denied it, sure Ramon wouldn't do that. But when I got home and confronted him, he hit me for the first time. My world got smaller, escorts following me everywhere. And whenever Ramon's business didn’t go in his favour, he turned his rage on me.
Eventually I started spying on him, trying to find out when he would be out so I could try and make a run for it. That was when I discovered he was cartel. A drug lord. And then....then-
"Oh my god," I breathed as Ramon glared at me.
His grip on me loosened, his eyes searching mine. "You remember," he growled, seeing that knowledge in my eyes and I hurriedly shook my head. "Don't lie to me!" He threw me to the floor and Nicoli roared curses as Ramon slammed his shiny shoe into my gut. "Tell me the code!"
The code. What’s the code?
It burst into my head again like a lightning strike. The code for the safety deposit box at the bank. And now I remembered exactly what was inside. But if Ramon wanted the code, that could only mean one thing.
"You sent me to them," I coughed. "You bastard!" I pushed myself up, lunging at him and throwing a punch into his jaw. He grabbed my hair, yanking my head back until I screamed then gazed down his nose at me. I snarled at him like an animal, my nails digging into his arms. "I'll die before I tell you it."
He pulled me upright, his forehead resting to mine. "You stole from me. Now you give yourself to another man. You owe me everything. Sasha. The code, every drop of blood in your body, every scream you have to give. They're all mine. Each cut those men placed on you was put there because I asked it of them. And still you defy me?!"
"I'll destroy you,” Nicoli choked out as Ramon's men fought to hold him in place. I looked to him with desperation and Ramon wheeled around, tugging me in front of him and forcing me to look at Nicoli by pinching my chin.
"You won't tell me? Fine." Ramon gestured to the man gripping the tie around Nicoli’s throat. "Kill him."
"No, wait!" I screamed and Ramon raised his hand to hold Antonio off.
Panic clawed at my insides as I stared down at the man I loved with every part of my soul. A soul he’d healed piece by piece, fitting me back together until I was something new, something strong, something I was proud to be. I wouldn’t let Ramon hurt him even if it cost me every bit of myself all over again.
Nicoli was panting as Antonio loosened off the tie a little, his eyes pinned on Ramon with murder in his gaze. He hadn't even flinched in the face of death. He was lost to the bloodlust, ready to stop every man's heart from beating in this room given the chance.
Ramon curled a hand around my waist, tugging me against him as I stared at Nicoli with fear pressing in on all sides. His mouth moved to my ear and I cringed away from him as he whispered to me. "The code for his life. That's the price."
My ears rang with those words.
"Okay," I said heavily. "But you have to let him go."
"I'll let him go when I have what you stole from me," Ramon snarled, turning and dragging me through the door. I heard a struggle and glanced over my shoulder as the six men heaved Nicoli to his feet and pushed him along behind us.
He looked at me like I was the last sunset he'd ever see, but this wouldn't be it. Ramon could have the code if this was the price. I didn't care. I just needed Nicoli to be safe.
Ramon led the way out a back door into an alley where our entourage were waiting, the five gleaming cars ready to go.
"Hold him still," Ramon instructed his men, pushing me into the arms of one of the six men surrounding Nicoli. The other four shoved Nicoli towards my husband, keeping a tight grip on him, his hands pulled behind his back and the tie still locked around his neck like a leash.
Ramon was shorter by an inch, but he had enough muscle to be a threat. He threw his fist into Nicoli's gut, forcing him to buckle forward. I screamed, begging him to stop, but he threw three more punches, one to the gut and two to the head.