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I navigate my way through the throng of dancers, my pulse pounding in my ears as I make my way to the washroom.
Waiting there for me, just outside, stands Franco. Here, the music is muffled, and I’m plunged into temporary silence.
"Romola," his gruff voice snaps me into the present. He looks around himself, and when no one is there, he puts his arms on either side of me, pushing me back with his chest. He towers over me, his eyes cold, unyielding. "What's the status of your mission? Have you found out anything about the diamond?"
My back presses against the cold, tiled wall, and I struggle to find my voice as fear coils in my chest. "I-I haven't yet, but I'm getting closer," I stammer, praying he'll believe me.
His patience wears thin, and he grabs my arm, squeezing it painfully. "You better hurry up, Romola. Rafaele isn't known for his mercy. How long will it take? From what I see… there’s more going on here than you’re letting on."
"Let go of me!" I hiss, trying to pull my arm away. "There’s nothing going on.”
“Then what’s taking so fuckin’ long?” he says, still gripping my arm.
I try to catch my breath and stay calm. "I haven't made much progress yet," I admit, my voice wavering slightly. But these things take time. If I'm going to succeed, I need to be smart about it. Fiero isn't stupid—he'll notice if I start asking too many questions or snooping around where I don't belong. That doesn’t mean there’s something happening behind your backs."
"Time?" Franco barks out a humorless laugh, and he grabs my chin in his hands. "We don't have time, Romola. Rafaele is growing impatient, and you know what happens when he's unhappy."
Franco’s eyes are almost touching my lashes, his grip on my chin strong. Memories flood back. The dogs, the threats, papa’s brutal beating and the final outcry. Tears spring to my eyes as panic and fear threatens to overwhelm me.
“Please,” I beg. “Let me go.”
Chapter 30
Fiero
I’ve been standing by the bar for what feels like ages, yet Romola is nowhere to be found. Earlier, I thought the lines must have been long, but I see women who went in after she had already returned. I begin to get worried.
I push my way through the crowded club, bodies swaying and colliding around me, but I’m hyper-focused on finding her. My eyes dart frantically as I search for any glimpse of her.
"Where are you, Bella?" I mutter under my breath, feeling more nervous with every passing second. Something is wrong; I already know it.
I make my way towards the lady's washroom and turn the corner. For a brief second, I freeze and take in the scene before me.
I’ve found her. But it's not relief that washes over me; it's dread. She's cornered by a man whose face I can never forget. I make it a point to know each enemy of mine, and right now, Rafaele's right-hand man is gripping her chin in his cruel hand.
"Please, let me go," she whispers, her voice trembling.
"Ah, Romola," Franco taunts, his grin malicious. "You think your innocent little voice will save you?"
My blood turns so hot that it flushes to the surface of my skin. “Franco,” I say out loud, sharply.
Her gaze meets mine briefly, pleading for help before flickering back to the threat before her. He barely even looks at me.
I don't hesitate as I swiftly move towards Romola and Franco, not wasting a second. I’m enraged, ready to kill him, by the time I reach his side.
"Franco," I growl into his ear. "Didn’t you hear me, bastard? I said let her go."
"Ah, Fiero," he smirks, his grip on Romola's chin tightening. "You think you have any authority over me? With none of your men present, you don’t stand a chance."
"Release her, now," I snarl, my eyes locked onto the fear in Romola's wide-set grey eyes, urging me to act quickly.
"Make me," Franco taunts, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
"Fine," I reply before lunging at him, my fists connecting with his jaw. The sound of bones crunching beneath my knuckles resounds and splits the air, followed by Franco's pained grunt. He releases Romola's chin but retaliates with a swift punch to my gut that knocks the wind out of me.
Romola gasps for air, her eyes wide as she crumbles to the floor from sheer shock. I want to rush to her side to help her up, but he’s coming back for me.
"Is that all you've got?" he mocks, laughing despite the blood trickling down his lip.
