Page 49 of The Mafia’s Fiancee

Chapter 18

Emma

No one stopped me onthe way to the garage. So few guards were here on the premises, and I assumed that capo, Sean, had more out on the perimeter of the property.

I felt safe when Luke was here, but since he wasn’t, and not accessible with a call, I had to take matters into my own hands.

He rushed out to save his mother, so he couldn’t fault me for hurrying to help my friend. Our commitment to stay together had impacted others, and it was our responsibility to keep as many people safe as possible.

I couldn’t take this silence. The lack of being able to get ahold of Luke. The inability to call Krista and ask if she could get away. This predicament made me feel reckless, like I had to help. I had to step up and make sure I kept her safe.

I grabbed the nearest SUV that was parked in the garage, and within moments, I was backing up and heading out. No one stopped me from leaving. The guard at the gate frowned when he saw me approaching, but he likely assumed that I was another Rossini soldier or worker, simply heading in or out as expected. With the SUV’s tinted windows, he couldn’t see me driving.

Now getting back in, that’ll be something else...

I glanced at the passenger seat, checking that I had my burner phone and gun. Jimmy had shown me enough trust in letting me have a different, fully loaded firearm, but I wonder if he was so quick to trust me with a gun only because Luke explained that I’d shot the Giordino man to help us escape the safehouse.

The drive to the Marchese residence where Antonio was likely keeping Krista felt longer than usual. Every mile that passed put a little more doubt on my shoulders. I debated the entire way there if I was being foolish to fall for this trap or if I was brave to do my best with these circumstances.

I couldn’t leave Krista. I owed her more friendship than letting her be killed by the man who couldn’t accept that I didn’t want him. That I desired no part in any alliance between our families.

Before I could talk myself out of coming to her rescue, though, I reached the area where Antonio ruled with his father.

I parked further from the gates, but I was able to sneak in when I spotted Justin patrolling along the perimeter.

Krista’s friend. Her “hot” bad boy she couldn’t stop flirting with, even though he was loyal to serving the enemy.

I hissed, grabbing his attention from behind a hedge, and he frowned at me, crouching to speak. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Coming to help Krista.”

His face hardened. Deep resentment showed in the fine lines on his rugged face. “You can’t.” He shook his head.

“How did he get her?” I asked instead of arguing with him. For all I know, he’d grab me by the hand and drag me inside.

“Through me,” he bit out with a hefty dose of self-loathing. “She contacted me, lonely, and wanted to meet up downtown. We did, but Antonio had someone following me.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“I swear it. I love her,” he argued.

Love? If he loved my friend, how could he work for the sadist who wanted to capture me and treat me like a broodmare to share with his buddies? By continuing to work as a Marchese soldier, he was aligning with someone Krista could never forgive.

“I didn’t know I was followed. I missed her, so fucking much. I knew she had to be lying low and hiding because of him trying to find you. But I had to see her.” He hung his head, then looked around to check if anyone was watching. “They took her from the hotel room and brought her here. I snuck in to see her, to see if I could help get her away, and she told me to fuck off with a message for you.”

“For me?”

He nodded. “I think Antonio already sent you the bait message. She said if I saw you trying to save her, she’d kick your ass.”

I rolled my eyes.

“She said she’d rather be dead than live and know you gave yourself up to keep her safe.”

“Then fucking help me,” I insisted. “Get me in there so I can get us both out.”

He shook his head. “You’ll be seen.”

“I am not leaving her to—”