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Enzo enters first, followed by Rocco and two men I don't recognize. One carries a slim leather case, the other stays near the entrance. Enzo looks composed, almost cold, until he sees me. His eyes stop at the swelling on my cheek and the marks around my wrists.

"Untie her."

"Not until you sign," Valentina replies.

"You have my word you'll get what we agreed. Release Bridget."

"Your word?" Valentina laughs. "I'm afraid I've had enough of that."

She motions to the man behind me. Something cold presses against my temple, and I realize he's drawn his gun. My whole body locks up.

Enzo's face becomes terrifyingly still. "Move that gun away from her."

"Sign first."

He looks at me, holding my gaze until I remember to breathe. Then he nods to the man with the case. "Marco Bellini, from my attorney's office. He's prepared a settlement agreement covering the properties and money you demanded. The actual transfers will go through the attorneys, but you'll have my signature tonight. Nothing is being held back."

Marco lays papers on the folding table while Enzo stands opposite Valentina. Rocco is to one side, close enough to see the documents; the third man, Luca, remains by the loading door. Enzo takes the pen Marco offers him without arguing over a single amount.

He'll sign it all. He hasn't asked for a discount on my life.

Valentina studies the first page. "Where's the deed for Malibu?"

"Listed in the transfer schedule," Marco says. "You'll have the executed deed when the paperwork is processed."

"I want everything signed before she leaves."

"Then give me the pages," Enzo says. "I'm not here to haggle."

The gunman keeps looking at the papers. Rocco notices. He catches my eye, then looks away. He's waiting for an opportunity.

I need to give him one.

"Valentina," I say, keeping my voice as steady as I can. "What happens when he signs? You know he can report the kidnapping anyway, don't you?"

"Shut up, Bridget."

"I'm serious. You need something in writing about that, too. Otherwise, what's stopping him from taking everything back?"

Her attention swings to Enzo. "You will not report this."

Enzo puts the pen down. "Let her go, and we can discuss whatever else you want."

My captor turns his head toward Valentina and shifts the gun away from my temple. For the first time, there's nothing touching my face.

I can't beat him. I know that. But I can get myself out of the line of fire.

I throw my weight sideways, taking the chair down with me. My shoulder strikes the concrete, and pain explodes through it. The man curses and lunges after me, but the gun is no longer aimed at my head.

"Bridget, down!" Enzo shouts.

I'm already on the floor. Rocco crashes into the gunman before he can aim again, driving his arm upward. The gun discharges once, the shot punching into the corrugated metal wall above a stack of crates. I scream and curl forward as Enzo reaches me, dragging the fallen chair and me behind the protection of a heavy crate.

Rocco wrestles the gun free. Metal clatters across the floor. At the other end of the warehouse, Luca forces the driver facedown before the man can draw the weapon at his belt. Marco steps away from the table while Valentina backs toward the door, only to stop when Luca orders her to put her hands where he can see them.

Enzo crouches before me while I struggle to breathe.

"Sweetheart, look at me. Are you hit?"