Page 49 of Trapped

“Poor baby,” Santino taunted, grinning.

“I’ll kill you?—”

Santino kicked Dimitri’s leg out, sending him crashing to the floor. Dimitri struggled to rise, but Santino pinned him down with a leather shoe on his chest. “You belong here. Stay there before I decide to really fuck up your night.”

A surge of satisfaction welled up inside me as Dimitri lost his shit, screaming a tirade of Russian insults. This was going much better than I’d imagined. Santino kicked Dimitri’s ribs until he shut up. Then Santino’s men appeared out of nowhere, dragging Dimitri’s limp body away.

Santino turned to me. “Did he hit you?”

I shook my head, reaching up to smooth his lapels and straighten his tie. Santino scooped my trembling hand in his and brought it to his lips. His knuckles were red and looked like they hurt.

Santino didn’t let it show.Of course. The men I grew up with would rather die than utter the smallest whimper. My heart ached as his swollen fingers linked with mine. He walked me toward the exit.

“I’m sorry, Santino.”

Santino texted someone on his phone. “For?”

My throat tightened. “It’s my fault you got into a fight.”

“Nah. That was gonna happen no matter what.”

“No. You don’t understand. He called and threatened me. He said he was in town.” I fidgeted under Santino’s intense glare. “I know. I should’ve told you.”

He put the phone away. “And you shouldn’t have talked to him alone.”

“I had to stand up for myself. I needed to prove to Dimitri I wasn’t the same girl he tried to control. And a stupid, selfish part of me wanted him to see us together. I’m sorry. You deserve better than that.”

Streetlights cast shadows across his face.

“We’ll talk about this later.” A car pulled up to the curb, and Santino opened the door for me. “Vitale will take you home.”

I stepped in.

Santino closed the door behind me and leaned in through the open window. “I want you to stay at my place.”

I caught his hand before he pulled away. “Are you mad at me?”

He tensed, confirming my suspicions. “I have something to deal with, but I’ll see you soon.”

“Are you in trouble because of me?” I whispered.

He slipped out of my grip. “Don’t worry about it.”

He tapped the roof and backed away. As the car drove off, I watched him through the rear window, a heavy feeling settling in my stomach.

What had I done?

Santino had fought for me, and I’d lied and set him up. I stared at my reflection in the window, the city lights blurring past. I couldn’t shake the image of Santino’s raw knuckles. He’d defended me, but at what cost? I fidgeted with my phone, desperate to make sure he was okay. But what could I say? Sorry I dragged you into my mess? The words felt hollow.

The knot in my throat tightened.

The car stopped in front of Santino’s building, and I stepped out, my legs shaky. I rode the elevator to his apartment and used the key he’d given me. Once inside, I locked the door and leaned against it, closing my eyes.

SEVENTEEN

SANTINO

I gagged Dimitri and tied him up. I’d soaked a cloth in gasoline before stuffing it in his mouth. Then we transported him to a secure spot.