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Shakarri didn’t answer. She needed to get up and get moving. This man was dangerous. If he didn’t find what he was looking for, he might kill her. In fact, he might do it anyway. It took all of her energy to roll to her side, and she panted, exhausted.
“You poisoned me.”
He chuckled. “Naw.”
No explanation, just naw. She despised him. Shakarri made it to a half sitting position, but the covers slipped, and she fell onto the floor. Disgusting hands came under arms and hoisted her back
to the bed. She flopped backward and gagged.
“Now, now, my dear. Must stay put. I told you. We’ll have fun in a bit. Let me get your keys.”
“No,” she squawked and dredged up the energy to grab her purse off the side table. She hugged it to her chest.
“Don’t be stupid.” His sweaty face came into view over her. “You don’t want me to have to tie you up, do you? I guess that could be fun too.”
She swallowed. “You’re not serious.”
He giggled. “I’m tempted. Real tempted. I’ve never found myself in this kind of situation. It’s like fate handed you to me. I’ll steal whatever’s not bolted down, but I mean a black woman right here. Do you know I’ve never touched one of you before? What do you feel like?”
“A woman, you perv!”
“Oh, there’s that anger you ladies have. I’ve always been kind of scared of it. You’re weak right now though. Can’t do anything. Give me the purse like a good little girl.”
She tried to hold onto it, but her arms felt like jelly. In fact, after that scramble to grab the purse, she was back to feeling feeble.
The man rifled through her purse and pulled out her wallet. He opened it and whooped with joy at finding her stash of money. Fear gripped Shakarri. That money was all she had unless she depended on the credit cards Ezio had given her. By now he must have canceled them all. She couldn’t even pay her motel bill if the man robbed her.
“Please,” she begged. The pain in her head escalated, and her stomach did a somersault. She began to shake and try as she might, she couldn’t stop. Her vision blurred again, and darkness crowded in on all sides.
The man’s movements flashed in and out of her line of sight. She thought she saw him pocket her money and throw the purse aside. Her head dipped, and she couldn’t gather the strength to open her eyes. She heard him through clogged ears like someone had put a fishbowl over her head.
“Now that I got a little cash…” The springs creaked, and the bed dipped down on one side. The movement sent an explosion through Shakarri’s head. “…how much can I get away with… A little stroking…”
She sobbed. “My husband will kill you.”
“He’s not here, is he?” A cold and lust-filled laugh.
She fainted.
“Move!” a man commanded.
The man’s voice crackled with barely-contained rage. Something or someone bumped the bed. Shakarri whimpered. Big hands cradled her and lifted her against a hard chest. His scent was familiar, but she couldn’t place it. Her head still hurt, and she was so dizzy. What happened? Where was she? Most important, who held her?
She recalled the thief and cried out. Right away, a soothing voice spoke into her ear.
“Facile, il mio amore,” he whispered. “No one is going to hurt you.”
Ezio! He’d found her. He was probably so mad at her. What would he do? She tried to open her eyes and managed to slit them. The room was too bright, and it made her feel worse.
“She’s burning up,” Ezio said. “I have to get her to a hospital. Dean, get her things and her car. She’ll ride with me and Lucca.”
“Sir.” An authoritative man spoke. “We’ll need a statement from your wife.”
Ezio growled his response. “You don’t need anything right now except to put that piece of trash under the jail.”
“Sir, you assaulted him. It’s possible he’ll press charges. Now, an officer will follow—”
“You apparently don’t know who you’re speaking to,” Ezio interrupted. “Trust me when I tell you he will regret ever laying a hand on my wife. If one of your men hadn’t pulled me off him— Never mind that. I don’t want to hear about that low life’s rights. I’m taking my wife to the hospital. Get out of my way!”
