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“You probably have puke all over your shoes anyway.”

“Do you want the fucking jacket or not?” he snaps.

I snatch it out of his hand. “We had a good time at Amore Bruciante.”

“We did. Do you want me to fuck you? Is that what you want? Do you want me to bend you over the hood of the car and tear off your panties?”

My insides tingle at the thought his words form in my mind. The answer isyes, but I hate it. Not just because it’s not the right moment for that, but also because Adriano is a killer.

In the end, he’s going to choose himself, no matter how many small demonstrations of humanity he shows. His bad side will always win. I can’t just focus on the good things and leave out everything else he’s done, even if a part of me wants to do it.

“No.” I take a deep breath.

“Then get in—” His words are cut off by the loud sound of a motorcycle engine.

We both stare in the direction of the noise. The light falls on the motorcycle guy, and I gasp.

He has a gun.

CHAPTER 27

Adriano

I know that bike.I know who it is.

Matteo.

All I have to do is throw myself behind the car. But as I glance at Chiara, I know she’s not going to be fast enough. Her eyes are wide, like a deer caught in the headlights, and she’s not moving, even as a couple of bullets whiz close by.

I have a split second to make a decision as everything around me slows down. There’s no time to contemplate my choices. I just act on instinct.

I tackle Chiara down to the ground. Pain rips through my back.

“Game over! You should always save yourself, you idiot!” Gennaro’s voice rings in my head.

I broke all the rules. I broke all the rules for Chiara, and it was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. It’s going to cost me my life. I know it, and yet, I have no regrets.

It’s weird, but I almost feel... free in a way.

“Are you okay?” I ask and grunt as I push myself off her.

There’s blood on her dress, but it’s mine.

“Adriano! What...?” Chiara gets up on her knees next to me, looking at me in panic. “You... You’re...”

Everything fucking hurts and there’s blood everywhere. I grit my teeth as my fingers curl around my phone. I quickly send an SOS text, but it’ll probably be too late and Matteo might be back. Who knows where my guards have gone? Matteo might have staged a diversion or had his men attack them.

“The keys are in the ignition,” I say to Chiara. “Go. In the opposite direction, not after Matteo. He might be back.”

“But—” She gapes at me like a fish, reaching out for me.

“Go! You’re free! My men will release your parents. Go!” I type another text.

Luckily, it’s just a simple code word that will let my men know I want Paradossi and his wife free.

“I can’t just leave you here,” she chokes out.

“And you can’t stay here. Matteo will be back.”