AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I grunted at him. It was the only sound I could make. The thought that maybe he planned to smother me out here, where no one could hear my scream, crossed my mind. He shifted and his hand went around my throat as he spoke into my ear.
“Sleep well, Piccola Guerriera.”
There wasn’t time to wonder what he meant. He shifted again and it felt like he somehow put more of his body weight directly on my back. At the same time, he squeezed my throat. Blackness crept in from the edges of my vision.
This is it. He’s going to kill me.My emotions mixed and swirled inside of me. I hadn’t had a chance to fully avenge my family, but lack of oxygen was making it hard to care.
You can’t go quietly, my inner voice insisted.
I tried to fight. My limbs wouldn’t listen. The most I got out of them was a feeble struggle to grip his wrist so I could pull his hand away and breathe. It didn’t work. His lips brushed my temple as the darkness crowded in and overtook me.
* * *
My eyes snappedopen and I bolted to my feet only to be jerked back down onto my ass. I looked over and saw my left wrist handcuffed to the headboard. I was chained to a bed.
A dim bedside lamp struggled to keep the shadows at bay in the room. One glance told me that this was a man’s bedroom. It was washed in gray and navy tones. The bed I sat on was massive, although comfortable. If the room itself wasn’t so large the bed would take up the majority of the space. I never realized they made beds for giants.
The hairs on my nape prickled and I swung my gaze to a dark corner of the room. A man was sitting there, staring at me. I returned his flat, cold look as he took stock of me.
“You’re more trouble than you’re worth.”
Okay.“Then let me go.”
His grin was quick and sharp, all gleaming white teeth. “Can’t. Boss’s orders.”
“Well then take your complaint up with your boss. I didn’t ask to be here. That psycho broke into my home, drugged me, and here I am.” I leaned back against the headboard. We sat eyeing each other again. “Where am I?” I finally asked when he didn’t respond.
“Nico’s home.” His answer was short and clipped.
I took in his dark, good looks. Apparently, I had a type and they were dark-haired Italians. I was grateful, however, not to experience the same thrill that happened anytime Nico got within arm’s reach of me. This guy was attractive, but didn’t move me in any way.
“More specifically, his bedroom.”
My brows drew together. Why the hell was I in his bedroom? It wasn’t the same room I’d woken up in before.
His phone beeped and he glanced down at the screen as it sat on his leg. Grabbing it, he stood and shot me a baleful look. “I’ll be back.”
“Whatever,” I grumbled. Being stuck here—my escape attempt foiled—was putting me in a bad mood.
“Ask for Luca if you need anything.”
I didn’t bother to respond. What was I supposed to do? Pick up the phone and order room service?
Without another word, he strode out the door. I waited a few minutes to see if my guard dog was coming back. I didn’t really feel like tangling with Luca. The man was probably six-four and outweighed me easily. He’d been dressed in jeans that stretched tight over massive thighs and a hoodie that most likely covered arms just as big, and he probably had a ripped six pack. I internally rolled my eyes. As far as goons went, Luca fit the bill.
Only, there was intelligence behind those piercing blue eyes. If he was stupid I could outsmart him and if he was smaller I could fight him, but I doubted I’d get away with either with this guy.
After waiting a few more tense minutes, I bent my knees up toward my chest. A sick sense of pleasure filled me as I slid the bottoms of my boots over the plush, navy comforter. It was petty, but I liked the thought of ruining all of Nico’s expensive shit. Too bad I didn’t have the time to do damage to the room.
Luca wasn’t going to be gone forever and I had no intentions of sticking around. Reaching down with my free hand, I slid my fingers inside my boot. On the sidewall—tucked into a little elastic band—I found what I was looking for. Palming the handcuff key, I grinned in triumph.
Tony used to give me so much shit for always carrying a key on my person. I told him it was a hazard of the job. I was paranoid, so I always kept one on me so that I could get away from a kidnapper. He’d just eyed me and told me no kidnapper would go for me because they’d be scared I’d kick their ass. My lips flattened out into a thin line. I never really thought I’d have to use it. My life was so far off the beaten path, at this point I wasn’t sure I could be surprised by anything anymore.
I quickly unlocked the cuff securing me to Nico’s bed and hopped off. I went to the window and frowned when I saw the vertical steel bars on the outside. What kind of man has bars over his bedroom window?
One with a lot of enemies.Shaking that thought out of my head, I went over to the door. It was the only option. I gripped the doorknob and slowly turned it. Not locked.
Peeking my head out into the hallway, I froze when Luca’s intense blue stare met mine. He leaned up against the wall opposite my door and had his arms folded over his chest. His phone was nowhere to be seen.
