Page 23

Her breathing is ragged and uneven. Water beads along her collarbone, trailing lower, disappearing between her breasts. She’s shaking, not from fear, not anymore. My pulse pounds, but it’s not just anger pulsing through me.

Fuck me. Just as she’s about to fall over the edge, my phone vibrates in my pocket. The interruption snaps me out of whatever the fuck I’m doing, and I stop. Herpupils are blown wide, I see the shock flickering through her emerald orbs, mirrored in my own chest, but I shut it down and mask it, before she can see too much. My muscles coil tight as I force myself to back off a bit and look away.

She scrambles for the towel, trying to cover herself, but it’s a wasted effort. I’ve already seen every fucking inch of her. And the images of her bare and exposed are going right into my spank bank.

I exhale slowly, dragging my phone from my pocket, ignoring the tension in my body screaming for release. This isn’t why I’m here. But fuck me, I almost forgot that.

Alonzo’s name flashes across my phone screen, and I swipe it open, bracing for whatever mess he’s about to drop on me.

Alonzo:This isn’t good, Boss.

Me:What’s going on over there?

Alonzo:The old lady is on death’s door. She either needs to be put out of her misery or she needs a doctor.

I grind my teeth, irritation rolling through me like a slow-building storm. Of course, she is. I don’t hesitate before typing back, looking down at the one who caused it all.

Me:Call Antonio. Get his doctor over here. Now.

I lower the phone, exhaling through my nose. I don’t have time for this shit. If she dies, I’ll be dealing with a whole different kind of problem. And right now, I have enough of those.

The hellcat under me is still squirming, trying to cover herself like that’s gonna do a damn thing. I snatch the light blue bedsheet and wrap it around her tightly, pinning her ass down before I stand and scoop her up. Then I toss Olivia over my shoulder like the stubborn, half-naked brat she is, storming out of the room. She’s all wrapped up now, unable to swing at me or make any real attempts to break free, though I know she’s fucking trying.

“What are you doing?” she screeches, her legs kicking wildly.

I don’t even flinch. Instead, I swat her ass hard, feeling her body jolt from the impact. “Just be glad you’re still alive,” I growl.

Her body tenses, but I smack her ass again, savoring the way she squirms in my hold. My frustration and anger boil over, making it hard to think straight. I need to get the fuck out of here, but first, I need to call Antonio and let him know about this mess. Cindy’s one of his most loyal employees, and this conversation is going to be a fucking disaster.

I fumble for my phone while walking to the front door, the rage still burning inside me. This whole situation is becoming a goddamn nightmare, and I need to get it under control before things spiral even further.

I yank the door open and find Kota standing there, his face set in a serious expression, but he doesn’t ask any questions and pulls out his phone.

“Alonzo has the cars ready downstairs,” he says, barely sparing a glance at the half-naked woman slung over my shoulder. He knows better than to ask.

I grunt in acknowledgment, following him down the stairwell.

“You can’t just take me! I’m not even dressed!” Olivia protests, her voice rising in panic.

I shift her in my arms, adjusting my grip so she’s cradled against my chest, and lock eyes with her. “If you stay here, you’ll be dead before sunrise,” I say flatly. “And stop pretending to be modest. You weren’t exactly shy a few minutes ago, shoving your desperate cunt in my face.”

Her face turns crimson, her wild green eyes darting around as if searching for an escape. “If you don’t put me down, I’ll scream,” she hisses. “So loud, the whole damn block will hear.”

I exhale sharply, my patience wearing thin. Before she screams, I pin her against the wall, freeing one hand. I rip a strip from the sheet and shove it into her mouth, muffling her pathetic threats.

“Now try screaming,” I murmur, my smirk widening as she glares up at me, her cheeks flushed with fury and humiliation.

Ignoring her nonstop squirming and muffled cursing, I carry her straight through the damn lobby and out the main doors. I’m fucking relieved no one’s in sight. Though even if the place was packed, it wouldn’t stop me. The waiting cars are lined up along the curb, with the engines running and ready to haul us the hell out of here.

I slide her into the backseat, securing the sheet gag before slamming the door shut. Climbing in on the other side, I make sure she’s seat belted in so there’s no chance of her running from me this time. Kota is up front behind the wheel with Alonzo beside him in the passenger seat. Nathan is behind us, driving the second car.

Just as Kota shifts the car into gear, an SUV screeches to a halt in front of us. The tires grind against the pavement, and the headlights blare through the windshield.

Of all the fucking people it’s Antonio.

I glance at Olivia, still bound and silenced in the backseat. Fuck.

The second Antonio finds out Cindy’s circling the drain, he’ll have Olivia killed without blinking an eye. It doesn’t take a genius to realize she’s behind it. The Commission’s no-women, no-kids rule won’t mean shit tonight. But I can’t let that happen, not yet. I still need answers from her. What the hell is she searching for? Why is she so damn desperate to run? I need those answers before Antonio gets his hands on her.