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“Oh, don’t worry about that, dear,” he says with a grin. “In a few months’ time you’ll have your very own child to take care of. I’m sure that’ll be plenty of occupation for you.”
My hand immediately reaches for my stomach. The idea of raising a baby in captivity is a horror that my mind simply cannot comprehend. My father somehow can, however, and that reality scares me more than anything else that he has said or done.
“There is no life for my child here, either,” I say.
“You don’t know that, do you?” he asks. “What doyouknow about raising a child?”
I think of my own childhood and how sheltered I felt. My father has always told me about this great world that is at our disposal. He used to say that everything we wanted was right at our fingertips. But I was never allowed to reach out and take it.
Then I think of Edoardo. He is so kind and patient. He’ll make an excellent father. At that thought, my courage comes flooding back. I know that I can wait this out and survive, until this mess is sorted out. I need to, for the sake of my unborn child.
“Right,” he says. “We’ve gotten distracted now from the reason I came in here in the first place.”
“You’ll have to refresh my memory,” I say, knowing it will annoy him.
“You need to eat,” he says. “I will not hear that my staff have taken another uneaten plate of food back to the kitchen again.”
“Nobody can force me to eat, father,” I say.
“No,” he responds. “But I sure can make it worth your while. Tell you what, if you eat consistently for the next month I will find a way to reward you.”
I scoff. As if his offer has anything that I would be interested in.
“And if I hear that even one plate hasn’t been completely cleared of food,” he says with a scowl. “Then something will be removed. We’ll start with the television.”
“I’m not a child, father,” I say. “Threatening to take away my television won’t work on me.”
“Trust me, it will,” he says. “It’s the only form of entertainment you’ve got. Without it, you’ll be left here to drown in your own thoughts.”
Without saying another word, my father turns to leave and his guards follow. The door is locked behind him again and I hear the sound of shuffling as he disappears to the other side of the house. I stare at the television and catch my own reflection on the screen.
I look tired and thin. Not too long after, a plate of food is sent to me. I got a decent amount of sleep, and that’s made me hungry. I end up eating it all, but not because my father instructed me to. I need to take care of myself, if only to survive and to keep my child alive.
After that, I go back to sleep. I close my eyes and rest, knowing that soon Edoardo will have me rescued. I am sure of it.
Chapter 20
Edoardo
Iwaitpatientlyasmy men prepare for us to head out. They strap bullet-proof vests and various weapons to themselves. If you ask anyone else, they might say that it looks as if we are preparing for a war.
In my mind, this definitely counts as such an occasion, but my men have carried out more complicated tasks in the past on my behalf. I trust them to pull this one off as well. In fact, they look excited to be sent out on this mission. I know that Dalton and Mattia do not agree with my plan, but I must act fast.
I worry that if Gabriele hears about Aria’s recording, he might do something to her. And if that happens, I will never be able to live with myself. She didn’t hesitate to risk her life to save mine. It is only reasonable that I be willing to do the same.
I check my watch. We’re making good time. There are only a few more minutes before we head out on this mission. I know my men are prepared, and I trust them to follow orders, but I am nervous. I cannot be entirely certain what we are up against.
“Right. Men, I’d like to run through this with you once more,” I announce.
My men straighten up and gather around. I am certain that they function better than any other army in the world. They are all large guys with excellent combat skills. I know that they will make me proud.
“The plan is to descend on the Morino mansion as a group. We intend to overwhelm them and take them by surprise,” I say. “I know that this is short notice, but Gabriele will only just have received news of my release. I need to act fast before he can prepare and before he has the chance to hurt Aria, if she hasn’t already been hurt.”
“Yes, boss,” they chime.
“Gabriele’s men are well trained, but I am sure that they will be no match for you,” I say and the men smile and nod. “Do not lose your speed when we get there. I want us to move like a wave, smothering every threat in our path, am I clear?”
“Yes, boss,” they chime again.
