Page 277 of Merciless Desires

Yanking me forward by the throat, Dominov walked me out of the dressing room and into the main area of the bridal boutique. Unfamiliar men held guns to the temples of the capo wives, Mamma Cortese…and Gisella.

My skin prickled uncomfortably, a flame of fear licking across my body, knowing I was the only thing keeping them alive right now. If I didn’t play along, do exactly what this man said, I would be the reason for their deaths.

“Please,” I whispered and brought my other hand up to press his further against my throat. “I’ll be enough to get him here.”

Dominov shifted us until he was behind me, holding me tight to him.

“Are you certain of that?” The question was a whisper against my ear.

I nodded again, and he laughed.

“You’d best be right, malishka. For your own sake.” He turned his attention to the room before us. “Get them out of here.”

Dominov wasn’t letting them go. He was just removing them from the building. I watched as they were shoved into two SUVs and driven away.

Dominov removed my hand from his and tucked my phone in my palm. I heard the click before the cold barrel was pressed to the side of my head.

“Call him.”

I stiffened so I could hide the tremors that vibrated through my body. Unlocking my phone, I paused and stared at my background image. A photo of my sisters and I with our tongues out made my chest tighten.

I couldn’t let anything happen to them. I’d die to protect them. Their lives were worth more than mine.

When I pulled up my contacts, my thumb hovered over Matteo’s name, and with one final breath, I called him. Before I could bring the phone to my ear, Dominov pressed the speaker button with his pinky finger.

“Amorina.” Matteo’s warm voice nearly broke the strength I was clinging to. “I’m sorry. Please…”

“No, I’m sorry,” I said quickly, feeling Dominov’s grip tighten against my throat. “I just wanted you to want me.”

“I do want you. Only you. Let me show you.”

“Okay,” I agreed.

“Do as I say,” Dominov whispered, his lips against the shell of my ear.

“Come see me in my dress.”

Matteo chuckled. “Isn’t that bad luck?”

“For him, it will be,” Dominov muttered.

“No,” I squeaked.

My weak tone was rewarded with more pressure against my throat.

“Come,” I managed to say against the strain of Dominov’s hand and mine.

“I will. Where are you, amorina?”

“Tell him you will share your location.”

I did as Dominov said.

“I’ll share my location.”

“See you soon, amorina.”

Pulling the gun from my head, Dominov ended the call and opened my messages. They were up to date with my new phone. He’d had access to everything for as long as he’d had my old phone. Dominov shared our location with Matteo and then tossed the phone across the room.

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