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Eventually, we arrived at my father’s house, the place where I’d been abused my entire life.
I stepped out of the SUV with Antonio’s help and straightened my spine, preparing to face my father. I had to convince him to save Gabriele and Lorenzo.
My composed mask was shattered, a thing of the past. I could feel the righteous anger that tightened my features, and I let Father’s men see the strength of my resolve as I strode into the house.
Giana and I walked hand-in-hand to his office, preparing to face our oldest tormentor as a united front. I’d told her about my plans to save Luca’s friends during the long journey, and she stood by my side in solidarity.
As soon as we stepped into his office, strong hands grabbed my shoulders, ripping me away from Giana. She cried out and whirled, reaching for me. Antonio’s arms closed around her, dragging her back.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured in her ear.
She twisted, trying to fight her way to me. But he was so much more powerful than she could ever be, and he held her fast.
My stomach dropped at the regret that tightened his features, the apology in his dark eyes.
Father watched the scene grimly, his stony face not betraying a hint of concern for his daughters.
“We have a deal.” He addressed the two men who held me, their thick fingers biting into my upper arms.
“What are you talking about?” I demanded, my voice shrill with fear. “What have you done?”
My heel connected with one of my captor’s shins, and his grip loosened. He cursed and grabbed me with bruising force.
My heart dropped to the floor.
He’d cursed in Russian.
“Father!” I cried out to him like a child, looking to him to save me from a fate worse than death.
But he was the one condemning me.
His eyes were cold on mine as he said, “I won’t have Dante’s blood on my hands when I take power. The Bratva will kill him for me when he comes to take you back.”
Giana screamed in protest, and Antonio lifted her feet off the floor to keep her from lunging for me.
Father eyed the Russians and raised his voice over her desperate sobs. “There will be peace between us now. As soon as Dante is dead, I’ll be in charge, and my men won’t make any more trouble for you.”
I kicked out at my captors again, fighting like a trapped animal. One of them cursed when I landed another kick. He released me, and I spun away. The other caught me, pinning me to his front so that I was an easy target.
A meaty fist slammed into my jaw, and the world went dark.
Chapter15
Dante
Iwas supposed to be winning over Luca’s allies, Mattia and Diego, but I couldn’t focus on what they were saying. We’d been negotiating their demands for hours, a process that was dragging on because I didn’t have my full attention on them.
Please. Let him stay with me.Nora’s words of longing played through my head on a loop, and my jealousy dug black claws into my heart.
I’d been a fool to let him fuck her, to allow him to speak to her.
But I’d been high on bloodlust and my own triumph, and I’d lost myself to madness. I would’ve done anything to claim my wife after slaughtering her tormentor, Alberto. I’d craved her more keenly than I’d ever desired anything, so I’d offered her to Luca. I’d reasoned that he was mine to use as I wished, but she didn’t see him that way.
She cared about the motherfucker, the man I hated most in the world.
Far more than she cared about me.
I gnashed my teeth. Nora wasmywife. She should’ve craved my tender touch after our intense sex, not his. He was less than nothing. How could she desire him?
