Page 53 of Tainted Obsession 1
Even as fear clings to my heart, my chest warms at the knowledge that she trusts me so implicitly. The desperation that tightens her lovely eyes soothes the beast in me.
That desperation is forme.
She manages to get free of the seatbelt and flings herself against my chest. I gather her up in my arms and rush her into the building, not slowing even when the bulletproof door closes behind us.
“Call the doctor,” I snap at the men.
“What’s happening?” one of the guards demands.
“Los Zetas,” I growl in response, punching the button for the elevator. In the seconds it takes for the damn thing to arrive, I bite out, “They ambushed us on our way to the airport. Call Duarte and tell him what happened.”
“He’ll want to talk to you.”
“I need the doctor first,” I counter sharply as I step into the elevator. “Evelyn was hurt.”
“I’m okay,” she says in a shaky whisper as the silver doors slid close, cutting us off from the guards and their questions. “You’re the one who’s bleeding, Massimo.”
Her eyes are dark with panic, and she brushes her fingers over my cheek. Red paints her porcelain skin.
Shit.My brow throbs, but lingering adrenaline keeps the discomfort from becoming a distraction.
I hate the fear that pinches her delicate features, hate the sight of blood marring her perfection.
Better my blood than hers. I will gladly bleed for her; I’ll willingly shed a lot more blood if it means she’s unharmed.
We reach the safety of the suite, and I rush her into the bedroom before carefully laying her down on the bed, ensuring that her back is propped against the pillows.
My hands rove over her body, barely touching her as I assess her for injuries. I suppress the impulse to tear off her cornflower blue, lightweight sundress to check her over.
I take a breath and remind myself that the doctor will be here soon, and he’ll be more capable of assessing her health. In my feral mood, I might accidentally jar any injuries.
“They hurt you.” My voice is so gravelly with residual rage that it’s barely human.
They tried to take her from me. They died far too quickly.
I become aware that blood splatters my fists and forearms—the blood of my enemies. My chest swells with savagesatisfaction at the evidence of their deaths. They will never touch her again.
I’m somewhat soothed at the sight of the gore that marks my skin. The brief concern that it might upset Evelyn melts away when I register that her anxious gaze is fully focused on my face.
“Where is the doctor?” she demands breathlessly. “How long will it take for him to see you?”
“I’m fine,dolcezza.” I brush her hair back from her cheek.
“You’re not fine!” Her voice takes on a higher pitch than usual. “You weren’t moving. All that blood…” Her terrified gaze rakes over my face. “I thought you were…”
She trails off, her throat working as though she can’t bring herself to finish the sentence.
I shush her gently, placing my hand over her heart so that she can feel my presence. Calm settles over me. Fear for her wellbeing still flutters at the back of my mind, but she needs me to be her rock right now. The sight of my concern will only upset her more.
“I’m okay, Evelyn,” I promise. “I’m not going anywhere.”
She places her hand over mine, pressing it tighter to her chest.
“They wanted to take me to George,” she murmurs, the pained admission barely audible. “They said they didn’t care what condition I was in.”
Fury surges, and I barely manage to keep the murderous tension from gripping my muscles. The sight of Evelyn’s horror tears at my insides.
“He will never get to you,” I vow.
