I open my eyes and see Adela standing over me, but there appears to be four of her.
“What?” I snap, annoyed she brought me out of my sleep. When I’m asleep, I don’t have to remember Gia is leaving me in less than a week.
“Gia’s gone,” Adela says.
“No, she’s not. She’s in my bedroom.”
“Caspian, she’s gone.”
I shake my head as I sit up carefully, trying to not puke.
“She ran out. She looked upset. Did you fight?”
I nod. It was close enough to a fight.
Adela’s body shakes, and she finally has my attention. “Where is she? Who followed her?”
“I
’m so sorry, Caspian. I was on duty. But I’ve had an upset stomach all day, and I stepped away from the feed for a few minutes. You were with her; I thought she was safe.”
“Adela, what happened?” My heart freezes as I already know what happened.
“Da—” She doesn’t get the word out. I know. Dante took her.
I jump up and race inside, grabbing my gun and running to my car with Adela on my heels. I don’t know how Dante found out she was here, but he did. And I will do anything to get her back.
“Caspian stop! You’re drunk! Let me drive,” Adela yells.
“Get in the car. I’ve never been more sober in my life.”
Adela frowns but jumps in the passenger seat. She starts calling in any member of the team she can get ahold of to help us as I drive to Dante’s place.
Gia ran out because of me, and now she’s his. I can’t lose her. I can’t lose another woman I love.
Love.
Shit, I love her. I didn’t think it was possible, but now that she’s gone, I’m lost forever.
18
Gia
My arms are tied behind my back as the light tickles into my eyes again. I don’t have to open my eyes fully to know where I am. I can smell the rotten flesh, taste the blood, and feel the cold floor beneath me.
Dante stole me, again.
And now I’m back in the same room of his house; I swore I would never return. But this time, I will escape after I kill Dante.
The door opens, and I feel Dante’s presence before I see him. He smells of sweat and blood and fear.
I stare at him as he walks in without a word, and I’ve never seen his face redder. His nostrils flare wide, and his teeth grind together, striding toward me.
I won’t cower in the corner though, no matter how much my head hurts.
I stand slowly, even though my hands are tied behind my back, I’m ready for a fight. He will not touch me again.
Dante chuckles, watching me. “You think you are going to be able to stop me?”