Page 123 of Craving Danger

He sucks in a deep breath, and his features soften. “Sorry. Seeing the stitches pissed me off.”

“It doesn’t hurt much,” I say to make him feel better.

He lifts my left hand and presses a kiss to the bandage as Via and Milo climb into the front of the vehicle.

When we leave the property, I lean my head against Franco’s shoulder, wondering how I’ll feel when I walk into my apartment.

A while later, Milo parks the G-Wagon in front of the building, and we all get out.

Franco wraps an arm around me as we head up to my apartment, and when I unlock the door, I suck in a deep breath.

Stepping inside my home, I glance at the broken glass and dead flowers on the living room floor before taking in the kitchen table standing askew and the toppled chairs.

There’s blood smeared on the tiles from when I struggled against Todd.

A shiver shudders through my body as I remember glimpses of the fight.

Franco pulls me against his chest while he growls, “Via, pack clothes for Samantha.”

“Yes, boss,” she murmurs before darting into my bedroom.

I move out of Franco’s embrace and walk to the kitchen. When I crouch to pick up the pan, I feel him behind me.

Straightening up, I set the pan on the table, saying, “I saw my future while I fought him.”

Franco wraps his arm around my waist, and nudging my face up, he asks, “What did you see?”

A smile tugs at my mouth. “Us.” Standing on my tiptoes, I press a kiss to his lips. “I saw us.”

Chapter 40

Franco

After getting Samantha settled in my place, I head to the armory.

It was a good idea to assign Via to her. I feel a hell of a lot better knowing Samantha has a guard with her when I have to take care of business.

When I walk into the torture room, it’s to see Todd’s limp body hanging from the shackles.

“Are you still alive?” I ask as I move closer.

He pries his eyes open and lets out a garbled sound.

I glance at Santo and order, “Bring it in.” Turning my eyes to Marcello, I say, “Let the doctor down.”

While Marcello frees the man’s wrists from the shackles, Todd lets out a painful groan.

Santo and Joey carry a wooden box into the room and place it on the floor.

When Todd drops to the floor, he lets out a cry, which makes a smile form on my face.

I gesture at the box and order, “Put him in it.”

Santo and Joey gather Todd’s broken body off the floor, but when they lower him into the rectangular box, he regains some strength and grabs hold of the sides.

“N-no…N-no,” he stammers, his eyes wide with the horror of a man who knows he’s about to die.

I move closer and crouch down beside him. “Yes.” A satisfied smile curves my lips. “I’m going to bury you alive, but don’t worry, I have a parting gift for you.”

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