Page 104 of Beautiful Revenge

“I have to run, princess. I have to go.”

She nods. “Go then. You have to. If they catch you, you’re dead.”

God, I could kiss her but there’s no time. With one last look in her direction, I take off running. Multiple guards give chase but I’m faster. I’ve been running and fighting my entire life.

I don’t head for the front door as there will be too many guards out there. Instead, I run down one of the museum hallways, looking for a back exit that won’t be as heavily guarded.

It’s ironic. Dante once ran through these exact halls with Nadia at his side as he escaped Erik and now they’re business partners. I guess anything can happen.

Except, I’m not a sell out like Dante is. I’m not going to make peace with men who fucked me over. I hold a grudge.

I find a back door and burst through it. The guard outside tries to grab me but I slip through his grasp. I don’t stop running till I make it to my car parked down the street. I’m driving away by the time the guards reach me.

Shit. I was so close to stabbing Erik. He wasn’t even looking in my direction as I approached. If it weren’t for Aria, I would have stabbed Erik and made a run for it.

But Aria got in my way. She stopped me.

Once I can get her back, I’ll spank her for getting in my way.

Unless…

Maybe she stopped me in an effort to save me. That’s wishful thinking though. I can’t even go there. Aria may care for me but she always wanted to go back to her family. Guess now she gets the chance.

Fuck. I didn’t mean to lose her. Viktor is going to be pissed that I failed at killing both Dante and Erik when I had the chance and that I lost Aria, my one bargaining chip.

I have nothing and no one.

I don’t have my brother. My wife. No allies. All I have left is my mom but even she won’t come to my rescue on this. Not when she’s torn between me and Aiden.

I have to regroup and get Aria back and then I’ll focus on killing Erik. It’s the only way.

Killing is all I know how to do.

Aria

Nadia rushes to my side as I hold onto my bleeding arm. “Aria? Is that you?”

“Yes.” I feel… numb. Finn tried to kill Erik and I stopped him and now he’s on the run again. Without me.

It’s what I wanted… right? I wanted him to go so he wouldn’t get caught. I would have just slowed him down.

Now I get the chance to see my dad again. That’s wonderful.

But…

“Aria,” Nadia says, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. “You’re here. You’re ok. We got you.”

Nadia and I met when Dante first brought her over to my house, back when she was still Dante’s prisoner and not his wife. I was just sixteen at the time. I was so mean to her until she showed me, an Italian, compassion. Even though she had been kidnapped, she was still so kind to Dante and to me and my dad.

We’ve been close ever since she married Dante.

The sight of her makes tears well up into my eyes and I break down into tears. I’m not one to cry but that’s all I can seem to do right now.

“You’re hurt,” Nadia gasps.

Dante gently nudges her to the side. “Let me see.” He grabs my arm. “That bastard. He cut you.”

“He didn’t mean to.” Even though my lips move, I don’t feel anything. I’m defending Finn on autopilot.

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