Page 50 of Tortured Hearts
I step forward, but Anton shakes his head, glaring at me into stilled silence. Once the door closes, I swing around, ready to slam my fist into his skull. “What the hell happened? I thought you had a lock on Marcello’s location?”
“I did. He must’ve been carrying a burner phone and left the trackable one at the club.”
“Saddler touched her,” I say, my voice low and deadly.
The corners of his mouth turn down. “I know.”
“What do you mean, ‘you know?’”
His expression hardens. “Feeds are available for seventy-two hours, so I went to the control room to loop the tape like you asked and saw what happened.” He swallows, his face graying faster than a rolling storm cloud.
Murder seeps from every pore in my body. I’m going to kill Henry Saddler. I’m going to cut him into pieces, then put every finger that touched her in a fucking jar at her feet. “Give me my gun.”
I expect an argument. Instead, Anton pullsmy Glock from his pocket and places it in my waiting hand. “Gianni…”
“Cut the video and audio feeds and loop the last twenty-four hours as planned,” I clip, tucking my gun in its holster. “Then find Henry Saddler and bring him to the Chop House.”
He arches an eyebrow. “That’s a fired shot.”
“It is. The question is, are you going to be behind the bullet or in front of it?” I ask, using his words fromCucciola’sagainst him.
Anton is silent for a moment, then gives me a stiff nod. “Give me half an hour.” He starts toward the steps, then stops and glances over his shoulder. “Everything I said before about staying away from her…? Forget it.”
“Already did.” I wait until he’s at the top step with his hand on the doorknob before calling out again. “I suggest not putting any guard at her door you want to see on the other side of this.”
We stare at each other but say nothing. The warning speaks for itself.
Once I’m alone, I pull my phone from my pocket and text Owen again.
Change of plans.
His response is quick and to the point.
Damn it, Gianni, we had a deal.
We had several. None went as planned, so I’m making a new one.
There’s a briefpause and then…
I don’t think this is a good idea.
Bloodlust pulls my lips.
You’ll think otherwise soon.
Pocketing my phone, I pace like a rabid lion. I can’t see her like this. I definitely can’t touch her. That’s the danger in caging a predator… Everything’s quiet while the lock’s engaged. But the moment it’s removed, someone’s jugular is getting ripped out.
Finally, the rage settles to a dull roar, and I turn toward Becca’s door. I thought I was prepared for what I’d see. I was wrong.
Chapter Sixteen
BECCA
There’s a quiet click, and then dim light floods the pitch-black room. I hear the footsteps but don’t bother lifting my head. I know who it is. The scent of burnt pine and spice dominates the tiny room. It clouds the sensible side of me, sparking to life the parts that ache for his touch. The parts that need Johnny Malone to take me in his arms and tell me he won’t let anyone hurt me.
Even if it’s a lie.
“Becca, I…” All movement stops. I feel his eyes on me, but I’m too busy watching the single overhead bulb cast shadows on the floor to meet them. “My God.” He traces my swollen cheek. “Scusami se sono cosí,cara mia.”
