I bounce back and threaten, “Do you know who my father and husband are? Do you have any fucking idea who my brother is?” I suck in a desperate breath, increasing the searing pain in my chest. “You’re dead.”
The one starts laughing, stepping closer to me. “Koha për të vdekur, kurvë.”
I have no idea what that means, but it can’t be anything good.
I bring up my arms as the men all attack at once. Wounded and weak, I know I don’t stand a chance, but I give it my all. I manage to drop two men to their asses and headbutt another who tries to grab me from behind.
My heart’s hammering in my chest, my breaths exploding over my parched lips. My fists ache. My chest is on fire. My strength dwindles until one of the fuckers gets in a punch. The force of the blow scatters my senses and sends me sprawling over the road.
One of them kicks me so hard, I hear the snap of bone a split second before debilitating pain engulfs my entire torso.
Air wheezes from me, and my eyes focus on the mansion across the road. I recognize it, realizing I’m only minutes away from my parents’ home.
I force myself to my feet but stumble before falling to my knees.
I suck in a wheezing breath and close my eyes.
I tried, Daddy.
My chin drops to my chest then I slump to the side. When darkness engulfs me, my last thought is of Luca.
I hope he knows how much I love him. I hope he saw it in my eyes when we made love.
Chapter 22
Mariya
Bloodcurdling pain yanks me out of the dark. I shake my head, trying to make out my surroundings through blurring vision. The accident and attack flood my mind, sending a surge of adrenaline through my veins.
I find myself slumped on a chair, my wrists cuffed behind me.
They’re so sure of themselves, they didn’t even bother tying my legs.
Take the win. You need it.
Moving into a more comfortable position causes my entire chest to be engulfed in an inferno of pain. “Jesus,” I whimper.
Let’s hope it’s only broken ribs, and you’re not bleeding out internally.
A metal door creeks open, and two men come in. When they notice I’m conscious, they laugh.
The one comes to stand in front of me. Glaring up at him, I ask, “Who are you?”
“Names don’t matter.” His accent is thick.
I shake my head and chuckle, “Come on. I at least want to know who I’m going to kill.” When he only stares me down, I ask, “Why did you take me? What do you want?”
His upper lip curls as he sneers, “I only want your body parts which I’ll send one by fucking one to your husband.”
No negotiation. I don’t have time.
With my hands behind my back, they can’t see as I start to press hard on my thumb. I lower my head, so they won’t see the flash of pain as I dislocated my thumb. It’s sharp, feeling as if I’m ripping it off.
Dear God.
You’re okay.
Breathe.
No, that hurts too. Shallow breaths.
Focus.
Slowly, I pull my left hand free from the cuffs, and I push the metal over my right hand’s knuckles so I can use it to hit them.
I’m so thankful for everything Dad taught me. It puts me in a position to at least try to save myself.
Lifting my head, I lock eyes with the fucker who seems to be the leader. “Clench your teeth,” I say right before I dart up and slam the cuffs into his jaw.
I quickly move behind the chair, then take a defensive stance. “Don’t just stand there. Let’s do this,” I taunt them, my eyes flicking between the men and the exit.
The leader spits blood onto the floor, then pulls a gun from his pocket, aims it at my leg, and pulls the trigger.
The bullet slams into my thigh, and the splintering pain hauls my ass to the filthy ground. I bite back a cry, but it comes out as a whimper.
I hear footsteps, and as my head snaps up, the back of the gun slams into my temple, knocking me out cold.
Luca
I’m in the security room with Viktor looking over footage of Albanians getting off a private jet at LAX.
“The fuckers just keep coming,” Viktor mutters. “Who the fuck did you piss off?”
“I have no idea. Next time keep one alive so we can find out.”
Viktor lets out a chuckle as my phone rings. Seeing it’s the number for the lobby’s reception desk, I answer, “Cotroni.”
“Sir, there’s an envelope for you. The delivery guy said it was urgent. Should I bring it up?”
“Yes, I’m in the security room.”
I end the call and only then notice a message from Mariya.
I'm going to visit my parents.
A smile tugs at my mouth. Good girl.
“If you’re sexting my sister while standing right next to me, I’m going to fucking rip your ballsack off,” Viktor mutters.