Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 110550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 442(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 442(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“They didn’t get a chance.” I pressed my forehead to his, eyes fluttering shut. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me,” Liam said, voice hard. “None of this should’ve happened, Mackenzie. This is our fault.”
“Don’t say that.”
Liam nodded at his brother. “Take them back to the house. We’ll be right behind you.”
“On our way.”
“Wait, Liam,” I called over my shoulder. “Come with us.”
“Right behind you,” he promised.
We came out onto a landing. This place seemed to be another hotel, though it was abandoned and left to rot long ago. As we descended, other captive women streamed past us, fleeing toward freedom, fresh air, and safety.
I stopped breathing wondering how many women were girlfriends of Luca, believing they found the love of their life, when actually they tangled in the web of a monster.
We climbed off the last step and rounded the corner. My breath truly did stop.
Lined up along the wall, crouched on their knees and hands above their heads, were Luca’s men. I knew they were Luca’s men because the people leveling their guns between their eyes were Athena, Olive, Bugsy, Candace, Liam’s people, and Bane.
Bane met my eyes and smiled—saying nothing and not needing to. Then he cocked his gun, pressing it to the temple of the man who threatened to break my teeth for biting.
Sunny took my hand, kissing my knuckles. Looking at me, he said, “Finish up here.”
The click of cocked guns filled the room.
“No, please!”
“Wait.”
“Let us go.”
My eyes widened realizing what was about to happen.
They were disarmed. They were on their knees, defenseless and begging, and Sunny looked me in the eyes as he ordered their execution.
My lips parted, but nothing came out as he calmly continued to the door, holding me close.
Cool air blew through the alley, ripping through me. Laurel let out a soft sigh as she snuggled against my chest, drifting off to sleep in familiar, comfortable arms. My baby would have peaceful dreams, never knowing what took place here tonight. But me...
I looked behind, my head moving on its own power. A single dingy window granted me a view as the hotel set alight with muzzle flashes.
“I understand that some men become monsters to fight them,” I said only days ago. “But I also know Sunny, Liam, Bane, and Genny. They do what they have to do, but they’re open to other ways. They’ll listen to me. I’ll convince Sunny this doesn’t have to end in blood.”
“I’d love to sit in on that talk, if you don’t mind,” River replied. “It’ll be deeply satisfying to witness the moment you find out who Sole Bellisario truly is.”
I turned to Sunny to find him looking at me, handsome face expressionless. This is the true Sole and—
“I love you,” I whispered. A car door, then Sienna screamed my name, running to me. “I love you, Sunny.”
“Well, that’s good.” He kissed me slow and deep. “Because I love you too.”
I half sobbed, resting my head on his shoulder. “Let’s go home.”
“As soon as the pilot is ready, baby. I’ll have you safe in my bed where you belong.”
“The pilot? What?” I stopped to throw myself at my sister, hugging her as tight as Laurel allowed.
“Thank goodness you’re safe.”
“I am now,” I said. “But where are we?”
“You can see for yourself.” We came out at the top of the street. Sunny pointed in the distance, drawing my sight over the buildings. Holding her torch high was the Statue of Liberty.
Chapter Two
Sunny and I held hands across the sheets, murmuring softly to each other in the dark.
The clock read three in the morning. We should’ve been passed out asleep after the most harrowing days of our lives, but the only two people in this bed sleeping peacefully were Laurel between us, and Sienna snuggled in a tight ball against my back. She refused to let me out of her reach, and I wasn’t fighting her.
“How did you find us?” I asked softly.
“Adams gave us the name of an abandoned inn.” Sunny stroked my temple—gentle and soothing. “Cleared out, but we could tell people had been there.”
“I was there, but Laurel wasn’t with me.” I kissed her smooth cheek. “I questioned one of the men who took me.” Gunshots and screams rang in my ears. “He said none of them knew where Luca lived. How did you find her?”
“Adams didn’t bother to tell him, but one of his guys knew. They were all shouting addresses at me. When we couldn’t find you at the inn, River, Bane, Liam, and I split up and searched the other places. River ended up at another abandoned building like the one we found you in tonight. It was bad, Kenzie. Women chained to the wall. Men brought into their rooms to do what they wanted with them.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, stomach heaving at what I narrowly escaped.