Page 21 of Forbidden

“Wanna head back to your place?” Theo asks, wiping ketchup off his lip with his sleeve. His grin is cocky. He’s too sure of himself, like he’s already mentally kicking his shoes off at my door.

I stop short, my sneakers scuffing the pavement as we step out and clutch my purse tighter. “No,” I say, sharp enough to cut glass. “Let’s just call it a night.”

He laughs, a little too loud, stepping closer with his hands raised. “Come on, Penelope. Movie night at your place will be the continuation of an already great evening. I’ll even let you pick the cheesiest rom-com. I won’t make a move, scout’s honor.” He beams and wiggles his fingers like a kid swearing an oath. “Unless you count me stealing your popcorn as a felony.”

I bite my lip, fighting a grudging smile. He’s an idiot—goofy in a way Adriano never is, and tonight, I need that. Anything to drown out the echo of leather and smoke still clogging my head.

“Fine,” I sigh, rolling my eyes. “Just a movie. No funny business, or I’m tossing you out faster than you can say ‘popcorn bandit.’”

“Deal.” He grins wider, practically bouncing, and nudges me forward like he’s won the lottery.

We walk the three blocks to my house, and my streetlights flicker overhead. The night’s breeze is thick and humid, sticking my shirt to my back. He’s close and more than once, his arm brushes mine. But I don’t pull away.

Inside, I flick on the kitchen light, then kick off my sneakers.

“Want a drink?” I head for the fridge, grabbing a beer.

“Sure.” He’s right behind me and I notice his voice drop. “But I’d rather have you.”

I freeze with the bottle in hand. Then turn slowly to find he’s grinning, but it’s sharper now, hungrier.

“Chill, Theo. That’s not happening.”

“C’mon, Pen.” He steps in and his hands snake to my waist. “Don’t tease me.”

I shove him off, hard. “I said no.”

He grabs me again, fingers digging into my arms. I twist, heart slamming, but he’s stronger and he is yanking me back. “Stop playing hard to get,” he growls, his breath hot on my face.

“Let go!” I swing, my fist clipping his jaw. He staggers but recovers fast and shoves me against the counter. My hip bangs the edge, and pain shoots up my side. I kick then scratch, anything to break free but panic buzzes loud in my skull. His hands are everywhere. And the sudden realization that I’m trapped manifests, and the room shrinks around me with the walls pressing in.

“You don’t get it,” he snarls, eyes wild. “My dad wanted you dead. Said you’re tied to Vieri. But I liked you, Pen. Fell for you. And now you won’t even fuck me?”

“What?” My brain scrambles, confusion tangling with fear. Dead? Vieri? His words don’t make much sense, but there’s no time to unpack it. He’s shoving harder, then one of his hands is tearing at my shirt and the other clamping my throat. I thrash, gasping and my nails rake his arm.

That’s when the door explodes open. The wood cracks, splinters flying around. Adriano storms in with a baseball bat clutched tight. Theo doesn’t even turn before the first swing lands and crunches into his shoulder. He howls as he collapses.

Adriano swings again, going for his ribs, this time a sickening snap echoing. Theo’s a heap now, groaning, but Adriano keeps going. The bat keeps slamming down, precise and brutal, like he’s carving meat. Blood pools, thick and red, soaking my floor.

“Enough, Adriano!” I scream. Adriano freezes, the bat mid-air and he’s breathing loudly. Theo’s barely alive and wheezing, his face a mess of purple and crimson.

Adriano drops the bat with a thud and the silence crashes in, heavy as lead. My hands tremble and I smear blood on my jeans as I wipe them. Adriano’s staring at me with a speck of red on his cheek, gray eyes blazing. I’m shaking—pissed, scared, and thankful. It’s all twisted up.

“You okay?” His voice cuts through, low and rough.

“Yeah. Maybe.” I cross my arms, forcing my breath steady. “How’d you get here so fast?”

“Was close by.” He shrugs and grabs a rag from the counter, then wipes the bat.

“I see.” I step toward him. “So you just happened to be outside?”

“Yeah, I was around the area. I had to check something.” He doesn’t look at me and scrubs harder.

“Check what? Me?” My voice climbs. “Tell me the damn truth, Adriano.”

He stops and his shoulders stiff. “I did it for you. That’s it.”

“That’s not enough!” I grab his arm, my fingers digging in. He flinches but stays put. “How’d you know he was here? How’d you know I needed you?”

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