The pain is so intense I'm sobbing as stars explode behind my eyelids.
"You'd better listen, you fucking bitch," he grunts, tightening his grip on my throat. "You think because you married that cold bastard you're safe from me? Think again."
His grip shifts, and I feel crushing pressure on my windpipe. The black spots in my vision grow larger, and panic floods through me as I realize he's not going to stop.
He's going to kill me.
"Remember your place," my father continues, voice dripping with venom. "You're nothing but a bargaining chip, a pretty face to secure alliances. Don't get any ideas about having real poweror influence. You're mine first, Vittoria. You'll always be mine first."
I gasp desperately for air, my throat burning, my vision going dark around the edges. The pain in my arm is excruciating; something is definitely broken or dislocated. I try to speak, to beg him to stop, but no words come.
My father's free hand comes up in a fist, and I see it coming toward my face. I try to turn away, but his grip on my throat keeps me pinned.
The punch connects with my temple, and pain explodes through my skull. My legs give out, but his hand around my throat keeps me upright against the wall.
"Worthless," he spits. "Just like your mother. Weak, pathetic, and useless."
His grip finally loosens, and I slide down the wall, gasping and choking. But he's not done. His foot connects with my ribs, and I curl into a ball, trying to protect myself.
"Stay down," he snarls. "Stay down where you belong."
Another kick, this one to my back. Then another to my stomach. Each blow drives the air from my lungs, and I can taste blood in my mouth.
Finally, mercifully, the kicks stop. I hear his heavy breathing above me as I lie curled on the cold tile floor.
"Remember this," he says, voice deadly quiet. "Remember that no matter how high you think you've climbed, I can always bring you back down. You're nothing without me, Vittoria. Nothing."
I hear his footsteps moving away, then hear the door unlock and open. Then silence.
I don't know how long I lie there on the bathroom floor, drifting in and out of consciousness. Time becomes meaningless. There's only pain and the struggle to breathe.
When I finally hear voices calling my name, it feels like I'm floating above my body, watching from a distance as strange hands touch me, as worried voices ask questions I can't answer.
"Mrs. Mariano? Can you hear me?"
Fabio's voice, distant and echoing. I try to respond, but no sound comes out.
"Get the paramedics. Now!"
Everything becomes a blur of movement and pain. I'm lifted onto something soft, bright lights flash overhead, and voices talk urgently around me.
But all I can think about are my father's words echoing in my head:You're nothing without me.
As darkness finally claims me, I wonder if he's right.
CHAPTER EIGHT
cesare
"Wantto tell me what the fuck is going on with you?" I ask Lorenzo once my meetings are finished.
"What do you mean?" he asks, acting like he has no fucking idea what I'm talking about.
"You are constantly watching my wife."
His lips twitch at the sides. "You're extremely attached to your wife, Father. I hadn't expected that. Hell, I don't think I've seen you so protective of anyone except your children. Yet the moment that sleazy politician tries to speak with her, you lose your mind."
I ignore his words and refocus on what I set out to ask. "Why are you watching her?"
