Chapter 20

I stand against the hallway wall as Marco and Beckett speak in hushed tones on the back patio. I barely take a breath, scared of being heard, knowing Rossi is my only protection now that Hudson isn't on the property. An hour ago, Hudson stood up and made sure my brother didn't marry into that poisonous family. Gia and Mrs. Romano are still here. I guess they are still afraid to leave.

"I should have known better, Dr. Benson." I hear a sharp inhale and smell his cigar waft through the open window I stand beside. "You have brought nothing but trouble to my family. That guard of yours that you brought on to watch over your niece, even he has proven himself to be useless. And now, he knows too much. He's out in the world, running his mouth to whoever will listen." He pauses, making a tsk sound. "I can't have that. And I can't have your niece around either."

"Trust me, I'm just as fucking pissed as you are, sir," Beckett says pathetically. "Hudson's worked for me for a while now. When you wanted someone to be Briars guard and maybe help with a few deals during their time in Italy, I thought he'd be perfect for the job." I hear him blow out a frustrated breath. "Now, I'm beginning to see I should have just fucking killed him a long time ago. He's clearly been observant. Too observant."

"I spoke to my son; despite Hercules's actions today, he wants the girl to return with me. He has … plans for her." Even though I can't see him, I hear the smugness dripping from his tone. "You've caused a lot of issues for us. And if I had my choice, I'd blow your brains against this fancy patio set of yours. But instead, I'm going to make a deal with you. Mostly because I'm not worried about pissing Hercules off. After all, he'll be dead within forty-eight hours."

"I'm listening," Beckett drawls.

"Hudson Hercules thinks he's won, but he has no idea who he's fucking with," he says with great evil laced in his voice. "I'm not just taking your niece back to Enzo with me. I'm taking your wife too."

"What could you possibly want with Natasha?" Beckett snorts. "Briar I can see. She's young. And fresh."

Marco sounds amused now. "Men will pay a great price to be with the woman of their choosing. We need variety."

"Okay, so, like, a sex club? Or what?" There's something in Beckett's voice that I don't recognize. He keeps it subtle, but it's definitely there. Uneasiness maybe? Or perhaps worry. Whatever it is, it's clear he's trying to keep it at bay so that Marco doesn't murder him.

"Basically, yes. But a high-end one at that. A place where only the richest, most powerful men will go," he says, his voice dripping with arrogance.

"Uh, sure," he finally answers. "Go ahead. Can I at least say goodbye to her? I mean, she's been my wife for years."

Of course my only uncle wouldn't care to say goodbye to his niece. Why would he?

"Ten minutes, Dr. Benson. That's how long you have to get her into the back of our limo when we leave for the airport. If she and the girl aren't there, every person in this house will be executed."

When footsteps start toward the door, I crouch down, hiding behind a plant. On one hand, I want to run, but I couldn't deal with the guilt of knowing everyone got shot because of me. My brother left right after the entire thing went down today. It's not his fault he doesn't know how dangerous these people are. To him, he thinks I'm just going along with this for the hell of it. He doesn't understand there are real lives at stake.

I wish Hudson were here. Even his presence makes me feel safer.

Once Marco races past me—thankfully taking no notice of me behind the plant—Beckett struts in behind him. He pushes a hand through his hair, and his face is pale.

"Fuck," he mutters. "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck."

He heads up the large staircase, undoubtedly heading to his room, where I believe Natasha is packing her shit to get out of here, per Hudson's words. She thought she was finally free.

Once everyone is gone, I'm just about to stand up when Rossi bolts into the room, looking around. Pushing to my feet, I hold my hand up.

"I heard the entire thing," he says, pointing to his headset. "Fuck."

"So … new development, huh?" I scrunch up my nose. "And just when I thought things might be taking a turn for the better. Now, Natasha and I are going to be sex workers." I try to keep my tone light, but when a lump lodges in my throat, it's hard. Tears fill my eyes, clouding my vision, and I sniffle. "I'm not going to lie, Rossi. I'm scared. I'm not usually a pansy-ass bitch, but … I really, really don't want to be forced to go with Marco."

Gazing around the room, he makes sure no one is listening before he walks toward me and grabs my hand. Pulling me into the bathroom, he quickly locks the door behind him. "Listen to me, Briar," he says, putting his hands on my shoulders. "I can't say much right now. We don't have enough time. But I need you to be brave. I know this is a lot. I get that this is really fucked up for you and your aunt, but you two are about to help so many people. Okay?" Wrapping his arms around me, he gives me a squeeze. "Trust me when I say, Hudson isn't far. And I'll be with you every step of the way."

"They want to kill him, Rossi." My voice cracks, and he pulls back, looking down at me. "All because he helped Walker and Gia today."

Dipping his forehead closer to mine, he smiles. "Trust me when I tell you, they don't have shit on Agent Hudson Hale."

"Agent?" I gasp. "Hale?" My eyebrows pull together in confusion. All I've ever known him as is Hudson Hercules.

"Yes, Briar. And I'm not just some thug who works for the Romanos." He grins. "Agent Rossi is the name. And, look, there's so much to say and not enough time. But soon, you'll know everything." Backing away from me, he gives me one last grin. "It's going to be okay. Trust me. Not everyone would be strong enough to do what you're about to face. But guess what. You are."

He winks before pulling the door open and bolting out.

I have a thousand questions shuffling through my brain. But the biggest one is … What the hell am I about to face?