Page 58 of The Fox

I find her at the kitchen counter, staring out the window, Lennon rubbing along her calf. Her suit jacket is strewn on her couch. I see the moment her resolve fails, her shoulders slumping as her arms wrap themselves around her torso. It is as if she is trying—and failing—to hold herself together, willing the last shreds of her grip to not falter. I go still as I realize that she doesn’t feel safe enough in her own home to fall apart. It is the aftermath ofthat assholeouting her, of him forcing her to relive that darkness.

“Kochanie.”

“Don’t. I’m not worthy of being called that,” she responds, her voice small.

Ah, but you are, pretty girl. “Kochanie.” I move toward her, placing my arms over hers and resting my chin on her shoulder.

“I was going to tell you.” Tears fall, hitting my forearms as she shakes her head. “I swear, Rhodes. I wasn’t trying to hide it, I swear. I just, I just.”

I tighten my arms around her, hoping that it helps her calm down. She’s spiraling in her shame because of that mafia motherfucker.

“Baby, you don’t have to explain. You are okay, Amelia. We are okay,” I say as she turns in my arms, finding her eyes frantic.

“I didn’t have a choice.” Amelia wrenches herself from my hold, darting for our bedroom, her movements wild. I follow, keeping a distance so she has room to move. I find her at her dresser, the large oval mirror beside it giving me a view of Amelia scrambling through her underwear drawer. She’s looking for something, her face is contorted tightly in concentration…and in desperation. I stand in the middle of our room, waiting for her to find what it is she needs.

A whip of her hair, and her body whirls around to face me. In her hand is a small box, worn with time. Her hand trembles, tightening and loosening around the box, and I take a step toward her. Amelia places in my palm and she fidgets with her hands, shifting her weight in anxious patterns. I open it, my mind starting to spin.

Inside is a single ring, made for a man and engraved with a family crest. I would guess it is her family’s crest. But why a ring would have this much power over her, I’m not sure. I have never seen her wear it—not even when I watched her from afar.

“Who wore this? I lift my gaze to her, watching her carefully.

“Salvatore Conte.” Her breath hitches and something tells me it isn’t that simple. “Did you know that the Mafia brands every made man? Each Don has a signet ring with their crest. It is proof of ownership, covered by a show of loyalty. You earn your brand once it is determined that you are welcome into the fold.” Amelia’s eyes close as she continues, her voice subdued. “There is no ceremony, just your Don, his ring, and a flame. If you betray your Don, the brand is removed from your flesh, and if you are lucky, you’ll be exiled.” Her eyes lift to mine. “Death branded is not given to those who stray.”

I pull the ring from its resting place and hold it between my fingers. Amelia’s eyes fall to the piece of jewelry, her gaze darkening as she continues.

“That was my papa’s ring. I remember looking at it on his hand when I was younger, understanding the power it wielded. I knew the weight of it on his hand. I’d heard the screams from his office when a new person was branded—those moments were the only time it ever left his hand.”

The signet ring is heavy, a three leaf acorn adorning the face of it. I can see how it would be wielded as a brand, marring flesh as proof of possession. I lift my eyes to her face as she continues, her eyes locked on the glinting gold.

“Women are not afforded this so-called honor. My father never branded my mother because being his wife was enough to ensure her allegiance. I knew that while my father was cruel and demanded certain things from his men, I never imagined I would be subjected to the same treatment. I was his daughter, not his soldier.”

Amelia takes a shuddering breath, wiping the tears streaming down her face with shaking hands. She can’t bear to look at me. My gut swirls with anticipation, and I know in my bones I will be furious with what I hear next.

“When my papa died, I took over the helm.”

“I know you took over. You had said that in the hospital. It would make sense that this ring was given to you.”

“Given.” Her scoff fills the tense air.

Amelia moves to sit on our bed, staring out the window. I watch her, hoping the weight of my gaze will force her head to turn. She places her hands under her thighs, pulling her bottom lip among her teeth. I move toward her, but a subtle shake of her head has me stopping dead in my tracks. Her voice is small when she begins again.

“There were six of them.”

My heart plummets from my chest.

“Six men were at the table, and me. Papa’s Underboss, his Consigliere, and four other men. It wasn’t supposed to be that way. Assumption of power is always handled by the previous Don’s second—his Underboss—and the incoming Don. The other men have no say in the matter and they swear fealty. You aren’t loyal to the man, you are loyal to The Family.”

I feel the anger begin to burn. As badly as I don’t want her to continue, I need her to. I need to know, and once she is done hurting, I am going to replace every last piece of darkness tethered to her soul with love. Amelia Conte will be loved as she should have been all along.

Amelia’s eyes briefly meet mine, and she takes a deep breath before continuing.

"I was told I had to pay my dues. That anyone who wanted to lead needed to be proven worthy. Those men demanded I do just that.” Trepidation now fills those grey eyes. “It didn’t matter that I had already killed for their Don.” I don’t move my gaze from her, silently lending any strength I can to her, the look on her face is haunting. “I was grabbed by my arms and thrown on top of the wooden table. Five pairs of hands held me down.”

The ring box falls from my hand and I take two steps to her. “You don’t have to tell me.”

“I heard the ripping of fabric, felt the cool air touch my skin, as I fought with every bit of strength I had. But I was one woman against six powerful men. R-ro-rough hands lit paths of shame along my body.”

“Amelia.”

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