Page 78 of Doll's Eye

When he reaches out to touch me, I recoil. “I’m fine. Not even one shot got me,” I say monotonously and avoid looking at his handsome face. God, why does he have to be so handsome? And his hair is longer, all the way to his chin, with the brown waves tucked behind his ears. And did he get his hands tatted?

His fists clench at his sides, turning them white and red. “How could you be sostupid?” he spits in outrage, triggering my own.

“I am none of your concern, Massimo,” I snap and turn away from him to do who knows what? Clean? Pack up anything that survived and leave?

“You’ll always be a concern of mine. Get whatever you want if there’s anything left. You’re coming with me.”

“No, I’m not,” I say, picking up the broken picture frame of myself with the other banished Bonettis. The only family I have left. I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t miss my brothers and the rest of my family. My heart hurts thinking about how much time I’ve missed with my nephew.

“You are,” he says firmly, tearing me from my thoughts. “You know damn well I’ll make you if I have to.”

I spin around and point my rifle at the man I once loved with all my heart. “I’m not going anywhere with you,” I hiss venomously. “Thank you for the heads up and coming to my aid, but I can take it from here. Now, kindly get off my property.”

“You wouldn’t shoot me,” he foolishly taunts.

I cock my head to one side. “You don’t think so?” I cock back the bolt and slide it back forward, locking it. I might not kill him, but Iwillshoot him.

He steps forward some. “Do it then.”

I can totally shoot him. Why not? I know where to hit without killing him. He believes he still wields power and control over me. I’ll have to demonstrate how far I have outgrown his significance. The only reason why I don’t kill him is because hismen will rush in here and shoot me dead on sight. But not if I just injure him…

Taking a breath, I place my finger on the trigger. Just as I’m about to pull it to graze his arm, a shot goes off from somewhere behind me and hits me on the back of my shoulder. My eyes widen as I gape at Massimo in shock. “You shot me?” Then the world tilts just before everything goes black.

“Ugh,” I groan as I begin to come to. “What the…?” My limbs feel leaden as I gradually pry my eyes open, squinting against the harsh light. I try to rub at them and realize I’m unable to. I yank on the cuffs that are restraining me to a chair. Or a seat more like it. I’m on a plane, cuffed to one of the seats in an upright position. That’s why my fucking neck is killing me.

“Couldn’t have at least given me a neck pillow?” I say dryly as Massimo stands in my peripheral.

“I wasn’t trying to make you comfortable.”

“Yeah, no shit.” I look up at him, seemingly unfazed. “What’s up with the cuffs? We’re in the air. Do you think I’m going to crash the plane with me on it?”

“Wouldn’t put it past you.”

I look away and lean my head back. “Can I have some water? Maybe let me take a piss?”

He leans over to uncuff me without reservation, and I hold my breath, fearful his scent might compromise my resolve. “Come on.”

Surprisingly, he let me go to the bathroom alone, giving me privacy. I wash up a little, and he’s waiting outside the door when I come out. Silently, I follow him back to the seat, and he goes to cuff me again. “Seriously, Massimo.” I hold my arms to my chest. “I’m not going to try anything. Where would I go?”

His eyes narrow on me for a moment. Then he snaps the cuff around one wrist and rises back to his full height. “I’ll get you some food and water.”

“Oh, what a great host you are.” I give him a cloying smile to add to my sarcasm. He doesn’t react as he turns and leaves.

When he comes back several moments later with a sandwich and a bottle of water, he hands them to me and sits beside me.Because this won’t be awkward at all.

“I assume Tullio and the rest of the Bonetti brigade will be waiting for me with the welcome wagon?” I ask as I uncap the bottle of water to chug it.

“He doesn’t know anything yet.”

My head whips around to face him. “What do you mean?”

“I haven’t told him,” he says coolly, giving me his profile and a moment to admire his robust features.

“Why?”

“Didn’t have time to.”

“But you’re taking me to him, right?”

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