Page 65 of Saved By A God
Shit! What’s Enzo’s number? I always just pressed dial.
I close my eyes and focus, then rattle off what I hope are the right digits.
Rodian puts the phone to his ear, and I swear my heart is about to beat out of my chest as I wait to see what happens next.
“Enzo Falco?” Rodian’s eyes flick to me. “It’s Rodian Volkov. Bratva.”
My lips part, and there’s a rush in my head that makes me dizzy.
“I’m calling to discuss a business opportunity. I want to take down Yegor… Yes, a coup… I want the Cosa Nostra to back me.”
I can hear Enzo’s voice but not what he says, so I inch closer to Rodian.
“Oh, you will definitely back me.” He holds the phone out to me. “Talk to him.”
I grab the device and knock it against my head in my hurry to press it to my ear. My voice is unrecognizable when I say, “Enzo, it’s me. Rosie.”
There’s a moment’s silence, then he snaps, “You don’t sound like her. I need proof.”
The sound of his voice makes my body shudder hard, and I almost whimper, but instead, clear my throat. “Sono io, Enzo. La tua Rosellina.”
“Jesus fucking Christ,” he groans while inhaling harsh breaths. “Rosie. Fuck. Where are you? Does the Bratva have you? Are you okay?”
“Russia. Yes. No.” God, I want to be strong, but unable to hold it any longer, a sob bursts from me. “I m-miss you all… s-so m-much.”
Rodian reaches for the device, and I scramble away from him and off the bed. “One minute.” I hold my finger up, giving him a pleading look. “Please. I’m begging you.”
He nods, then rises to his feet and walks to the door.
“What’s happening?” Enzo barks. “Are they hurting you?”
“I’m in some kind of prison. They’re forcing me to hack for them. It’s… hell.” Another sob escapes me while Rodian glances up and down the hallway. “I… I…” Too overwhelmed and tired, I can’t think straight anymore. “I miss you.”
“Shh… I’m here,bella mia. Just focus on my voice. What can you see around the prison?”
“I’ve only been out of the building today, and the sunlight was too sharp for my eyes to stay open, so I couldn’t see anything.”
Suddenly, Rodian grabs the phone out of my hand, and as horror crashes over me, he snaps at Enzo, “You’ll get to talk to her in a minute again. Business first. I’ll give you the location where she’s being held, but the Cosa Nostra has to promise to back me in taking down Yegor. I want to hear it from your brother. Have him send his acceptance of allegiance to the following number.” Rodian gives it to Enzo, then adds, “You have one minute to talk to Rosie. We can’t risk being on this call for too long.”
He hands the device back to me, and I gasp as I say, “Tell everyone I love and miss them.”
“I will. Are you wounded? Have they…”
Knowing what he’s trying to ask, I answer, “No, they haven’t hurt me physically.” Which reminds me. “What happened to your hands and wrists?”
“Have you been able to see me via the cameras?”
“No.” My voice grows hoarse. “They showed me my funeral.”
“Christ, Rosie.” He clears his throat. “My hands are fine. Don’t worry about it. I’m coming for you.”
“Okay.” I have to squeeze the word past the lump in my throat. “Be careful. I don’t want any of you getting hurt because of me.”
“From now on, you come first, Rosie. No more putting others before yourself,” he says, his tone harsh. “Once I have you back, everything is changing.”
Rodian signals for me to wrap it up. “I have to go.” I shut my eyes and whisper, “See you soon. Okay?”
“Sooner than you think. Be strong for me,bella mia.”
