Page 193 of Barinov

We wait for a few breaths before Knox’s sigh comes through the line. “No response.”

“Fuck this,” Laing grunts. “This’ll wake her ass up.”

“What are you—”

I’m cut off by the echoing of two gunshots.

“They’re down,” Laing says, way too pleased with himself. “I’m in.”

“Fucking Tattooed-Dragon—”

“LEX!” Cade’s voice pierces my ears. “On your left!”

I look over my shoulder just in time to see some huge fuck charging at me in all black.

BANG!

He drops before he even hits me.

“Thanks, babe.”

Chapter 48

BELLA

Day 75 in Eden

Buzz. Buzz.

Knox’s fancy hair-tie vibrates again.

I roll over quickly and face the wall. The black silk sheets sting the hell out of my bare skin as I yank them over my half-naked body. I’m just hoping and praying Luca is asleep and doesn’t feel the movement on my wrist.

“Izzy?” he says, his voice sluggish.

Shit, so much for that.

Luca scoots closer. He runs his calloused fingers under the silk and drags them over my shoulder. And because the man clearly doesn’t understand the word moisturize, they scratch.

After being paraded around in front of Luca’s sleazy friends for hours by the moonlit pool, the last guest finally left around midnight. When we got to our room, he surprised me with an engagement present. Well, presents really. The first one was a set of plane tickets. We’re going back to Florence in two days.

Or so he thinks.

The second, Gucci’s newest line of designer bags. In all three color variations. Ellie would swoon over the complete set. I, however, plan on using them as fire starters to burn this damn house to the ground.

And because apparently Florence is the theme of our little engagement shitshow, the last present was a brand new red laced lingerie set. He said it’s just like the one he got Izzy—who now I realize was totally Raina playing his dumbass—in you guessed it… Florence. Complete with an insane amount of blood-red rose petals all over our bed.

Disgusting.

I tried pulling my usual I’m tired and not feeling well routine, but he insisted. Multiple fucking times.

I had no choice but to change into it. Although, with it being a special night he wanted to watch. In candlelight of course, because I’m sure the asshat thought it was romantic. He sauntered up behind me and unzipped the back of my dress at a glacial fucking pace before letting it hit the floor.

My blood was boiling so much I about jammed my eyeliner pencil into his jugular. But I hesitated because Knox told me to wait for his signal. Now, I’m getting the damn signal but I’m stuck tangled up in cold as fuck sheets with my psycho foster-uncle who’s dick is getting hard and jabbing into the base of my spine.

Luca’s lips brush my neck. “You alright, my love?”

What do you think dickhead?