Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“I’m a sinner, Father. You’ll find no mercy with me.” I pull the trigger and watch as his head snaps back before he slumps down.
Glaring at Parisi, I mutter, “Now I’m satisfied.”
As I walk to Rosalie, I shove my guns into the waistband of my pants.
Her lips are parted as breaths rush over them, her eyes locked on me with an expression I’ve never seen. Inches from her, I lift my hands and tenderly frame her face. Staring deep into her eyes, there’s finally peace in my heart.
“Take me home,” she whispers.
Slipping my arms beneath her knees and behind her back, I pick her up bridal style and carry her out of the fucking church to the SUV.
The skirt of the dress is all over the place, but I bundle her into the backseat and slide in beside her.
Luca climbs in behind the steering wheel while Nikolas takes the passenger side. Gabriel and Liam get into the other SUV, and when everyone is ready, we leave the church behind.
“You know that’s not the end of it, right?” Luca mutters.
“It can wait,” I grumble as I wrap my arms around Rosalie. The second I pull her against me, she lets out a whimper and flinches.
I pause, moving my hands to her shoulders. “Where do you hurt?”
It’s only then I notice she’s cradling her right arm.
“I think I sprained it when I climbed out of the window,” she explains.
Chuckling, I shake my head. “You and windows.”
She tries to smile but stops because of her split lip. Lifting my hand, I try to wipe some of the blood from her chin.
My eyes burn on every bruise, and it makes me wish I could kill Greco all over again.
“Jesus, moya Malen'kaya Roza.”
“I’m okay,” she whispers, gingerly leaning her swollen jaw against my palm. “How did you find out?”
“Luca’s father told us your family was banned from New York. Had I known, I never would’ve let you go.”
Her chin starts to tremble. “They said my family dealt in sex trafficking.” Her voice grows hoarse, her eyes pleading with mine. “Is it true?”
Fuck. I wanted to spare her the pain, but I can’t lie to her.
When I nod, her face distorts with heartache. I gently pull her to my chest and press kisses to her hair. “I’m sorry you had to find out.”
“Your apartment or the airfield?” Luca asks.
“The apartment. I want her out of this fucking dress,” I mutter.
“She’ll need clothes,” Nikolas mentions.
Rosalie pulls a little back. “I had to leave most at the studio apartment I rented. I don’t know what Mr. Parisi did with my luggage and handbag. All my documents are with him.”
“We’ll get everything,” I assure her. Then I catch Luca’s eyes in the rearview mirror.
“I’ll make the call,” he says.
“Thank you,” Rosalie whispers, looking exhausted.
“When did they take you?” I ask.
“Four days ago. They were going to kill me until Greco said he’d pay my family’s debt in exchange that I married him.” She looks up at me, pleading with me to believe her. “I never said yes, Viktor. I promise. I fought as hard as I could.”
Lifting a hand to her head, I brush her hair back. “I know, moya Malen'kaya Roza.”
A tear spirals down her face. “I was so scared.”
There’s a fresh burst of anger in my chest. I clench my jaw as I press a kiss to her forehead. “I promised you I’d kill any man I catch you with.”
I feel her lips brush against my neck as she says, “I’m so glad you made that promise.”
When we reach the apartment building, I help Rosalie out of the SUV and lift her into my arms again.
“Do I need to call a doctor?” Luca asks as we step into the elevator.
“Please,” I murmur before kissing her hair again.
When the elevator doors open, I walk to the living room and place her gently on a couch.
I hear Luca making the call to a doctor on our payroll before he calls Parisi.
“Put him on speaker,” I order, wanting to hear every word.
“What do you want,” Parisi snaps.
“You have Rosalie's luggage and documents. Have someone deliver everything to us.”
“I’ll do that when you pay us the ten million she owes us.”
My temper flares, but before I can tell Parisi to go to hell, Nikolas says, “I’ll pay the debt.”
“What the fuck?” I snap.
He locks eyes with me. “I took everything when I killed Antonio and Ricco. I’ll pay it.”
“Today,” Parisi demands.
“As soon as you deliver Rosalie’s belongings,” Nikolas counters him.
“And if you try to ambush us, I’ll fucking come to your house and wipe out your family,” I threaten him.
Gabriel hands Rosalie a glass of water while Liam stands to the side.
“When we attack, you’ll know it,” Parisi hisses. “My man will be there within the hour. You’ll make the payment and get out of my city before sunset.”