling, I pat his cheek. "I want him over the floor drain."

"No." The guy jerks, starting to fight as he gets an idea of what's coming for him.

"On it, Mass." Raf steps forward. "Tiny and Dante, you're with me to get this guy ready for the boss."

The two who had been standing with Mario crush their cigarettes and stalk forward.

The guy starts to shout and kick at Raf, Tiny, and Dante, but he's staring at me. "I don't know anything!I don't know anything!"

But it's as if the lie is staring back at me, illuminated by a blinking neon sign. "I don't believe that, and you'll tell me everything."

Chapter 38

Nova

Sunlightpokesthroughthecurtains as I lay on my side, curled in a tight ball. I haven't slept all night. My fear wouldn't allow it.

Yesterday, I'd retreated to my room, trying to suppress the hurt and betrayal of being reminded that Massimo would never want a child with someone like me. Gemma came to see me multiple times, trying to coax to into talking or eating. But when she came in the early evening, I knew something was wrong, and she admitted that her family had discovered two of my father's men were in the city.

I knew my father would be hunting me, but hearing confirmation that reinforcements had arrived—braving enemy territory—was a brutal reminder that they were coming for me. That I'd be dragged back to my father.

Seeing the terror on my face, Gemma rushed to reassure me that Massimo would be home soon and that they'd keep me safe.

But why would they keep me safe? Even if Massimo had kidnapped me to strike at my father, if it meant their people would be harmed or killed to protect me, they wouldn't do that. Not with my father's sins. They'd cut their losses and hand me over.

I'm the Mancini Princess. The spawn of a snake.

"Why would I want that snake's spawn?"Massimo's words to his brother that I overheard while in his safe room reverberate in my head, nearly shattering me all over again.

Stupid. Gullible. Fool.

If there is an escalated risk to any of Massimo's family or people, he'd never sacrifice them for me, especially with my father's involvement in human trafficking and death rings. And I don't blame him.

Since I've learned of my father's men's presence in the city, I've been in a near-catatonic state. Paralyzed with fear, and replaying all the heinous lessons my father forced me to learn.

"Princess."

I startle, snapping out of my paralyzed stupor by Massimo's deep voice. I hadn't heard the door open or him come in.

He's back.Here. Home.

You're an idiot, my mind reprimands me as tears burn my eyes.

He comes into view as I lie on my side, his massive, powerful body kneeling in front of me, blocking the window. But he doesn't block the light. With him here, it's as though the room itself grows brighter. The darkness that had been creeping at the edges of my vision pulls back, allowing light—and hope—to slip in.

Stupid. Gullible. Fool. He won't protect you.

But a small part of my mind rejects that thought.

Massimo's dark brown eyes are concerned but warm, and his expression is open. It isn't filled with malice, venom, hate, or spite. It's filled with…

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