Chapter 32
The pain in my wrists is unbearable, but I try not to let Veronica see it. She’s standing right in front of me, trying to get a rise out of me. She paces back and forth. Sometimes she kicks my leg, other times she slaps my face. I want to break hers, but I’m tied up.
She sits down right in front of me, mocking.
“How do you think Lorenzo’s feeling today, now that he thinks you’re off having a blast with someone else?”
“He’ll come get me out of here,” I say.
She smiles.
“He’ll never show up, I’m sure of it. And did you know I’m the one who had his liquor shipment stolen? I love messing with people who think they’re in charge.”
Before I can respond, I hear a strange noise outside, but she doesn’t seem to notice. My heart races. The crash of a door being thrown open makes her jump. We hear gunshots. The sound makes me sick—I’m weak, in pain, nauseous.
Suddenly he’s there in the doorway—my Lorenzo, handsome, imposing, brave.
His silhouette fills the doorway, rain dripping from his overcoat. All I can hear is the rain, and I know it’s coming down hard.
His eyes search the room for me. When our eyes meet, I feel my chest burn. I want him close to me.
“Lola.” His voice cuts through the noise, full of fury and determination.
“Lorenzo...” I whisper, feeling a lump in my throat.
He comes straight for me, moving fast, while his men take out anyone who tries to stop him.
When Lorenzo reaches me, I almost collapse. He catches me.
“Easy, my love. Everything’s going to be okay.”
“I knew you’d come,” I whisper.
The words come out quiet, but true.
“Always,” Lorenzo says.
His eyes burn as he cuts the ropes binding me. The moment I’m free, my body gives out, but Lorenzo catches me before I hit the floor. His warmth envelops me, even though he’s soaking wet.
Veronica tries to run but is quickly surrounded. Before Lorenzo can do anything, another figure emerges from the shadows.
“This one’s mine,” Accioly says, his voice firm.
I recognize him immediately from the dinner at the mansion.
“Take her away and do what you see fit,” Lorenzo says, his voice colder than I’ve ever heard it.
Once they’re gone, Lorenzo lifts me in his arms as if I weigh nothing.
“It’s over, love,” he murmurs, his lips close to my ear as he kisses my face.
I don’t have the strength to respond, but the way I cling to him is answer enough.
When we step out into the rain, surrounded by his men, I feel something different. It’s not just the relief of being safe. It’s the certainty that as long as Lorenzo is with me, no one will ever hurt me again. He’ll take care of me, just like he promised when he took me from my father’s house.