Page 110 of Tainted Obsession 1

I want to reassure him that I won’t leave him with Rocco. If he dies down here, I’ll die with him.

But I have to keep my focus on George if I have any hope of talking our way out of this nightmare.

“That isn’t your choice to make anymore, Crawford,” Rocco snaps. “I’ve waited decades for my revenge, and I can finally make Massimo suffer for what he did to me. Hurting her will destroy him before I finally let him die.”

“I loved you, George,” I declare. “I loved you more than I loved anyone, including myself. Especially myself.” I blink against the sting at the corners of my eyes, desperate to keep my vision clear. “I swear I won’t tell anyone about your corruption. If you let me go, I’ll return to Albuquerque and leave you alone.”

There’s no way I’m leaving here without Massimo, but if I can at least get Rocco’s knife away from my vulnerable throat, I won’t be completely powerless.

I keep my focus centered on my ex. “Please. Don’t let us end like this. Don’t let him rape me. I know that’s not the kind of man you are.”

His eyes tighten with something like anguish, and his jaw firms. In one swift movement, he draws his gun and aims at Rocco.

“Drop the knife.”

“Are you fucking serious?” Rocco barks.

“Deadly serious,” George replies, cold and collected. “I’m an excellent shot, and Evelyn is too slight to fully shield you. Drop the knife, or you’re a dead man.”

My captor releases a savage sound of pure frustration, but the blade clatters to the concrete.

“Get down!” Massimo roars.

I obey immediately, dropping to the damp floor. My fingers close around the hilt of the knife as muted gunfire pops through the basement.

My heart leaps into my throat, fear for Massimo choking me.

I turn my face to search for him, but George fills my vision, looming over me. His classically handsome features are drawn with regret.

“I can at least make this quick, Evie. I won’t let him torture you, but I can’t let you live.”

His gun lifts, swinging to aim at my head. I slash wildly with the knife, and it slices deep into his wrist.

He screams, and the gun goes off with a deafeningbang. But his arm flies wide, away from the threat of the blade in my hand.

I’m not hit, but I hear Massimo shouting my name.

George’s body jerks, and a crimson stain blooms on his crisp white shirt as the bullet tears though his black heart. My abuser is dead before he hits the ground.

Chapter 43

Massimo

Muted gunfire pops through the basement, and a gory red hole is torn through George Crawford’s chest. His body starts to fall, and my surviving enemies turn to face the encroaching threat posed by Gian and Enzo.

I’ve already snapped the neck of one of the men who’d restrained me. As soon as the knife dropped away from Evelyn’s throat, I attacked. Now, my friends have arrived to back me up, and we can kill the rest of the bastards who dared to terrorize her.

Crawford is dead, but my oldest enemy is still breathing. And he’s far too close to her, even if he isn’t armed at the moment.

I launch myself at Rocco. I’ve always been stronger, but I’ve never been allowed to challenge him before. Not without risking a war.

I don’t give a fuck about the consequences anymore. My entire being is consumed with the desperate need to save her from him.

He’s already reaching for her, preparing to use her as a shield again.

I grab his arm before his fingers brush her hair. I wrench him away from her, and with a sharp twist, his bones snap.

His scream resounds through the cramped basement, accompanied by more gunfire. His friends won’t come to his rescue; they’re trying to fight off Gian and Enzo.