Page 8 of Redemption

“That’s it?” Vicktor growls coming close. He jerks me back by my hair and the unexpected pain has me crying out.

“Did you dare touch what’s mine?”

Roque’s face comes out into the dim light causing the females t gasp. Everyone on the planet knows his face. The face of the surviving mob in modern times. It’s plastered on every tabloid page with the rumors the Feds and Interpol can’t seem to get anything to stick. My glance falls to the bracelet at my wrist. The way he looked at me… the way he even now is trying to protect me despite our own sick game… has me doubting if I can betray him even if it’ll mean I’ll finally win.

The hushed crowd backs up. The veins in Roque’s neck pop. His jaw tics. His eyes are the window to all the hell unleashed inside of him. I’d be afraid too. But I’ve already survived him.

“Salvatore? Didn’t know this was your thing…”

Roque picks an imaginary piece of lint of his sleeve. “Unhand my woman.”

I’m practically shoved unto Roque’s arms. “You understand I can’t let this go unpunished?”

The Russian swallows hard but refuses to back down. “The fuck? How was I supposed to know it was you? That she was yours?” He waves us off and tries to leave.

“Don’t move,bella.”

I know I should leave, get the hell out of this club, and never look back. But as Roque rolls up his sleeves, I’m transfixed by the new ink that wasn’t there before. I guess that’s why I didn’t think it was him at first. Roque never has ink on his hands. He moves like a panther all confidence and unleashed power, waiting until the last second to strike. Roque’s fist clips the Russian under his jaw.

The second punch gets him in the sternum. The Russian falls back but raises his fists. “You dare? You’re a dead man.”

“You fuckin’ prick. You gonna start a new mob war over a sub in a sex club?”

“No one touches what’s mine.” Roque growls stalking closer. The Russian pulls a knife. Dimitri’s goons close in but Roque nods them off. Its one on one. Roque smirks, mimicking with his hands for the jerk to move closer. The man charges going for Roque’s legs. Roque jumps aside, landing an elbow on the back of the Russian’s head. He goes down and Roque follows. Woman scream as blood splatters on their evening dresses. Their DOMS, grab them hauling them away, soothing them with more violent delights. I roll my eyes as the women all whimper, needing the pain of S & M to wipe it away.

I just don’t get it. I enjoy the push and pull of power between me and Roque but that’s about it.

Roque finally relents when the man is out cold. I lift my eyes from the slump on the floor to the victor standing over him, watching me with hungry eyes.“I did it for you.”They say.

He crooks a finger at me.

I stand still, defying him to the end.

He places a hand on his hip, “Last chance, Red.”

“You’ll never conquer me.”

“I already have and you know it,” he baits.

“Please,” I roll my eyes.

“You’re the one wearing the collar,pet.”

I had forgotten about it. My hands fly to my throat, feeling the warm leather. I stand my ground as he approaches, taking a braided leather rope from his pocket.

“Don’t you dare,” I breathe.

Ignoring my swatting hands, he connects it. “Where’s our baby?”

I lower my eyes, not wanting to let him see how badly I wanted it. “Gone.”

“Gone?”

“Yes.”

He grabs my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. “You better not be lying to me. Did you…?”

I shake my head. “It wasn’t meant to be.”

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