Page 56 of Bound in Promise
Still, the thought of meeting the man who bought me downstairs or what will happen after tonight doesn’t scare me.
No, I’m petrified imagining what Angelo is doing to Dante right now.
I know I should be working on my escape plan. I promised Dante I’d find a way out, that I would run. It’s like a rerun of my road trip to hell with Liam, this time with a more dangerous man and luxury accommodations.
The phone number I memorized is spinning through my mind on a loop. There’s no way I’m going to stop repeating it to myself, not when it’s a literal lifeline. Not when I’m hoping I can use it to do more than just flee the country and hop across an ocean.
I just need a phone.
If I can get out of this house, I’ll have a better chance at getting what I need. But the thought of leaving Dante, not knowing if I’ll even be able to come back for him, twists my stomach into painful knots. I’ve been fighting back bile and waves of nausea for God knows how long while I continue to wear a track in the plush carpet with my pacing.
I’ve barely bothered to examine the room’s furnishings, too worked up. My anxiety is at an all-time high, making it so I almost miss the sound of the bedroom door opening and closing again with a soft click.
I spin like a startled rabbit to find Angelo standing just inside the door.
He’s still dressed in his dark gray suit, a smug expression on his face.
“I hope you find your room satisfactory, bella.”
I want to punch him, clock him right on his fatty jaw. Could I get it away with it?
He has maybe three inches on me, and while he’s stout, the most strenuous thing I’ve seen him do is puff on a cigar. I’m pretty sure I can outrun him.
I don’t acknowledge his false concern, keeping as much distance as I can between us. The man really is delusional if he thinks I’ll let my guard down around him. There’s a reason he’s here in this room with me and I seriously doubt I’ll like whatever that reason is.
“Dinner will be brought up shortly,” he offers.
“I don’t want it.” He can shove his “hospitality” right up his ass.
Angelo doesn’t bat an eye at my rudeness, glancing around the room as if it’s the first time he’s seen it. “Your new buyer wouldn’t appreciate it if I starved you. He paid a lot of money to?—”
“You’ve really stepped in it this time,” I interrupt. “Eventually the police will come knocking at your door. My parents are looking for me.”
That’s a lie.
My mother and father probably think I ran away with my new husband, throwing away the glittering life they built for me. I haven’t heard from them in weeks. What kind of parents cut off their child for having their own goals?
“I covered my tracks,” Angelo assures me. “However, Liam told me your parents are worthless, that they have no interest in how you may choose to ruin your life.”
Thanks, asshole. Even from the grave, Liam is still fucking me over.
Angelo has clearly been planning this for a while if he bothered to dig into my background.
“Regardless,” Angelo smirks. “You’re not the first woman I’ve taken and sold. You’re someone else’s problem now.”
I want to be his, actually. I want to rain hell down on him for everything he’s done. I’d love to see him locked away for good.
But that’s all a pipe dream. The only backup I have are Dante, Ellie, and the elusive Enzo.
Dante’s currently indisposed and I told my best friend we were lying low. She won’t be looking for us soon enough to make a difference. And I have no idea where Enzo might be or how to contact him without a fucking phone.
“Weston should treat you well,” he continues. “A bit of a temper, but if you keep your mouth shut?—”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” I snap. “How dare you sell me like I’m a piece of property.”
“You are. Every woman is.”
I clench my teeth, biting back the foul words that will only get me into trouble. I’m no use to Dante if I’m dead.
