The question, a shard of accusation, ignited the fire in her chest.
"Why are you here, Rocco? Why did you defyand barge into Newfort alone? Don't you know I was half mad with worry when I couldn't reach you?" Rocco lowered his eyes.
"I... I overestimated myself.
"His voice trembled a bit.
"I thought I could find something and help you.
I did, but then... then I was taken, dragged onto this ship.
I don't know who..." His voice trailed off, swallowed by a shuddering breath.
"I thought I'd never see you again.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThen someone paid my ransom, booked this room, toldto wait for news.
" Hannah, her anger melting away like frost in the sun, held him close.
"Don't worry," she murmured, her voice a balm.
"When this ship touches land, you'll be off it, and we'll go home.
" Winston's voice, a grim counterpoint to her promise, cut through the air.
"Miss Moore, remember what you promised my boss.
Hannah shot him a glacial glare.
"Don't worry," she clipped.
"Memory servesjust fine.
" But beside her, Rocco's fingers tightened around hers, his pale face etched with concern.
"What did you promise them?” he rasped, his voice thin.
"Is he a bad man?" His gaze flew to Winston, a snarl twisting his lips.
"Don't you dare use me," he spat, the tremor in his voice betraying his steely facade.
"Don't hurt Hannah.
I spare you if you do.
Winston, arms crossed, eyed Rocco from his superior height, a sneer twisting his lips. "Spare us? If it weren't for us, you'd be chum in the belly of a shark, friend. "Enough!" Hannah cried, rising between the two simmering men. "We've barely been introduced, and already you're at each other's throats?" The air crackled with tension, thick enough to slice with a knife.
The room itself reeked of neglect, a stark contrast to his opulent past. These were clearly quarters reserved for the subordinates and servants. With a sigh, Hannah stepped behind Rocco, guiding his wheelchair. "Come," she murmured, "I'll take you to the third floor.
My apartment's a duplex, you can have the downstairs space.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWe'll manage.
The words barely left her lips when a commotion echoed from the corridor.
Winston whirled around, his gaze sharp as flint, locking onto the M approaching footsteps. He positioned himself protectively at the entrance of the room, a silent sentinel.
After a while, the sound of the nearer and soon m footsteps drew nearer rew nearer stopped at the door of their room.
"What are you doing?" Winston's voice, laced with ice slided through the silence. They were a gaggle of burly men with faces like slabs of granite.
Their leader, a bruiser with a cauliflower ear, barked, "Room inspection.
Everyone out!" Winston met his gaze, his own eyes hard and unforgiving.
"Not a chance," he drawled, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl.
The men exchanged glances before charging forward.