Ties That Bind Us
always getting in the way whenever I tr
ealize I knew about his shady dealings. His big mistake s
at first, but as I dragged her outside, I heard her mumbling, "--killed him
ing
eard Alex com
passed out in my arms and said,
okay?" A
is question about the girl. If she hadn't been there,
our mind?" A
ride, Alexei," I
ything, he went t
what is going on in that head of yours? You're n
me as I ran my hand through my hair while keeping this u
vatore showing compassion? That
ut the folder. Who knows? If she runs her mouth to anyone and the C
as every part of the contract
Michael planned, and I want to fig
hat's
would be interested in his affair with her to make him propose to her tonight? Michael
o get information from her?" Matteo as
r driver. As we all sat in the back of the car, Ale
ong with you?"
The people he was working with might have discovered her location, and they could harm her. By having her with us, they migh
I have different plans with this trouble
ou mean?"
ason not to believe in me?" I ret
g together. I just... I don't want what
that choice. There was nothing you could have
e girl was muttering something, saying HIS name. Mike. It reminded me of
on my
and she almost tumbled. But Alex grabbed her before he could sho
ood?" Matte
inspecting the deep red stain spreading across the back of Alina's dr
d tersely. "We need to get h
turned to me. "Adrian, we should take her
"We're close to the mansion. Call E
belief. "Adrian, she's ble
lacing my words. "Enzo will k
ook her hand. "Hang in there," he whispered
hed to her? He hadn't
cused on Alina. She was unconscious, and the sight of her
eaker, filled with concern. "Wha
ly. "She's unconscious and bleeding
eepened. "Did
ut tonight'
Alex clarified. "But the back
ibility. "Is it her time of the month, or cou
the F
arri
d anxiously. "But we need yo
I instructed over the phone. "We'
ed my mind. Why the hell did
n, ready to assist. The car sped towards our
h passin
as set with all the types of equipment they needed. He placed her in my bed while I sa
octor? He was fast. I
puppy. I stood there, my gaze fixed on the scene unfolding before me. Alex's concern
He asked, turning around to fa
e colder than the chill in the air. "You don't
yes revealing shadows of a pa
sound heartless. There's a girl out there who might be going thr
king onto his eyes
timentality is a luxury I can't afford. This world
h a cynical grin, "Adrian's right, sweetheart. Life'
guard down. The girl's survival was crucial, not out of altruism,
sentimentality had no
itation crossing his face. "Survival doesn't mean ab
re liabilities. They compromise judgment and cloud
h sarcasm, "Adrian's just looking out for the
y callousness. There has to be a balance. We can't let
umanity is a luxury, Alex. One that could cost us everything in t
"Besides, Adrian here might have his reasons for wanting the girl aliv
beneath the surface, but he
ing then. Whatever your reasons,
nzo came in with slumped shoul
and maybe because of seeing Michael shot, she l
breaking through his usual nonchalant demeanor.
ping to the ground. "The trauma...
uation sinking in. The girl's loss became an unforeseen comp
mm
seemed genuinely a
er of sympathy in his eyes.
, turned to me with a searching look. "Adrian, this
ation settling on my shoulders. "No, it doesn
news, added, "Well, at least now
rehend. The girl's well-being was still crucial, but the dynamics of the situat
it out, I read the message from my informant.
uc
Matteo asked, taking
gned! What
ge seeped through me, "Damn
elp Adrian," Enzo said as cooll
ne. And you expect me not to get mad? Do yo
tra
ce, "You're right Enzo, I shouldn't get angry. If Coste