Page 27 of Trapped

Santino

Both. Keeps life interesting.

Life with you is never dull. Not sure if that’s a good thing.

Santino

It’s only a problem if you can’t handle excitement.

Maybe I add a bit too much of that to your life…but you like it, don’t you?

Santino

You’re mine. I’ll decide what’s too much.

I smiled, warmth blooming inside me. Even through text, Santino’s words dripped with a dark intensity that thrilled me. After that messy fight with Ivan today, part of me was here for this—yes,claim me, protect me, kill for me.

I had to tell him about Ivan.

I typed a message on my phone, my fingers trembling.

When am I seeing you?

Santino

Whenever you want.

How about tonight?

His reply came a few seconds later.

Santino

I’ll send a car to your place.

TEN

DELILAH

Santino’s driver brought me to an abandoned warehouse on the South Boston waterfront. Inside was a cacophony of primal roars and the sickening smack of gloves against skin. Blood, sweat, and the metallic tang of fear mingled in the air, a pungent cocktail that filled the arena. Men crowded the ring, cheering the bloodbath.

Santino’s fighting ring was a powder keg of testosterone, but people kept a respectful distance. Everybody knew I belonged to Santino, and if they didn’t, the guard standing by my chair reminded them.

I glanced at a tall man in a suit, one of Santino’s soldiers. Vitale was a quiet guy who expressed as much emotion as bark on a tree.

“How are you doing, Vitale?”

“Good.”

“Any plans this weekend?”

He shrugged. “You?”

“I guess that depends on your boss.”

Vitale’s attention returned to the crowd. “Santino will be here in a minute.”

I sipped my drink, trying to settle my frazzled nerves.