Page 39 of Claimed

I held my stomach and almost doubled over.

Gianni’s lips curved into a warm, welcoming smile as he kept the saw steadily cutting. “And in our marriage, she will find safety in my arms and. . .in my darkness.”

I could hear the bone splintering even more, the sickening snap as Sofia’s teeth worked through the hard surface.

Vito’s body convulsed as surely impossible pain consumed him.

Gianni’s men held him firm. Their faces were impassive as if this were just another day in the service of their wicked master.

“With every drop of blood,” Gianni’s voice grew tender, “I am cleansing your honor, Erica.”

Oh God. He’s talking to. . .me. . .as he cuts Vito’s hand.

Almost done sawing through Vito’s bone, Gianni glanced back at me. “I am washing away the sins committed against you tonight.”

I stood there speechless.

What the hell do I say to that? Thank you? Hey, awesome, man. I appreciate it?

I damn sure knew I wasn’t going to run away, like I fucking wanted to. In fact. . .it appeared pretty damn clear that I should never even try to run from him.

A man that simply sawed off another man’s hand before his wedding to honor his new wife and fucking SMILED through it, well. . .that was the sort of man you didn’t leave confused at the alter or even divorce.

And you damned sure didn’t get to escape him with some half-cocked plan.

No way.

One had to think up a logical plan for some months, maybe even years. Because there was always the moment that he could catch you, and when he caught you. . .

Gianni continued to watch me. “No one will ever harm you again, not whileIbreathe.”

Oh yeah. . .I got that message.

Still warmly smiling, Gianni turned back to finish the job.

The saw pushed through the final layers of bone with a sickening crunch, severing Vito’s hand completely off.

Ahhh. . .

I almost vomited. It was so damn close.

Gianni slowly lifted his arm up.

Oh no.

The sound of Vito’s hand hitting the floor—a wet, lifeless thud—was followed by a torrent of blood, spraying across the marble in a grotesque pattern.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

I thought I had somehow stumbled into a scene from a horror movie. There was no way this was now my new life.

Vito’s screams had dwindled to pitiful, choking sobs. His body trembled uncontrollably as he stared at the stump where his hand used to be.

“Thank you for your lovely song, Sofia.” Gianni turned off the saw and handed the now dripping weapon to another man. “Until we meet again.”

I kept my mouth closed, scared that if I swallowed or parted my lips, I would surely vomit. The liquid was right there, teetering at the bottom of my throat, ready to shoot up.

Gianni grabbed Vito’s severed hand and held it up as if it were a prize. “This is the price of touching my wife!”