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“I’ve killed people for less than what you’re doing right now.”
I blink and meet his gaze. Dark eyes stare into me, but they don’t appear angry, only curious. Maybe amused.
I push up into a sitting position.
“Who are you?”
He raises a brow, and I can't help but dart my eyes to the part broken up by scar tissue. “You don’t already know?”
“You’re connected to the casino,” I say, watching him closely to see if he’ll confirm. He doesn’t. “Are you a manager or something?”
“A manager?” Now he outright laughs, and when he does, I notice his canines are just a little too sharp. He’s dressed in an impeccable suit, and his dark hair is slicked back, but those things do little to distract from the danger written into his features he can’t hide.
No, he’s not a manager.
“I’m Lorenzo Gruco,” he says when he comes down from his laughter. His lips curl into a sneer. “I believe you took something of mine. You’re here to give it back.”
He says it like I should recognize the name, but I don’t. I only wanted to stop the casino’s shows, I didn’t care who the specific people responsible were. I assumed there were many behind the scenes.
“I didn’t take anything that was yours to have.”
“What?” he asks, his eyes hardening.Now, he looks angry. So am I.
“Those animals were not meant to live within concrete walls, and I’m not helping you get them back. What you’re doing right now is called kidnapping. It’s a crime, a serious one, and clearly you have no idea who you’re fucking with.” The drugs have worn off enough that I manage to push onto my knees, then slowly to my feet, although I wobble. Fear lingers, but my pride swells so much I can barely feel anything else.
Lorenzo sits on the floor still, his head cocked to the side as he watches me.
“Now if you’ll excuse me.” I spin to face the elevator, but I overestimate how much my body can handle and stumble. The room spins and I fall into metal, bracing myself on the elevator door. As I am regaining my footing, Lorenzo stands up behind me.
“Do you think I want your help getting my cats back? Is that what you think this is?”
I search for a button beside the elevator but only see an electronic panel. It needs a passcode.
He grips my shoulders and yanks me up straight. He presses me forward into the elevator door then lays himself against me. My muscles are working better, but the firm hand planted on my back would keep me in place even if I weren’t drugged.
“I’m starting to think it’s you who has no idea who you’re fucking with, Amelia.”
“You said I’m here to give you your animals back.” I say, a shiver breaking out where he touches my skin with his cold hands. My breaths come out shaky, and I try to ignore the fact that he said my name. Of course he knows my name. He had me kidnapped.
This is a scare tactic. They don’t want me to protest anymore, and I won’t. I fucking won’t. I bite my lip and clench my eyes shut when he leans down and nuzzles his nose into my hair and inhales.
Scare tactic. That’s all this is.
“In a way,” he answers, only confusing me more.
“Look, I’ll stay away from the casino, okay? I’m not doing any more protesting, so whatever your other businesses are, I’ll leave them alone.”
“You’ll be far too busy to be doing any protesting, I agree, but unfortunately, you no longer have the option of being uninvolved in my business. You’ve made yourself involved.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Watch your mouth!” he snaps, and I flinch from his tone.
My muscles tense, and he must sense my fear because he calms and runs a hand over my head, smoothing my hair. The gesture feels oddly comforting, and I freeze under his touch.
He could really hurt me. He could even rape me, or worse... kill me. My body tenses at that thought, and now I try my damndest to get away from him, but his body against mine doesn’t let me budge.
“Lucian used to sleep up here,” he purrs into my ear. “I don’t know how many times my mother told me what a fool I was for allowing it once he was fully grown, but I couldn’t help myself. He was such a good cub, but he was an even better friend.”
