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“I’m coming, little girl.” Moving in tandem, I keep my eyes on her as Marco hands her the leashes. She hooks them onto the collars and immediately steps back into my chest, handing the leads over to me. Her face turns so her ear is pressed to my heart again. Interesting.
“Get rid of Dante.” I don’t fucking want anyone looking at her without my permission. “And the body!” I shout as he leaves. “Alright, baby, it’s time to go.” Gripping the backs of her thighs, I instruct, “Up.” As soon as she’s in my arms, I cup her under her ass. “Head in my throat, close your eyes, and don’t look up until I say so.”
She follows directions beautifully. Her lean legs wrap as far around my waist as they can, and her hands clutch at the back of my head as she breathes deeply.
“Ready, boss?” Marco starts forward at my nod, the body of the guard I dropped nowhere to be found, just the remnants of his injuries staining the floor. Voices carry as we walk down the staircase, but I recognize them as my men, so I try to remain relaxed.
“Any casualties?” Marco indicates there’s not. Good. I didn’t want any of my men to die today, but I know they would have made the sacrifice if need be.
Down in the foyer, bodies litter the floor, blood everywhere. “Keep those eyes closed, little girl.” She tightens her hold on me. Fuck, she feels good in my arms.
“Well, well, look at this.” Adonis strolls into the room, his gaze taking her in. There’s no heat, he’s just trying to get my back up.
“Back the fuck off,” Marco hisses in the same way the cats do from either side of me. I’m pleased they’re so protective of their mistress.
“Granger, get the car.” He runs out the door to do as asked. “You need help here, Lorde?” He shakes his head. “Good doing business with you.”
Walking out of the house with my precious cargo and her killer cats, I’m pleased to find that Tyler and Wes have gathered the Ricci’s in another vehicle. I won’t have them anywhere near my girl.
Fucking locking her up in a tower, starving her for attention. For touch. It’s torture of a kind no person could survive. I suspect the only reason she did was the fucking cats, who look like they want to scratch everyone’s eyes out. And really, who the fuck can blame them?
CHAPTER 3
Rue
Mickey and Minnie retain my focus. I can’t let my mind wander, or I’ll break. The sun, the air, the feel of another person’s skin, I don’t remember them. They’re as foreign to me as another language, so I can’t think about it.
The popping noises felt like they went on forever before my door exploded off its hinges. I was already hiding under my bed when I saw his booted feet, heard his unwavering voice. I tried not to make a sound; I didn’t want to be found. But then he did, and everything turned upside down. I felt the ground shift beneath me, and now I don’t know what to make of it. I’ve only had the company of my cats for years. How many locked-up years, I don’t even know, only that it’s all I can remember.
I flinch with each slam of a door as we stop next to an imposing vehicle. I whimper when one of his hands leaves me, and I wrap myself tighter around him.
“Not going anywhere, little one.” His voice rumbles in his chest, soothing in a way I don’t think I’ve ever felt. “Gotta put the cats in the car. Can you get them in there for me?”
My eyes peek open, and I look down to find Mickey with his hackles risen and teeth bared—he’s typically vicious to anyone who isn’t me. Minnie is sitting at the man’s feet, her eyes locked on mine. I cluck my tongue to get their attention, then do it again while guiding their leads to the vehicle's open door. Both jump in, sitting on the seat, waiting for me to follow.
He moves to put me inside next to them, but I can’t let go. This new world is frightening, and he’s my anchor. I need this man in a way I’ve never known.
“Ssshhh,” he whispers in my ear. Cupping my jaw in his hand, he tilts my head up, his bright blue eyes searching mine. “I need to handle a few things. Sit tight here with the cats; I promise I’ll be right back.”
I blink up at him, feeling the tears well, but I don’t want to let them go. His face softens.
“Tell me you understand me, little one. Just a nod of your head.” My heart pounds heavily in my chest as I ponder his words before doing as he asks. “Thank fuck.” He presses his forehead to mine, and there’s a connection there, one I don’t understand but crave. “You remember my name?” I shake my head. He probably told me, but everything has been a blur. “Nick. Nick Gambino, and I’m taking you home with me.”
Untangling myself from him, I sit back against Minnie, where she’s sniffing the top of the car in the middle. Nick closes the door, and I’m trapped inside. Again. Always trapped.
My babies sense my agitation because Minnie settles across my lap, pushing her head into my neck and purring. The reverberations help ease my tension as I bury my hands in her soft fur. Mickey begins growling and clawing at the window, tearing up the material of the door and seat.
Rocking in my spot, I draw my legs up, squishing Minnie against my chest, and I begin humming. It’s the only form of control I’ve ever had—the knowledge of how to deal with loneliness in my life. Enormous men surround me, and still, I’m the most isolated one wherever I am.
I don’t know how much time passes before the door opens and Nick slips into the seat beside me, a harsh look on his face as more men enter the front of the vehicle. Mickey growls and hisses at them. The one who tried attaching their leads hisses back and glares, neither of them standing down. I click my tongue, but Mickey ignores me. There are too many people for him to drop his guard.
Not understanding what’s happening, I jump when we begin moving, a whine erupting from my throat, and Mickey gets even more agitated and claws at the seat in front of him. Ripping the material to shreds.
“What the fuck!” the driver shouts.
“Language,” Nick hisses, eyeing Mickey more cautiously than before.
“Sorry, boss.” The man keeps one eye on the road and one on the back seat. Nick’s hands are fisted on his knees, and I suspect something has made him angry, but I am unsure what.
