Page 3 of The Red Queen

“You’re naïve if you think that,” he said mildly, stepping away from her. “I’ve broken stronger men than you.”

“I’m not a man,” she fired back.

“No, you aren’t,” he agreed, moving to Mateo’s worktable, opening it, and rummaging through the contents.

Desi glanced at the door. It was open and she could see the corridor beyond. No one was guarding it. There was probably someone near the entrance of the underground bunker, but she could get past them. She was desperate, and her desperation would lend her strength.

She glanced at Giovanni as he continued to search. She should take him out before making her escape, ensure that he couldn’t follow, but there was something about the Italian that warned her off. She’d heard stories of his brutality. And though he looked more like an old-world European gentleman who spoke in mild, measured tones, she knew appearances could be deceiving. She’d often used her own appearance to lure prey before killing them. She would not underestimate the skills of a man such as Giovanni Savino.

When he continued to keep his back to her, she decided to take advantage. She would have to hope that she could outrun him.

She launched herself off the chair and toward the door.

She didn’t make it.

Giovanni took hold of the back of her shirt and slammed her face first into the wall next to the door.

She shoved her hands against the wall, shouting at the agony that shot through her as the stub of her finger hit. She thrust herself backwards into him, hoping to push him off balance.

He caught her with an arm around the waist, lifted her off the ground and slammed her into the wall again, bruising her forehead against the concrete. If she didn’t have a concussion before, she most definitely had one now.

She tried to fling her head back into his, but he ducked it, took a fistful of her hair, and dragged her head back until her neck creaked in protest.

She refused to allow a single sound to pass her lips as he held her immobile.

He put something in his teeth and then spat it out.

Desi rolled her eyes toward him, trying to see what he was doing, but it was impossible. He was holding her too tightly.

She felt a pinch at her neck.

“A shame to put such a creature down,” he muttered.

Fear slammed through her, but she could already feel the drugging effects of whatever he’d given her.

Put her down? What did that mean?

Had he given her something deadly? Was this it?

A whimper escaped from her as she felt herself floating. She realized she was being lifted.

The last thing she saw before the drug took her entirely in its grip was Giovanni’s severe face.

Chapter Two

Giovanni handed his package over to Vitto, a newer addition to Giovanni’s personal guard. Vitto was young and eager, always respectful, and he carried out Giovanni’s commands down to the letter.

“Take her to the jet.” Giovanni said. “I will be along shortly. Must pay my respects to Raina and Gutierrez before we leave.”

“Of course, Signore,” Vitto said.

As he turned to leave, the woman cradled against his broad chest, Giovanni felt a jolt of something akin to jealousy. The feeling was so unique that he almost didn’t recognize it. What did he have to be jealous about? The woman wasn’t his yet. He barely knew her, and he certainly didn’t care enough about her to form any strong feelings. No, he must be mistaken. He simply wished to hold her curvy body against his and feel the resilience against him.

He’d loved his wife, but she’d been a fragile woman, unable to cope with his world. This one could handle him and so much more. He just had to tame her first.

“Vitto.”

His man paused, looking back at Giovanni.

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