When the Mafia Don Begs

Selena POV

"Who the hell is Kingsley?"

Ellis's voice dropped an octave. It vibrated with a dark, territorial rage.

His large hands clamped down on my shoulders. His fingers dug painfully into my skin. He yanked me forward, forcing me to look up into his furious eyes.

"So it's true, huh?" he demanded. His chest heaved against mine. "Jennifer was right. You've been sneaking around with some guy? Tell me, Selena. Who is this Kingsley?"

Before I could answer, his grip tightened. "Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you out there?" he hissed, his voice laced with a lethal warning.

"You think some random bastard can protect you in my city? You are carrying my heir. Every rival gang, every lowlife with a grudge against the Winston family would love to rip you off the streets just to get to me. You are a walking target!"

I stared back at him. My heart pounded against my ribs, but my voice came out ice-cold. "Go ahead and keep listening to your sweet savior, Ellis. You never believed me anyway. Who Kingsley is has absolutely nothing to do with you."

"Nothing to do with me?" Ellis let out a harsh, dangerous laugh. He let go of my shoulder and grabbed my chin.

He tilted my face up. His grip was bruising. His eyes burned with a toxic mix of rage and raw possessiveness.

"As long as I haven't signed those divorce papers, you are still my wife. You wear my ring. You carry my child. I won't let you walk out that door and get yourself killed just to spite me. And I do not allow my wife to humiliate me by calling another man right to my face."

Before I could spit out a retort, his head dipped down.

He kissed me.

It was a violent, punishing collision of lips and teeth. He forced my mouth open, his tongue sweeping inside with absolute dominance.

The taste of his dark espresso and the faint, bitter tang of tobacco flooded my senses. His large hand slid to the back of my neck, holding me completely still.

I struggled. My hands pushed hard against his solid chest, but he didn't budge an inch.

The heat radiating from his body was suffocating. Panic and anger boiled in my veins.

I bit down hard.

Ellis flinched. He tore his mouth away with a sharp hiss.

A bright drop of blood welled up at the corner of his lower lip. He reached up, his thumb wiping the blood away.

He stared at the red smear on his skin, his eyes going completely dark.

I didn't wait for him to react. I shoved him with everything I had.

He stumbled back half a step.

It was just enough. I ducked under his arm, threw open the heavy metal door, and bolted out of the supply room.

I rushed down the hallway, my chest heaving.

But before I could reach the elevators, a soft, weak voice echoed behind me.

"Stop, Ellis. Please."

I froze and turned around.

Jennifer was leaning weakly against the doorframe. She looked pale and fragile, clutching her chest. But the look in her eyes was pure poison.

"Don't fight with Selena because of me," Jennifer said, her voice trembling perfectly. "My sister has never liked me. Look at her, Ellis. She looks completely unhinged. I knew her promise to donate bone marrow was just a lie. I don't want to ruin your family's happiness. Let her go to her... new man."

I glared at her. My hands balled into fists. "How could you..."

"Enough!" Ellis snapped. He strode past me, completely ignoring my presence.

He walked straight to Jennifer and gently caught her arm as she swayed on her feet.

"Don't lose hope, Jennifer," Ellis said. His voice was firm, completely devoid of the rage he just aimed at me. "I will save you. No matter what it takes."

Jennifer lowered her head. She pretended to wipe away a tear.

But from my angle, I saw the small, triumphant smirk flicker across her perfectly glossed lips. She won again.

I turned on my heel and practically ran toward the exit.

Behind me, Ellis pulled out his phone.

"Jack," he barked into the receiver. "Send a team to the house right now. Lock it down. I want eyes on her the second she steps out of this hospital."

There was a brief pause.

"I don't care if she throws a fit," Ellis growled. "Keep her from going anywhere near that Kingsley guy. Make sure she isn't hurt or scared, but she doesn't leave the estate. The doctor needs her on the operating table within a week."

I pushed through the hospital's revolving glass doors. The cold New York air hit my face. I was trembling all over.

I just needed to get to a taxi. I just needed to hold out until Uncle Kingsley arrived.

A rusted, black van suddenly screeched to a halt right at the curb. The side door slid open with a violent clang.

Before I could scream, two massive, masked men jumped out.

"Got her," one of the men grunted.