Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 120472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 482(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 482(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
The baby cries and I push the knife into the waistband of my pants before scooping him back into my arms. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, the tears stinging my eyes as I try to comfort this sweet little soul. Then sparing one last glance at Felicity, I let out a broken sigh and get to my feet, knowing the moment I finally get back to the boys, I’m going to have to explain everything that just went down here, and it is going to crush Roman.
My knees shake under me and I turn to step out of the haunting cell when a voice breaks through the heavy silence. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Giovanni says, stepping out of the shadows and striding toward me, blocking me in the cell with his big body.
I swallow hard, gripping tighter onto the innocent life in my arms as I start backing up, terrified of letting him get any closer. I pull the knife straight back out, but against someone like him, I don’t stand a fucking chance.
Giovanni drops his gaze to his newborn grandson and steps through to the cell, his eyes darkening with whatever sick plan he has. He sweeps his sickening stare toward Felicity’s lifeless body, slumped on the ground of his dirty cell. “Shame,” he mutters, slowly turning his attention back to me, not even bothering to spare a glance for the weapon in my hand. “And here I was hoping to use her against my son, but I’ve got you now.”
“You’ve got nothing,” I spit and just like that, his hand cracks out like lightning, striking across my face. The momentum of his blow has me falling back against the wall and I scream out as he steps into me, tugging the knife free and closing his hand around my throat, a million times worse than the boys have ever done to me.
I grip onto the baby, holding him tight to my chest, the fear rattling me like never before because now it’s not just me I need to protect, but this baby as well.
Giovanni doesn’t let up on my throat, just keeps squeezing as his eyes shimmer with a sickening amusement. I feel myself running out of oxygen, my arms growing weaker by the second. It won’t be long until I pass out or die and the moment that happens, it’s game over.
My hold on the baby loosens and I scramble, fighting to keep hold of him. He quickly starts slipping from my grasp as I gasp for air, only to be met with nothing. Black dots appear in my vision as my lungs scream for oxygen and my hold on the baby fails. He drops out of my arms and I watch through heavy eyes as Giovanni catches him and pulls him into his chest, victory brimming in his eyes.
“It looks like my luck is changing,” Giovanni tells me, indicating to the screaming baby cradled against his chest. “Take a good look, Miss Mariano. This right here is the greatest weapon you will ever see. My sons will never see it coming.”
And just like that, the last of my oxygen burns out like a useless flame and my world turns to darkness. I’m thrown down on top of Felicity’s lifeless body and the last thing I hear is the sound of Giovanni’s wicked laugh as he slams the cell’s door closed and locks me in, his laugh flowing back up the winding stairs and out the front door, taking the screaming baby, and my last ray of hope along with him.