Page 29 of The Savage

I expel a breath. Massimo’s loyal friend.

“I’m guessing the word is out to all his associates to keep an eye out for his girl.”

“Then why poison her? It doesn’t make sense.”

“You’re alive, aren’t you?”

Angelo’s curt, emotionless voice brings me back to the world we live in, and he growls,“Think about it. Massimo needed time to react. The best weapon he can wield is to buy him some time. The poison was enough to bring you down until he could collect. Word is, you escaped with moments to spare and your apartment in Norilsk was compromised. They will also have tracked Malik’s plane, which was why we arranged the commercial flight under false names. We may have bought you some time, but he will track you down and even Malik’s fortress in the mountains won’t be enough to stop him from coming.”

“So, the plan is?”

“Sicily.”

I spare a thought for my friend Alessandro and say somewhat sadly, “Is the Beast ok with that?”

“He is.”

Angelo sounds so emotionless I wonder how he does it because he is anything but when it concerns his sister.

“I’m making the final arrangements and you have a few days at the most. We must wait for Alessandro to clear everything with his grandfather, who will contact Massimo on our behalf. Then we set up the exchange and Winter will be free.”

“And Charlotte?”

My heart is heavy when Angelo snaps,“What about her? She’s his problem, not ours.”

Picturing the sweet soft woman currently naked in the room next door, tears my heart out and I snap back, “She is innocent in this. A few days ago, she was living a life faraway from this shit and now she’s lost everything. We owe her our protection.”

“Ivan.”

Angelo’s voice is hard and laced with no shit.

“Do your job like we planned. Don’t get involved because we are so close to getting Winter back. Do you remember your vow?”

“Don’t question my loyalty.”

My answer is wrapped in brutality because I would never let my brothers down and being pulled up on it cuts me deep.

A heavy sigh greets me as he lowers his voice.

“I understand this shit is hard. It’s why we made the oath to remove our hearts from the situation. Guard yours well, my friend, because emotion has no place in this.”

“Emotion is what got us here in the first place.” I snap back and he sighs heavily.

“Then we can pick it up and dust it off when the job is done. Your prisoner is not our concern. If anything, she is the most protected one here because Massimo would move heaven and hell to keep her safe and it’s up to her to learn how to deal with that. It’s not our concern.”

“Understood.”

His voice softens.

“Get some sleep and enjoy your stay in one of Malik’s fuck me homes.”He laughs softly.“It’s hard to understand why he has a problem with his life when you see how he lives.”

“I’m guessing he sees it very differently to us.” I remind him that our lives are hidden behind smoke and mirrors, and he sighs heavily.

“You got that right. I’ll be in touch and stay strong. We’re nearly there.”

As he cuts the call, I sink wearily onto the bed and am so conflicted it’s like a physical pain. Stay strong, he says. I’ve always been stronger than most, but for the first time in my life, I feel vulnerable and I’m hating every minute of it.

CHAPTER19

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