“You have a very creative imagination, Pietro. But that’s all it is. Don’t be making scenarios when there isn’t anything to give in the first place.” I close the monitor and turn towards him. “Capisce?”
He nods his head but warily. I don’t have time to concern myself with his emotions. Not when things need to be done.
“I’m assuming Gino made contact with Seamus?”
While I may be aversive to this video I know it needs to be done. Seeing his daughter in a precarious and dangerous predicament will send him the right message. But I’ve studied Seamus and his notorious crime family. They’re full of pride. This very well may take a dark turn. At least we’ll be prepared. I fear war with The Murphy Family is inevitable.
“He did,” he affirms. “We are set to make a live connection in two hours. The location is also ready.”
Imogen can’t be seen in a warm comfortable bed. Carina said perception is key so perception is what will be given.
“I’ll transport her to the warehouse.”
“Why? Don’t trust me with the cargo?” He flashes a grin and winks.
There’s that flare again. The one where I feel my blood rushing in my veins. My heartbeat drums in my ear. The tight coil in my stomach that wants to be released. It feels animalistic. Primal.
Voice hard I respond, “She’s my captive. I’ll handle her.”
He whistles lowly. “Careful, Rico. One might think you’re developing feelings for the girl.”
I don’t comment but I fear by doing so it says it all.
I wait until I hear the last of his steps retreat before I open the monitor once more.
She’s staring directly at the camera this time. Directly at me. And for the first time in my life I feel as if she’s staring right at the depths of me.
I trace the outline of her face with the pad of my finger before I linger on her lips.
What the fuck is happening to me?
CHAPTER 12
Imogen
Would it be pathetic to say I anticipate his check-ins?
There’s a buzz that hums through me like an electric current when I see the red dot blinking.
I know he’s behind the lens. Watching. Observing.
It’s awful to admit but there’s comfort in knowing I’m not completely alone.
God, soon I’ll be Pavlov’s dog.
Sighing heavily I toy with the bandages I woke up to under my cuffs.
Ma always did say I slept harder than the dead. Pa had always joked princesses didn’t need to sleep with one eye open like knights. I never wanted to be the princess. I wanted to be a knight like my brother. To fight. To learn the trades of the business. To be seen as more than a docile socialite.
Pa never took me seriously. I really wish he had. God, I could’ve done so much for the family. Lifted us to new heights. But all his cards were on Niall. Gambling with me would only put him in debt.
Sometimes I wonder if he ever regrets the consequences of his actions. I smother a sardonic laugh. No, pa suffers from pride and stubbornness. He has too damn much of it to admit his wrongs. Even when it led to the death of his only son.
Picking a fight with The Donati Famiglia will only lead to countless more.
Because the man who captured me has a reputation known to be unmerciful. No one lives under the hands of Rico Maroni.
And I have to wonder, when will I suffer the same fate as the many before me?
