Chapter 31 #2
“Except we both know you do. Because even if you’re my husband, Valentine left that share in my name, and you need me at your side to do the negotiations.
We both know that’s how it works. It will look a hell of a lot better for you if I appear to be compliant and all for you looking after my share for me, because I’m just a girl who needs help to understand these big business things. ”
He moves to stare out the window, watching the jets take off.
Please dear God let him take the bait. Alex knows the Strykers well, that’s why Jagger was in negotiations with him about my shares; he went to him for help.
I don’t know him, but if I can get him down here, I know there is no way in hell he will let this thug take me.
“Probably best to sort that meeting out before we leave the country because we both know my papa will not let me leave Italy again anytime soon,” I add trying not to give him too much time to think on it. I need him panicking and desperate.
He runs a hand through his hair, holding his head as if he’s in pain. Then he picks up his phone. “Get Alex Moretti down here before our plane takes off. Tell him it’s urgent,” he demands into his phone then hangs up.
I close my eyes for a split second, sucking in a breath of relief. Not so dumb after all. Now I just need to keep praying that my plan works.
Out of nowhere he barrels toward me, his erratic behavior so jarring I flinch away. “You fuck this up for me I will kill you and find another way to get what I want.” His face is scary as hell as he leers down at me.
“I understand,” I whisper, fear prickling up the back of my neck because I know it’s true.
He unties my bindings and drags me up to standing by my wrists.
Fresh pain surges through my body, the wounds around my wrists so deep his grip almost cripples me.
Not only that, but my muscles ache terribly.
He tugs me to the back of the room so fast I can’t quite get my feet to catch up.
He slides open a door then shoves me into a small bathroom.
“Fix yourself up. He will be here soon.”
He slams the door closed so aggressively I wince, not able to help it.
With my heart hammering in my chest, I quickly scan the tiny room.
A toilet, a small sink, and a window that I could potentially squeeze through.
I glance through it. We must be on the second floor, and the drop looks doable but dangerous when I’m already injured.
Or I could go back out there and shoot the motherfucker square in the head with the gun I just swiped from his side while he was dragging me in here.
I have never been prouder of myself than I am in this moment as I stare down at the cold hard metal in front of me.
I made a promise to myself when I escaped my parents’ property and boarded that plane to the States.
I would never go back to being controlled again.
I was living for me. I didn’t know what that meant that night.
But I do now. I know exactly what I want, and there is no way I’m leaving without a fight.
I have three men I’m completely in love with, and they are worth doing whatever it takes to make sure I can see them again.
A hot sweat breaks out over my skin because I don’t know exactly how to do it.
It will only be a matter of time before someone comes for me, they have to, right?
With Alex Moretti on his way to have a meeting with the man who clearly took me from the party last night.
The boys are in with Alex, and if they’re looking for me, every person in their world will know about it, including Alex.
Right? Damn, I wish I knew. I catch sight of my reflection and stare myself dead in the eyes.
“You can do this, Daisy. Prove to them all what you’re made of. Or die trying.”
A bang sounds at the door, Leone’s meaty fists breaking me from my pep talk. “What’s taking you so long?” he demands, his voice panicked.
I check the safety is off on the gun and position my finger hovering over the trigger. There is no turning back. This might be the only choice I have.
With a full breath, I open the door. Leone’s eyes run down my body, the color draining from his face as he sees what I’m holding with confidence, aiming it straight at him. “Back the fuck off,” I say calmly, with so much power I almost shock myself.
“Bad idea, little girl.” He lunges at me.
Without another thought, I pull the trigger, the blast forcing me back as a sickening splatter of red washes over me, painting my dress and my hands.
I take hold of the bathroom counter, trying to get my legs to work as Leone clutches his chest, his ragged breaths coming out of him like a feral animal.
I did it. This time I got him right where I needed to.
There’s a crash and bang and yelling from the room.
“Get your fucking hands off her.” Cruz appears out of nowhere, and my heart surges.
Where the hell did he spring from? But I don’t have to wonder for long.
The loud noise I just heard was them breaking down the door to the room. It’s now lying in a mess on the floor.
Jagger and Asher aren’t far behind Cruz. Jagger throws a punch into a half-passed-out Leone. He slumps on the floor, blood leaking from him at an alarming rate. “He’s dead?” Jagger asks, sounding puzzled as he looks over his blood-stained hands.
Cruz drops down to check Leone over, his brow raised as his eyes rise to meet mine, a stupid grin on his face. “Looks like our little darlin’ had it handled.”
“I… I…” I shake my head, trying not to pass out.
But I can feel his blood on me and the vibration in my hands from where the gun went off.
I suck in ragged breaths, watching the whole scene unfold before me like I’m watching a movie.
I’m not sure I’m even here anymore. Shooting that asshole took every damn thing I have inside me.
My fingers bite into the countertop of the bathroom as I try to stay upright.
My head swims, and my legs turn to Jello.
Strong arms snake around me, holding me up before I connect with the floor. I glance up to find Asher’s dark eyes filled with concern. The gun I was gripping with white-knuckle force drops from my trembling hands, and I crumple into his hold.
They found me.