Page 130 of Ruled By Wizard

Antonio’s face filled with rage. “In ten minutes, when I have Rocco on his knees, begging for both your lives, we’ll see who has the son to be proud of.”

Before they could trade any more insults, Antonio left her and walked to the window where Marco stood.

Natalia studied the men clustered there as she raised her bound hands to push her hair away from her eyes.

Spineless Marco had actually done her a favor by forcing her upright. Her mind was clearing, and despite her limited vision, she could see more of her surroundings. Four men were within her line of sight.

Marco stood at one window with another man beside him, a gun in his hand. Antonio said something to the man before moving to another window to speak with someone Natalia recognized as Lucia’s father, Edoardo.

She remembered Antonio telling Marco to stay near Bruno, who would protect him when Rocco and The Last Riders arrived. Bruno was shorter and stockier, built like a pit bull.

Their differences extended beyond their physiques. Marco’s expression held a mixture of fear and wariness, while the eager anticipation on Bruno’s face made her skin crawl.

Unable to hear Antonio and Edoardo’s conversation, Natalia began searching for a weapon, something to cut the tie binding her wrists, and—most importantly—another exit besides the one within sight of all four men.

She saw nothing she could use to cut the zip tie and no alternative way out. However, the rows of precut lumber gave her an idea for a weapon if an opportunity presented itself.

Forming a plan, she raised one hand to her head.

“I need to use the bathroom.” She made herself sound pleading, even though appearing weak sickened her.

“Piss yourself,” Marco remarked crudely.

“Please …”

“Bruno, take her. Hurry,” Antonio ordered.

The stocky man shot her a resentful glare as he approached. Grabbing her arm, he jerked her to her feet. Keeping a firm grip on her upper arm, he rushed her around the tall stack of lumber she had been leaning against.

After passing several other stacks, he led her down an aisle into an alcove with three doors. One was metal and had a keypad beside it. The other two led to the men’s and women’s restrooms.

Pushing her toward the women’s room, Bruno held the door open as she stumbled inside. “Hurry up!”

Natalia wanted to demand that he shut the door, but her full bladder made her fear he would drag her away before she could relieve herself. Humiliation filled her as she emptied her bladder, aware that he was listening.

When she finished, she hurried to the sink to wash her hands, noticing the reddened skin beneath the zip tie.

“Thank you,” she muttered as she walked through the open doorway.

Bruno shot her a surprised glance.

“For letting me wash my hands,” she explained. “Marco wouldn’t have.”

He walked beside her instead of taking her arm again. “No, he wouldn’t have. Weak men like Marco resent women who are stronger than them.”

Natalia let her gaze drop to the lethal weapon pointed at her. “Since you did me a favor, I’m going to do one for you.” Lowering her voice, she slowed her steps as they turned the corner toward the main area. “Leave before this starts.”

Amusement filled his face. “Some favor,” he mocked with a sneer. “Don’t mistake my politeness for kindness. I was paid too much money to cut and run, especially when the money will be so easy to earn. I won’t even have to break a sweat. Antonio and Edoardo have more men than they need, and they have me if anyone gets close to this building.” The sadistic pleasure Natalia had witnessed earlier returned to his face. “Since you’re so concerned about my welfare, I’ll make sure Marco doesn’t touch you again. I won’t even bother with the extra guards to keep you safe. They hate your father; you’re more likely to catch a stray bullet from them than the bloodbath going on outside.”

Reaching the spot where she had been sitting, Natalia lowered herself back onto the floor. Bruno patted the top of her head with the barrel of his gun as if she were a dog then returned to Marco’s side after saying a few quick words to Antonio.

Bunching part of her skirt beneath her to cushion herself from the concrete, Natalia had just settled when she heard Antonio shout.

“An SUV is coming!”

“Who is it? Rocco or Wizard?” Marco asked. “I can’t see inside.”

Natalia’s heart stopped, terror consuming her for whichever man was inside the vehicle. God, please protect them, she prayed.