I couldn't move.
I couldn't breathe.
His breath smelled like alcohol and cigarettes.
His fingers dug into my skin.
And he did it right in the open too, where everyone surrounding us could see him groping me and watch my humiliation.
Including the charming and devilishly handsome man who came to my aid.
He waltzed right up to us and spoke to Mr. Gerard like he was in charge.
"Get your hands off her," the man said, and it made Antonelli step back immediately.
"This is none of your business, Santonelli," he said.
But the look on his face was frightened, pale skin and sweaty forehead.
"I'm making it my business." The man pulled an envelope from his jacket and tossed it onto the desk. "That covers her debt. She's done here."
My boss stared at that envelope, then at me, then back at the man.
His jaw tightened with anger, but he didn't even argue.
He knew better.
Everyone in that room knew this man was more dangerous than Antonelli could ever be.
The man gestured toward the door and spoke directly to me. "Let's go."
I gave him my virginity that night after a lot of wine and good conversation.
I let him touch me in ways no one had ever touched me before.
Maybe it was the wine or maybe I saw something in him.
Who knows?
I woke up the next morning alone.
He'd left money on the nightstand with a note that said I should find a better job.
I took the money and left the hotel and a few months later, I discovered I was pregnant.
I panicked.
I didn't know how to find Dante besides the fact that I knew he was dangerous and powerful and connected to people like my boss.
I knew bringing a child into that world would destroy any chance of a normal life.
So I left Rome, changed my name.
I moved to Naples and built a quiet life where nobody knew me.
I convinced myself that I'd made the right choice, that keeping Sofia away from that world was the only way to protect her.
Now I'm sitting in his house with his guards outside the door, and I realize I protected her from nothing.
