AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He just stared, not answering while waiting for me to figure it out.
Fuck. Me. “What’s she gonna inherit?”
“That’s the right fucking question, brother. You figure that out, you’ll learn who’s been threatening her.”
“This must be connected to Rubio De Marco and Carlo Tripoli. Those two fuckers have been after Bianca for months.”
“But why? She’s beautiful, but men like that who work for Alaric Huber wouldn’t be swayed by a pretty face.”
I didn’t focus on the fact he said my woman was beautiful. If I did, the possessive, overprotective part of me would beat his ass. Didn’t matter if he was my new president.
“The first day I met Bianca, she ran from her father’s funeral.” My hand formed a fist on the bar as my mind brought up the details of that day, including Alaric’s cruel treatment of a grieving granddaughter. “Huber sent her away, only allowing her to return nearly a year later. That was intentional.”
“Had to be,” he agreed.
“What if she received money on her eighteenth birthday but not all the balance until she turned twenty-one?”
“It’s possible.”
“She’s the heir,” I realized. “Her father must have amassed a large fortune apart from the Huber dynasty. His own funds must be allocated to his daughter as the sole beneficiary.”
“Makes sense.”
“I bet he knew about his father’s corruption and that money is intended to give her a life away from Alaric and his demands.”
Maddog whistled low. “Damn. She’s in danger, Manic. If Rubio and Carlo know about her fortune, they won’t let her go. Or anyone else who wants a piece of that pie.”
“Like Alaric,” I snarled.
“You can bet on that.”
“Fuck,” I snarled. “They won’t get to her. I won’t let any of them fucking touch her. Which means I need to put them to ground first.”
“Yeah, SAA. No other choice.”
Hours later, I sat behind the wheel of the truck and felt the presence of the shadow. The entity Lucifer gifted me decided to take hold, forcing me to follow Maddog as his bike veered off the road and took the next exit.
I didn’t see which city we stopped in, and it didn’t matter. Trouble would be here soon, and we needed to be ready.
Everything along the strip of road we traveled appeared closed. Businesses were closed this late into the night, and most people slept in their beds. Few people stayed awake at three in the morning. We passed a dark neighborhood where all the lights were out inside. A few twinkled with holiday lights.
Maddog rode beyond the edge of town, slowly coming to a stop in front of us. He kicked down the stand and cut off the engine, throwing a leg over before he stood. I didn’t have to see his face to know the shadow inside him led us to this location. My own darkness seemed to merge with his as if our shadows fed off one another and increased in strength.
I heard Bianca swallow in the silent interior of the truck. “Benny?”
“We need to find a place to hide you.” The words tumbled from my lips without my bidding, saying words I didn’t like. My lip curled upward as a sneer followed. The shadow dared to find humor in the situation. I could fucking feel it.
“Are you going to tell me why?”
It was on my tongue to refuse when I caught the tears lingering in the deep sapphire of her eyes. Fierce protectiveness surged inside me, and I reached for her, tugging her close as she pushed the release on her seatbelt and slid into my arms.
“I can’t explain how I know what’s coming, but I do. Carlo is on his way, and I won’t leave you exposed or vulnerable. I need to know you’re safe while I deal with him.”
Her eyes widened, and a single tear slid down her cheek.
I lowered my head, licking up the side of her face and tasting the salty droplet. A feral hiss of displeasure left my lips. The taste was exquisite. The reason she cried? Not fucking okay.
“He won’t show you mercy, Benny. Be careful.”
