He takes a sip of his coffee, ignoring her words and reaching for the bowl in front of him. “Today is the first day of your training.”
She stiffens as he takes a spoon and dips it into the bowl of yogurt and fruit, holding it out to her.
“You eat from my hand, or you don’t eat at all. Choose.”
Her eyes slide my way, twin spots of color rising high on her cheeks as her jaw clenches.
She doesn’t like yogurt.
I frown into my plate at the random thought.How the fuck do I know that?
She didn’t eat last night, as far as I know. Possibly hasn’t eaten since before the meeting that feels like months ago but somehow only happened last night.
Caterina is obviously weighing up the same thoughts as she stares at the spoon. Slowly, she leans forward, her teeth clinking against the metal.
She keeps her eyes straight ahead as Salvatore feeds her the entire bowl. He follows up with water in a tall glass, pushing the straw between her lips. His eyes don’t leave her face.
Cecile watches them with barely-concealed fury.
The little appetite I had when I sat down has vanished, but I force myself to clear my own plate.
Salvatore gives her an approving look as he sets the glass down. “Good.”
Cat’s lip curls when he runs a hand over her hair. “Take your fucking hands off me.”
Instead, he moves his fingers to her face.
Her cheek. Neck.Throat.
And he silently curls his fingers around her skin, squeezing.
Her head bangs against the back of the chair as she pulls away, but he grips her tightly as she chokes.
Making his point.
She gasps for air when he finally lets her go, her face flushed a deep red.
Salvatore settles back as she regains her composure, his eyes cold. “You’ll learn.”
Then he looks to Cecile, his gaze traveling to take me in. “Cecile will oversee your training downstairs. Stefano will be responsible for making sure you behave. We have a meeting of the new capos in six weeks, and I want to see progress by then.”
So he can show her off. Hisprize.
Broken and obedient.
Cat inhales sharply at the news. Cecile almost bounces in her seat with excitement.
That solid rock sitting in my stomach expands until it’s hard to breathe.
The rest of my punishment.
I force out the words. “And the campus?”
He waves his hand dismissively. “That pathetic excuse for an alliance is finished as of last night. You were nearly done anyway. You’ll stay here.”
My throat constricts, the walls threatening to close in on me. “In that case, I’ll need to collect my things. I’ll go this evening.”
He only nods, already dismissing us as I push my chair back. Sweat beads on Cat’s forehead as I round the table, leaning down to undo her straps and lifting her from her chair.
