Page 81 of Pretty Little Game

The jet’s engines sputter to life, telling me that one of the three captives must have been the pilot she probably sent out ahead to ready the plane for escape.

“My brother,” Nico demands, his shoulders tensing as the Matron keeps her knife leveled on my throat. He takes several steps forward and then stops, restraining himself once more.

“Take it easy, my little Italian-don-to-be. A deal’s a deal. You can have him back. Once I’m safely out of harm’s way.” One step at a time, she forces me up the stairs, her grip on my hair firm, the blade at my throat impossible to resist.

We reach the top, and for a fleeting moment, I think she might just decide to haul me onto the plane. But I’m done. If she wants to take me anywhere, she’s going to have to be strong enough to carry my dead body. Planting my feet, I set my jaw and wait for the blade to sink deep.

Giving my hair a tug, the Matron rips at the roots, but I don’t budge. She releases a quiet growl of frustration in response.

“You want him so bad?” she shouts over the jet’s roaring motor. “Then here. Take him!”

With that, the knife lifts from my throat, and her hand releases me. Her knee lands squarely in my back a moment later, and she shoves me forward forcefully.

Well, fuck.I didn’t imagine I would die this way–falling down a flight of stairs face-first with no way to catch myself since my hands are still restrained. Dead from a broken neck after all the potential risks of this shitshow of a day.

I twist in the air, attempting to rotate so some less-critical part of my body might take the brunt of my impact. Then, as I near the ground, strong arms meet me. I take Nicolo and Lucca both down with me from the velocity of my descent, toppling them like bowling pins as they attempt to catch me.

Then they pull me up off the ground and into a hug as they help me to safety. From over my shoulder, I see the jet’s door seal shut, and the private plane starts to roll down the runway a moment later.

“She got away,” I growl in frustration.

“Just be thankful you’re alive,” Lucca counters.

I suppose he has a point, but I don’t like the thought of that woman left alive.What’s to stop her from attempting something similar once she’s had time to reconvene?

We reach Ilya and his men, interspersed with Nicolo’s, and my older brother cuts me free of my bonds as Lucca wraps his coat around Ellie and pulls her in his arms once more. Now that he has her back, it seems he plans on keeping her there indefinitely.

The cord slackens around my wrists, and I bring my hands in front of me, massaging the chafed skin tenderly as Nicolo comes around to examine my cheek. His hands grip my head firmly to stabilize it until he’s satisfied by what he sees.

“You’ll probably scar, but it’s not actually too deep. Nothing a bit of tape won’t fix,” he says gruffly.

“Thanks for coming to get me,” I say, meeting his eyes.

He pulls me in for a rare hug, catching me by surprise. After a moment’s hesitation, I reciprocate. Nico doesn’t even seem to care that I’m getting blood all over his fine Italian suit. Instead, he grips the nape of my neck in a brotherly embrace that leaves me speechless. But when he claps my back, I release a pained groan, dropping my hands to hold my ribs protectively.

“You okay?” he asks, pulling back and gripping my shoulders as he takes a look at my blood-stained tux.

“I’m fine,” I say, waving off his concern. “I just might have gotten the shit kicked out of me.” I cringe reluctantly.

“Was it worth it?” he asks.

I nod, a smile spreading across my face. “Definitely.”

“Well then, that’s all you need to say. Just don’t do anything that stupid again. Next timeI’llkick the shit out of you. And then kill you myself.”

He gives my good cheek a light slap, then jerks his head in the direction of where Lucca and I were initially supposed to meet. My heart kicks up a notch as I picture Bianka waiting for me. I follow him with renewed energy, ignoring my aching body, as I can’t wait to see her face.

“Cassio,” a deep voice rumbles behind me.

I hesitate and slow my step as Ilya falls in beside me.

“What you did for my sister… it goes beyond words. I know you didn’t have to go after her, but your quick actions probably saved her life. So thank you.”

His face is solemn, his eyes grave, and for a moment, I’m lost for what to say.

“You’re welcome,” I manage finally, though the words seem so paltry compared to what I mean.Knowing everything that could have gone wrong, I would do it all again in a heartbeat. I would risk everything for Bianka because she’s my reason for existing.

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