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It’s excruciating. And as the pain threatens to swallow me whole, all I can think about is Silvia and how I’m supposed to be with her right now. What I wouldn’t give to feel her warm body pressed against my chest. She probably thinks I lied to her again and stood her up this time.
If I die here today, she might never know the truth–that I was blindsided by her brothers and dragged to some godforsaken warehouse in the middle of nowhere to be tortured. They’re clearly ready to kill me once they’ve delivered enough pain.
But the worst agony of all is knowing I’ll never see Silvia again. I’ll never get to prove I’m worthy of the second chance she gave me. I won’t have another opportunity to hold her in my arms.
I should have told her I loved her the moment I knew it was true. A vivid image of her face fills my mind, and I close my eyes, using that image like a liferaft to carry me away from my mind-numbing pain.
Somewhere along the line, I lose touch with my surroundings. Disjointed bursts of music tug at my mind. I open my eyes, trying to make sense of the odd noise. And the brothers’ faces blur together until I’m not sure which one stands in front of me.
Then my brain laser focuses on the knife that one of them buries deep in my thigh. I can’t restrain myself any longer. Convulsing against the chair, I scream in agony. Every inch of me feels as if I’m on fire, and I wonder if I might not be.
Only I don’t feel like I’m getting hotter. Instead, the edges of my vision dim, and I feel one moment of utter relief before the darkness swallows me whole.
35
SILVIA
“Pick up. Pick up!” I scream as Nico’s phone goes to voicemail once more.
My anxiety turning to desperation, I try Cassio this time, only to get the same result.
“Fuck,” I spit, pacing my room in aggravation.
I don’t know what else to do but call. And I can’t be sure my gut is even correct, but I get the distinct feeling that my brothers have taken Pyotr. They did it once before.Why wouldn’t they take it further now that the Matron has my father’s back pressed against the wall?
It’s not like I’ve told them I’ve developed feelings for Pyotr–or that he’s nothing like I thought he was at the start of the school year.
My hope draining, I try Nico’s phone for the fifth time as I fight the nausea threatening to take control.
“Hey, Sil,” Nico answers finally, his voice eerily chipper.
Work problem, my ass.
“Nico, where’s Pyotr?” I demand, tears making my voice sound strangled.
“That worthless piece of human flesh?” he asks lightly. “You don’t need to worry about him anymore. The twins and I are taking care of it.”
“What did you do?” I breathe, icy horror dousing me and sending goosebumps rippling across my skin.
A heart-wrenching scream answers for him.Oh, god, no. Pyotr.
“Look, Sil. I’ve got to go. I’ll call you later, okay?”
“No, Nico. Don’t hang up,” I plead. “Please, please let him go. You don’t have to do this!”
“I really think I do,” my brother states flatly, the vitriol dripping from his words.
“Nico, no! Please don’t,” I beg, my fingers combing into my hair, and I yank brutally at the roots. “Just–just hear me out.”
“It’s for your own good,” he says firmly. “I won’t let that sleazy monster touch you ever again. Even if it means war. I love that you have a kind heart, Sil, but sometimes, it’s your downfall. And that’s where I come in. I’m your brother, and I will protect you. Whatever the cost.”
“Please, let’s just talk about this. Tell me where you are. I can come meet you,” I press, desperate to stall him until I can gather some useful information.
“I can’t do that, Silvia. I know you. You’ll sacrifice yourself to stop our family from going to war, and I can’t let you do it. Not with this fucking bastard. He’s tortured and abused you. Violated you and then left you vulnerable and exposed. He doesn’t care about you. And he doesn’t deserve you–”
“Nico, it’s not like that. Just let me explain–”
“Imighthave let you go through with it if he was good to you, if he saw you for the priceless person you really are. But not this guy. Father might not see it, but my eyes are wide open.”
