Page 186 of Devoted

“K-keller. It’s Eva calling.”

“Shit. Frankie, Grayson, get over here!” he shouts before turning to me. “Answer it, put it on speaker.”

CHAPTEREIGHTY-FIVE

luca

Igasp for air as the freezing cold water sears my bare flesh. I hiss and bite down, shaking the droplets off my head.

“Oh, look who’s finally awake, darling.”

My vision may be hazy, but I’d know that irritating noise anywhere.

I sit up on my knees, yanking on the chains on my wrists that keep my arms out like I’m on the cross. Turning my head, I can see they’re attached to the cinderblock wall behind me.

Her laugh echoes through the dingy warehouse.“Not so tough now, are you?”

Her heels click against the concrete. I bring my head up to face her. Despite her immaculate appearance, those bloodshot eyes don’t hide her pain.

Good.

“I’m doing just fine. Never better,” I croak out.

As she steps closer, my anger spikes. Armed men follow behind her. She drops down to meet my eye level. My stomach churns as she trails one of her pointy fingers along my abs.

“It’s a shame really, you would have been a goodfuck. We could have ruled this empire together.”

“I’d rather die than fuck you,” I hiss.

Her finger brushes down towards my belt.

“Don’t you dare.”

A sadistic grin takes over her face before she leans in and licks slowly along my jaw.

“Don’t worry, your death will come in time, darling. We just have to get through the final show. I’m going to enjoy watching your heart truly shatter as I slice up your little girlfriend right before your eyes.” She bites down on my earlobe.

I just keep telling myself Rosa is safe. My men will protect her with their lives. Maria can’t get to her. I don’t give two shits what they do to me. I can cope. Grayson’s trained me to endure a decent amount of pain, and when the time comes, I’ll lay down my life for Rosa without a second thought.

“You won’t touch her,” I sneer.

Her hands frame my face. “Oh, Luca, Luca, Luca. You really think I can’t sweet talk my dear friend Frankie into bringing her to me? I’m quite convincing when I need to be. That man only wants one thing: power.”

I suck in a breath. My lungs are on fire as her sickly sweet perfume suffocates me.

“Enrique, bring her in.”

No. Frankie wouldn’t. Not his own niece. Would he? He shot his own brother.

I yank at the bindings on my wrists like a man possessed.

The door opens, and Eva is pushed through. She can barely walk. The heavy set guy escorting her is having to hold her upright. Blood trickles down the side of her face.

Her eyes lock with mine and go wide.

“Just let her go; you have me now. That’s enough,” I say.

Maria grips my chin harshly. “You aren’t in any position to make demands, Luca. Will this hurt your precious Rosa? Seeing her sister’s dead body?”

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