"I'm sure Vitiello has told you many frightening things to motivate—"
"He keeps them in isolation for years. Complete submission, total control. His last acquisition hasn't been seen in public in three years. He has specific sexual requirements, specific punishments for any hesitation or disobedience. Women are expected to thank him for every moment of pain he inflicts."
“I’m sure that’s an exaggeration,” he says.
"And there's Kozlov. The Russian arms dealer. He broke his last woman's jaw when she hesitated to follow an order. Broke her ribs too. The women he purchases don't last long, Alessandro. They can't survive him. He's too violent, too unpredictable."
"These details seem very specific," Alessandro says slowly. "Where did you get this information?"
"I've seen their files. Full dossiers on every buyer coming to the auction. Their preferences, their requirements, how they treat the women. Do you understand what I'm telling you? These men are real. This auction is real. If you don't pay, one of them will own me."
"Own you? Such dramatic language, dear."
"It's not dramatic, it's accurate! I will be property, Alessandro. Owned. Used however they want. Hurt whenever they want. Maybe killed if I don't please them enough." My voice rises. "Is that clear enough for you?"
"Camilla, you're understandably upset. But I want you to stay calm and trust that I'm handling this."
"Trust you? You've had days to pay this ransom, and you haven't. You've kept my father out of the negotiations. You've told Lorenzo not to get emotional. You've done everything except actually get me out of here."
"These things take time. I need to liquidate assets, coordinate with banks, manage the transfer carefully so Vitiello can't simply take the money and disappear with you."
"He doesn't want to disappear with me! He wants what you owe him. Six million euros. That's all it takes to end this. You owe him. It's a legitimate debt. You borrowed money from a gangster and now he needs to be paid."
"And I'm working on it. But I won't be pressured into making foolish financial moves just because Vitiello has staged this elaborate auction mess to frighten you."
I'm shaking now. "You think he's doing all this to frighten me? Why would he do that? I don't have the money."
"I think Vitiello is very good at psychological manipulation. Creating fear, urgency, desperation. Making you believe the worst possible outcome is inevitable unless I give him exactly what he wants, exactly when he wants it."
"You're not going to pay?"
"I didn't say that. I said I'm not going to be manipulated into acting rashly." His voice is maddeningly calm. "I have until the auction to resolve this. We still have more than enough time to coordinate a proper payment structure that works for both parties."
"Alessandro, I'm not a party to this negotiation. I'm the merchandise!"
"Don't say that. You're family. Of course I'm going to resolve this."
"When? How? Give me something concrete. Tell me you have a plan, a timeline, something that isn't just vague reassurances."
A pause. "I'm coordinating with several financial institutions. The amount is substantial, and I need to ensure proper documentation, proper channels. These things can't be rushed."
"The auction is in less than two weeks."
"I'm aware of the timeline."
"And you'll have the money by then?"
Another pause, longer this time. "I'll have a solution by then."
"That's not the same thing."
"Camilla, you need to trust me."
"Tell me you'll pay," I say quietly. "Tell me you won't let me be sold to one of these men."
"I'll resolve this situation. You have my word."
It's not the same thing. Not the same thing at all.
