Page 216 of Salvatore

I pause, my pulse riotous. “Is he still alive?”

Gabriel spares me a grin. “We’ll soon see.”

He descends in silence, the temperature dropping as I follow. At the bottom, he stops before the heavy metal doors, reaches for the ornate handle, and pulls one open with a creak of rusted hinges.

“After you.” He waves me inside, his gaze locked on mine, waiting for a slip—a tremor, a flinch, anything he can sink his teeth into.

I give him nothing.

I keep my composure intact and look into the brightly lit room, past another two armed guards, to my brother standing at the far side next to Salvatore—chained to the wall, bloodied, bruised, his head hanging limp while a knife protrudes from his chest.

My breath catches.

My insides revolt.

It’s as if my heart is being ripped out of its cavity while I fight to remain unshaken.Unbroken.

“Everything okay,mi amor?” Gabriel taunts.

I can’t speak. If I do a sob will escape.

“Tell me—” Gabriel places a hand at the small of my back, forcing me to move inside “—how were you treated in this man’s care?”

My eyes burn as I remember the ways I was adored beyond measure, treasured like a crown jewel, and protected with a desperation that defied logic.

“I was stabbed.” I raise my left arm, showing the healing wounds. “Multipletimes.”

Salvatore raises his head, his sweat-slicked hair framing hooded, bloodshot eyes as our gazes lock. “We gave her the full welcome-to-the-mafia package,” he wheezes through crimson-stained teeth.

“Shut your goddamn mouth.” Alonso’s backhand slams across Salvatore’s face, making him sway in his restraints.

I press my lips tight, stopping a scream from escaping.

“Tell me, Isabella,” Gabriel purrs. “Did this poor excuse for a man touch you?”

Salvatore’s eyes narrow, one wrist tugging at his shackles while the other arm hangs at a sickening angle. “I didn’t touch the whore.”

The slur hurts, not from offense but because even now, even in this state, he’s still fighting for me.

I can’t take it.

I want to run to him. To hold him. Kiss him. Make this all disappear.

Gabriel moves in front of me, blocking my view. “Are the rumors true? Do you carry his child?”

I fix him with a glare fueled with a lifetime of loathing. “It’s a little late to start caring about me being sexually assaulted, especially since you planned to profit from my suffering in the same way.”

He rolls his eyes. “That was merely hollow intimidation.”

“Your men didn’t think so. José was determined to be the first to do your bidding the night he died.”

Gabriel’s features harden. “You lie.”

“Ask Alonso. And while you’re at it, you two should discuss what he was happy to stand by and watch José do to me in the bathroom days prior.” I square up to him. “You’ve turned your son into a monster.”

He leans closer, matching my defiance. “And what will you allow me to turn yours into?”

Terror trickles down my spine.

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