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Why?

Was he so entrenched in his job that he’d followed the unwritten rule to keep weaknesses at bay? Or had he simply lost everyone he’d cared about?

I was determined to make him feel like family. Somehow.

“Antonio. You’re awake.”

He shifted then winced, licking his lips. I noticed they were chapped. “What…”

“Don’t try and talk. You had surgery. A bullet. But you’re going to be fine.” My words were choppy, my tone of voice one I didn’t recognize.

Blinking, he turned his head just a few degrees, staring at the room as if in a daze. I could only imagine. “Are… they… dead?”

“They? If you mean the assailants, then yes. Jago took care of that.”

“Ummm…”

“You helped keep Marco alive.”

“And the kid?” His voice was strained and one of the monitors beeped.

“Adan was killed. By Marco.” I laughed, which was entirely inappropriate, my heavy dose of anxiety getting the better of me.

“Good.”

“Good? Well, sadly, he didn’t provide any information that was worthwhile. Back to square one, but you don’t need to worry about that.”

Antonio turned his head, his pressures returning to stable. There was such a strange look in his eyes, very pointed as if he had something damning on his mind. “You don’t… understand.” He licked his lips and coughed. “Water.”

“Oh, of course.” I noticed a plastic cup next to a pitcher. There was water inside, so I assumed it was okay for him to have a few sips. I found a straw and poured some water into the cup. “What don’t I understand?”

I leaned over, holding the cup and positioning the straw against his lips. He took a few small sips. As I pulled the cup away, his eyes bore into mine.

A strange series of sensations shifted down my spine. His directed gaze held an entirely different emotion than I’d expected.

Anger? Resentment? I wasn’t certain, but the look was icy.

“What don’t I understand?” I repeated.

Surprises were often difficult to handle when they were shoved in your face. His quick movements were in direct contrast to thefact he was lying in bed with a needle in his arm. Suddenly, he jerked up in bed, wrapping his fingers around my throat.

“Did you honestly believe you could become a soldier? Not a chance, you worthless bitch.”

I was shocked, unable to move. There was utter hatred in his eyes.

“The glorious shipment will now belong to true warriors.”

What the fuck did that mean? I struggled in his hold, ripping at the hospital gown as he held me far enough away, I couldn’t reach his face.

“That bastard you married has no idea what Fassi has in store for him. He will learn.”

Without giving me any chance to breathe, he grabbed one of the cords he was attached to and wrapped it around my neck.

There was no chance of screaming or making a single sound. He tightened the hold and stars immediately flashed in front of my eyes as the air was ripped from my lungs. I slapped my hands against him, but the angle he had prevented me from using my fists effectively.

He shifted his lips to my ear, taking several deep breaths. “You were never meant to return home. You shouldn’t be here. Your father was the only one who had to die.”

I coughed and struggled, gasping for air.