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)
“It’s a deal,” Luca agrees.
With burning rage, I get the first aid kit, and taking a seat next to Rosalie, I start to wipe the blood from her face. Every time she flinches, I press a kiss on her forehead.
When the doctor arrives, he informs us Rosalie’s arm might be broken, but she needs to go to a hospital so they can take an X-ray.
“We have to leave before sunset,” Luca reminds us. “We don’t have time for a hospital.”
“I can go to one in LA,” Rosalie says. “I’m kinda getting used to the pain.”
“I’ll give you something to help until you can get the medical care you need,” the doctor says. “I’ll also secure her arm in a sling.”
“Can you wait until I’ve changed out of the dress? Please?” Rosalie asks.
“Of course.” The doctor gives her a comforting smile, earning himself a bonus.
Rosalie keeps stealing glances at me with the different expression in her eyes. I can’t place it, though, and wish we were alone so I could ask her what it means.
“Parisi’s man is here,” Luca announces.
Pulling my Heckler & Kochs from behind my back, I check the clips as I climb into the elevator with Luca.
“Don’t kill the man,” he says drily.
“I can’t promise anything,” I joke.
When the elevators open, we see the SUV parked by the entrance to the underground parking. There’s a man behind the steering wheel, and another stands in front of the vehicle with the luggage.
“Mr. Parisi wants the proof of payment,” the fucker calls out.
I’m on guard, my gaze checking every shadow and possible hiding place for a surprise attack.
Luca makes the call to Nikolas, and we have to wait until he sends the proof of payment that Luca forwards to Parisi.
Parisi’s man gets a call, then he starts to walk to the passenger side of the SUV.
“Hold up,” I call out. “Open the bags.”
“What?” He shakes his head at me.
“If one of them is going to blow up, I’d much rather have you die.”
Reluctantly the man walks back to the luggage and opens them. Then the fucker kicks the bags, so Rosalie’s clothes spill onto the ground.
Not thinking twice, I fire a shot at his foot. The instant the driver darts out of the SUV, Luca trains the barrel of his gun on him. “Ah-ah-ah. I wouldn’t. Get back into the car.”
The other guy limps to the passenger side and climbs in.
Once they drive off, Luca mutters, “You just couldn’t resist shooting him, could you?”
I walk to the luggage and throw the clothes back into the bags. “The fucker disrespected me.”
Luca grabs a bag while I take the other, and we head back up to the penthouse.
“Let’s get this over with so we can go home,” he says, sounding exhausted from dealing with all my shit.
While the elevator climbs the floors, I place an arm around his shoulder. “Thanks, brother. I wouldn’t have survived without you.”
A grin tugs at the corner of his mouth. “Through thick and thin.”
“Always.”
Chapter 28
Rosalie
Viktor carries me to the main bedroom and kicks the door shut behind us.
My heart is beating out of my chest with nerves.
Today I saw a whole different side to him. Watching him fight and kill –really drove it home that he’s the head of the bratva.
Honestly, it’s intimidating but also one hell of a turn-on.
There’s so much I have to process, as well.
Nikolas paying my debt. All the men of the Priesthood coming to my rescue. Watching Viktor break a man’s neck. What my family did.
God, I don’t know if I can process it all.
I feel the strength in his arms as he sets me down on the bed.
When I glance at the covers, Viktor gently takes hold of my jaw and nudges my face up. His eyes touch on the bruises before he captures my gaze.
He stares for a moment, then asks, “What’s that look for?”
I squirm from the intensity building between us. “What look?”
“I can’t place it. You look at me differently than before.”
Under his penetrating gaze, my heartbeat speeds up until it flutters wildly in my chest.
It’s because I’m stunned out of my ever-loving mind by seeing firsthand how powerful he is.
It’s because I’ve never seen anything hotter than Viktor in action.
It’s because I’m free to love him.
Viktor brushes the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip, then leans closer, pressing such a gentle kiss to my mouth. Warmth bursts in my heart, filling every inch.
He only pulls back a little. “Do you have any idea how much I fucking missed you?”
I sound breathless when I whisper, “I wasn’t even gone for two weeks.”
His eyes lock on mine, making my stomach do somersaults. “I know I promised to let you go, but…” he shakes his head, “I can’t.”
My left hand trembles as I lift it to his face. I cup his jaw, loving the feel of the bristles against my skin. “I don’t want you to let me go.”