Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“You talk too much.”
“Men who have things to say speak as they need to.”
“I don’t care for your voice, and I don’t need to hear your words. Keep talking and I will cut your tongue out and have it made into the platforms of my slippers for me to dance on your filthy words.”
“Oh, I think I like you. What a pity. Your impostor husband murdered two people who were important to me.
“Now I plan to return the favor and record it so he can watch it over and over again. You understand this, no? You are going to die because they couldn’t keep you safe. And because my brother tried to give you something that never should have been yours.” He seethes, spit flying from his mouth.
I laugh from deep in my belly. The only one here who’s going to die will be him and his men. I don’t make promises I don’t keep.
Just as I get my other wrist free, I drop my eyes to the ground as a thought fills my head. I was so angry with Michael, but I know one thing for sure. He will always protect me.
My family has protected me since the day they came to rescue me from that bad man. Michael has told me of his dark times and all the things he has done to keep me safe. He has killed for me numerous times and never with kindness or mercy—not like the kills we have done together.
A smirk takes over my lips as I look up through my lashes. While this jerk has been talking, I have been plotting an escape of my own. But my family will be here, my husband will come for me.
“You don’t believe your words. I can smell your fear from here. You are trying to decide what your options are from this moment forward. Let me help you.
“You can unchain me, and I will slaughter you with kindness. I will even hum as I do so. Or you can keep me here and allow my family to come for you.
“They will not be so kind. You will learn why no one has ever been able to differentiate between the two. Why you all believe there is only one savage with the name Hush.
“It has always been two. The one who slaughters and the one who gives a peaceful death. You have taken me and now there might as well be one.
“My husband can be gentle, but once you touch me, he becomes as savage as his brother. Only the dead know of this secret. You will join them.
“You want to know why my husband and I are the only option to run such a powerful family? We don’t talk about who we are; we show you.
“Für Elise” fills the air right as I finish my words. It’s not the classical version, it’s the one I danced to my senior year with Ximena. The first time Michael hid in the audience to watch me.
While still holding myself in the air, I coil the loose chain beside me around my ankle as this jerk continues to run his mouth. I shift my leg into a rond de jambe, moving it away from my other leg. Then, bringing that same leg back across my body in a battement, I swing the chain across my body with all the force I can muster.
The chain smacks the jerk I beat up earlier across the face. He spins with the impact and falls to the floor. I believe a few teeth fly out of his mouth, along with blood.
I whimper as pain shoots through my inner thigh. I knew there was a chance I would injure my groin from the weight of the chain, but I took the risk. As I release my hold on the chains above me, I drop into a crouch.
At the same time, four figures drop from above. I know right away the largest one is Michael. The tails of his dark coat float up through the air as he comes down like an avenging angel.
The dark look on his face says all I need to know. They will all pay for this. For every ache I feel, he will make them pay.
“I’ve got you,” Annabella says as she catches me in her arms as Val covers us.
I pull one of Annabella’s guns to help as she lifts me to my feet and helps me move forward. I fight through the tears and pain and hold my arm up the best I can to aim and shoot.
“We can’t leave Michael,” I whimper as they try to lead me out and away from where Michael and Uri are in the middle of a gunfight.
“There isn’t a single Donati not leaving this building. Let Annabella take you to safety. I’ve got this,” Val orders. “I promise, sis.”