Page 110 of The Temptation

I scan the convoy of black SUVs as they roll to a stop, and the doors swing open one after the other. Eight armed men climb out with eyes sweeping their surroundings with military precision. But there’s no sign of Lucia.

One positive is that they are outnumbered, at least five to one. Dante got every man he could here at record speed.

Salvatori is the last to emerge, stepping out of the middle vehicle with the arrogance of a man who thinks he’s already won. Like the king he believes he is. Invincible. Untouchable. But he’s not. He won’t even be breathing by the time I’m through with him.

He doesn’t hesitate. Doesn’t even look around. He strides straight for the jet, flanked by two of his men who shadow him like dogs on a leash. The rest of them fan out, taking positions around the tarmac with weapons slung low and ready, with their fingers close to the triggers.

Where is she?

Is she still en route, or?—

I cut that thought off before I completely lose it.

She’s okay, I assure myself.

She’s o-fucking-kay.

I rest my forehead against the side of the building as bile rises to the back of my throat.

Please let her be okay.

Chapter 24

Lucia

The sudden ringing of the phone in this eerie silence makes me jump. I’m no longer pretending to be passed out. That stopped a good half an hour ago.

“Where the fuck are you?” the angry voice barks down the line the moment the call connects to the car’s speakers.

“We took the back roads like you said, Boss … and we had to make a small pit stop,” the driver replies hesitantly.

That has a smile curving my lips. Well, as much as I can smile with this stupid tape over my mouth.

“What do you mean by pit stop?”

“The bitch needed to pee.”

“You should’ve just let her piss her pants.”

“I didn’t think you’d want her soaked in her own urine when we arrive at the airstrip. I know what your plans are for her. I was the one who delivered the note to that fucker Mancini’s house when we first arrived in this shithole of a country, remember?”

Note?

What note?

More importantly, what are his plans for me?

Rape?

Torture?

Or worse?

Could it get any worse than that?

A chill runs down my spine at the thought.

“My plans for my wife are none of your fucking business.”