“Agreed,” I say, working hard to keep my tone level. “Now let me pee and shower in private.”
He flashes me a wolfish grin. “That wasn’t part of the deal. I promise I won’t touch you.” He holds up his hands, and his grin expands. “Not until after we are married.”
Not ever, I silently promise.
He arches a brow. “Do you want me to go back on my word?”
Drawing a brave breath, I turn my back on him as I unbutton my jeans. I sit on the toilet before I lower my panties and stare straight ahead as I relieve myself, ignoring the heated eyes drilling into me.
Steam fills the small bathroom as I undress, but I still feel his nefarious gaze watching as I peel every item of clothing from my body. I hesitate before removing my necklace, afraid of drawing his attention to it or losing it, but I don’t know if it’s waterproof, and that could be my only ticket out of here, so I take it off and leave it on top of my clothes.
“Fuck, those are ugly.” He stretches out his arm, and his fingers graze the raised skin on my back.
Good, let him find them repulsive. Not appealing to him works in my favor. He looks at me for a reaction, but I give him nothing. His words don’t penetrate as he intended. There was a time they would have. But not now. I’m a survivor. My scars demonstrate my inner strength. His words can’t hurt me, I remind myself as I step into the shower cubicle, out of reach of his disgusting touch.
“I’ll just fuck you when you’re flat on your back so I never have to see them,” he says, but I tune him out as I wash myself. I’m tempted to go to that invisible place inside me—one I haven’t visited in a long time. I got adept at losing myself in an inner void any time Alfredo was hurting me or subjecting me to his vile cock. But I need to stay in the moment now because I can never forget how dangerous this man is to me. So, instead of disappearing inside myself, this time I let thoughts of Alesso soothe me while I stay conscious of my surroundings and my predicament. I conjure up my man’s handsome face in my mind’s eye and comfort myself in some of our happy memories.
I wash my body and my hair in record time and step out, ignoring the heated gaze of my cousin as he peruses my dripping-wet, naked body, slowly offering me a towel.
After, he takes me to a larger, cleaner, more modern bedroom where he watches me blow-dry my hair, apply makeup, and then dress in the lacy bridal underwear and wedding gown he has procured for me. I move to fasten my necklace around my neck, but he stops me, shaking his head. “Not that. You are leaving your old life behind today. From now on, you are mine.”
He either knows about Alesso or suspects I have a man in my life and he gave this to me. “My kids bought this for me for my birthday,” I lie. “Please let me wear it. It will help to remind me why I agreed to cooperate.”
His expression dithers for a moment, and then he nods. Relief washes over me as I clasp the necklace around my neck, securing the long gold bar that contains the hidden vial underneath the top of the dress.
“Come.” He stands, offering me his hand. I fight nausea as I accept it and let him lead me out of the room, along the hallway, and into another room.
This room is plainly decorated, and judging by the robes hanging in the open closet, the cross on the wall, and the myriad of candles and bibles resting atop a table covered in a pressed white cloth, I’m guessing this is the sacristy. “Stay here while I speak to the priest.” He points over my head to the window at the back. “Don’t try to escape. I have men outside.”
“I gave you my word,” I lie, clasping my hands in front of me.
“Good.” Leaning forward, he plants his lips against mine. “You promised,” he says a few seconds later when I refuse to move my mouth or part my lips to let his disgusting tongue in.
Forgive me.I silently speak to my love as I force my lips to separate and make myself kiss him back. It’s like kissing a slug, and I put minimal effort into it while relishing the fact I have this kind of power over him. I sense he wants my compliance and for me to like it, and I can work with that. Suck him in and make him think he’s in control when I’m really the one pulling his strings.
Thankfully, he doesn’t prolong the kiss, pulling back a short while later. “You know, this doesn’t have to be a bad thing.” He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear, and I almost retch all over his designer suit. “We could be happy if you don’t fight me.”
On what planet does this asshole reside?There is no scenario where I would ever be happy with him or content to sit on the sidelines while he plans to take my brother-in-law down.
“Alfredo was old, and though he fucked many women, I don’t imagine he was a good lover.” His fingers brush along my cheek. “I am skilled in the bedroom, and if you please me, I will ensure you receive pleasure.”
Oh, jeez, thanks so much.I force a smile. “I know how to be a good mafia wife.” I almost gag on the words, but his ego needs stroking, and I need him to believe I will go along with this farce. “I will please you.”
He kisses me again. Harder and deeper this time, and I think my words appeased him. “Good girl.” He pats my ass. “Don’t let me down.” He points behind me again before slipping out of the room and locking the door behind him.
40
SERENA
Iinstantly slump against the wall, clinging to it and praying for strength to do what I need to. Through the white net curtains, I spy a couple of men prowling the grounds at the back of the church. Rows upon rows of gravestones line the rear space, and beyond that, I only see trees. Wherever we are, it looks remote. Pushing off the wall, I force myself to focus. I’m sure he won’t be gone long, and I need a plan because I’d rather kill him than me. My eyes scan the room, looking for anything I can use as a weapon and something small enough to conceal on my person. But there is nothing.
My fingers tap idly on the table as I think. My eyes latch on to the silver chalice as an idea flares to life in my mind. I never thought the years of forced Christianity would ever come in handy, but it’s helpful I know what happens during a Catholic mass. Unclipping the gold bar on the end of my necklace, I remove the vial hidden inside.
Sierra was the one who had unwittingly given me the idea. She told me how Brando had rescued her from the dungeon she was kept in when she had been kidnapped. He had poisoned all of Daddy’s men. I suggested we get necklaces made with a vial to hide poison in so if any of us were taken again we had a potential way of rescuing ourselves. I didn’t tell Nat or my sister I also had ulterior motives because they never would have agreed to help if they suspected I also did it to have a way out that didn’t involve rescue.
I won’t be any man’s prisoner again.
If it comes down to it, I would rather kill myself than be subjected to that kind of torture again.
