Maybe he’ll respect me for having a spine.
Or maybe he’ll beat me until I’m bloody and bruised.
It’s not all that uncommon in the mafia world. Everyone acts as though the men treat their women with respect and dignity, but abuse happens. It’s handled quietly, if it’s ever handled at all.
I’m distinctly aware that I’m trapped on an island and surrounded by people loyal to this man.
He can do whatever he wants to me, and there’s nothing to stop him.
Back home, my father and brothers might’ve protected me if something went bad.
But I’m totally alone out here.
I take a deep breath and face my husband.
“Rosie is sleeping in my bed,” I tell him, mustering as much courage as I possibly can. My legs feel like they’re going to collapse out from under me as he stares back, his gaze like a hand wrapped around my throat. “Until I’m comfortable, she’s staying close to me at all times. That’s nonnegotiable.”
His head tilts to the side. I think of a raptor studying its prey. There’s no emotion on his face, and I’m terrified of what he’s thinking.
“My daughter is safe in my house. Nothing will hurt her.”
“She’s not your daughter.”
“We can keep arguing the point all you like, but the fact remains. I fucked her into your belly. That little girl is mine.”
“Can you please not talk like that around her?”
His eyes flip to Rosie, and his expression softens. “I’m not used to having children around.”
“She’s starting to repeat things. Unless you want a daughter with a filthy mouth?—”
“Like I already have a wife with one.” He glares at me again. I can tell he’s wrestling with this. “You will sleep in my bed. My daughter will sleep in her crib.”
“It’s almost like you didn’t hear what I said.”
His jaw ticks in frustration. I stand my ground, even though every single muscle in my body is tense and screaming at me to run away. I’m a mouse staring down a hungry mountain lion. He’s going to reach out one casual claw and rip me to pieces.
But instead, his phone starts ringing. The noise breaks some of the tension as he quickly picks it up. His conversation is in rapid-fire Italian, and I can only follow about half. Something about a meeting gone wrong and his office. When he hangs up, he finishes his coffee.
“We will address this more later,” he says and starts to walk off.
“Wait a second. What am I supposed to do here all day?”
“That’s for you to decide.”
“Hold on. What are the rules? Am I allowed to leave the apartment? Can I call my family? Check in with friends?”
“Soon I will trust you enough to have access to the internet. But not right now. And as for the Fortress…” He waves a hand vaguely. “You’re my wife. This is my home. You’re free to move around as you please, but only so long as you remain inside.”
“But one day you’ll trust me enough to let me wander around your private island, right?”
“I very much doubt that.”
He walks off. The room feels deeply empty when he’s gone, which is a strange feeling. Silence settles over me and a rush of relief and adrenaline slams into my system.
A big part of me thought he was going to smash my face into the granite counters.
I stood up to him and survived. I didn’t win the war, but at least I scored some points in the battle. I don’t know what this means for Rosie, but I meant what I said.
