Page 37 of Deadly Intentions

Drew left me alone with Harley and Catarina. I watched as Harley snapped into action. She grabbed a medical bag I hadn’t noticed until now and laid out supplies on the bed.

“Fuck. I need to get her clean. Donny.” Harley turned toward me. “Can you help me get her in the shower?”

Another addition I was grateful for—the onboard shower. Scooping her off the bed, I carried her into the tiny bathroom. It was small for one person, but with three of us, moving around was a challenge. Harley turned on the water and stepped out. She waited in the doorway, watching as I stepped beneath the spray, fully clothed, with Catarina in my arms. The clear water turned a deep shade of sienna brown as the dried blood mixed with the grime on her skin. Despite the tepid temperature of the water, Catarina didn’t stir. That fact had my worry doubling tenfold.

“Why isn’t the water waking her up?” I glanced back at Harley, who held an equally concerned expression.

“I don’t know. Shock maybe? Let’s get her out and back on the bed.”

I stepped out of the enclosure and trailed water across the floor. I didn’t care that I was ruining the inside of Massimo’s plane—and I suspected he wouldn’t either. Harley wrapped a towel around her body before I laid her down. As soon as she hit the bed, Harley stepped in front of me.

“Get changed.”

“I’m not leaving.” I folded my arms across my chest, refusing to budge.

“Donny. I need to examine her and while I understand why you want to stay—" she took a breath, “Catarina deserves to hold on to what little dignity I can give her. Let me do this and then you can come back. Please.”

I closed my eyes and took a steadying gulp of air. She was right. Catarina was going to be mortified by the knowledge I, along with her brothers and Alex, saw her strapped to a table. I nodded, slowly easing backwards. “I’ll be right outside.” I pulled the door closed and rested my head on the wood separating me from the woman I loved.

“Hey.” Massimo pressed his hand to my back. “I have some sweats you can change into. Here.” He held out the gray cotton pants. “I always have extra clothes on board.”

I kicked off my shoes and stripped right there. I didn’t care that the others could see me. I pulled on the sweats and padded toward the seats and dropped beside Vincenzo. He patted my leg and nodded in understanding.

“Harley will take care of her.”

“I know.” I closed my eyes and leaned my head back. The lack of sleep and stress of the last two days had me drifting off.

“Rest. I’ll wake you when Harley opens the door.”

As much as I didn’t want to give in, I couldn’t win the battle and stay awake. The motion of the jet lifting into the air made it impossible to fight the darkness lulling me under. I had to trust Harley would take care of my girl.

twenty-three

CATARINA

I feltlike every nerve in my body was on fire, despite the softness beneath me. I blinked, trying to force my eyes open, but it was like someone had stapled them shut.

“Hey. Take it slow.” A soft voice spoke as a delicate hand pressed against my arm. “I’m going to wipe your face, OK?”

“Ok.” I tried to speak, but the word came out cracked and garbled.

A cool sensation swiped across my face, making it easier to crack open my lids. The light burned my retinas, causing me to wince. I blinked through the burn, giving my eyes time to adjust. Harley was standing beside me, holding a cloth in her hand.

“Let me help you sit up.” She pressed her hand behind my back and eased me into a sitting position.

“Where—” My hand flew to my throat.

“We’re in Vegas. Antonio’s place, to be exact.”

“How?” I coughed, and the words felt like I was spitting glass as I spoke.

“That’s a long story. But in a nutshell, Donny and your brothers found you. You’ve been unconscious for three days.”

Memories of the torture I endured pummeled my mind. My eyes began to leak tears as the visions of Javier’s assault played on repeat.

“Hey. You’re safe now.” Harley wrapped her arm around me and tugged me against her side.

“Herapedme,” I whispered into the room.

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