“What was it?”
I shut my eyes as the tears flowed again. “He had planned to take me to some sort of party. Sh–sharing me with other men. He’d stopped beating me so I wouldn’t be so bruised. When I found out, I tried to leave. He got angry and lost it.” I wiped at my cheeks, knowing tears were useless. “He punched me, threw me against a table. I hit my head and fell to the floor. I pretended to be unconscious. He left me there in the hotel room and went to get a drink downstairs. I knew when he came back, he was going to start again. I ran.”
“After you took his money.”
“I–I thought at least I deserved that. I had nothing else left. I needed some money to find a place to stay.”
“And you ended up here.”
That was all he said. When I opened my eyes, he was staring at me. There was an odd expression on his face. He leaned against the side of the old desk, his arms crossed.
“What hotel?”
I wanted to ask him why he cared, but I held back those words. “The Conrad.”
One of his men walked into the room. “It’s done, Boss. Vince is taking out the garbage.”
The devil stood. “Fine.”
“You want me to handle this?” He nodded toward me.
The boss didn’t say anything. He regarded me with his dark eyes, silent and watchful.
“I’d be happy to take her elsewhere and handle it. I’d enjoy handling her, if you get my drift,” his man added, leering at me. “An added bonus for a job well done tonight.”
It happened so fast. My horror grew, knowing what was about to happen. My life would end tonight, but before it did, I would be subjected to even more pain and humiliation. The devil spun on his heel, momentarily distracted, cursing and shouting. With strength I didn’t know I still possessed, I lunged out of the chair, grabbed the gun on the desk, and pushed it up under my chin.
I backed away, my hand shaking, the cold metal of the gun pressing into my skin.
The men froze, and the boss stepped forward, meeting my eyes.
“Give me the gun, Evelyn.”
“No,” I rasped out. “I wouldn’t let Blaine, and I won’t let you give me away like some piece of trash.”
He moved toward me, his voice commanding and lethal. “Give me the goddamn gun.”
I cocked the trigger, and he stopped.
“No. At least this way, I’m in control.”
“You don’t have to do this—you don’t want to do this.”
I barked out a laugh. “Why? So you get the pleasure? At least I get to deny you that much.”
“Evelyn,” he warned.
“I’m going to die tonight. I have nothing left. At least I can do it myself.” I met his eyes. “Please give the money to someone who needs it.”
He nodded, holding up his hands. I slammed my eyes shut and pushed harder, the gun digging into my skin.
With a final shuddering breath, I pulled the trigger.
Chapter Three
Matteo
I saw the determination in her eyes. Despite the tears and redness surrounding them, they were lovely. Even in the dim light, they were luminous, showing her emotions clearly. There was nothing I could do but wait and pray. If I tried to tackle her, more than one person could die. I couldn’t talk to her—she wouldn’t listen. So, all I could do was wait and pray.
Pray the fucking chamber that had advanced didn’t contain a bullet. The revolver should only have three bullets in it, if my men had done as I instructed.
And they always did.
“Not her.” That was the odd thought that ran through my head as I stared.
I shouldn’t care. It would save me a lot of trouble, but I didn’t want her to die.
And I did care. There was something infinitely appealing about this small woman. She was in dire need—that much was obvious. The strangest thing was, I had the insane desire to help her with that need. I braced myself for what was about to happen, silently imploring God that her bravery would be for nothing.
The sounds of the trigger and striking metal were loud in the room, but there was no bullet. I had no time to be grateful as I lunged forward and grabbed the gun away from Evelyn, hauling her tense form back to my body. A rush of relief hit me unexpectedly, and I held her trembling body close.
Frank shook his head. “Stupid bitch. You should have let her die, Boss. I would have.” Then he laughed menacingly. “But at least I can still fuck around with her.”
Evelyn hadn’t moved. She hadn’t made a sound since the gun failed to give her what she wanted. Death. But when Frank spoke, her trembling turned into quakes. Long, violent convulsions racked her tiny frame. She was beyond petrified, yet she didn’t struggle against my hold.