Page 12 of The Devil's Deal

“Your phone,” he snaps harshly. “Now.”

Glancing up, all I find is the look of anger on his face.

“Why do you need my phone?” I ask quietly, scared he’ll flip out on me if I don’t act timid.

“Are you questioning me?!” he yells so loudly his cheeks turn into red tomatoes.

I want to giggle, but that will only make him angrier.

“Your phone ismine! Everything here is mine. I fucking pay for it.” His face glistens with sweat. “Don’t ever question me again.” He grits his teeth like a savage animal. “You do what I fucking say.”

I reach into the pocket of my jeans and pull it out, and as soon as he sees it, he yanks it from me. My pulse beats heavily in my throat while my eyes go round with terror.

“Now you won’t get it until I decide to give it back.” His nostrils flare. “The next time I ask for something, you make sure you do it.”

He gives me one more intense scowl, then turns around, storming out.

Suddenly I realize that without a phone, I won’t be able to talk to Dom! What if he texts and my dad sees it, knowing I went against him? He’ll never give me my phone back then.

And what if my mom calls? What if she’s hurt somewhere and there’s no one to help her? My pulses races, and I can’t stomach any more food.

Standing up, I empty the bowl into the trash and rinse it out, along with the spoon, before placing both in the dishwasher.

Not sure what else to do, I head for the couch, flipping on the TV. But a few minutes later, I’m no longer alone.

My father is there with one of his employees. At least that’s who I think he is. I don’t ever ask my father about what he does. I don’t think any of it is good. My skin crawls every time I see him.

“Stay here and watch her,” Douchey Dad tells the man. “Make sure she doesn’t go anywhere. And don’t allow her to use your phone or the house phone either.”

“Yes, boss.” The man with the black hair and muddy eyes nods.

“I’ll be back later. Call me if there’s trouble.” That’s all my father adds before he walks out, leaving me alone with a man I’ve never seen before.

Chapter Five

Dominic

Two Days Later

“Watch Enzo,”I tell Dante. “I’ve gotta go check on Dad. He isn’t picking up his phone, and he knows we’re supposed to head to the bakery in thirty to meet Chiara.”

“Why do I have to babysit?” he groans.

“Who the hell else can do it?”

“I can stay by myself!” Enzo grumbles. “I’m ten! I’m not a baby.”

I roll my eyes and glare at Dante. “You’re watching him. Stay by the phone in case I call.”

“Whatever.” Dante turns around and heads for the kitchen.

“I’ll be back soon. I’m sure Dad’s fine.”

They both ignore me, Enzo following Dante while I head out the door.

It isn’t like my dad not to answer the bakery phone. And why would his cell phone be turned off? It’s very weird. Matteo is with him, so it’s not like they can go far.

With everything that happened to Mom, I’m always waiting for something else to go wrong in our life.

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