Page 557 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

“Lily,” she whispers, pulling her shirt down from her nose because this place has the stench of death lingering in the air. That thought alone makes me want to gag. “Maybe I should have stayed in the car with Vito. I don’t want to get shot. Or killed.”

“I know, me either,” I whisper back, squeezing her hand tight.

She is still staring at me with wide eyes. “You know you shot someone today…twice.”

“I know. I think I was just really angry and upset.”

Chloe nods. “Noted. I’ll just remember to never piss you off again.”

Gunshots ring out in the still air and Chloe gasps, diving to the ground. “Oh my God! They’re coming!”

I yelp, my body flailing backward as a strong hand yanks my hair.

“No,” a deep voice growls. “We’re already here.”

“Sergio!” I shriek as I’m dragged along the dirty, grungy floor away from my friends, away from anyone with the power to save me.

Shit. I really intended to do that part myself.

The saving, that is.

More gunshots ring out, ricocheting off the walls. I cringe, waiting for one of them to hit me before I have the chance.

The goon who palmed my head picks up the pace to avoid the bullets and pulls me into a dimly lit room down a short hallway. My ass is killing me from being swung into walls, and then finally into a doorway decorated with rotting wood and plenty of splinters. He finally lets go of my hair, smacking my head against the ground for good measure. I squeal, already feeling the grapefruit-sized lump form on the back of my scalp.

“Leave her alone,” a voice bellows.

Zeno?I bring myself up to my knees, swiveling around to see who is behind me. I blink fast because white spots dot my vision after that head-bash to the concrete.

Holy shit, it is Zeno!

And he’s chained to the wall…like some beast. His arms are suspended, and his ankles are locked. But he isn’t alone. There’s another guy lying on the floor, also cuffed.

Then my eyes lock with Messina’s son…the one who is still alive but thanks to me, one eyeball short. Blood coats his bludgeoned eye socket. He lunges for me, and seconds before his body is about to land on top of mine, a hand drags him back.

“Stick to the plan,” an older, heavier man grunts, pulling him away. “You can punish her later, I promise.”

“Who the fuck are you?” I whisper through clenched teeth.

The man steps toward me, a sinister grin on his face. “Domenico Messina. I believe you’ve heard of me? And my son? The one whom your father ordered to have killed?” His thick Italian accent makes my breath hitch.

“Because you’re a sick sonofabitch who tried to kidnap me! To send a message!” I shriek, scrambling to my feet. “You’re lucky you escaped with your own life!”

Messina lumbers toward me and I back up into the splintery doorway, clenching my teeth as the shards of wood scratch the back of my neck. He reaches out, gripping the side of my jacket and yanking me toward him so that his breath is hot against my face.

“Do you have any idea what it’s like to lose a child? Of course you don’t, you weak little bitch. But your father is going to feel the same pain and grief I’ve been living with for the past year. Your whole family is going to witness my wrath and my vengeance.” He tightens his grip on me, the smell of stale liquor making my stomach roil. “You got lucky that night, escaping from my son. But you won’t be that lucky today. I can promise you that.”

“You know, you’re punishing a lot of people for your own mistakes,” I seethe. “You’re punishing Zeno and his brother for righting a wrong against their family business. And you’re punishing me because my father had the good sense to decline a business deal from you. The death of your son is on your head, not ours!”

I don’t know exactly at what point my teeth began to chatter, but it’s impossible to stop them now even though it’s hotter than hell in this dungeon. Beads of sweat form along the back of my neck, trickling down my spine. My heart is damn-near ready to explode through my chest while I glare at Messina, daring him with my eyes to challenge me.

He can’t because he knows it’s true.

Only problem is, he’s the one with the guns right now.

So this weak little bitch better come up with a killer plan.

Oh, wow.

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