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The terror causing my body to tremble says otherwise.
The sound of keys jingle, then a lock slides, and he must take a step because I’m higher off the ground for a second. He swings me from his shoulder and into his arms in a bridal-style hold, and I’m looking up at him for the first time. I’m able to truly see his face now that we’re in the light.
He’s the man I spoke to at the Parthenon.
He was the one watching me.
I can’t speak still from being gagged, and I try to mutter something for him to understand.
“I’m sorry, what?” he asks, carrying me down the hall.
I roll my eyes. “Ne-er-mi-d,” I manage to say, something somewhat understandable.
“So this is the estate. It’s a giant waste of space with a hundred rooms and hallways you’ll get lost in.”
I look around, and I’m impressed with the tall ceilings and huge oak beams. The walls are painted gray, and I hear music as he goes up the steps.
“That’s the party I was telling you about. Adrian hates them, so he won’t be in the best mood.” He stops at the door leading to the party's floor. “You know, I think I’ll wait to take you to him. Want any food or something to drink? I’ll put you in my room but promise me you won’t try anything.”
I give him a look, reminding him with narrow eyes that I can’t go anywhere.
“Right. I’m sorry about that. I don’t trust you not to try something, though.”
Good, because I don’t care what it takes, I’ll try everything I can to get out of here. I might not have anyone who loves me, but I love myself enough to not go down without a fight.
Chapter Four
Adrian
“We’ll talk soon, Daphne. And when we do, I’ll bring you a necklace a Madame could only dream of.” I help her put on her leather jacket, knowing everything about this agreement is wrong, but it’s the only choice I have in order to keep my obsession.
And I’ll do anything to keep the one thing I need most in this world.
I open the front door for my fiancée, and she turns around, pressing her hand against my chest. “We’ve known each other for a long time, Dri. Too long, which means I know when you’re hiding something from me. You don’t want this, Adrian. You’re really going to sacrifice your own happiness? Why not go find her? Have the life you want?”
“Because I ruined her life, Daphne. I don’t deserve the life I want. I’ll call you, okay? Thank you for doing this.” I wrap her in a tight hug and then pull away.
“Goodnight, Dri.” She sounds exasperated, but she gives me a pity-filled, tight smile, giving my forearm one last squeeze before she leaves. Her heels click against the stone, and I wish she were the type of woman I could fall in love with, but only one woman like that exists.
I slam the door and lean my forehead against it, roughly jerking the bowtie from around my neck, then undoing the button from my shirt so I can breathe.
“I’m proud of you. Daphne is a great choice.”
“Don’t act like you give a damn about anything other than yourself.” I push off the door and climb up the wide, spiraling marble staircase.
“I do care, Dri. It’s why I’ve been on you about this because this job is dangerous.” He climbs the first two steps, and I glance down, tired and annoyed. “This job takes from you. This job is cruel and dark, and twisted. We like this job. We are good at it, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Being a Benedetti is trying, Dri. You will question yourself, and you will be angry more times than not. That rule to marry is essential for your sanity because there will be times, days, weeks, where you are covered in blood, and you will kill many men—.”
“—I’ve killed plenty of men.” I step down, so we are at eye level. “I have ruined so many lives for this family. I have washed my hands of blood more times than I can count. Do not patronize me. Do not think I do not know what it takes to do this when I’ve been doing this. I have killed, I have fought, I have dealt your drugs and weapons, and I have claimed more territory for us. I have gone to bed alone and started each day alone. You’re acting like I’m my brother, but remember who told you about Porter’s location when they were on the run from the hitman Leonardo hired.”
“I thought we had more time,” my father argues, looking away from me as he swallows.
“We waited too long. And now I have to live with the guilt of our faults.” I climb up the steps again, feeling more stressed out than I have in years.
“We didn’t kill them, Dri. You need to stop blaming me for that. Stop blaming yourself.”
I spin around and climb down the steps to stand in front of his face. “And let’s not forget, none of it would have happened if you didn’t let a good family get pulled in by you.”
“He was the best lawyer! We needed him, Dri. You’re acting like a child.”
