Chapter 4

After I was discharged, Leone used the family business as an excuse and never showed up again.

I was leaving the next day, so while he wasn't around, I went back up to the penthouse suite above the Navarro casino.

I took my passport and a few important documents out of the safe.

When I stepped out of the elevator, my legs suddenly went weak, and I pitched forward.

I didn't hit the floor because a pair of slender hands caught me in time.

"Are you okay?" a soft, timid voice asked, her face full of concern.

I looked up and met Bliss's clear eyes.

She wore the casino dealer's uniform, but she still looked completely out of place in it.

She didn't recognize me and probably thought I was just some regular guest who had lost everything and was wandering around in a daze.

"I'm fine. Thanks," I said as I steadied myself, ready to get out of there.

Instead of letting go, she kept hold of my arm, tugging me toward the staff break room. "You look really pale. Come sit here and rest for a while, okay?"

For some reason, I didn't refuse her.

She poured me a cup of warm water and took a packet of bread out of her own locker.

"Here, eat something," she said. "Don't be too upset about losing money. Go home early. I'm sure your family's waiting for you."

When I didn't answer, she hesitated and then pulled a few bills from her uniform pocket and pushed them into my hand.

"You can use this for a cab, but I really can't help with plane tickets," she said.

My throat tightened, like something was stuck there.

I wanted so badly to tell her to stay away from Leone. He was heartless. Every bit of gentleness he showed was just poison hidden under a sugar coating.

But when the words reached my lips, I swallowed them back down.

If she found out who I was, she'd definitely confront Leone.

When that happened, I'd be the one they blamed for it.

I only had one day left. I couldn't gamble with my life and Jason's.

I took the bills from Bliss, thanked her, and hurried out through the back door.

The moment I stepped outside, something cold and solid jammed hard against my temple.

It was a gun!

I instinctively tried to glance back.

Bliss was already lying unconscious on the hallway floor.

Before I could move, the gun butt crashed into my neck, knocking me out cold.

When I came to, Bliss and I were tied up in an abandoned warehouse.

Bliss was trembling as she cried softly. "Who are you? Why did you grab us?"

A man with a knife scar slashed across his face slapped her hard.

"Because you're Leone's woman!" he shouted. "He took over the East Pier and cut off my business, capisce?"

They were accomplices of the cheats from Westside who kidnapped me last time.

Leone had just traded for that piece of territory using the settlement I signed.

Luckily, they didn't recognize me. Bliss, on the other hand, had been sticking close to Leone lately, which made her an easy target.

I moved my wrists in small, careful motions, cutting the rope with the tiny blade I'd hidden under my fingernail.

After so many years living on the edge, I always made sure to have a way out.

The scar-faced man thought I was just some regular gambler and spat at me. "You're unfortunate to have been caught with her. Call your family. 500 grand, and we'll let you go."

Bliss sobbed miserably as she said, "I'm sorry. I dragged you into this. But don't be scared. My fiancé is powerful. He'll definitely come to save us!"

At the mention of Leone, her eyes lit up with absolute trust.

I kept my mouth shut and cut the rope faster.

It seemed like the scar-faced man's call didn't go through. He kicked a metal drum over in frustration.

"Damn it! Leone's not picking up? Fine! Let's send him a present to clear his head!"

He picked up the knife from the floor, his gaze roaming over Bliss with filthy intent.

"I saw you and Leone at the hospital. You're carrying his child, right? Perfetto! We'll carve that bastard out and let Leone have a good look!"

My heart sank. So, Bliss was carrying Leone's baby.