Page 52 of Bound in Promise

You might not get another chance.

“Three point one million.”

I grind my teeth and Victoria notices, smoothing her hands up and down my thighs. “Don’t,” she orders softly. “We’ve got this.”

We don’t.

We are so, so far from having this.

“Princess,” I choke out. “Promise me you’ll fight. Don’t waste any opportunity you get, not for me.”

“I can’t make that promise.”

I glower at her. “Don’t be reckless, Victoria. I won’t be around to save you.”

“You have to promise you will be.”

I’m not sure how I can possibly do that. Angelo is never going to let me live. It’s mob-shit 101. Eliminate any threat. I’m definitely a threat to Angelo. Negotiations are closed.

“Princess, listen,” I practically beg. “Don’t think about me. I need you to focus on your surroundings. Pay attention. Find a weapon and wait for the perfect opening. If you have to block shit out…”

If you’re getting raped and you need to shut down…

“I know how to play nice,” she whispers. “I did it with Liam.”

Yeah, but he was a weak little boy. These are grown men who’ve lived far different lives than the pampered one my nephew had. Who knows what twisted shit they’re into?

“Your only mission is to get out. Use the number…”

I’ve spent the last three days drilling Enzo’s number into her memory. She has strict instructions to call him if everything goes to shit so he can get her out of the country. He’s ready. Enzo knows he’s my Plan B.

“Yes,” she vows simply.

“Good girl.”

“Sold! For three point two million.”

My eyes flick over Victoria’s head and Angelo begins clapping his hands, all of his attention centered on my wife.

“Here, girl,” he commands with an evil snarl. “I want you to meet your new daddy.”

I drag my focus back to Victoria. I’m a fucking wreck, but she seems almost zen.

“Find a way,” she tells me, rising to her feet. Suddenly she’s leaning forward, slamming her lips to mine in a heartbreaking kiss.

My fingers clench, fighting the restraints. I can’t touch her. I can’t hold her. I can’t tell her everything will be okay because I don’t know how it possibly could be.

All I can do is savor this kiss.

Too soon, it’s over as she’s ripped away from me and she lets out a small gasp of shocked pain.

“You stupid bitch,” Angelo snarls in her face, knuckles whitening around her bicep. “You really want to disrespect me in my house?”

“Go fuck yourself,” I snarl back, pleased when he turns his scowl from Victoria to me. He may think it’s a killing look, but it isn’t.

It’s weak.

His eyes promise violence, retribution for my insolence, but Angelo Lombardi doesn’t scare me for my sake. No, what terrifies me is knowing what he plans to do with my wife.