Page 40 of Under the Influence
"Fuck!"
Tucker! Gio’s best friend races toward us. The man guarding the door yelps and drops to his knees. Tucker’s fingertips brush my wrist. Lunging to grab me. I stretch toward him too. Desperate to reach him. But I lose him as he flails backward from the explosion to his chest.No!
Crimson splatters on my gown, and I'm dragged down the corridor. We're running. Away from Gio. Away from the ceremony. Away from everything I wanted and may belosing.
I'm thrown forward from a force behind me. Tangling in the heavy fabric around my feet. Dead weight pinning me to the floor. Dampness seeping from his chest to my back. Agony burning in my leg from a sickening snap of bone. Terror raging through my shatteredheart.
Harsh hands yank me out from under the huge body slumped over mine. Rough carpet scratches my arms. Smearing scarlet down my rawskin.
Curled against a hard chest, I fight the nausea rolling in my belly. The throbbing in my ankle worsening from the wild bouncing of our race down the hall lined with floor to ceiling multi-colored windows. Glass shatters, and we stride through the shards. Crossing a patch of winter dead grass to the black SUV parked on the sidestreet.
Without a single word, he tosses me into the back seat. I can't hold back the sob from the torture to my mangled body. Sliding across the floor mats as the vehicle jerks hard, lifting and bottoming out from zooming across something uneven under thetires.
After a few seconds the ride smooths. Still barreling forward but in a seemingly straight path. I swallow down the vomit threatening to burst into my mouth and hoist myself up onto the cushion. Swaying from the fire blazing through my mutilated bone. From the fear of where we're going and what we've leftbehind.
Dark tinted windows obscure the view. Keeping anyone from seeing me. Finding me while we blast along the interstate. I turn away from my reflection in the glass. Unwilling to face the blood –Tucker’s blood – staining my cheeks. Strands of hair hanging haphazardly around my face. Disheveled, but not from Gio the way Iexpected.
I gingerly cup my hands under my thigh and lift my aching leg onto the bench. Blowing out deep breaths to ride through the searing pain. Swollen bigger than a grapefruit, my ankle curves at a distorted angle. I fight the tears welling up in my eyes. The sob bubbling in my throat. I don't think I've ever been more afraid. Not sure what I'm going todo.
Except giveup.
Gio and I have been given a second chance, and I'm not losing him or Tuckeragain.
We slow, turning onto the long driveway of a country property. Lined with bare trees as stark as the rolling hills on each side. He parks in front of a gray brick estate. Simple elegance highlighted by white shutters and broad black slate stairs. My pulse pounds through my skin. Leighton's mom stands on the bottom step. They've taken her too. Just like Gio feared. Punishing him by hurting the people we careabout.
I punch against the buttons in the side console but nothing happens. The window remains up. The door stays locked. The panic continues to explode. I can't warnher.
The guard fills my view, and he yanks the door open. Straining to call to her, I battle against the man who reaches for me. Fist curls around my wrists, preventing me from inflicting any damage tohim.
"Run Patti! Go! Get out ofhere!"
"Be careful! That's my future daughter inlaw!"
Anger floods her voice. Rather than the gracious, friendly tone I'm familiar with. The man's grasp loosens, cautiously sliding me out of the back. Obeying her orders. Following her commands. As if she's not avictim.
As if...she's theboss.
Daughter inlaw?
I can barely wrap my head around her label of me with the black spots invading my vision as the man carries me up the steps. Consuming all my energy to fight the darkness tempting me to give in and escape from being so cold and weak andbroken.
He hustles through the foyer, following her quick steps on the marble. Just like Gio's house. Our house. That I may never get backto.
"What happened? You had strict orders not to hurt her. Only Trivoli was supposed todie."
Gio? Gio was supposed todie?
"It was an accident. They clipped Johnson, and he fell on her. She probably needs to see adoctor."
"You think?" Her head shakes with an irritated disgust, and she points to a cream chase lounge. "Put her downthere."
Misery pours through my body from him lowering me to the cushion. Squeezing my eyes shut against the bed spinners engulfing me. Once the room slows, I blink and meet her gaze. Fury blazing in hers. "I don't understand. Why are you doingthis?"
She leans closer. Her hand resting on the smooth upholstery. Dangerously close to my writhing injury. "Because you're supposed to marryLeighton."
I clench the divan arms, keeping myself from tipping over. "He dumpedme."
"Yes, but now he wants you back. And that's what you told him at the party. You still want to be withhim."
