Page 98 of Twisted Embrace

In my conversations with my bestie, I’d known she hadn’t wanted to sell the property, the location where she’d fallen in love with D’Artagnan as a teenager too important. It was also the least protected facility within the DeLuca–Lazarro regime. Hopefully, it wasn’t on the Bratva’s radar, although I was beginning to wonder if there was any place in Italy or the United States that was safe.

When Anthony moaned, I moved toward him, hunkering down and placing my hand across his forehead. “His fever is spiking.”

“We need to get him to the hospital.”

“There’s not enough gas to get him anywhere.” I laughed bitterly.

“I know. I just…” Lucia couldn’t finish her statement. “Did I ever tell you that Dar used to play his guitar and sing to me inside the old barn? I fell in love with his voice first.”

She’d told me every detail of their stolen love affair, although as kids they’d never even kissed. But her heart had been taken by the man, no other good enough.

While I didn’t have that kind of past with Enzo, it didn’t diminish the way I felt about him. Right or wrong, he was the love of my life. Not knowing whether he was alive ate at my insides, keeping me on edge.

Anthony was in and out of consciousness, but the man was a fighter.

I kept the gun in my hand, fearful that another attack was imminent. I’d tried to make several calls, none of them going through. “I’m going to walk out and try and see if I can find a place where there’s more cellphone coverage.”

“You can’t do that.”

“What other choice do we have?”

Lucia struggled to stand, lumbering toward me. “There’s a clearing less than a half mile to the left. That’s where I used to go sometimes. You should be able to find coverage there.”

I nodded as I stood. “Stay here and out of sight. I won’t be long.”

She squeezed my hand. “Be careful. Take the gun.”

“You won’t have anything to protect yourself with.”

Her grin was what I remembered from a long time ago. She headed toward one of the stalls, returning with a shovel. “I’ll do just fine.”

I wanted to laugh, her resourcefulness allowing me to at least smile, but my heart was too heavy. “Just hold tight. I will get us out of here.”

“I know you will. You’re the strongest woman I know.”

“Ha. We’ll see.” I was also terrified beyond being able to think clearly, but I refused to lie down and die or be taken. I slipped out of the barn, listening for any sounds. If one of the estate guards made their rounds, then we’d be safe. If not?

No, I wasn’t going to think that way. We would get through this.

I moved to the outer edge of the pasture to the woods, the long dress catching on briars and twigs. If I’d had a knife, I would have ripped more of the skirt away. I had no clue where I was going, yet I remained determined to find the pasture. After a few seconds, I started jogging, another wave of adrenaline kicking in.

The low limbs from the massive trees made it difficult, forcing me to jump over piles of underlying brush, but after several minutes, I was certain I noticed a clearing. Excitement tore through me as I headed toward the blip of sunlight. When I raced through a clump of trees into a gorgeous pasture, I almost shouted with joy.

I immediately lifted the phone, a squeal leaving my throat from seeing the second bar indicating better reception.

Without wasting another second, I dialed Enzo’s number.

And it rang.

“Joy,” he growled. “Jesus Christ. Are you alright?” The concern in his voice filled me with tingling sensations.

“Thank God I got you. We’re okay. Just okay. Listen. We’re at Lucia’s old home.”

“Dar told me. I’m almost there. Fifteen minutes away. Where are you on the property?”

“The barn. Lucia insisted. Although I’m in a pasture. There was no reception. The SUV was shot. No gas. Please come and get us.” I was rambling, my throat threatening to close.

He breathed what sounded like a sigh of relief. “She’s alive.”

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