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The need to throw up takes over. “Stop the car,” I yell.
But the car keeps speeding down the road. We’ve left the city behind, and I recognize we’re on the way back to Gualtiero’s mansion.
“Stop the car,” I yell again. “I’m going to throw up.” I shout as I heave.
The car comes to an abrupt halt, and I reach for the door and open it frantically. I make it outside just in time before the contents of my stomach make an appearance. Two goons flank me. As if I’d have the energy to run again.
My body is still shaking. On weak legs, I let them put me back into the car. I close my eyes to shut out everything that has happened in the last hour. My head spins, and I can’t form a coherent thought.
In no time, we arrive back at the mansion. My body is shaking anew when I see Gualtiero waiting on the steps.
He looks furious… Fear of how he’ll react to my latest escape attempt wraps around my throat. It goes dry, and I can’t swallow.
As soon as the car comes to a stop, Gualtiero swings the door open and drags me out of the car. His face is stone cold. Rage is leaking from his every pore; the air is thick with impending doom.
I thought I’ve seen him angry before. But it’s nothing compared to what I’m facing now.
My limbs refuse to move, and my legs give out, lacking the strength to hold me up any longer.
I wish I could disappear into thin air. What is he going to do to me?
He bends low and throws me over his shoulder, carrying me inside the house like a sack of potatoes. I try to free myself, my fists hammering against his back. He smacks my backside hard, and I’m momentarily stunned by the pain running through my body. He climbs the stairs to my room, carrying me easily as if I weigh nothing.
He throws me onto the bed with so much force I bounce a few times. The veins in his neck and forehead are protruding and pulsating, as his body shakes with fury.
I can’t catch my breath. Gasping for air, the urge to throw up is overwhelming. I’m sure if there was anything left in my stomach, I would.
Gualtiero’s eyes are wild and dangerous, and I scramble back on the bed to put as much distance between us as possible.
His focus is eerily trained on me as he slowly undoes the belt on his pants.
My eyes go wide.
Oh my God, what is he doing?
He’s not going to hit me with it, is he?
“I’ve been too lenient with you, Ella.” His voice is low and menacing.
My heart is beating out of my chest. Surely, he just wants to scare me… and it’s bloody well working.
I’m close to passing out.
He pulls his belt through the loops of his pants and, once freed, doubles it over and smacks it loudly against the palm of his hand.
I jump as if hit.
He never takes his eyes off me as he slowly approaches.
“Gualtiero,”I whisper, my voice choked. I stare at him, wide-eyed.
“You can’t even begin to understand how mad I am with you,” he says ominously. “Surely, you don’t think you can run away from me and not get punished.”
I swallow hard. I’m frozen to the spot by his threatening aura.
“I’ve warned you, Ella. I told you if you tried again, you wouldn’t like the consequences.”
I don’t think I’ve ever been more scared in my life.
