Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Even if George was corrupt, Massimo had to know that targeting a DEA agent was dangerous. From a criminal’s perspective, there was nothing riskier than going after American law enforcement.
Maybe I could convince my captor that it wasn’t worth the risk to target George. Then, he wouldn’t need me as bait, either. He wouldn’t dare hold me hostage if it wasn’t advantageous for him. Not if that meant the DEA coming after him in full force.
I shivered again. Massimo had promised me that no one could get past Duarte’s defenses. George had warned me about the manpower and weapons commanded by the cartels, and I didn’t doubt that lives would be lost if agents tried to storm this building to get to me.
No one even knew I was here. How could the DEA find me when I’d so stupidly gotten on that motorcycle with Massimo, running straight into this trap?
I took another deep breath, struggling to slow my whirring thoughts. If I was going to escape without risking others’ lives, I would have to reason with Massimo.
Is she innocent? he’d asked in that basement. Right before he’d killed the men who’d kidnapped me.
No matter what kind of criminal he was, it seemed my dark savior had an undeniable code of honor. I could use that to my advantage. I might be able to talk my way out of this, and no one would have to get hurt.
Hardening my resolve, I opened my eyes and noted that all the blood had been washed from my skin. No signs of the violence that’d exploded in the alley marked my body.
I wasn’t sure how long I’d lingered in the shower, sorting through my tangled thoughts. Trepidation nipped at me. Was Massimo a patient man? If he decided I’d been in here too long, he might decide to break that lock and come in here while I was still naked.
My fingers shook slightly as I quickly turned off the shower and stepped out into the opulent ensuite. A plush bathmat cushioned my feet, the heat from the tiles beneath ensuring that a chill didn’t touch my toes. I grabbed a fluffy white towel and wrapped it around me, covering myself in case Massimo came bursting in.
Still, I felt far too exposed and vulnerable. I looked at the pile of discarded clothes that I’d stripped off before I’d gotten in the shower. Dirt from where I’d fallen on the pavement smudged my silky pink pajama shorts, and putting on the blood-stained camisole was out of the question.
That left me with one option: Massimo’s huge shirt. It was big enough to cover me almost down to my knees, and the loose garment would conceal the shape of my body.
I did my best to ignore the scent of leather and amber as I tugged the soft cotton over my head. Something had been rewired in my brain when he’d held me through my panic attack, and a tempting sense of comfort teased at my senses.
Before I could sort through the confusing emotions, a gentle knock on the bathroom door jolted through my body like a thunderclap. I yelped and tugged the shirt tightly around me, as though it would be enough to shield me from impending danger.
“Are you decent?” Massimo’s deep voice was easily discernible through the closed door.
My reply stuck in my constricted throat, too tight from the surge of fear when he’d knocked.
“Answer me, Evelyn.”
Was that anger that sharpened his tone? Or concern?
“Yes,” I squeaked in reply, forcing out an answer before he chose to break down the door. I’d witnessed too much violence tonight, and I didn’t think I could handle another outburst.
“Unlock the door.” A firm order. “Now,” he added when I hesitated.
I unstuck my feet from the warm tiled floor, moving to obey him. He would come in here, one way or another. I might as well take the smallest bit of control over my situation and unlock the door with my own hands.
As soon as the lock turned, he came in without waiting for an invitation. He stepped directly into my personal space, joining me in the bathroom. He was still shirtless, his muscular torso filling my vision with him so close to my body. My eyes caught on the small white bandage at his right side.
Massimo hadn’t been seriously hurt. Some tension I’d been holding since he’d saved me released from my chest, and I huffed out a relieved breath. The sight of his blood and the knowledge that he’d bled for me had caused me more anxiety than I’d realized.
He’s a criminal, I reminded myself. He’s holding you here against your will.
Even so, I would’ve been tormented by guilt if he’d truly suffered for saving my life. No matter what else he might be, Massimo was a brave man. He’d jumped straight into the line of fire to protect me.