Page 107 of Dancing with the Devil

“You’re too kind,” she teasingly pouted and dried her hands. After she finished, she threw them in the trash can and turned to me. “Up, up and away,” she put her hands in the air.

“I want to blame this on the medication, but we both know it wouldn’t be true,” I shook my head at her and she let out a little giggle as I gently lifted her up into my arms.

I carried her to the door but stopped. The hairs on the back of my neck rose as I heard faint voices in the distance.

“What is it?” she asked and I stood still for a while. I peeked my head through the door and saw three men—in suits—reach the top of the stairs. They looked around until they spottedLogan. One of them grinned, rushing towards him.I recognized them, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

I stepped back into the bathroom, closing the door with my foot. “What’s wrong, Antonio?” she asked and I adjusted her in my arms to take my cell phone out.

“Call Logan,” I said and she did exactly that. She put the phone on speaker as we waited. The phone rang until he finally picked it up.

“Logan who are they?”

“I don’t know,” he almost whispered into the phone. It was as if there were lots of movement happening before he spoke again. “Boss, it’s—” he got cut off and she looked at me with worried eyes.

“Call him again.”

She did and when the call connected I felt reluctant. “Logan?”

“Try again.” I recognized that voice too. “Ah, yes,” he softly sighed. “Antonio De Luca—I should have known,” the man on the other side chuckled. “Di—”

“Where’s Logan?” I cut him off. There was momentary silence before a groan was heard.

“Right here. Unfortunately, the other two can’t speak right now. Or ever. Just give me the girl and you can have him back,” the man demanded and my jaw subconsciously clenched. “It’s that simple De Luca.”

The call ended and I carried Nirah over to a chair in the corner of the bathroom. I carefully sat her down and shrugged off my suit jacket. “What are you doing?” she asked as I placed it around her shoulders.

“I’ll be back soon. I need you to stay here and do not come out no matter what you hear.”

“Antonio what are you talking about?” she grabbed my shirt to stop me. “Don’t leave me here.”

“Listen,” I said, taking her face in both hands. “I’m not letting them take you, do you understand me?” I asked and her nod was hesitant. “I will be right back.”

“What if they hurt you?” she fearfully asked, panic rising in her voice.

“I thought we’ve been over this,” I said, wiping a tear from her cheek. “You’re not allowed to worry about me.”

“But I do,” she whispered.

“I’ll come back without a scratch, just trust me.”

She nodded, looking at me in faith and I pressed a kiss to her forehead before standing up. I walked out of the bathroom, closing the door behind me.

I spotted a male nurse walking out of one of the rooms and called him over, pulling out my gun.

He immediately put his hands up and I pushed him against the wall beside the bathroom door. “The most important woman in my life is behind that door, so listen closely,” I said pushing my forearm against his throat. “She does not leave on her ownorwith anyone else. If someone tries to get in there, you stop them, and I don’t care if you have to die trying,” I threatened and he swallowed hard with fear ridden eyes. “If I get back and she’s gone or hurt,” I paused, pointing the gun between his eyes. “I’ll blow your fucking brains out.”

His body tensed and I added slight pressure to his neck.

“Do you understand?” I asked and he rapidly nodded.

“Yes.”

I pulled back and he stayed pressed against the wall.Good.

I walked down the hallway and spotted both of my men dead on the floor.You motherfucker. I didn’t recognize the third dead man.I guess there’s only two left.

I slipped into the room next to Nirah’s and thankfully, it was empty.