Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
He leads her away from the piazza down to an alleyway where a van is idling as if it’s making a delivery to the back of a bakery. There is no way I can let them out of my sight, so I quickly move around to the back of the vehicle, but I’m not quick enough to stop him from jabbing her neck with a needle as he sets her in the back of the piece of shit trafficking ride.
Fuck.
Still, I’m on the bastard in seconds, snapping his neck with a flick of my wrists. I wasn’t built like this for nothing and thank the lord for that because my woman needs someone like me to protect her.
The driver jumps out with a gun in hand after hearing the commotion. Seeing me, his eyes widen, but he does what every coward does. He opens fire without thinking about the consequences if he misses, which he does.
His shots are wide and unskilled; I easily avoid the bullets as I charge at the bastard, sending him into the open driver’s side door while keeping my balance. With the piece of shit knocked out cold, I leave him for the police to find and hopefully send a message to his boss that no one will be allowed to come after my woman.
I rush to the back of the van and pick up my beautiful woman, checking her breathing. She has a steady rhythm, so I’m guessing they gave her a sedative, but she still needs a physician.
Mikhail’s at my side with his gun ready a second later. “Let’s go. She needs a doctor now,” I growl out, barely containing my rage.
His eyebrows raise as he tips his chin toward the treasure in my arms. “Who is she?”
“Your future sister-in-law.” The conviction in my voice surprises him, but he’s quick to school his expression before I lose the last of my composure on my oldest friend.
“Does she know that?” he asks with a smirk.
“Nyet, but she will.” I walk as quickly yet calmly as possible to the vehicle and slide us into the backseat, adjusting her body so that she’s not jostled too much.
“Take us to my villa in Salerno now.” It’s only an hour away, but he’ll make it there in forty-five minutes with his skilled driving. We hit the road in moments, moving away from the crowds. It takes a long time to get out of Naples, but once we’re past the narrow streets and on the open road, he’s able to shift into high gear.
We rushed past the countryside, and I wished my sleeping beauty was awake to see this. She seemed so thrilled to be in the piazza, absorbing the Italian culture around her, that I’m almost certain she’d love this as well.
One look at her and it was as if I’d known she’d become my bride. It’s too fast and crazy, but the euphoric rush I got is just too fantastic to let slip away. I slid her bag off her back to make her a little more comfortable and then I dug into it to learn about my future wife.
I opened the large zipper and found a clutch wallet with two credit cards and an ID belonging to Cora Hardwick. Cora. Checking her birthday, I’m grateful she’s at least twenty-one. Although it wouldn’t matter if she was just eighteen because she’s mine. Life sent her my way and was a done deal the moment her eyes landed on me.
“Dmitri, what about the mess in the alley?” he questions me, peeking through the rearview.
I pause a moment to think about that mess which could cause some problems. Still, I own too many dirty hands to let the matter worry me. “There were no cameras back there. It’s the reason they snatched her ass. Besides, I could call in Federico and have him clean it all up.”
“Yes, I suppose you have a point, but you were supposed to meet with the clients to sign the contracts on the construction.” I’d forgotten all about them the moment I spotted my future. I had two meetings, but they’ll have to wait.
“I don’t give a shit about any clients. All that matters is my Cora. She needs my protection, and she will have it.” Immediately, I pulled out her phone, which required her fingerprint to open. Quickly, I slide her thumb over it and then dig through the device, changing the security so I can have easy access to it. The main number she called was a man named Edmond. A fiery rage shoots through my veins at the name, so I read the last text messages between them.
Be careful. I shouldn’t have let you go on your own.
I’m an adult, Dad. Immediately, I feel a sense of relief that he’s not some boyfriend waiting for her at her hotel or something because I’d have to revert to my old ways and dispatch him with a snap of his neck. Well, my not so old ways.