Page 53 of Cruelest Vow

I tugged at the rope, almost laughing. The knot had already slipped. I’d need to play this carefully if I had a chance at getting out of the shithole alive.

“The girl? Do you want us to kill her?”

The girl? I took a deep breath, ignoring the pain swimming through my head. I yanked at the rope, able to stretch it another few centimeters.

He laughed then threw me a look. “It will be my pleasure to break an Italian princess.”

Lucia.

That wasn’t going to happen. No one touched what belonged to me. No one.

“I think he’s awake. Time to have fun. I’ll call you when it’s finished.” He slipped his phone into his pocket, motioning to his guards before heading in my direction.

The stranger took his time, his footsteps echoing. When he was within two feet, he crouched down, yanking my hair at the scalp. His face was scarred, likely the result of a clash with a serrated knife. “The crown prince is a prince no longer.” His laugh was irritating as fuck.

Hissing, I scanned the room with my eyes, calculating how many of them I could take at one time. “Fuck you.”

“Glad to see you’re enjoying your stay in Shangri-La. I’m afraid there won’t be any parting gifts.”

I grinned, shifting in the seat.

“Oh, and that girl you’re so fascinated with?” he dared ask. “I’m going to enjoy spending some quality time with her. I can’t wait to hear her scream as I drive my cock deep inside her sweet little pussy. That is what you’ve been doing. Right? I’ll give her a real man before gutting her.”

Rage tore through me, adrenaline rushing through my veins as visions of her face remained in the forefront of my mind. I took several deep breaths, keeping the grin on my face.

There was no second guessing what I was about to do, no time to think it through clearly. When I issued a loud bellow, the man was startled at first. Then he laughed, remaining in his crouched position, issuing a savage backhand. Pain exploded through my head, but the anguish only increased the flow of adrenaline.

With one swift kick, his body was knocked several feet back and into the air. I pitched my body to the side, using the momentum to boost my strength. The snap as the rope broke free was followed by several popping sounds. I didn’t hesitate, yanking the knife attached to my boot, tossing it across the warehouse, the blade connecting with one of the advancing soldiers. Then I lunged forward, wrestling the weapon from the asshole who dared torment me.

Pop! Pop!

I yanked the dead man to his feet, using him as a shield as I sprayed the warehouse with bullets. As bodies began to fall, I tossed the asshole to the floor, my anger knowing no bounds. Dropping and rolling, I continued shooting until there were no rounds left.

Then I took a deep breath, surveying the carnage. When I was certain they were all dead, I climbed to my feet, gasping for air. Then I threw my arms out and bellowed.

Today, I wasn’t just an animal. I was a beast who’d destroy a city to keep the woman I loved safe.

I’d always known Mattia would challenge me, but he’d fucked with the wrong man.

Ten minutes later, I walked out of the warehouse, yanking a lighter from my pocket. I’d found all the fuel I needed. Smirking, I flicked the switch, enjoying the raw power of the single flame. Blood would rain in the heart of my home, but only after destroying the hired guns Mattia had believed would crush me.

Then I would take my place as ruler.

I crouched down, finally taking a deep breath as the line of accelerant took on a bluish hue. Then I closed the door and headed for my car. Seconds later, a powerful explosion took out the building, debris and ash raining down all around me. But I walked through it, jumping into my car and starting the engine. Lucia was in danger, protecting her the only thing that mattered.

And I would scourge the earth of every single asshole who believed they could destroy my destiny.

They should have known better than to fuck with the Animal.

* * *

After the second hard knock on the door of Lucia’s apartment, I took a step back. Without hesitation, I issued a hard kick, the locks holding in place. After throwing my full weight against the solid wooden surface, the locks gave way, allowing me inside. I didn’t give a shit who else had heard the noise or whether or not they’d called the authorities. By the time anyone arrived, I’d be long gone.

Unless her body was inside.

I quickly scanned the living room. Noticing seemed out of place. With the assholes I’d just encountered, it was possible another crew of soldiers had been sent to retrieve her so they could have their fun. I doubted they’d be courteous in their method of abduction. Within seconds, I realized she’d left of her own accord. With drawers of her dresser left open, her closet door remaining ajar, it was obvious she’d packed a suitcase. After throwing it open and peering into the closet, my fears were confirmed.

Storming out, I raced down the stairs outside, weaving my way through traffic to get to my building.

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