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"Is she coming?" I imagine she would want to come, but I don't believe her husband would allow it. Then there's the fact that being in New York would put her in danger. My father sent her away with instructions to never show her face in New York again.
"Please, you have to tell me."
He laughs. "I don't have to do shit for you. How long is it going to be before you stop acting entitled?"
Interesting that it’s what I said Niko was. I’m not entitled, though. I’m desperate.
“Please, Donovan. If she comes to New York she’ll have a target on her back." I use his name to appeal to his humanity, but he’s Mafia. He doesn’t have any. None of them do. That’s what I need to accept.
"Why?"
It's a basic question. It even makes sense to ask it. But I'm not sure I should tell. I don’t feel the need to protect my father, but sharing my family secrets may possibly endanger my sister, and I can't have that.
But then it occurs to me that I am the daughter of Niko's rival. I have dirt on my family that could be useful to them. Idon't want to help Niko, but perhaps I can use what I know to protect my sister, maybe even gain Niko's trust, and he’ll let down his defenses and give me an opportunity to escape.
I start to reject that thought, knowing that it's a foolish plan that will likely only get me killed. But I've spent my life under one family's rule. Plus, I'm likely dead, anyway. I don’t want to give up. I don't just want to lie down and accept my situation. I have to fight until I can’t fight anymore.
"You have nothing to say?" Donovan says from the front seat.
I turn my head to look out the window, leaning against it as the city drifts away. It appears that we're heading out to Long Island. Knowing it will take some time, I close my eyes to rest.
When I open them again, we’re pulling up to the security gate entrance of a very tall brick wall.
"My next new prison,” I murmur.
Donovan arches a brow at me through the rearview mirror. "Sleeping Beauty awakens."
Guards approach, and when they see Donovan, one waves and the gates open. We drive through toward a large mansion. The home has a Gothic feel with its gray stone construction. It’s impressive and beautiful. Too bad it’s probably where I’ll die.
Donovan pulls to the front of the house and parks. He gets out, coming around the car to open my door. I unlatch my seatbelt and start to get out, but he blocks me.
"Here's some advice, Princess. Don't mistake anything that the Boss does to mean that you’re anything more to him than a way to get back at your father or the Abates. I'm sure your father raised you to be obedient, subservient, and to take care of her man's needs. Niko has decided to treat you decently.”
I arch a brow. While I know that he means compared to how Romeo would have treated me, Niko has been better, but there’s nothing decent about it.
“So you get to stay here in the main house. But don't ever forget that one false move will have you buried so deep that no one will find you. And then he'll kill you." Then he smiles and winks. "Welcome to Villa Leone."
He helps me out of the SUV, keeping his hand on my arm as he leads me up the steps to the front door. It opens before we reach it, and a man dressed in black welcomes us into the home.
A middle-aged woman scurries into the foyer.
“This is Rosa. She’ll be looking after you,” Donovan informs me.
She smiles and extends her hand toward a massive staircase. "Let me take you to your room."
I follow her up the stairs and down the long hallway. She opens the door to a room filled with sunshine coming through a large window that overlooks the massive yard and garden below. The room is cozy, with a window seat encased by bookshelves, a large canopy bed, and a sitting area by a fireplace. The room is bright and sunny, the opposite of how I feel and the man who owns the place.
Rosa is friendly and animated as she shows me about the room. "You’re welcome to try out any of the books. I'm told that you like to read."
I nod.
"Back when this was built, this was the mistress of the house’s room. And through that door there" —Rosa motions to a large, ornate door on the other side of the room— “that is Don Leone's room."
I turn away from Rosa so she can’t see me roll my eyes. Of course, I'm in the room next to his. But then I wonder what it means that he had me in his room back in Manhattan, but a separate room now. Had that kiss effectively chased him away? Or maybe it was that I used his phone. I realize that in someways, being in a separate room is a relief. I'm a prisoner, but at least I have my own space.
"And over here is the ensuite bath. Do you enjoy taking baths?" Maria walks toward another door.
I follow her into the bathroom with a very large garden tub.
