Page 58 of The Casella King

“What’s your name anyway?” I ask through my mouthful. She hesitates for a moment, her eyes dropping to the tray offood, then back to mine. A moment passes, and I almost think she won’t answer.

“Darcy.” She says in a small voice.

“Well, you already know my name.” I laugh as pastry flies out of my mouth and onto the floor. She stares at me a minute before she laughs, and I can’t help but feel my trust growing for her a little more. “Who are you, Darcy? And why are you helping me?” I question, watching her reaction.

“You’re still asking the wrong questions, Aries.” She sighs. “Have you come up with a plan to get the fuck out of here?”

I shrug. “I’ll figure it out.”

Her brows pull in as she stands.

“Do you seriously have no urgency?” Her voice is raised, and my frustration begins to creep in.

“How the fuck am I supposed to get out of a heavily fortified stronghold with guards crawling in every nook and cranny?” I stand, frustrated with her switching emotions on me like a light switch. “I’m one person, and as you so eloquently put it, Darcy, I am not from this world, so I don’t know hand to hand combat.”

She sighs. “Look, I’ll come back after Leo questions you again, and we will work something out together.” She reaches out her hand. “Deal?”

I shake her hand and agree, “Fine.”

Unless she wants to get out of here too?

The minutes and hours tick by as I wait, the sun now moved to the other side of the window, creating shadows in the already dark basement. I can’t stop thinking about what Darcy said to me and the feeling I got when she asked me if I had a plan. I shake the thoughts of her out of my head and focus on something—or someone—that’s going to make me feel better. I imagine the night after our wedding.

“By the time you go to sleep tonight, I’ll know every curve of your body, every line and scar on your skin.”

My body shivers with the memory, a reminder of just how much he affects me and just how much I want to succeed with what I came here to do. Determination floods my body, as I pick up the fork off the tray and stash it in my back pocket.

I’ll be ready.

The basement door is unlocked as I watch Leo trudge down the steps with a shit-eating grin plastered on his face.

“There she is, boys!” His voice bellows through the basement as two men walk behind him. A whiff of cigar and whiskey hits my nose, and I breathe from my mouth, not wanting to puke up the contents of my breakfast. “Well, Mrs Casella, looks like you may be useful to us after all.”

I swallow, the small feeling of relief rushing over me, but I keep my eyes firmly on his to anticipate his next move.

“You see.” He walks around me, circling me like prey. “Now that I have had atasteof what it’s like to win against the Casellas,” he leans into my ear, his breath fanning my neck, sending a disgusting wave of tingles through my spine. “I want more,” he whispers.

I consider reaching for my fork and stabbing him, but I’m no match for the other two guards who look like they’re three times my size.

“I want to see their empire crumble before I make them bleed.” He grins, coming back around to face me. “Tell me how to get into their warehouse.”

My heart sinks. “I-I don’t know.”

He scoffs, “You are hiswife.”

“He never really shared this part of his life with me.” I tell the truth, although I doubt Leo will believe it.

He grips my chin, squeezing until my lips jut out and the burning sensation seeps into my skin from his hold. “Don’tfuckinglie to me.” My heart thumps beneath my chest, so fast I almost pass out.

“I’m not lying, I truly don’t know.” My voice is desperate for him to let go.

He removes his hand, pushing me with force, and I land on my ass on the hard concrete floor, the fork digging into my jeans.

“Fucking pathetic.” He spits at the ground, his eyes reaching mine with menace and hatred. Then something else flashes in them, like he had an idea, and a skin crawling smirk replaces his scowl. “If you won’t give me the information willingly, then I willtakeit.”

My stomach twists at his sinister smile, an uneasy feeling washing over me.

I should have taken the chance to stab him when he was close.

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