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“Kate is a friend of your sister. She was involved in your sister’s plot to escape.”
“God. Heaven help her.” Lucia shakes her head, her expression sad. “Can you save her? Elena will crumble under guilt if she thinks her friend was hurt because of her.”
“It will be taken care of.” I turn to Donovan. “Liam will meet us at the compound, hopefully, with more information.”
“If it is Fiori, he might call, use her as an exchange,” Donovan says.
“That’s not happening,” Lucia quips. “If he won’t give her to me, he’s not going to give her to my father. She’s dead for sure.”
19
ELENA
The news from Doctor Kaisen shocks me. My mind is in a whirl as she explains and gives instructions. I’m told to lie down and rest as the doctor packs her things and leaves.
Rosa returns to check on me once the doctor is gone. The news is sinking in, and so are the ramifications.
"Rosa. You are not to speak of this to anyone. Especially not to Niko.”
Her eyes widen, probably at the command in my tone.
“Don Leone?—”
I straighten, lift my chin. “I said no one.” I know that she’ll need to choose Niko over me since Niko can fire her or worse, kill her. But I’m still exerting whatever control I have. Power rushes through me as I stare into her eyes, telling her that in no uncertain terms should she say anything. “It’s not for you to speak of.”
"Of course." Rosa bows her head, acquiescence mixed with resignation. “You should rest?—”
“No. I’m going to my hobby room.” I rise and head out of the room. I’m feeling surprisingly strong, confident. Once in myroom, I lose myself in painting. I’m terrible at it, as I am at most things I’ve tried, but I enjoy it. The mix of colors. The control. I spend hours painting flowers, the scene outside, and I even make an attempt to paint Niko.
Hours later, as I’m cleaning my brushes, I hear staff running around. That can only mean one thing. Niko has returned. A thrill runs through me. It’s strange since I wouldn’t have seen him until dinner anyway, but knowing he’d been gone, I’d missed him. I wonder what he’d think of my painting of him. He’d probably offer to hire an instructor.
I leave the room, making my way to the foyer to greet him wondering how I’m going to tell him the news. A part of me still wonders if I should. I smooth my hand over my stomach, willing my nerves to settle.
The door opens and Niko, along with Donovan and another man, strides in, making a beeline to Niko’s office.
“Niko,” I say.
He doesn’t look my way. He keeps walking, past the staff and me, disappearing with his men into his office. Resentment sparks inside me. Where is the man who took me on a walk this morning? Who generously created a room where I can indulge my interests? Not a single hello? Not even a glance my way. Were the last few days just a way to keep me compliant? A manipulation so I don’t get in the way of his plans?
I step back, feeling rejected and stupid. But at least I know now that my news wouldn’t mean anything to him. At least not anything good.
“Elena?”
I startle at the sound of my name, a familiar voice cutting through the fog of my indignation. Whirling around, my eyes meet my sister Lucia’s.
“Luce!” I throw myself into her arms without a second thought, the relief flooding through me. “You’re here? How?”She isn’t restrained or being locked up. Does that mean Niko brought her for me?
"You've gotten so thin, Elena." Concern laces her words. “Are you sick?”
“I’m so happy to see you.” I ignore her question. “Is he going to let me go with you?” I’d determined that fleeing to Lucia’s side was a fantasy that would never come true, and yet here she is. I have bittersweet feelings about it now. To go with her means leaving Niko.
Lucia's hands find my shoulders. “We need to talk. Alone.”
The gravity and urgency of her tone worry me. “We can go to my room.” I lead her upstairs to my bedroom. We settle into the window seat. The scene looks perfect, two sisters confiding together in the brilliant sunlight filtering into the room. But in our world, there’s no giggling and gossiping. Just comforting.
"What's wrong?"
“First, are you okay? Is he treating you well?”
