lights it. The more I stare at him, the more I think I’ve seen him before. The dark eyes and hair. All of his features are hard like stone.
“He kidnapped me.” I lick my dry lips. How long have I been out?
“A lot of brides don’t come easily. You have to break them in.” He grins.
Disgusting. Cato would never do such a thing.
Nico glowers at me. “She‘s lying. She walked around that house like she owned it. Cato let her get away with anything.” If looks could kill, I’d be dead.
I wipe some dirt from off me. “You sound like a jealous girlfriend.”
Nico is on his feet in an instant. I scramble backward, trying to get away from him. Not that there’s anywhere to go. We’re in a giant office. It’s a lot like Cato’s but not as nicely decorated. Sort of dusty and rundown, to be honest.
Nico grabs the front of my cover up and yanks me up. He pulls his hand back. I kick my legs out and hit him right in the kneecap. He loses his balance and falls on his ass. I may have sealed my fate with that blow.
The man at the desk barks out a laugh. He’s clearly enjoying the show. Sick asshole. Nico reaches for me again. I close my eyes, ready to take the hit. There’s nothing I can do. If I fight right now, it will only be worse for me.
“Don’t hit her. If you break her jaw she can’t talk.”
I open my eyes to look up at Nico. He wants to hit me so bad he’s thinking about defying an order. He’s not just stupid. He’s extra stupid.
“Nico.” The man slams something down on the desk. Nico shoves me before stomping back over to the sofa like a child who got in trouble. I want to smile, but now is not the time.
“She’s got that Simonetti blood in her, that’s for sure. It's going to get you killed like all the rest of them,” the man at the desk taunts me.
I just stare at him. He’s not going to bait me into a fight. I’ll let Cato seek vengeance on my behalf. I just need to continue to be smart to protect Carter, to get whatever information from these assholes that I can so I know what they’re planning. Ultimately, Carter is what matters most. I would lay down my life for that little boy.
“Now where were we?” He smiles. It’s creepy as hell and sends a shiver up my spine. “Yes, Cato’s new plaything. Could you be pregnant?” He raises one eyebrow. My hand goes to my stomach. I’d never even thought of that when Cato and I were in the heat of the moment. I could only think about him pleasuring me, and maybe somewhere hidden inside me, I wanted a part of him? A child with my eyes and his face.
My eyes burn when I realize I may never see Cato again. Carter either. He’s already lost so much. I can’t leave them.
“Answer me,” he shouts.
“I don’t know.”
“Hmm. It would be too soon to know. But could you imagine Cato’s only born child being raised as a Lantino?”
“Lantino?” The man who ordered my parents murdered? My stomach turns, bile rising in my throat. Do not throw up.
Nico ignores me. “You can’t keep her alive. You should have let me kill her and leave her body there for them to find.” I think he’s starting to get scared.
“We’ll fake her death.” The man puts his cigar down. “Think of it, Nico. His own child could kill him. Now that is fucking revenge!” he bellows.
He stands and comes around his desk toward me. He’s shorter than I thought he’d be. I will myself to not scramble back, to not show weakness in front of these hyenas. All I can do is wait for my love to find me.
Oh God. I’m in love with Cato. Why didn’t I realize it sooner? I might never get to tell him that. A tear escapes. I wipe it away quickly as the man towers over me. I will not show him weakness, because these types of men get off on it.
“I could even have some fun with you. Record it and send it to Cato. He’d go insane.”
The need to vomit pushes up again. This can’t be happening. “Why are you doing this? What does this have to do with the Lantinos? They died. Cato killed them and took their holdings.”
“You haven’t figured