Rizzo:
I will, just not yet.
Elena:
But what about the wedding? Will you get me out before then? I can’t marry him, you know this.
Rizzo:
I’m sorry but the timing isn’t going to work. You’re going to have to go through with the wedding. Afterwards I will get you everything you need to disappear.
Elena:
Are you kidding?!
Elena:
Please. I’m begging you. Get me out right now.
Rizzo:
I can’t. Not yet. Be patient. Your time will come.
I was so furious after that last exchange that I had to set the burner phone down and walk away. If she told me to be patient one more time, I was going to explode.
Now I mull over her lack of responsiveness and follow through on our bargain. I spied on Maximo, sent her everything I could find, and she leaves me high and dry.
What a deceptive bitch.
She played me for a fool, didn’t she? She never had any intention of helping me escape, and soon I’ll be legally tied to Maximo. It’s not like I can complain to him about this either.
Guilt slithers like serpents in my stomach as I think about all the information I passed along to Mrs. Rizzo. I spied on him for weeks and he has no idea how I’ve betrayed him. He’ll kill me if he ever finds out, I’m sure of it.
Now, because of her, I’m stuck here for the rest of my life. I’ll never be free.
I let that potential, terrifying reality sink in.
Stupid. I’m so stupid. I thought I could handle this situation on my own, without the help of my family, and I was so very wrong. It’s too late to run to my sister and cousins for help now. Maximo will know exactly where to go looking for me. Besides, I refuse to bring my troubles to their front doors. None of this is their fault.
Steeling myself, I inhale a deep, fortifying breath and consider my limited options. I’ve gotten myself into quite the mess. Once again, I looked to someone else to rescue me, instead of doing it myself. I should have known Mrs. Rizzo wouldn’t come through with her promise.
The mafia world is dog-eat-dog. If I keep being this naïve, I’m going to keep getting eaten, taken advantage of by everyone around me who has an agenda. They’ll get what they want at my expense.
Even Maximo doesn’t really wantme, he wants my family connection to solidify his position.
What about that tattoo?
It’s things likethat, that have haunted me every day for the past month. Does Maximo want me to be his wife for political reasons, or is he actually in love with me as he claims? Does it make a difference?
No, it doesn’t. I don’t love him. I’ll never love a man like him.
I have to find my own way out of this disaster.
Istand in front of the full-length mirror in this stunning wedding gown as horror grips my insides like a vice. Today’s the day, and I’m no closer to escaping this marriage. I’ve failed to get myself out. Now I have to face the consequences—this brutal reality that there is no escape.
I’m a pawn. One that’s lost, so I’m no longer even on the chessboard.
A shaky sigh pushes past my lips. I’m not sure I can go through with this ceremony. I’m supposed to walk, of my own free will, down that aisle and tie myself to a mafia don before hundreds of witnesses and God.
