Page 77 of His Kidnapped Queen
“I thought… I was so scared,” I admit, dissolving into sobs, and Luca holds me, bringing me tight up against his chest.
“It’s okay. You’re okay. I’m here now, pixie.”
I clutch at his arms, wanting to beg him to stay, wanting to beg him to never leave me again. What kind of Stockholm syndrome is this?
That the place I feel safest is in my kidnapper’s arms.
My knees buckle and instead of letting me fall, Luca drops to his knees with me in his arms, drawing me even closer.
“You’re safe now, Sophia,” he says, and my name on his lips makes me go even limper, like I can’t physically hold myself up anymore.
He picks me up and I wrap my arms around his neck, hiding my face in his chest as he carries me into the living room. He sits me down on the couch and I curl my legs up under me. He sits next to me, putting an arm around me.
“You can’t leave me alone,” I whisper, and he looks almost pained as he stares at me.
“Never,bellissima.I won’t ever leave you alone again.”
I shouldn’t wish for that. I shouldn’t want that. But it’s all I want, actually. I want him here with me, protecting me. If I can’t have my freedom, I at least want that.
“N-not safe here,” I stutter, still sobbing, doing my best to hold back but being unable to.
“It will be,” he promises. “I’ll have the door fixed, have it double bolted.”
He keeps his arms around me and I can’t help climbing into his lap, straddling his hips and hiding my face in his neck.
“It’s okay,” he assures me.
What is wrong with me that I actually believe him?
22
LUCA
I can’t get more than a few feet from Sophia before she starts to whine, so I stick close to her, ordering Diego to bring some burgers and fries for us. I can’t leave her long enough to make her eat. She’s scared, and with good reason.
I was followed tonight, and she was attacked. It wasn’t a Jeep that pulled out of here, but I know they’re connected. But who? Who knows enough to know that Sophia is important to me?
Only Diego, and I know he wouldn’t rat. Especially not to anyone who was loyal to Nico. So again, the only two people I trust are Diego and Arturo. Alfonso is too stupid to pull anything like this off, so that leaves Johnny.
Sophia stays in my lap, latched onto me, and my chest aches when she whimpers as I shift her.
“Not going anywhere, pixie. Just adjusting.”
She snuggles deeper, and I just hold her, humming sweet nothings against her ear.
By the time she dozes off, Diego has pulled up. I lie her gently next to me on the couch. She doesn’t stir.
“I had to call Joey Stacks, offer him ten large to watch the shipment,” Diego says as he walks in.
I groan and grit my teeth. “Great, I love owing that loan shark money.
Diego shrugs. “At least he doesn’t rat as long as he gets paid. More than I can say for some of your men.”
I give Diego a glare but he doesn’t react. He knows I’m over a barrel here.
“I can’t trust my own men anymore,” I mutter, and Diego nods.
“I’ve been telling you that more and more of them are loyal to Nico.”
