The glass broke before Zara heard the shot.
It came in over the bed and took the lamp off the nightstand.
Saverin: Down. Get down.
Saverin was on top of her before the second shot, one hand flat on her head.
Glass ground under his knees, and blood ran down his forearm onto her cheek.
Saverin: Stay under me.
Then he was up with his gun and at the window, and the garden outside was black and quiet.
Saverin: They're gone. Or they're waiting.
Zara: That bullet was meant for me.
Saverin: It was meant for whoever sleeps on that side. Which is you.
He pulled her up by the wrist, too hard, and the marks of his fingers stayed after he let go.
Zara: I can walk.
Saverin: I know. I'm not letting you.
He carried her out of the room with one arm under her knees and one across her back.
Ennio and Tullio came up the stairs with their guns out.
Ennio: Boss. Is the little cunt hit?
Ennio: Shame. I was hoping the bullet would do what your cock can't and shut her up.
Saverin set her down and slammed Ennio into the wall. The plaster cracked behind his head.
His head bounced. Blood ran from his nose over his teeth.
Saverin: One more word about her and I'll open your throat.
Saverin: Tullio. Get him out of my sight. Find out who fired that shot.
Saverin turned around, and the rage was still on his face when he looked at her.
Saverin: You knew someone would come for you.
Guilt crossed her face before she could stop it.
Zara: I didn't know tonight.
His hand closed on her jaw hard enough to grind her teeth, and he turned her face up.
Saverin: Somebody put a bullet through my window. If you know who, say it now.
Saverin: Lie to me and I'll put you in a room with no windows.
She believed him. He would do it without raising his voice.
Zara: My uncle has men. That's all I know.
Saverin: Then you stay where I can see you until I've pulled every lie out of you.
He carried her to his room and locked the door.
A cut on her cheek was still bleeding. He wiped it with his thumb, and his hand was shaking, and it wasn't from the shot.
Saverin: I should have put you in here the first night.
Zara: You should have asked.
Saverin: I'm not going to ask.
Zara: Good.
She took his collar in both hands and pulled him down, and his mouth came down hard, teeth first.
Saverin: Say the word and this stops.
Zara: I never beg.
His hand slid under her shirt and closed on her bare hip.
He pulled the shirt off over her head and put his mouth on her breast.
His hand slid into her shorts and found her clit, and her hips came up off the bed.
Zara: Fuck. There.
Two fingers pushed inside her, and her pussy tightened around them.
Saverin: You're so fucking wet for a woman who should hate me.
Zara: Quit talking and keep going.
She got his belt open and her hand around his cock, and he made a rough sound against her throat.
Zara: I want you inside me. Now.
He pushed into her slow, and she felt every inch of it.
Saverin: Look at me. I want to see your face when you come.
He fucked her deep, and the bed hit the wall.
She worked her clit with her hand, and her pussy clenched around his cock.
She came with his name in her mouth, her body locked around him.
He followed a few strokes later, breathing hard into her neck.
Afterward he pulled the sheet over her and put his gun within reach.
Saverin: You sleep in this bed until I know every secret you're keeping.
Zara: And then?
Saverin: Then I decide what to do with you.