Page 81 of Plus-Size Bratva Possession
My heart hammered against my ribs. Ricardo’s promise to make us suffer hangs in the air like poison. My head, knees, and wrists hurt beyond belief, but it was nothing compared to the terror of watching Gastone offer himself up for me. I'd never seen him like that before, and it scared me more than any knife against my skin because I knew how capable he was of foolishly dying for me.
“Take them to the back room,” Ricardo ordered his men. “I need to make a call to our friends. They'll want to know we have Ajello.”
They marched us through the warehouse to a small office at the back, before throwing us inside and slamming the door shut.
“Are you okay?” Gastone asked, shifting to face me despite his bound hands.
“I'm fine,” I lied. “You?”
“Been better.” He gave me a tight smile that didn't reach his eyes. “I'm so sorry, Elena. This is my fault.”
Even now, in a situation so bad, he blamed himself. “This is not your fault,” I said, ferociously. If he didn’t defend himself, I decided, I would defend him.
He moved around until his back touched mine, and I wondered what he was up to. “Listen to me,” he whispered urgently. “Dom knows we were taken. Help will come, but we need to buy time.”
“How?” I whispered, feeling hope flicker on.
“See if you can reach into my back pocket. I have a pocket knife. Pity they didn’t pat us down.”
I felt utter relief and let out a snort. “Amateurs.”
Gastone chuckled. “Hurry,” he said.
I searched awkwardly with my bound hands until I found it. “Got it.”
“Good girl,” he breathed. “Now cut my ropes.”
I fumbled to open the knife, and with my back against his, I began sawing at his bindings as best I could without risking him or myself injury.
“If we get out of this,” I whispered as I worked, “I'm never letting you out of my sight again.”
“Is that a promise?”
“Yes,” I said, meaning it with everything in me. The rope finally gave way, and Gastone quickly turned and took the knife from me.
When I was free, he cupped my face gently, his thumb brushing away a smear of blood. “I meant what I said out there. I'd die for you, Elena.”
My throat tightened. “If you talk like that, I’ll kill you myself.”
Gastone shook his head, beaming from ear to ear, before pulling away and moving to the door. “I can hear two guards talking.”
He pulled away and scanned the room, but didn’t tell me what he was thinking. “Here's what we do. I'll make noise, like you're hurt. When they come in, I'll take them out.”
“That's your plan?” I whispered, incredulous. “There are at least a dozen more men out there, plus Ricardo.”
“We only need to get past these two to have a shot at the exit,” he said, already breaking off a chair leg to use as a weapon. “Trust me.”
I did, God help me. I nodded.
Gastone positioned himself behind the door while I sat on the floor, ready to play my part. He gave me a nod, and I began to moan loudly.
“Help!” he cried. “Please! She's bleeding badly!”
I heard shuffling outside, and the door opened. And one of the men stepped inside.
“What's—”
Gastone struck fast, bringing the chair leg down on the back of the man's head. He went down hard as the second guard rushed in. Gastone slammed the second guard's head against the wall, and the man crumpled.
