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I fight to control my emotions. Drawing back my shoulders, I examine my nails and ignore Benny. His hatred toward the Lombardis is justified. Even though Antonio didn’t order the hit on him, he was still guilty by association. Then he had to complicate the situation by kidnapping me.
I scowl at Benny and swipe tears off my cheeks as if they personally offended me. “I was safe with him.”
“Please don’t start some Stockholm bullshit.” Benny snatches my hand and glares at my wedding ring. “You can take this off now too.”
I tear my hand away from him and tuck it under the right one. He’ll have to cut my finger off if he wants it removed.
Silence takes over the SUV as we drive to the mansion. My father helps me out of the seat and walks alongside me to the front door. Benny trails us. The door swings open as soon as we reach it. Natalia greets me with a constricted hug so tight that I’m worried my spine might snap.
She clings to me, crying. Tears weigh down my lashes, and they’re salty as they escape and drop down my cheeks. We pull apart, and she wipes her thumb along my cheek in a silenteverything will be okay.
I grip her hand tight in mine, and she interlaces our fingers while leading me inside. She’s never seen me broken like this. No one in my family has. I’ve always been well equipped with an attitude. This is my first time experiencing and showing true heartache.
And, ugh, I fucking hate it.
I’m ready to throw this stupid thing in my chest away.
“The office—now, Gigi,” Benny demands, slamming the door shut behind us.
Natalia peers up at my father, silently asking him to award me patience.
“Benny, give her a minute,” he says.
I nod a silent thank-you to him and then Natalia. “I’m going to shower … freshen up.”
No one replies while I pass them, trudge up the stairs, and disappear into my bedroom. Cold air surrounds me when I step inside. Less than a week has passed since Antonio took me, but my room feels almost unfamiliar now.
I’m sore from Sonny’s violence as I shower, and my thoughts drift to Antonio while water cascades down my body.
Antonio chose me over his mother.
I almost died.
He almost died.
He was shot.
My father showed him mercy.
Temporary, but hey, mercy is mercy at this point.
I cross my fingers, hoping he’s okay after being shot. It’s fucked up that I don’t even know if the man I love is okay.
After taking the longest shower of my life, I clip back my wet hair, dress in my pajamas, and return downstairs. It’s time I speak to my father without anyone else.
His office door is open, like a monster luring me in, and he’s already waiting for me. As I stand in the doorway, he signals for me to join him. I shut the door behind me, and he directs his full attention on me as I sit.
“I want every piece of information from when you were with Antonio,” he says sternly. “Everywhere he took you, what he did and said, every fucking detail. And I want itnow.”
“He didn’t hurt me.” That’s the only detail I provide. “Dad, please don’t kill him.”
I jump when he slams his hand on the desk.
“Excuse me?” He harshly pushes two fingers against the side of his head. “Do you hear yourself? This man kidnapped and forced you to marry him.” He stands, circles his desk, and sits on the edge. “His uncle threatened to rape and kill you. Whether you stupidly believed you were safe with Antonio, you weren’t. So at this moment, you don’t get the privilege of making requests. Anything you had with him is over.” He inches closer, and something more than anger flashes across his features.Pain.“Do you not remember what they did to Natalia?”
I wince and am careful with my words. “Antonio would never hurt me like Vinny did her.”
I so badly want to tell him Antonio loves me.
