Enrico's smile vanishes, replaced by something ugly. "You stupid little bitch. You think you have a choice?"
"I do have a choice.”
“Did Dante let you think that? He’s a bigger pussy than I thought if he let you think you had any power.”
"Enough." Father's voice cuts Enrico off. "Isabella, you disappoint me. I thought you understood your duty to this family."
"My duty? Why would I have a duty to you? You used me as collateral in your deal with Alessandro.”
“It’s your role, little sister.”
"I won't be used!" I declare, knowing I won’t win this battle but needing to stand up for myself. For my child. "I'd rather die than help you destroy Alessandro."
Something shifts in Enrico's eyes. "That can be arranged. But not before you've served your purpose."
He glances at my father, who lets out a reluctant sigh but then nods.
Enrico opens the door. “Tony.”
A hulking man enters the room.
“Take her to the basement.”
“What?” Before I can turn, strong hands grip my arms. "What are you doing?" I struggle against his grip. "Let me go!"
Father rises from behind his desk. "You need time to reconsider your position, Isabella. A few days alone should help you figure out where your loyalties should lie."
"You can't do this!" I thrash wildly. "I'm pregnant! The baby needs?—"
"The baby will be fine," Enrico cuts me off. "Pregnant women have endured far worse than a little discipline."
I spit in his face. His palm connects again with my cheek, the force of it whipping my head to the side.
"Get her out of here," Father orders. “Take her to the cellar room.”
The cellar room. The place they kept Enrico when he misbehaved as a teenager. Cold, damp, windowless.
"Please," I beg as Tony drags me down the hallway. "Don't let them do this to a pregnant woman. Please."
His grip loosens slightly, but his voice remains firm. "I'm sorry, Miss Isabella. Orders are orders."
The cellar door creaks open, revealing stone walls and a narrow cot. The smell of mildew hits me as they push me inside. The door slams shut. The lock clicks in place.
Alone in the darkness, I sink onto the cot. Tears burn my eyes, but crying won't help me or my baby now. I have to find a way out. But I can’t imagine how, and if I did, where would I go? Alessandro believes I betrayed him. My family has imprisoned me. I have never been more alone in my life.
But it’s not just me I have to consider. I have a life beyond my own that is dependent on me. In the pitch black of my prison, I begin to plan my escape.
30
ALESSANDRO
I sit alone in my office, the memories of fucking Isabella on my desk replaced by a bitter hatred.
The security footage plays on loop. Enrico Vitale entering my warehouse with my key, the same key that had been in my desk the night Isabella came to me.
Bourbon burns my throat but doesn't touch the cold spreading through my chest. I trusted her. I hadn’t wanted to. I thought I’d guarded against it for just this reason. But the hurt and anger at her betrayal tells me I failed.
“Fucking fool,” I mutter to myself, pouring another drink. I want to empty the bottle but I can’t afford to get drunk. Not when the Vitales are knocking on my doorstep.
