Page 1 of The Devil's Pawn

CHAPTERONE

RAQUEL

I wonderif there’s an alternate version of ourselves somewhere. Like a mirror reality, but better.

If there is, I’ll be the first in line to go. Just drop me in there, no questions asked, because I’ll bet it’s better than my life on this side of the world.

I’ve always been a good daughter. There was never a time when I disrespected my parents or caused them grief of any kind. I was obedient and responsible at all times. I got good grades and went to medical school. I made them proud, or at least I hope I did. You’d think they’d give me an ounce of respect back, but they haven’t.

I may be twenty-eight, but to them, I’m still a child. Someone whose life they can control. They’re always ignoring my input, especially about the man I should marry.

When I thought of marriage as a young girl, I imagined falling in love with an amazing guy. Someone I’d chosen. Instead, they chose for me. And he couldn’t be any worse.

Carlito, the man they threw at me, is not someone I’d ever want to end up with. He’s vile. Angry. Constantly groping me in private when I ask him to stop. Telling me how much he can’t wait to do whatever he wants to me.

No one would stop him, either.

In our circle, women have no voice and men have all the power. Even my own mother expects me to be a dutiful wife and listen to my husband. It’s sick, really.

He can hit me or cheat on me, and no one will care. No one will help me.

I’ll be alone. Forever.

I can’t live that kind of life.

I won’t.

Being a Bianchi has its advantages, like money, but no amount of money will get me to settle for a life I want no part of. Growing up, we didn’t struggle. I’ve always lived in a large, expensive home, and I attended a great school and an even better university. But I’d give it all back if I didn’t have to be forced to marry.

My father, Salvatore, is a powerful man. He’s been a consigliere, the advisor to the don of the Palermo crime family, for as long as I can remember. All the money comes from whatever illegal operations they’re a part of. I’ve done what I can to keep my eyes closed when it came to that side of my dad.

My uncle Faro Bianchi, the don, is as ruthless as they come. He treats my cousin Chiara like absolute shit. She and I are really close. We were born a few weeks apart and are more like sisters than cousins.

I guess I’m lucky that my parentsdolove me. They just have a crappy way of showing it, especially my mother. She’s always been tougher than my father. I’ve tried to make them both understand that I don’t want Carlito, and I don’t want the kind of life they want for me, but it’s as though I’m talking to a wall. They think they know what’s best, and Carlito is it.

He’s a soldier in the Palermo family, someone they believe will give me the type of life they think I should have. His family comes from old money, and for my mom especially, that’s what matters.

Chiara has tried to help me with Carlito by talking to my parents and even her piece-of-shit father, but it hasn’t helped.

I’m doomed.

Lately, I’ve considered dying. The very thought makes me sick, but what else can I do? I spend most nights crying myself to sleep, knowing it’s either true death or a lifetime of living death.

I’d rather have the former.

Carlito will ensure that every day I take a breath, I’ll regret ever doing it. That’s no way to live.

The mere thought of him makes me sick. He’s fourteen years older than me, which isn’t a deal breaker, but he’s just not a good man.

My friends from work have seen him out at clubs making out with random women, touching them, leaving with them. It’s humiliating to hear their stories and not know what to say in return. I wish they’d never found out about him, but he loves stopping by my job and making sure every man there knows I’m his.

How do I tell my coworkers that my parents are making me marry him? They probably wouldn’t understand how a grown woman can’t just say no.

My wedding is supposed to be in six months. I have some time to figure out my options before I pay the ultimate price for my family’s intrusion. There’s no way I’ll allow my parents to ruin my life this way.

There has to be something I can do. Some option I’m not seeing yet.

“We’re almost home,” Mom says as we drive back home well past midnight, with Carlito at the wheel.

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