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His tone raises my hackles, but I don’t want to let him know he’s getting to me. So, I look away. Brute, who sits across from me, is gripping the arms of his chair so tight that his knuckles are white. Does he not agree with what’s about to be said? That probably doesn’t bode well for me.
“You’ve been sold to the Di Bello Family, which makes you our property until you die. It’s the way things have been done since our family left Italy, and it’s the way things will continue to go until the end of time.”
My mouth gapes. “Are you serious? How can you say that like it’s not wrong?”
He ignores me. “Unlike our forefathers, we have decided to give you a chance to gain your freedom. If you win, you will receive not only your life back, but money to ensure that you and your siblings are taken care of for the rest of your life. Your father will be dealt with, and you won’t have to fear him.”
“That sounds too good to be true.” But then I ask, “What do I have to do to win?”
I hear the smile in his voice as he says, “You will be taken outside. Once the timer starts, all you have to do is reach the red light at the end of the property.”
“That seems too simple.”
“Ah. Such a smart pet. The property is fifty acres and unkempt. You will fight the elements in nothing more than you have on right now.”
“But it’s going to be freezing out there. I won’t make it in this dress.”
His shoulder lifts. “Then I suggest you run as fast as you can. Run like your life depends on it.”
He’s giving me a warning; I can feel it.
“What happens if I’m caught?”
“My cousins and I will each take part in the chase. What happens to you after is left to our discretion. Myself, I plan on keeping you as a pet until I tire of you.”
My throat is dry. “And then what happens to me?”
“I will put you down, as I’ve done with those who came before you.”
“Do you hear yourself? You’re talking about taking a life like it means nothing. Like I mean nothing!”
“Everyone on this earth has their place. Yours is to be the prey for me and my cousins.”
My eyes water, but before I can respond, the Brute jumps to his feet, ripping off his mask. Everything feels like it slows around me. Henri stares back, pleading at me with his eyes. For what, I’m not sure. Forgiveness maybe?
“Henri?”
“I’m so sorry, Dove.” His voice is broken, as if he really believes what he’s saying.
“You’re a part of this? Why?”
And how could he do this to me?
He shakes his head. “We don’t have time. Dove, sweetheart, you have to believe me. I’m going to get you first. When I do, this will all be over, and we can go home.”
I shouldn’t trust him, but I do.
Beast snorts. “How very touching. Still making promises you can’t keep, I see.”
Henri glares. “Fuck off, Luca.”
The Beast rips off his mask. There, before me, stands Luca Di Bello. The most feared man in Chicago. I feel like I’m going to be sick.
“Luca Di Bello is your cousin?” Something Henri said earlier crosses my mind. “The guns. You said your grandfather used to hunt game. Is this what you meant? Animalsandpeople?”
The nod is barely detectable. Oh, my good god. These men have been trained their entire lives to hunt. I cannot outrun or outsmart them, especially on their own turf. Hope deflates out of me like air leaving a balloon.
Luca smirks. “I see you’re seeing the bigger picture. It’s true that your salvation lies in whomever catches you. Not only do you have to be caught, but you have to be brought to the finish line.”
