Page 30 of Brando

“There are some ground rules,” Frank's voice echoes through the chamber, an unshakable specter.

I snicker, loud enough for him to hear, as I fold my arms across my chest. “Of course there are. What would a game be without rules designed to letyouwin.”

He gives me a cold glare but says nothing as he continues to walk slowly around the warehouse, obviously to keep me on edge.

I swallow hard, getting nervous by the moment as the weight of the situation settles like lead in my stomach. This is so much worse than I initially thought it was. But fear is a luxury I can't afford—not with my sisters' lives on the line.

When he finally stops pacing and stands still, the silence stretches between us, thick and oppressive.

“You’ll move intomycompound. You’ll do as I say,whenI say. And you’ll have absolutely no further contact with Brando Gatti.”

Brando. This is about Brando? He’s still holding a grudge for some perceived wrong from when we were kids?

“What is this about, Frank?”

“I know you’ve been in contact with him.”

“Where is it written that that’s a crime? Whoareyou?” I scream, angrily. “What right do you have to come into my life and playGod?”

In a flash, he’s across the floor and standing in front of me. His hand wraps around my neck and he squeezes, applying enough pressure until he cuts off my airway. I sputter, clawing at his hands, until my eyes start to roll back and I’m on the verge of collapse. I don’t want his face to be the last one I see before I expire. I don’t want to die at this madman’s hands. This monster, this monster that I once knew who has become the devil incarnate.

And just as suddenly, he lets go until I’m swaying on my feet, gasping deep breaths of air too quickly, causing my chest to hurt.

“Tomorrow your work starts,” he begins, his voice low and steady. “You’ll collect the debts owed to me by those who think they can take from Frank Falcone and live comfortably. And you’ll do it with a smile.”

I clench my fists at my sides, feeling the sting of helplessness mix with rising anger. “Once again. Fuck you.”

His lips twist into a smirk as he steps closer once again, his presence looming over me like a dark cloud. “That can be arranged, Princess. If you ask nicely enough.”

“I want to see my sisters.”

“That, too, can be arranged. Once you’ve earnt that privilege. Now, you can do as I say, and earn your brownie points, or you can walk away now and never see your sisters again. You have a choice, Mia. You’ve always had a choice. Tick tock.”

He says the words so quietly, so softly that they can almost be misconstrued as being friendly. He makes it sound like he’s doing me a favor.

The truth of his words hits me hard, but I maintain my defiant stance. “How do I know you'll keep your word? That you won’t hurt my sisters?” I know he’s not a man that can be trusted.

Frank reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a small, crumpled photograph. He tosses it at my feet. I pick up the photo, smoothing out the creases with trembling fingers. A tear threatens to spill over, but I force it back. Showing weakness now would only give him more of an advantage over me.

It's a recent photo of my sisters, laughing together as they sit on a sofa, date stamped two days ago. The sight of their carefree smiles under his surveillance sends a shiver down my spine.

“Because you're going to keep them safe by cooperating,” he says. “Think of your cooperation as...insurance.”

“Why are you doing this?” My voice is hoarse, resigned. There’s only emptiness inside me when I look up at him again. “You’ve been gone a long time. Why couldn’t you just stay gone?”

“Tsk Mia. Now, where’s the fun in that?”

“Why me?”

“Because you’re the perfect pawn in the perfect storm.”

16

BRANDO

“Mia?”

Silence is my only friend as I walk through the penthouse in search of Mia.

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