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“It is now. Milana goes free. So do you.”
He understands my meaning. Still breathing or not is his choice. Either way, I’m finished with him.
33
Milana
I’ve barely had time to compose myself before walking back into the casino. My father knows. There’s no way he couldn’t. Do I care? Absolutely not. He knew I was involved with Salvatore when he bartered me.
Was that his plan the entire time? Bring me home so he could sell me off? Makes me wonder what he would’ve done had I not come home. Put my mother on the list instead?
“Where have you been?” Stefano questions, quipping my arm tightly.
“I was stuck in the elevator.”
Not entirely a lie. No need in telling him I fucked his son and loved every damn second of it.
“Don’t make me wonder where you are again.”
His tone is threatening, intimidating.
“Careful, Stefano. Your true colors are showing.”
I know exactly who Stefano Moretti is. He’s the man who cheated on his dying wife. The man who had Malcolm Arnold’s thumbs chopped off. The man who sees me as weak and inferior. He’s wrong about that.
“You be careful,mio dolce. Or I’ll show you exactly what it means to be my slave.”
He releases my arm, and the blood begins to circulate again. I reach up and rub the sore area, knowing it’s going to bruise. He slips his arm around my waist. His facade falling back into place.
To everyone in this room, we appear to be this happy couple. I’ve accepted my fate as Stefano’s bride-to-be. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Being with Salvatore in the elevator made me realize I can’t stay here to save my parents. They’ve done nothing to save me. And I don’t deserve this fate.
Stefano picks up a glass of wine and a fork from a waitress’ tray and clinks them together, gaining everyone’s attention.
“I hope you are all enjoying yourselves and spending a lot of money.” A chuckle rumbles through the crowd. “I have a special announcement. I am marrying Milana Genovese this Sunday at two o’clock. We would be honored if you all would attend. Right,mio caro?”
I swallow hard, trying to find my voice. Stefano squeezes my hand to the point it seems as though my fingers may break. My eyes lock on Salvatore in the crowd. Anger emanates off him. It pisses me off. He could’ve claimed me for himself.Should’veclaimed me for himself. But he didn’t. He’ll never stand up to his father. The same way I’ve never stood up to mine.
“Yes, we’d be honored.”
Weak. Inferior. I don’t want to be these things. Irefuseto be these things. While everyone claps and congratulates us for our upcoming nuptials, I make a plan to get out of this. Dead or alive. I just need to be free.
34
Salvatore
Sunday. Fuck, that really cuts my time in half. What the hell is he trying to prove?
“Can you get it done or not?”
Gilligan Arnold paces the parking lot. It’s two o’clock in the morning. The place is empty, as it should be at this hour. No surveillance cameras in sight. It’s underground parking for an old fabric company that shut down years ago.
When I called him to meet with me, he was hesitant. Fearful this plan of mine is going to get us all killed. So be it. Stefano has to be taken down, whatever means necessary.
“I can try.”
“You can try? That’s not good enough.”
