Page 52 of The Casella King

“If you think for one second that I will be leaving my wife in the viper’s den, you are devastatingly mistaken.” I reach for my guns, pulling them out, I head to the door, ready to wreak havoc on the entire world if I have to, ready to burn every motherfucker in my way, when Nico stops me.

“Think about it, Ezra,” his grip tightens on my arm, and everything in me wants to ignore him, but I know he’s the one with the calculated plans, and if I want things to go smoothly, I should listen. “She’s in their home,” he whispers, cunning malice dripping from his voice.

Ifeel the hairs on my arms stand as the cool night breeze brushes against my bare skin. Staring up at the large black fence, a trickle of hesitation rushes through me. I could easily walk away, and they would be none the wiser. I could easily just turn around and go back to Ezra, to our warm bed, but I won’t.

Not after what I had already done.

Not after promising him I would prove it to him, how much I am meant to be in his world.

I glance down at myself, my jeans and my shirt splattered in blood,Ray’s blood. A part of me died when he did. The nicest version of me, the pushover version of me, no longer exists. I am Aries Casella, and I will prove that I deserve the name, even if I might die trying. Gathering all the courage I have, I press the buzzer on the wall of the fence, and after a few rings, a deep voice answers.

“You shouldn’t be here, Miss.”

“I have something the Brayfords want.” I steel my spine, standing up straight, noting that they are probably watchingme because the house is without a doubt littered with security cameras.

“We’re not interested in what you’re selling.”

“I’m not selling shit.” I look up into the camera on the brick wall of the fence, steeling my nerves. “I’m Aries Casella.” A moment later, the fence buzzes, opening slowly.

It wasn’t easy sneaking out of the house, thanks to the previous delusional escape plan I had. I needed to come up with another way out. Thankfully, Henry is always on a schedule and never steps out of line, even for a minute. As soon as his shift was over, and someone else was to replace him, I took the opportunity to trick the poor guy into ‘helping’ me rearrange furniture in the upstairs office. Using the excuse of having to use the restroom whilst he heaved the heavy bookcase from one room to another, I took that chance and ran, knowing that if I didn’t, I’d have hesitated.

I stare up at the mansion-looking house sitting on acreage. It didn’t take long for me to find out a few things about them. They’re prestigious after all, their name plastered all over the city for their donations to various charities. I reach the large front doors, and one of them creaks open revealing an older woman, dressed in what I can only assume to be a maid uniform, with an apron around her waist. She waves me in and tells me to wait in the lounge room. Most older homes in this area are worn down over time, leaving them smelling dank, but not this one. This one smelled of fresh lavender, as if someone had just cleaned and lit a candle, expecting a guest.

“Mrs Casella.” A deep voice cuts into my thoughts as I whirl around. “You shouldn’t be here.” I glance up to a tall grey-haired man in a fancy dark-blue robe with striped pyjamas beneath it. His icy blue eyes cut through me like a dagger as he eyes me warily.

“I disagree.” I try to control my breath from shaking as I speak.

“Let’s not waste time with the games. Drop the act, and tell me why you’rereallyhere.”

“I’m here for revenge.” I hold my breath, afraid that if I breathe, he will somehow see through my lies.

“And how does that benefit me?” He cocks his head to the right, eyeing me up and down.

“I have something you want.”

“The only thing I want is for the Casella family to suffer.” His jaw tics. “Andyouare a Casella. Are you sure you’ve thought this through?”

“What if I told you I know where your stolen goods are?” His eyes flash at my words as my heart thumps rapidly beneath my chest, climbing up into my throat.

“If you are bluffing, I will make your death so painfully slow that you will beg me to kill you.”

I reach into my pocket and hand him the folded piece of paper I had written on earlier in the night, knowing that it was my ticket in, my only salvation in this mission.

His eyes glimmer when he reads the location on the paper, and he takes a step toward me, the floorboards creaking under his weight. “Why should I believe you?” he asks as he tucks the piece of paper in the pocket of his robe.

“Because if you truly want them to suffer, I am your only hope.” I clench my jaw and remind myself to stand up straight. I can’t show weakness at this time, I just can’t. I need him to believe me, and I need him to trust me.

“And why would hiswifewant revenge?” He leans in closer, his face inches away from mine.

I take a deep breath before I speak, steadying my legs, cementing them into the ground.

“Because I am his prisoner.” I grit my teeth and hope he believes me and takes the bait.

His eyes narrow as I hold my breath, my heart threatening to shatter my ribcage. “You’re telling me thewifehe paraded around in front of the multiple mafia families of London, is aprisoner?” He crosses his arms.

“Be my guest. Send your men to the location I just gave you.” I wave at nothing. “I can guarantee your stock will be there.” The thing is, I can’t guarantee it because I know Ezra will know where I am right now, and Nico would have told him all he told me, so there’s a chance it could be empty, but I’m hoping otherwise.

He eyes me up and down and nods. “If I send my men, and they come back empty-handed, I will have your head.” His voice is like ice, sending beads of sweat trickling down my back. “For the meantime, I’m sure we can make youuncomfortablethrough the duration of your stay.” He smiles a sick, twisted smile, making my stomach churn as he steps aside and motions for me to walk.

---