Page 5 of Possessive

"Fuck is right," Gianni said. "Is that…"

One of the men crouched down in front of the cage, not close enough to touch it with his expensive suit.

"Yes, I believe it is." He turned his face into Gianni's light.

My breath caught in my throat. I knew that face. Those cold, calculating ice blue eyes that saw everything. The strong chin covered in a layer of stubble. The strong mouth, often set in a line of disapproval.

He turned back to me, his voice a combination of gravel and honey. He never raised his voice. He didn’t have to. When he spoke, people listened, before leaping to do what he said.

“Mina DiMarco, what are you doing here?”

“Reuben,” I whispered.

He turned to Gianni and nodded.

I’d never believed in a higher power. No one was coming to save me from this hell. Not until now. Finally, I could get the one thing I craved so much.

Finally, I could die.

I ducked my head and waited.

“Get her out of there,” Reuben said.

“On it, boss.” Gianni nodded. “You might want to cover your faces.” He slid out his gun and aimed it at the lock on the cage.

Reuben rose and stepped aside.

Elbows down to cover my chest, I put my hands over my eyes and tried not to wince at the second gunshot. The bullet slammed into the lock, blasting it into splinters. The cage door creaked ajar.

Gianni forced it open all the way, the hinges squeaking in protest.

Reuben slid off his suit jacket and offered it to me, along with his hand. The first I accepted and wrapped around myself. The other, I just stared at.

“I can’t—” I tilted my head toward the strap around my ankle.

“I’m starting to hate this Lasalle prick,” Gianni remarked. He put away his gun and pulled out a knife. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, this is going to hurt like a bitch.”

He climbed into the cage and gripped my calf with surprisingly gentle fingers.

I flinched at his touch, but not enough to dislodge his hand. I didn't have the strength for that, even if I wanted to. I hated myself for my weakness, but I hated Kurt more.

Gianni and I had that much in common.

“How the…” He grunted.

"What is it?" Reuben asked.

Gianni directed the answer at me. "How long has this been on here? It looks like the skin has tried to grow up around it." His dark eyes looked angry, but not with me. There was a coldness about him, but a softness as well. The contract was too conflicting for me to figure out right now.

Reuben swore under his breath.

I could only shrug slightly and shake my head. "I don't know." I drew Reuben's jacket around myself tighter as Gianni searched for a place to slip the knife and cut the strap.

"Can you hold the light over here, boss?" He nodded towards my ankle.

Reuben stepped closer, holding his torch over Gianni's hands.

"It's lucky I like sharp knives." Gianni glanced at me and grinned before slicing through the leather of the strap like he was cutting an overcooked steak.