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Racing down the sidewalk, I know at least one of the goons is still behind me. I come up on an alley and decide to take it without even thinking.
Being tackled to the cement, I scream in pain.
“Stupid fucking girl,” Ciro snaps, rolling me to my back and straddling my legs. “You actually think you can escape? I don’t think so.”
Ciro wraps a hand around my throat and squeezes. “If I didn’t care where I fucked you at, I’d do it right here and now. Treat you like the whore you really are.”
I clench my eyes closed while I pray for death. It’s better than anything he’ll do to me. My uncle’s punishment is always about allowing his men to rape me.
The first time he’d allowed his men to punish me, I was fourteen. After that one, I’d wanted to kill myself and tried only for my brothers, Danti and Amer, to find me. My other brother, Benito, I don’t think he’d care if something happened to me or not. He hates me, and I’ve never found out why. However, Danti and Amer love me, every chance they had, they watched me like a hawk after my attempt at suicide. The two of them tried to keep me safe, but it didn’t always work. Anytime I did something to upset my father or uncles, I was taken to Tainted X and punished.
“Hey, what are you doing?” someone yells and comes over, knocking Ciro off of me.
I don’t know who my savior is, but I don’t waste a moment in being free of Ciro. I scamper to my feet—making a run for it.
Darting out of the alley, I make a break for it, glancing behind me to see if I’m being followed. Letting out a breath, I face forward once again and keep going.
Exhausted and breathless, I come upon another alley and hide in the shadows of a dumpster. I can’t go any further, not without catching my breath first.
Leaning against the building, I pull my knees up to my chest. I wrap my arms around them and rest my head against the cool brick. From the sounds coming from inside, it must be some type of club. I know it’s not Tainted X, though. I at least know that much.
Closing my eyes, I start to drift off to sleep without meaning to. Being out in the open as I am it’s not something I want to do, but I’m finding myself unable to stop from succumbing to the dark abyss of my dreams. Or I should say nightmares.
Chapter Four
Cedric
Finally getting ready to head home from a full night’s work, I step out of my office—locking the door behind me. I’m exhausted and look forward to faceplanting into my bed.
“Hey, Cedric,” Halton calls my name. Twisting my head, I grimace at the look on his face and the fact his brother, Colton, is right on his heels.
“What?” I demand.
“We gotta problem in the bar. Wanted to catch you before you left,” Colton grunts, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Explain.” I don’t wanna deal with anything tonight.
“Looks like a few of Preacher’s goon squad are in here tonight. One of them is talking up Libby at the bar. The other two are on the dance floor hitting on a couple college-age girls.” Before Halton even finishes, I’m on my way to check it out for myself.
Preacher’s been trying to step on our toes far too often lately, and it needs to be handled sooner rather than later.
I spot his men right off the bat. What the hell is Tito, Ciro, and Sylvain doing in here?
Narrowing my eyes on Ciro at the bar, I storm over in his direction. Nodding to Libby, I glare at the bastard for coming in here. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing coming in here?” I snarl, at the same time holding myself back from beating the shit out of the asshole.
Ciro smirks and lifts his drink to wave in front of him. “We were in the area and decided to get a drink.” Nonchalantly, the asshole takes a sip of the dark liquid inside.
“I suggest you gather your friends and leave,” I warn him, making it known he’s not welcome in this club.
“As you wish. Oh, and if you by chance come upon Arwen Petruccelli, I suggest calling Stefano right away,” Ciro says, placing his glass on the bar and standing from his seat.
Arwen Petruccelli?
Isn’t that Danti’s little sister?
From what I know about her, she’s never allowed off the property. Other than pictures, I’ve never seen the woman in person. No one has. She’s a mystery that makes people wonder who she is. I remember when I was a teen, my father talking about her beauty. How whoever her father and uncles allowed her to marry would be in for a treat, because of how beautiful she is.
I think it’s one of the only things I’d have to agree with my father about—if I remember correctly. She’s definitely a magnificent woman—at least in pictures.
