Page 1

Chapter One

Stella

Strip?

I stare at Gianni like he’s out of his mind — which I’m pretty sure is the case. The man is insane.

“What?” I say hoarsely, then repeat, “What?” more clearly as I find my voice. “No!” I shake my head. There’s no way. No fucking way that I’ll let this pig put his stinking hands on me again.

“You’ll do as I say,puttana.” His face twists into something cruel and ugly. I still can’t believe I once found this man appealing. Everything about him repulses me now.

“I’d rather die, you piece of shit!” I snarl, rage rising inside me like a wave of heat. I don’t mean it, obviously. There’s no way I’ll do anything to harm my child, but I won’t let him think he can push me around either.

“You think I won’t do it?” he sneers.

“I don’t care if you do.” I jut my jaw out. “It took me long enough to wash your stench off me the last time. I won’t let it happen again.”

His expression darkens. Beside him, Sofia gives a ladylike snort. “This is a waste of time, Gianni. I told you I—”

A sharp, crackling sound stops her midsentence. Shouts ring out, and something or someonefalls to the ground with a low thud. My heart stands still. Gianni’s head snaps toward the open doorway, and Sofia’s eyes fly wide.

Aleksei!

It has to be. Even though he’s the last person I would have gone looking for right now, the thought of him coming to save me has relief washing through me.

“Fanculo!” Gianni barks out, hastily pulling his pants up and zipping his fly. There’s more crackling gunfire. Screams.

“You idiot! You said they’d never find us here,” Sofia yells at him.

“Shut the fuck up!” Gianni’s looking around wildly. The shots are echoing through the building in staccato bursts. Someone yells a string of curses that are cut off sharply with another burst of gunshots. Footsteps ring out. Footsteps that are coming closer.

“Gianni! You—” Sofia’s voice is shrill.

“I said shut up, you stupid bitch!” He turns away from her, snapping out a hand and gripping my wrist.

“Don’t you touch me!” I snap, trying to tug my wrist free. His grip tightens, and he yanks me forward against his chest. I struggle, but it’s useless; he’s too strong.

“Fucking stay still,” he growls at me. I’m about to fight him some more, but the feeling of cold steel against my temple stops me short. The footsteps are near now, thundering up the metal stairs that lead to the door to the room we’re in.

Gianni is so close I can feel the heat of his body against my back, his breath hot on my ear. I shudder, fear, and disgust warring within me.

I swallow hard and squeeze my eyes shut, then open them just in time to see two huge figures looming in the doorway.Aleksei appears, a pistol in his hand, murder in his eyes. Behind him, Sasha follows. Aleksei’s eyes lock with mine, and for a moment, I forget everything that drove me here.

The lies.

The deception.

The fact that he murdered my father.

For one sweet moment, I’m overjoyed to see him.

He raises the handgun.

“I wouldn’t try anything if I were you,” Gianni says from right behind me. Aleksei hesitates, his eyes flicking from mine to Gianni and then back again.

“Drop the gun, Maranzano. You’re outmatched.” His voice is like ice.

Behind me, Gianni laughs, his grip tightening on my arm. The barrel of the gun presses harder into my skin.