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“Stay out of this, Ricci,” he sneered. “This is a family matter. It doesn’t concern you.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. Anaismy family,” My hand clenched into a fist at my side. “You’re nothing but someone who’s overstayed his welcome. My wife doesn’t want you here, and neither do I.”

“You used her, remember?” He snickered. “Is that what you do to someone you call family? Use them for your own gain?”

“It’s what you did,” Words tumbled out with a sharp edge, barely masking the fury that surged within me.

“I did what was needed.” He smirked, his cockiness returning with a vengeance. “Anastacia, do you have no pride? The man used you before, and he’ll do it again. Are you really that desperate for love? I didn’t raise you to be that easy.”

I’d heard enough. Without warning, I moved Anastacia out of harm's way before lunging forward, my fist connecting with Victor’s nose in a swift, brutal motion. The soundofcrunching bone beneath my fist only managed to subside a small percentage of my anger. “You didn’t raise her at all, you motherfucker.” I shouted, as Victor staggered back, clutching his face. Ana’s hand flew to her mouth, but she didn’t move. She remained by my side.

“You broke my?—”

“Nobody, and I repeat nobody will ever speak about my wife that way again,” I snarled. “You have no idea who she really is, or how incredible she is. And you don't deserve to know either. Now, get the fuck off my property.” I loomed over Victor. “Leave Ana alone like she told you to. If I ever see your face again, I’ll make sure mine is the last thing you’ll ever see.”

I led Anastacia inside, not looking back to see what Red was doing with Victor. Closing the door behind us, she buried her face into my chest, shocking me as I was sure she’d have kicked off at the fact I kept him away.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I kept him away to protect you.”

“I know,” she said softly. “And you were right to keep him away.” She sighed. “All that matters right now is us.”

I tilted her chin up with my finger, my eyes searching hers. “Always,” I replied. “Just you and me.”

28

One week later…

“You don’t haveto do this,” Lorenzo reassured me, his voice laced with worry. The authority of who he was hung heavy around us. “Let me handle it.”

I shook my head. “I need to see him.” I may have sounded calm, but I had a storm raging inside me. “I need him to see me.” Tonight, I planned to take back my power. Take back the part of me he thought he claimed.

“Okay, then I’m right beside you.” He grabbed my face between his hands. “No matter what, I’ll be right there.”

His words were all I needed at that moment. They comforted me as much as his touch. My heart hammered in my chest. Not because I was scared, but because I was more than ready to end this and him.

We entered the warehouse, the air laced with the scent of metal, blood, and vomit. Gino, Red, Emmet, and Finn stood in a semicircle around Chad, who was suspended in the centre of the room. His wrists were bound in chains, hoisted above his head,his body a canvas of bruises and cuts. He hung there, broken but defiant.

“I’m back, you snivelling little cunt,” Lorenzo sneered as he stepped closer to Chad.

“Fuck off,” Chad spat,spit clinging to his chin, making me shudder with disgust.

“Ah, and here I was, thinking you’d be begging for your life.” Lorenzo laughed. “But seeing you try and fight back has added a little excitement, a little spice, and I love it. I mean, what fun would it be killing someone who has already given up?” He smirked. “But then again, it won’t be me killing you, it’ll be my wife.” A maniacal laugh left Lorenzo’s body as Chad’s mask slipped, revealing his shit-scared expression.

I stepped out from behind Lorenzo, Chad’s eyes widening the second his gaze landed on me.

“Ana,” he croaked desperately. “You came.” He tried to smile, but it twisted into a grimace of pain. “I knew you’d come back to me. You’re mine, remember?”

Deluded fuck.

My stomach churned at the sound of his voice. But I stood tall, not letting him see any weakness. “I’m not yours,” I seethed. “I never will be.”

Lorenzo shrugged off his jacket, throwing it over the chair in the corner, never once taking his eyes off of Chad. He kept his guard up in case Chad tried something, not that he could. Chad’s twisted, vile voice spoke again, but this time his gratefulness was long gone.

“Oh, is it because you’re already his?” He scoffed, his lips twisting into a sneer. “I bet you’ve already spread those pretty little legs for him, haven’t you? Just like you should have for me.”

Lorenzo took a step towards him, yanking his blade from his waistband. He pressed the steel against Chad’s chest drawing athin line of blood. “Shut your fucking mouth,” Lorenzo growled, his voice a low rumble, causing my body to vibrate beside him.

Chad laughed, a ragged, painful sound. “You can’t silence me, Ricci. You think just by fucking her, you own her? She’ll always belong to me and you know it.”