The handcuff around my wrist and bedframe both rattle as I fight my imprisonment.

Shit! Shit! Shit!

I can’t believe this is happening right now.

Chloe will have been waiting at the bus stop for me and I never showed. Standing there in the dark, vulnerable and alone, thinking I don’t care enough about her to show up.

Fuck!

Desperate tears scorch my eyes, but I ward them off with a sniff.

I want to kill Diego.

Straining against the cuffs, I let out another roar as pain fires through my wrist and I relive the moment I was put here…

I was cocky enough to spin the keys around my finger as I walked for the front door. I was about to get some one-on-one privacy with my girlfriend. We’d talk, I’d hold her, she’d kiss me. It was impossible to dampen my mood.

I nearly made it too.

My hand was on the freaking doorknob when Enzo stopped me.

“Where are you going?”

“Out,” I mumbled, yanking the door open.

But then Diego and Rex were there, slamming it shut again. Diego’s dark eyes glinted with amusement as he eyed me up and down.

“You going to see her?”

I glared at him before staring back at the door. “You told me to spy, didn’t you?”

Enzo snickered behind me and I caught Diego looking at him out of the corner of my eye.

Dread surged through me, unease cloaking me like a rain cloud.

“I’m coming with you,” Diego told me, like it was no big deal.

“Like hell,” I muttered, my voice dark with anger.

“I won’t get in the way.” He gave me a sly smile. “I just want to see what she knows.”

I turned, eyeing up Enzo and trying to put on the best frickin’ show I could. “You think I’m lying to you?”

“He’ll just watch from the background.” Enzo shrugged. “No big deal.”

“Forget it.” I walked away from the door, figuring I’d sneak out the bathroom window.

Diego grabbed my jacket and pulled me around. “What’s your problem, man? I’ll just be watching.”

I flicked him off me and growled, “She won’t say anything if you’re there. Why would she trust an asshole like you?”

My insult definitely stung, but he clenched his jaw and gave me a tight smile. “I’ll hide in the shadows. Shit, I’ll even close my eyes when you’re having your way with her.”

My fingers curled into a fist.

“We just need to know that you’re doing your job.” Enzo slid his hands into his pockets, looking so calm and in control.

It was completely opposite to the volcanic eruption in my chest. Rage was on the cusp of breaking free, but I had to keep it together for Chloe. I’d never make it out of the house otherwise.

Gritting my teeth, I managed a controlled reply. “I’m not going if you are. I can’t act casual if you’re watching me. I don’t care where the hell you hide. I either go alone or I don’t go at all.”

Diego and Enzo shared another chilling look and I knew my number was up before they even grabbed me.

I fought and yelled, “Don’t touch me! Get your fucking hands off me!”

I screamed and kicked the entire way to my room, making all three work up a sweat in order to contain me.

I was fuming, but was at least comforted by the fact that I could sneak out of the bathroom window in about half an hour. I was pissed that I’d be late, but I was pretty sure Chloe would wait for me. She’s that kind of girl.

“You’re a lying little shit.” Diego shoved me back and I stumbled over to my bed. “Where’s your family loyalty, huh?”

“Why the fuck would I be loyal to you?” I stood back up, facing him head on.

The question scored me a punch in the face, but it was a slight misfire and didn’t really hurt. I was tempted to launch myself back at him, but Rex was right there and I’d have no chance in hell of getting to Chloe if they beat me again.

Enzo stood in the doorway, studying me with the kind of look that tempered my rage and replaced it with a healthy dose of dread.

His lips twitched in thought and then he crucified me by muttering, “Cuff him.”

“No!” I surged forward, trying to run between them. But Diego was on me in a second, wrestling me back to my bed. Rex grabbed my other side, making my fight worthless.

I roared as Diego pinned me down, digging his knee into my chest while Enzo yanked my wrist up to the bedframe. I struggled and strained against him. I made him work for it until that sickening click of metal sealed my fate.

“You fuck!” I screamed at him, tugging against my restraints.

“You don’t want to go out. Fine. You stay here. Maybe these guys can go instead. I’m sure they’d love to find out whatever secrets she has to tell you.”

My nostrils flared, desperation firing through me. I tried to hide it by smashing my teeth together and keeping my rage in check.

“Where were you meeting her?”

I shook my head and he slapped me hard.

“Tell me where she is.”

“I hate you.” I looked him in the eye so he knew I was telling the truth.

He gave me a smarmy smile before turning to his son. “Start at the greenhouse.”

“No!” I roared, figuring I may as well play on it. If I acted desperate enough, then they’d assume that was our meeting place.

It could potentially get me beat later, but at least Chloe would be safe.

Diego hasn’t gotten back yet. He’ll probably bust open the door, saying she wasn’t there and demanding more goods, but I’m not giving him shit.

It’s been over an hour since I was supposed to meet Chloe. She would have given up by now and will hopefully be tucked safely inside Rahn’s house.

She’ll be sad I didn’t come.

Hopefully I can get out in the morning. Maybe Selena will take pity and sneak in here with the key.

I don’t care if it’s a risk, but I’ll get away to find her. I just need her to know that I still care. That if I could, I’d be by her side always.

Closing my eyes, I thump my head against the pillow and stare into the darkness, wishing a hundred times over that I’d never been born a Mancini.