I parked my truck at the edge of the lot and steeled myself for the long shift ahead. My phone vibrated, and I pulled it from my pocket.
Hatchet: I love you. I’ll drop by in a few hours.
I responded with a heart before shooting off a text to my brother.
Me: When you’re ready to stop being a dick, let me know. And I expect you to give Hatchet his cut back.
Merrick: After I strip the patch, I’m going to use it for target practice. You’re lucky he won’t be wearing it when I do.
I loved my brother, but his overprotective tendencies grated on my nerves. I understood why as a teenager, but he needed to stand down now that I was an adult.
Me: This isn’t that big of a deal. Would you rather I marry Luca?
Merrick: No. This isn’t about love. It’s about the code.
Me: Stop with the club bullshit.
Merrick: Dad didn’t want this life for you.
Me: Well, Dad’s dead. He doesn’t get a say. And neither do you.
I reached across my truck to grab the bag of cookies I’d lifted from Kenna’s kitchen counter on my way out. A rush of breath left my chest as a hard body pressed into me from behind.
“It’s time to take you home.”
Before I could respond, a sharp pain pierced my neck, and darkness swallowed my consciousness.
I groaned as I came to, my joints stiff as I shiftedagainst the concrete floor. I opened my bleary eyes and swore as they adjusted to the bright overhead lights. I shifted my gaze, following the soft thud of Luca’s dress shoes.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I asked as I fought the zip ties that bound my hands.
“Is that any way to greet the man you’ll marry?” Luca’s tone was smooth. Confident. Disgusting.
“I’ll never marry you.”
He smirked. “My mother is planning the wedding now. That’s the only reason I haven’t punished you yet. Don’t want bruises in our photos. What will our grandchildren think?”
I pulled against the zip ties again as he continued.
“Italy is beautiful this time of year. We’ll have a cliffside reception on the coast. Remember? I’ve shown you pictures of it. You said you wanted to visit. Where would you like to honeymoon,amore mio?”
“There won’t be a honeymoon. I’ll throw myself off the fucking cliff if I have to.”
Luca tsked, shaking his head. “Always so dramatic. You have until we land to get your attitude out. You won’t disrespect me in front ofmi famiglia.”
Land? The question must have shown on my face, because Luca grinned. He pulled me to my feet, his arm steadying me as I swayed. He half-carried me through the door. My stomach tightened as I saw the private jet before us, parked outside the hangar like it was ready to go at a moment’s notice.
“You won’t be able to get me past customs.”
Luca tossed me a sinister smile. “I have your passport. A forgery, of course. It says you’re my sister to make it easier for me to get you into the country. I have paperwork that says you’re mentally unstable, in case you decide to cause a scene. I’m a doctor. No one will question me.”
“Why are you doing this?” My voice wobbled, and I pressed back tears.
Luca ignored me. “We’ll leave as soon as my pilot arrives. Let’s go back inside.”
He walked toward the private hangar as if I’d follow him. On impulse, I turned and began to run, praying I’d get far enough away before he noticed. That someone, anyone, would see me.
I chanced a glance over my shoulder as I heard his thundering footsteps behind me.
