CHAPTER XXXVI

I leaned back in my chair, feeling the knot in my back unravel as I stretched. I had just finished the monotonous payroll process, and now I needed to drop the payroll report off with Mya. With a sigh, I pushed myself up from the chair and gathered the papers in my hands. I walked toward the door and swung the door open, expecting to see Enzo waiting, but he was nowhere to be seen.

He’d probably ducked out to the bathroom, knowing I’d be stuck in this office for hours. I’d been told to wait for him or to call one of the other guards if I needed to step out, but payroll needed to be in by a specific time to ensure deposits were processed on time.

I stepped out into the hallway, and as I turned a corner, I collided with something solid. The sharp scent of whiskey and overpowering aftershave hit me like a wall. I froze, my heart pounding.

“Hey, sexy,” a slurred voice oozed from the figure looming before me.

Preston.

I instinctively took a step back, but he advanced toward me, a predatory glint in his eye. “Hey, where are you going? Don’t walk away from me,” he growled, his lips curled into a mocking smile.

“Get out of my way, Preston.” My voice was steady, but my pulse raced, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

He smirked, leaning closer, the stench of alcohol overwhelming. “Oh, come on. You owe me a chat.”

I clenched my hands into fists, fighting the urge to shove him. “I said move.” Each word was laced with irritation, my patience wearing thin.

“You’re one uptight bitch. You know, you could use a little fun,” he taunted, stepping closer. When I attempted to step around him, he pushed me back and caged me up against the wall.

My stomach contracted into a tight ball.

He tucked his face in the crook of my neck and sucked on my neck, hard, making me wince. I pushed him away.

Shit. Bad decision.

He grabbed me by the throat and squeezed. Tears fell from the corner of my eyes.

“You’re just a distraction, baby. A temporary fix for Nico,” he said, laughing mockingly.

“Screw you,” I managed to get out.

He sneered, squeezing my throat tighter. I covered his hands with mine, trying to push him away, but my strength was no match for his.He slowly released his hands, allowing me to breathe.

Preston gripped my hips and forced his tongue into my mouth. I raised my hand to slap him, but he grabbed my wrist and twisted it until I thought he would break it.He dragged me down the hall and pulled me into an alcove. Once we were out of sight, he slapped me across my right cheek and again across my left cheek.I rubbed my face, trying to soothe the sting, but he punched me in the stomach, knocking the wind out of me.He roughly grabbed me by both arms, violently shook me, and threw me against the wall.I slid down to the ground as pain surged through my body. I couldn’t hold back my tears if I tried. My head throbbed,and my heart leaped into my throat when Preston leaned down and grasped my chin to make me face him. His face flushed with rage, his nostrils flared, and sweat dripped from his forehead.

“You dare raise your hand to me? You better think twice before you pull that shit on me. I will fuck you into submission. I will fuck you over and over until you beg me to stop, and even then, I won’t. I don’t care if your pussy is as dry as the Sahara Dessert. I will ram my dick in you so hard you’ll be wishing you were dead,” he growled with a look of distaste in his eyes—a dark, wicked look I’d never seen from anyone.

“Nico will come after you,” I said with whatever determination I had left. I should have kept my mouth shut because he smashed my head against the wall for good measure.His evil laugh was the last thing I heard before his kick to my head knocked me out.

* * *

“Hurry up, man, before they find out she’s missing,” a man’s voice I didn’t recognize whispered as I started to come to. “Preston says we only have a short window of time before they find her.”

“Would you shut the fuck up already?” another man said.

I struggled to open my eyelids; I could barely move. It felt like I had a concrete boulder sitting on my chest and holding me down.

What was happening?

The last thing I remembered was leaving the office…wait, what? Why was someone tugging on my clothes?

“God damn, she looks fucking sexy in her pink lace panties.”

Cool air hit between my legs. It finally registered that my worst fear was coming to life. I kicked, but a set of strong hands held my legs down. I froze when my underwear was torn off. I tried to scream, but nothing came out. My legs were forced apart, and I closed them only to have them pulled apart again. I yelped in pain. Then two fingers pushed inside me.

No. No. This can’t be happening.

“She’s not wet enough.” My hips moved forward on their own when a tongue licked my clit, both fingers still inside me.

Suddenly, my strength returned.

I kicked.

I scratched.

I bit.

“Fucking bitch!” One of them slapped me, hard, and I bit my tongue. The copper taste coated my teeth. My legs were finally closed, but then I was forced to sit up as one of the men removed the rest of my clothes.

“Stop!” I yelled, my voice finally working.

His laughter was methodical, and he never stopped assaulting me.

I punched and slapped the hands touching my body, but it earned me a punch to the side of my head. Now completely naked, hands roughly grabbed and pinched my breasts. I screamed when a set of teeth bit into the skin around my nipple. I fought and prayed that someone would come, but I feared I would never be saved.

They were going to rape me.

They might even kill me.

Tears fell freely down my face when I heard the sound of foil unwrapping. I shut my eyes and tried to block out the smell of harsh liquor and strong cologne. I prayed to the heavens above to strike me dead because I wouldn’t be able to live after this. The tip of the bastard’s penis was making its way in my entry when the door was ripped open and slammed into the wall. Loud male voices surrounded me.

A warm blanket was pulled over me, and I flinched and screamed, begging them to leave me alone. “Shh. It’s okay, Winter. You’re safe now,” Lo comforted me. He pulled me close, and I gripped his shirt for fear he would leave me.

“YOU SICK MOTHERFUCKER!”

Nico.

“I’M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU!” he roared, his voice vibrating against the walls.

Punch. Crack. Punch.

When I found the strength, my eyes fluttered open, and I saw Nico, his chest heaving, as anger radiated off him like fire. The murderous look on his face scared me, especially with the splatter of blood on his knuckles and beautiful face. The sight should have freaked me out, but instead, I felt a sense of satisfaction.

Matteo came into focus, his eyes blazing with anger. He lifted one tattooed hand, trembling slightly, and ran his fingers through his hair. I caught sight of his knuckles, smeared with blood, just like Nico’s.

Luca stepped into the room, his expression shifting from confusion to sheer horror. “Oh, shit,” he breathed. His wide blue eyes locked onto mine. “Oh, fuck. Is she okay?”

The silence that followed was stifling. All that could be heard was the heavy, uneven rhythm of our breathing.

“I don’t know,” Nico finally responded.

Nico approached me, his movements careful, and lifted me gently, ensuring the sheet covered my bruised body. I winced in pain, and he paused, his arms tightening around me protectively.

“Enzo, get the car.” Nico’s words came out hoarse while he carried me out, cradling me close.

Once we reached the car, Nico settled into the backseat, holding me in his lap.

Enzo sped the car through the streets, and I felt Nico’s heart racing beneath me. He held me tightly, his arms my sanctuary.

“I’m so fucking sorry,” he whispered.

I wanted to respond, to tell him it wasn’t his fault, but the darkness pulled at me, and I slipped away into unconsciousness.