Page 9 of Broken Hearts of Sin

He sighs, shaking his head. “You are going to be the death of us all, Rom.”

“You love it.” I retort, putting pedal to the metal.

Mark sighs, leaning back against the seat as I throw back my head and laugh.

“Where are we taking her anyway? Don’t tell me the compound.”

“What do you take me for? An idiot?”

Mark spread out his hands.

“If the shoe fits…”

“Oh, ha ha! Very funny.”

“But seriously though, Romano...”

“Oh my God, would you relax. I’m taking her somewhere only we know.” I flick him a loaded glance.

His eyes widen at me, “You don’t mean…”

“Why not?”

“We were supposed to leave that building untouched. It’s a backup.”

“Yeah well, it’s still a backup since no one but you and I know where it is.”

“Oh, I see, youwantSilvio to kill you.”

I chuckle, shaking my head, “You are so melodramatic, Mark my friend.”

“Takes one to know one, Romano.”

I turn off at the bridge, “Okay then, here we go.”

CHAPTERSIX

The first thing I register is the throbbing. Weirdly, it makes me think about this passage from a book about that vampire named Louis describing how it had felt when he’d become one. How he’d heard a loud drumming sound, like a beast bearing down on him.

That’s how it feels.

Like a beast bearing down on me, stomping on my head with ruthless precision. It hurts like a motherfucker.

Slowly, it occurs to me that there’s no reason why I should be feeling like this. I haven’t been drinking and the last thing I remember is Patrizio… feeling me up.

Did he do something to me?

I draw in a breath, taking in the smells around me and then try to lift my head in order to see. Two things happen that stop me in my tracks. The distant throbbing pain becomes sharp as soon as I try to moveandI realize I cannot see a thing… because I’m blindfolded.

I low key begin to panic.

Deeeep breaths, Gigi. Take deep breaths. Calm down. Relax.

It doesn’t really help. Anxiety is slowly overwhelming me. “H-hello? Anyone around?”

My voice seems to echo in the space I’m in. From that flimsy information I have to conclude that I’m in an empty room, possibly big with high ceilings.

A warehouse?

---