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“No!” I shout, making her jump back. “Sorry.”
How many times have I wanted to go back? Too many to count. I’d even thought about going tonight, wanting one last time to see him. To get to say a real goodbye. Our last one was cut short thanks to my sister freaking out when she couldn’t find me inside the club and pulling the fire alarm. I still can’t believe she did that.
“He might be able to help.” Riley says it softly this time.
“Or he could end up being killed.” That is what would happen. There’s nothing my father or brother wouldn’t do in order to gain more power. There is no way I would ever bring that to my handsome stranger's doorstep. I am kicking myself for not learning his name. It’s shameful. I lost my virginity to a man whose name I didn't know. Now it's probably for the best. If I don’t know who he is, I can’t tell anyone who the father is.
“True.” Riley wrings her fingers together.
“I’ll think of something.”
Riley doesn’t look confident in my reassurance. Who am I kidding? I’m not either.
3
MATTEO
“Idon’t have time for this,” I grit out at Nikolai. I don’t know what’s gotten into him over the past few weeks. I know why I’m in a shit fucking mood. “I thought you'd gotten your temper under control.” Nikolai was a very angry boy when I found him. Everything had been taken from him.
“I did.” Nikolai wipes the back of his hand across his mouth, smearing blood on it. I stand there and wait. “They had it fucking coming.”
“They?”
“There were three of them.” Sergio speaks before Nikolai can. Of course there were. One would be too easy for him. The boy always loves a challenge. He should be careful. That can come back to bite you in the ass. I thought I knew that lesson myself. That is, until an innocent little rabbit unexpectedly entered my life. Then fucking hopped right back out.
“They might have had it coming, but we both know you went out in search of a fight.” Nikolai doesn’t deny it. If he knows one thing, it’s to never lie to me.
“Keep your ass in the house tonight,” I order.
“I want to come with you.”
“That’s not happening.”
“It’s bullshit. I—” I move before he can finish his sentence, wrapping my hand around his neck. I only apply light pressure. Nikolai doesn't fight me. He’s almost as big as I am now. One day, he might be bigger. I might have a little soft spot for him, but he needs to realize that my word is law around here.
“I don’t repeat myself.” He nods. I release my hold on him. "Let Emma look you over."
“I’m fine.” I cut him a look. “Okay,” he mutters before stomping off, leaving Sergio and me alone in the entryway.
“How about you, boss? You got your anger in check?” Sergio asks.
“Let’s go.” I don’t bother answering him. We both know that I don’t. I haven’t been able to concentrate or relax since that night in the club. That’s not a good thing. Tonight I need to be in control, and that’s the last thing I feel. All my control and common sense went out the window because of one little rabbit. I don’t even know her damn name.
It’s crazy that I could tell you a million more things about her. I remember every detail. The way she tasted, the feel of her cunt wrapped around my cock, and the sweet way she moans and her hips buck when she comes. I've etched all those memories into my mind. They’ve played on repeat since that night. It is abeautiful torture I’m more than willing to continue reliving. But I think it's slowly driving me insane.
Sergio doesn’t speak again until we’re getting on the highway. “Are you going to tell me the plan for tonight?”
“I’m only making an appearance.”
“Kicking the hornet's nest?” He knows me so well.
“Something like that.” I will shake up both families. It is time for them to know that I’m on to their plan. Send them into a panic. When people get scared, they do stupid shit. “Any updates?” I ask, pulling out my phone.
"You'd know if there was."
It’s been fucking weeks. How have I not found her by now? My reach is far and wide but still nothing. It’s as though she doesn’t exist. But I know that’s not true. On my phone, I pull up pictures of her. I removed them from the office footage. You’d spot that red, silky hair anywhere. I swipe through them until we reach the hotel where the event is being held.
When I step out of the SUV, I easily spot some of Rossi's men and the O’Haires outside lingering around, trying to blend in as they keep an eye out. They’re shit at it. Fucking clowns. I’m sure they haven’t noticed my own men. They do, however, spot me. I can see the panic in their eyes as they alert their bosses that I’ve arrived.