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I cried out when Remo lifted me in his arms. “Don’t want you to catch a cold. That would be a shame. I’ll have to ask Kiara to shop for clothes that fit you.”
I was frozen in his hold. “You can send me back to Minneapolis. I have enough clothes there.”
“I think Danilo wants you in Indianapolis, Angel, or have you forgotten?”
I realized I had. My wedding seemed so very far away, and it was the last thing on my mind.
Remo chuckled joylessly. His stupid manipulations were getting to me. How was he doing it?
I didn’t answer his question because he knew. My traitorous body mourned the loss of his warmth when he set me down on my feet in the cell where he’d recorded the last message to my family. I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly overwhelmed by the memories. My gaze flitted to my wound. With the Tylenol I barely noticed its existence and it was scabbing over. It wasn’t the pain or the cut that bothered me. It was the memory of Samuel’s and Dad’s expressions when they’d seen me in Remo’s hands. They were suffering more than I did, and that was the worst thing about all this.
Remo stepped up to me, his body a warm presence at my back, and he took my wrist, lifting it so he could inspect my wound. His thumb lightly traced my skin. He leaned in. “I won’t cut you again, Angel. Don’t be afraid.”
That wasn’t what I was scared of most. “You won’t?” I asked curiously, tilting my head so I could evaluate his face. Why would Remo say something like that?
Remo cuts deep. Hits hard. Kills brutally.
Remo dropped my wrist, something in his expression shifting, his guard slipping in place. “Time for your call with Samuel.”
He went to the screen on the table and turned it on followed by the loudspeakers. I moved closer when Samuel’s face appeared. My heart clenched violently at the sight. His hair was a mess, his expression haunted, and dark circles spread under his eyes. He probably hadn’t slept at all since my kidnapping.
Guilt crashed over me for not being as bad off as they all imagined. I could tell Samuel was struggling to keep his expression controlled. He wouldn’t show weakness in front of his enemy.
“Sam,” I said quietly, my voice shaking.
“Fina,” he got out. His eyes scanned me and the skimpy outfit I was in. He swallowed, a muscle in his jaw flexing. “How are you?”
“I’m okay,” I said. His brows drew together in disbelief.
“How much longer she stays that way depends on your Capo’s willingness to answer my demands,” Remo added.
What demands?
Samuel began shaking. I touched my palm to my chest, letting him know that he was in my heart. He mirrored the gesture then his eyes hardened as they settled on my forearm. “How bad is it?”
“Not bad,” I said.
I could see he didn’t believe me. He thought I was trying to protect him. I could feel Remo’s eyes on us the entire time, but I tried to ignore him.
“How are Mom and Dad doing?”
Samuel’s expression was cautious. He couldn’t tell me everything with Remo close by. “They are worried about you.”
“How’s Sofia doing?” I whispered, fighting back the tears.
Samuel’s eyes flitted to Remo, and I stiffened in turn. I shouldn’t have mentioned my sister in front of him.
Remo made an impatient sound. “I don’t kidnap children, don’t worry.”
“You only kidnap innocent women,” Samuel snarled.
Remo pressed up behind me, and Samuel’s expression switched from fury to dread. “Who says she’s still innocent?”
Samuel jerked. Remo gripped my hip in warning, but I didn’t care.
“It’s not like that,” I said fiercely.
Samuel’s eyes found mine, searching, and a flicker of relief showed on his face.
Remo grasped my chin, turned my head, and gave me a harsh kiss. I froze in shock, not able to believe he was doing this in front of my brother.
He released me abruptly. “How innocent she returns to you depends on your cooperation. Tell your uncle that, Samuel.”
I twisted out of Remo’s hold and looked at Samuel, my cheeks heating up in embarrassment.
“Take me in her stead. I’ll exchange myself for her.”
“No!” I shouted desperately, but Samuel wasn’t looking at me. I whirled around on Remo, wide eyed. A cruel smile played on his face. I caught his gaze. “No,” I said forcefully. His eyes lingered on my lips then dipped lower before they locked on mine once more and relief coursed through me. Remo wouldn’t exchange me for my twin. He wouldn’t release me. Not before he got what he wanted. I wasn’t sure what that was, but I had a horrible feeling it wasn’t something my uncle could give him.
“Serafina is worth too much, I’m afraid. Time to say goodbye.”
I turned back to my twin. “I love you, Sam,” I whispered. Words I’d never said to him when other people were around because emotions didn’t belong in public, but I didn’t care anymore. Let Remo see how much I loved my family.
