Page 207 of Kissing the Villain

The Albanians would be coming any day, along with anyone interested in claiming the bounty on her head. It was only a matter of time before they tried to penetrate my fortress on the sea. Since the last kidnapping, I have tripled the guards around the perimeter. I even had Drake set up an alert system to monitor unusual land, air, and sea activity.

My father had put up more gates with guards to prevent people from entering Devil’s Creek. It was impossible to reach Founders Way by car or on foot without special authorization from my father or me. But the type of men we did business withhad their ways. They would find a loophole to draw us out of hiding, so I had to be on my toes.

No one would take Alex again.

I entered the vault hidden beneath my estate and stood in the center of the room, admiring all the precious gems and collectibles my family had either bought, stolen, or won over the years. We had everything from “unrecovered” works of art to jewelry worn by royals. But I was here for one specific piece.

My mother’s engagement ring.

Alex Wellington was mine.

My cell phone buzzed with a new message: a group chat from Drake that included all of The Devil’s Knights who lived in the area.

Drake

Our queen is on the Il Circo auction page.

He included a link and the images the assholes had posted of Alex naked. Flames burned beneath my skin like I was a fucking dragon about to spit fire. Rage bubbled up inside my chest, squeezing my heart. I knew they would eventually succeed, despite our best attempts to keep her off that fucking site. Even with intervention from our Sicilian friends who were expected any day, we couldn’t stop it.

Luca

Then get her the fuck off it, Battle!

Drake

Easier said than done. I’m working on it.

Sonny

Our queen looks fuck-hot. Bet all those sleazy motherfuckers will pay up just to get a look at her.

Luca

Call my girl fuck-hot again, and I’ll slit your throat.

Sonny

Calm down, psycho.

Marcello

This isn’t the time for jokes, Son.

Finn

Idiot.

Callum

She does look hot, tho. Just sayin.

Luca

I’m glad all of you are taking this seriously. Go fuck yourselves. I’ll find another way to get her off that site.

I tapped the three dots in the corner of the screen, clenching my jaw so hard it felt like it would crack in half.

Luca Salvatore has left the chat, whichflashed on the screen.

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