Page 55 of The Mafia’s Fiancee

Chapter 20

Emma

“We need to hurry,”Nina whispered as we slowly crept toward the door.

Holding her up like this got my long hair trapped under my armpit. The end of my ponytail was wedged between her shoulder and my arm, and the twinge of pain on my scalp served as a starker urge to move it than her words did. I recalled what it felt like when my father yanked on my hair. And being here, where Krista was held nearby, I thought back to the image of Antonio pulling on her hair.

“We do,” I agreed. But what about Krista?

At the sound of more people in the hallway, we stopped and waited until it seemed that the footsteps had moved on. I didn’t run into anyone on my way in here, but now something must have alerted more guards to be on the lookout and moving around. Whatever it was couldn’t bode well for us. If more trouble was coming, it’d make it even harder to get out of here alive. My luck would run out someday, but I willed it not to happen today.

When the coast seemed clear, I opened the door and peeked for anyone watching. This hallway seemed barren and utilitarian, without anyone lurking, but I hurried Nina as fast as I could regardless. Time wasn’t on our side. At any moment, a guard could spot us. Or Antonio could walk by. Vincent, too. I remained tense, urging Nina to reach an alcove at the end of the hallway where she could catch her breath.

Once we got there, I tucked us back against the wall, wishing we could blend into the stone surface and hide completely. On the floor below us, walking up the stairs to a mid-level that led to an addition that seemed like another corridor elsewhere, a pair of guards laughed and talked as they seemed to patrol.

“I can’t believe Justin would risk it all for that Giordino slut.”

The other man chuckled. “He said she’s got one of the tightest pussies ever.”

“So what?” the first man said. “Falling for her and running away with her is just stupid. Antonio will find them eventually.”

“Hmm, I don’t know. Justin’s pretty smart. He’s always the best at hiding. One of the best spies. He’ll be missed.”

The other man scoffed. “I can’t believe it though. I know they’ve been fucking for years, but to give up his job and pay here? All to keep her safe?”

“Antonio’s going to be pissed all night now. He was counting on the princess to fall for his bait and come here for her.”

“Hey, at least we still got that bastard’s mother. One hostage is better than none.”

Nina glowered at the wall, listening in as I did.

“And it’ll work. That fucking fighter will come and then it’s just a matter of getting the icy bitch to cave too.”

Nope. Not happening. I was glad to hear that Justin got Krista away. I only hoped that they hid well, and far from here. Nina wouldn’t be here as a hostage to lure Luke in. I was getting her away, and I had to make sure it happened before Antonio had his guards more on edge.

I urged Nina to walk with me down the stairs after the men passed by. With Justin turning traitor to get Krista out of here, there would be an increased effort in patrols.

Still, we didn’t see anyone on the way toward the door Justin had told me to go toward.

At last, it was within sight. We reached the first floor. Nina breathed heavily, straining with this little bit of a walk, and I worried about her health. I knew she struggled from several issues, and they were compounded with her captivity.

Quietly but as carefully as possible, we crossed the last room to get to the door.

We were almost there.

So close.

But a guard showed up. Of course, it couldn’t be that simple.

“What do we have here?” he taunted, rushing up to grab us before we got to the door.

I pushed Nina back, to keep her safe from his reach, but he didn’t even seem to notice her.

“Thinking about sneaking in, princess?” He chuckled, a filthy, rotten sound of pure maniacal glee.

His fingers locked around my wrists so suddenly that I didn’t have the time to catch my gun. It fell, clattering to the floor, and I worried the noise would catch other guards’ attention. It was just the three of us in this room. He’d happened to pass through from the door that just closed. Someone else could come by too, and then I’d be outnumbered. I couldn’t count on Nina to help, but if I could just get my gun...

He shoved me against the wall, clawing at my shorts.