TERZO“What the fuck, Siciliano? So you’re just gonna let her go without a fight?”I ignored Linden’s scrutinizing gaze as I sipped the scotch. I was waiting for Katie to arrive and give me a report of the job I asked her to do when Linden spotted me. He left his billionaire friends to sit with me. And then I ended up telling him about my failed marriage with Dani. Well, not exactly a failure, but she deserved safe surroundings and a husband who could protect her— that was not exactly my place, and I was only overprotective, but could not keep her from harm.“I’m not giving up, but that was what we agreed upon before we got married. When she asked for it again, I had to honor it because I gave her my word, and I would not break it.” “That’s bullshit. I know you better than that. I also know you love your wife more than anything. She’s your Ariel, asshole, and you crossed the ocean for her. What the fuck is going on in your mind right now?” His words cut through me like a sword, slic
DANII didn’t know how many times I washed my face with soap, even if there was no trace of blood anymore. I didn’t know how long I was in the shower until my skin was hot and red. And I didn’t know how to face everyone after I almost got them killed.It was the guilt and the conscience that could kill me, yet I didn’t hear anyone blaming me, and that was the worst feeling in the world. I just wanted them to yell at me, hate me, or even kick me out. I wouldn’t blame them.I chose to skip dinner. I didn’t have an appetite. I couldn’t stomach the food while Marco hadn’t woken up, and Gaetano and Alessio were almost blown to pieces. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. At this point, I wish I’d seen a therapist again or maybe had taken some xanax so I could just sleep. I had the worst feeling, and I couldn’t shake it off. I didn’t have the thick skin to ignore what happened and act like it was just another normal day.A sharp knock interrupted my musing. I wanted to ignore it or answer
TERZO“Dani!” I sprinted to follow her out of the hangar. “Please, stop!”“No! I can’t take it anymore. My conscience and guilt are killing me. These people are risking their lives for me, and I am still foolish, reckless, and stupid. Just let me go.”“And where do you think you’re going?”She abruptly stopped, turned around, and wiped the tears and dried blood on her face. “I don’t know. Away from here.”“Let’s go to the safe house and talk there, Dani. You still have blood on your face. Take a shower, change your clothes, and rest. When you wake up, you can decide what you want in your life. The threats are over. I’m not gonna stop you from whatever you’re planning. You also have enough money to start a new life somewhere and maybe start your own business.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. I loved her so much that I was willing to set her free if that was what she had decided, if that was what made her happy.“Okay.” She sniffled. “Maybe I'll take that new identity offer now, so l
DANI“Get down!”I froze for a moment. My heart stopped to a halt as I tried to process what she meant by those words. It was not complicated, but I was caught by my fear first.I sucked in a breath as the sharp brief hiss sound pierced in the vehicle. The glass window broke. One moment, I was holding my breath, and the next second, I had blood all over my face, and the driver’s head just dropped to the steering wheel.Without blinking, I froze there and stared in shock. Then I started to shake. A bullet hole appeared in the window. Simultaneously, Celestina shrieked behind me, making me scream. The giant man Durragh just fell on top of her.I went down, covered my head, and squeezed my eyes shut while screaming silently. I didn’t want to hear any more gunfire. My instinct kicked in so late. I had poor survival skills. I wasn’t raised to face my fear or to be in this kind of environment. After marrying Terzo, I’d been kidnapped, fired at, choked to death, and kidnapped again. I had
TERZO“What is this time, Siciliano?” Linden’s playful voice came through. “Did you actually help a Russian bratva escape?”“Why does everyone think I would do such a thing after I put him there in the first place? But I have a more pressing matter at hand, Linden. I was hoping you could help me. I don’t have much time to explain.”“Of course. What is it?” “My computer expert is not around at this moment. I want the exact location of this plate number.” I gave him the number.“Give me a minute.” He then told his assistant not to disturb him. “Are you in some kind of trouble, Siciliano?”“You could say that. My house was blown up. My father is in a safe house recovering. My wife and my sister were kidnapped by an Irish lunatic, and I’m trying to find them.”“Wait. What? All done by this Irishman?” I heard keyboards clicking in the background.“Yes. A tall, white Irishman with white hair in his seventies, whom I never thought was lying to me all this time. I have a feeling he was worki
DANIThe SUV’s door was ajar. Aidan and his men were still waiting for us. I expected him to be gone by now that he got the money. I was surprised that he may have other plans for us. He would probably kill now that he was a hundred-million-dollar rich. I inwardly prayed, hoping the manager would relay my message. He was the only hope for Terzo to find us.“Now you get what you want, let Celestina go. Call your man to release her,” I demanded, frustration obvious in my voice.“Get in.” Aidan’s driver pushed and stuffed me back inside the SUV. This time, they did not put a bag over my head.“I’m not letting you go until I’m out of this island.” Aidan’s expression darkened. “You’re coming with me.”“I’m, huh? What about your men? They don’t matter anymore? What about the plan of sharing the hundred million dollars with them? How was it? 70-30?”“Shut up, bitch.” The giant man who escorted me earlier hit me in the head.“Don’t do that again. We still need her alive,” Aidan growled. “I k