his cheek. “It’s okay. Do what you have to, just make sure you come back to me.”
Nicco closed the distance between us, sweeping his tongue into my mouth and kissing me. It was a kiss fueled by anger and frustration, desperation and fear. It was a kiss full of promise and reassurance.
A kiss I never wanted to end.
“They’re back.” Nicco broke away, touching his head to mine. He inhaled a deep breath before sitting up, his cold mask sliding back into place.
Luis yanked open my door and peered inside. “One way in and out. He’s backed himself into a corner.”
Nervous energy zipped through me, my body vibrating uncontrollably. I took Luis’ hand and let him help me out.
Nicco followed. “Okay. I’ll walk Arianne to the door,” he said. “Once Nora is clear, you wait for my signal.” They both nodded as he took my hand and started guiding me toward the building. Every step was like a gunshot to the heart. Blood pounded between my ears, my pulse so fast I felt a little unsteady.
“Wait,” Enzo called, jogging over to us.
“What is it?” My voice trembled.
“Just get her back, okay?”
A faint smile lifted the corner of my mouth. “I will.” I laid a hand on his arm. His body seemed to relax at my touch, relief seeping into his expression.
“Come on,” Nicco urged. “We should...” He flicked his head to the door. The place was locked down, huge steel chains on the front shutters. But there was a door on the side of the building that was ajar.
When we reached it, Nicco tugged me around to face him. “I’m going to be right behind you, okay? Keep him talking but don’t get too close.”
“Okay.” A tear slipped down my face.
“Ssh, Bambolina. This will all soon be over.” He cupped the back of my neck and drew me close, kissing my forehead. “I love you more than life, Arianne.”
I hesitated, and then, without looking back, I slipped inside.
It was dark and cold, a cloying smell lingering in the dusty air. My sneakers barely made a sound as I moved down the hall, but I could hear my heartbeat. Feel it as it pounded in my chest. The hall opened out into the main warehouse, floor to ceiling steel shelving creating a network of passageways.
“Hello,” I called.
“Ari, don’t—” Nora’s voice became muffled and I heard Scott grunt and grumble.
Picking up my pace, I weaved in and out of the shelving, until I saw them. Scott had Nora tied to a chair, her hands bound behind her back and ankles bound together. “What are you doing, Scott?” I stepped out into the clearing.
In its day it had probably been a sorting bay of some sort, boxes and crates littered around the place. I stepped over some debris, stopping before them. Nora was gagged, thrashing against her restraints, her eyes pleading with me to run.
“Where is he? Where is that fucker, Marchetti?” His voice rose, echoing around the warehouse, sending a violent shiver down my spine.
“Let Nora go, Scott,” I said, keeping to the script Luis and Nicco had gone over with me on the ride here. “She isn’t a part of this. You wanted me and I’m here. But you have to let Nora go.”
“You think I’m stupid?” He whipped out his gun, waving it around maniacally. I slowly lifted my hands into the air and inched closer. “Scott, look at me.”
He was jittery, and part of me wondered if he was on something. “Put the gun down and let Nora go, please.”
His gaze darted wildly between me and Nora.
“Let her go,” I urged. “If you care about me at all, please, you need to let her go.”
He stilled; my words finally reaching something deep inside him. “You’ll stay?”
I nodded. He was unhinged, utterly deluded. But it worked. Appealing to the part of Scott that was infatuated with me, made him begin to untie Nora.
The second she was free, I beckoned her toward me.
“Wait.” He cocked the gun at her.
“Scott.” Fear trickled through me, turning my blood to ice. “Let her go and we can talk. Just you and me.”
I silently prayed Nicco was somewhere inside the building. Luis and Enzo too. But I daren’t look for fear of distracting him.
“Slowly,” he ordered Nora to start walking.
She came toward me and I dropped my hand, brushing her fingers. “Go and don’t look back, okay?” I whispered and she nodded, tears streaming down her face. Aside from a split in her lip and some