Page 174 of Mafia And Maid

“No.”

“I thought I beat that fucking attitude out of you. Put it fucking down.”

I let out a strangled cry and lunge at him.

The sharp edge slices into his shoulder. And his howl fills the room.

The back of his hand connects with my cheek. “You fucking bitch!” Metal clatters on the floor. And the coppery smell of blood makes me gag.

Dizziness makes my world blur. I push from the counter and rush into the foyer.

But I’m too slow. A scream rips from my lips.

Two slippery hands circle my throat.

The polished wood slips beneath my feet. And Grayden’s body clamps down over me.

This is it.

I always knew he was going to take my life. His hands tighten around my throat. I claw and scratch. But darkness blurs my vision. I buck and twist just like we’d practiced. But his hands are too strong.

“You’re a worthless bitch. I should have asked for money when I agreed to marry you. Your father fucking owed me, and I was given a useless whore like you?” His words are hissed. My hands push against his shoulders and into his wound, but it’s no use.

The room floats around me. Like I’m no longer in my body. My eyelids droop with the lack of oxygen. My eyelashes fuse together with my tears.

“I’ll take everything once you’re gone, bitch.”

I can’t breathe. Dots take over my vision.

I know this is it. And I make peace with it. I’d finally gotten a taste of what happiness feels like.

And I can die knowing I had it all for just a little while...

My eyes close.

And I know they’re not going to open again.

My only wish is that the men come home first.Ethan can’t find me, please God, oh please God...

Air rushes into my lungs.

The pressure on my throat vanishes. And I gulp down lungfuls of air as fast as I can.

My eyes crack open. And I barely register what I’m seeing.

A figure in black looms over Grayden’s body.

“Camillo,” I croak as my eyelids droop.

And as I try to stay awake, all I hear are Grayden’s whimpering pleas, alongside the crunch of bones. Again and again. Until the pleas go silent…

The next thing I feel is warm, strong hands around my face.

“Fuck!” Camillo’s roar fills the house. “Rosa?”

But I can’t answer as darkness pulls me under again.

“Rosa!”