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He doesn’t even point the gun my way. He’s infatuated with Jacky’s cowering nature now.

His cock hardens closer to her mouth, hungrily waiting for it to touch her lips.

“Bigpussy.You couldn’t handle me!” I’m jerking in my chains to get free and tackle him.Don’t ruin her, I pray.Don’t—

The lights suddenly flicker, leaving Darko cursing under his breath. Maybe that’s some kind of signal that Nicky’s coming.Yes!

He shoves that big unkempt snake back into his slacks and squeezes Jacky’s cheeks. “I’m not done with you.” He let’s go of her face, and she falls on her back.

Oh thank God.

I sigh with relief, but I know deep down, ifhe’sscared, then the worst is yet to come.

Theclackof Nicky’s loafers echoes through the underground warehouse of hanging meat. Catching glimpses of his outline as he paces quickly toward us makes me quake in my shackles. My instincts tell me he’s going to start lopping off limbs to get what he wants.

No matterwhat, I have to keep my friends whole.

I have to.

“Time’s up,” Nicky’s even voice unnerves me to my core. “The whereabouts of Rocco Dotelli and Stanzo DeMatteo.” He flicks open his butterfly knife, judging me harshly, likely deciding which one of us to harm first.

I shake my head defiantly. “You shouldn’t have messed with Trino. He took out half your crew in one sitting.”

His left eye twitches. How do I know that, you wonder?That’s right, asshole, I’ve been paying attention.

He slowly walks over to me and crouches to my level, knife hanging slack in his wrist. His cold, dark eyes are the most frightening of all the mobsters I’ve ever seen. “How does a fawn like you know all of that? Does Trino confide in you? Maybe it’shimI should mail your parts to. Yes… I think that will work.”

“That would be a big mistake,” I say.

He stands up and snaps his fingers, prompting his crew to drape a clear plastic tarp on the floor.

Jesus, he’s going to cut me up.

I’m shivering again, my lips twitching no matter how tightly I press them.

“Get a torch to cauterize the wound,” Nicky says calmly. “I can’t have such a prize bleeding out. We’ll keep her face intact, but we’ll mail one finger at a time. Then an arm. But we’re doing all the cuttingnow.” He nods to another. “Gag her.”

My vision tunnels as Darko stomps over to me with that evil smile of his. All my toughness flees along with the blood rushing from my face. I must be as pale as a ghost. I’m numb.

“Mistake,” my voice dwindles to air. “You’re making a mistake.”

“Threats are over, missy. It’s carving time. Nicky isveryprecise,” Darko cackles.

“Enough playing with your food.” Nicky holds up a saw and taps his foot over the tarp. “Bring her here.”

“I’m his wife!” I blurt, muffled from the gag.

Nicky narrows his eyes and puts the saw down.

Good. Time. I’m buying time.

“What did you just say?” He nods for Darko to lower my gag.

“Tristano and I are married. He’s everything to me, I love him! So when I say you’re making a mistake, I’m not bluffing,” I say it as loud as I can.

It feels like a confession to the devil. But it’s true. If this is to be the last moments of having sound mind, I want it out there.

He shoves Darko out of the way, stepping up close to me.