Catching Bianca: A Dark Mafia Romance (Shadows of Obsession Book 4)
Catching Bianca: Chapter 33

Ryder’s giving me time to gather my thoughts. At least I assume that’s what he’s doing while he skulks through the apartment with an air of impending doom, checking every lock, testing every window, rattling the door handles.

Arthur’s brewing us coffee, his back rigid, fear radiating off him in cool waves. He keeps stealing glances at Ryder, his face pale, every move jerky as if he expects he’ll pay with blood for letting me out of his sight.

I’m curled up on the couch under a fluffy blanket Ryder wrapped around me the moment we stepped through the door. A kiss on my forehead followed. His lips parted as if to ask questions, but he shook his head a little, kissed me again and began obsessively checking the security.

My hands won’t stop trembling, no matter how hard I crush them between my thighs. My chest feels tight, every breath shallow, the remnants of panic not ebbing away.

I keep telling myself I’m safe, but the words won’t sink. I still feel the hand over my mouth, the sharp bite of fear digging its way into my throat. A sickly scent lingers in my nostrils and Vaughn’s calm, steady voice echoes in my head. He sounded like he thought his actions were reasonable.

Like he’d come to my rescue…

Ryder stops pacing and sits beside me, his thigh brushing mine, his elbows resting on his knees as he leans forward, raking his fingers through his dark hair.

“You scared the shit out of me,” he whispers, his voice rough around the edges. “What happened?”

The fragile dam I’ve been holding together splinters at his proximity, at the care in his voice, and a sob bursts through.

“Hey.” He reaches for my hand, maneuvering me onto his lap in three. I nuzzle my face against his chest. “Shh… it’s okay. Take your time.”

“It’s not okay. He was there.” I shake my head, tears blurring my vision. “Vaughn was there.”

His hold on me tightens. I feel the quickening thump of his heart under my cheek. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

“We were leaving the market.” I swallow hard, the words tangling in my throat. “Arthur was in front of me. We were talking about… I don’t even remember.”

“Scarlett,” Arthur says. “We were talking about the club.”

Ryder’s muscles tense around me, his knee bouncing as if he’s gearing up for a fight.

“Someone came up behind me,” I continue. “Before I could turn around, a hand clamped over my mouth. He had a cloth, or gauze. It smelled… sweet, chemical.”

“Chloroform,” Ryder supplies.

I’d guessed that much. “I knew if I breathed in, I’d pass out, so I held my breath. I couldn’t scream. I tried to fight, but he was too strong. Too fast. He dragged me into the alleyway before anyone noticed.”

A solid “Fuck” leaves Arthur’s mouth. I can’t see him, but Ryder’s hand’s brief absence from my back tells me he’s stopping Arthur from speaking.

“Keep going, baby,” he says, ghosting the line of my spine. “He dragged you into the alley. What then?”

“I felt dizzy. I must’ve inhaled a little. Not enough to knock me out, just enough that my moves were sluggish. I didn’t know what else to do… so I pretended. I thought… if I could convince him I’d fainted, maybe he’d remove the cloth.”

“You’re amazing, you know that?” Ryder says into my hair. “That was quick thinking.”

I nod, curling into him further. “He let go. He threw the cloth aside, hauled me up and carried me for a few hundred yards. I kept my eyes closed, but I counted every turn before he dumped me on the back seat of a car.”

My stomach churns as the memory floods back. “I heard Vaughn. He thanked the man, paid him, and told him to leave… My heart was going so fast, I—” I choke back a sob recalling the stench of whiskey inside the car and how it instantly took me back to the evening I ran from Vaughn.

Ryder’s hand slides up to the back of my head, his fingers threading through my hair as he holds me close. “You’re here,” he tells me. “I’ve got you, Bianca. Vaughn’s gone.”

“He thought I was unconscious,” I whisper. “He muttered under his nose how he’d missed me, that he’d keep me safe, that no one would take me away again. I heard him buckle up. I wasn’t sure whether the other man had left, but I couldn’t wait longer. I yanked the car door open and ran.”

Ryder’s grip tightens, his lips on my temple. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”

“I-I… God, I feel so stupid. I didn’t think he’d come for me.” I pull away, wiping my face. “The cameras, you and Arthur, all the precautions… I thought they were silly. Vaughn’s in a wheelchair. He’s not supposed to be dangerous.” I draw in a shaky breath. “I don’t feel safe here. He knows I’m in Cleveland. What if he tries again? What if next time—?”

“We’re going back to Columbus,” Ryder cuts in, both hands framing my face. “You’ll be safe there. Every square inch of that city is under my surveillance. If Vaughn shows up, I’ll know immediately.” His thumbs brush away the tears smearing my cheeks. “I won’t let him take you, Summer.”