{STEPHANIE}
"Bait?" I breathed out as my mind struggled to processwhat Francesco had just said. My head began to spin and a high-pitched tone rang in my head. I drew in a short breath and then another one. Someone had tried to kill me! Someone had planted bombs to kill me! How was I supposed to leave this room knowing fully that I was walking straight into a death trap. I was not even sure I could stand on my damn feet!
"Focus, Stephanie!" Francesco barked suddenly, snapping his fingers and causing me to jump. "I need you to calm down and listen to me. You need to calm down. Now."
"Easy for you to say," I choked out.
He held my chin and tilted my head up so I stared right into his eyes. "You can curse me later. But right now, you will do as I say."
