Page 27 of The Devil's Den

He yawns in response, his little fingers spreading out before forming a fist. He’s going to need that fist to survive here.

“I’ll protect him too, Aida.” I look to her with all the promise in my eyes. “I swear.”

“Pinky swe—”

“Pinky swear.” I grin as I curl our fingers together in a vow that I have every intention of keeping.

CHAPTERTEN

AIDA

“Do you have a boyfriend?”my cousin Raquel asks me a few days later as we sit in her parents’ kitchen for her mom’s birthday. The grown-ups are all talking loudly in the den, while Chiara and I join her here where it’s quiet.

“Umm…” I play with the bowl of potato chips, avoiding both of their hard stares. What do I say? That I’m crazy for a boy I’ve known since I was eight? That he’s a prisoner in our basement? Oh, and I also have a baby. Well, he isn’t mine. My dad just brought him home one day. Oh, here, Aida, you should know what to do. Bye. “No, I don’t have one.”

“That sucks,” she says, her mouth twisting in pity. “I mean, I don’t either because of my stupid parents.” She rolls her eyes. “But at least I could go to school.”

Ouch. I know she didn’t mean it that way, but ouch.

“Your dad is such a douche,” Chiara adds. “I’m sorry. I mean my dad is Satan, so I sympathize, but at least I can escape mine in school. You can’t even do that.”

Okay, guys, just keep piling it up.

I simply nod, tightening my lips.

“You could talk to us, you know?” Raquel adds, placing her palm over the top of my hand.

No, I can’t. If I tell you the truth, my father will hurt Matteo or maybe even Robby.He told me as much many times throughout the years. Threatening to kill Matteo and me both if I ever opened my mouth to anyone about anything. I believe him.

“I know I can.” The words are a whispered lie. “Do you have anyone special?” I ask Chiara, hoping to change the focus away from me.

She shakes her head, her features growing depressed. “I have no one. No one but myself.”

“You have me.” Raquel bumps her shoulder.

It suddenly makes me sad we aren’t close, but we couldn’t be. I’m just as much my father’s prisoner as Matteo is. He’s never let me have a friendship with them, no matter how much I’ve begged. I think it’s because he’s afraid I’ll spill his secrets. But I’d never do that, not when Matteo’s safety is at stake, and Robby’s too.

I wish they got to know Matteo like I have. I bet they’d love him just as much as I do. He’s got the kindest eyes when he looks at me. It’s like the ice in them thaws away, leaving the boy he once was behind. But it doesn’t last. Whenever he goes with my father’s men, he comes back different.

But I’ll love him anyway. Like I once told him when we were younger, friends don’t give up on each other. No matter what.

“Whatcha girls doing in here?” My father suddenly appears, like a ghost haunting me, no matter where I try to hide.

“Nothing much, Uncle Agnelo,” Chiara throws in. “Just eating chips and discussing school stuff. Math sucks.” She laughs as her eyes land to me, hiding the truth of our conversation.

He chuckles dryly. “Yeah. Never cared for it either.” His attention zips between us, a suspicious glint in his eyes. “We’re leaving in ten,” he tells me. “Make sure you’re ready.”

“Yes, Dad.” But he’s already marching out of sight.

“You think he believed you?” Raquel whispers to Chiara, flitting a peek to where he just came from as though afraid he’ll return.

“I hope so,” Chiara says. “I don’t know who’s scarier, Aida, your dad or mine.”

With a deep sigh, I say, “It’s a tie.”

“You’re not kidding.” She snickers.

We remain hushed for a moment until Chiara speaks again. “I miss my mom.” Raquel grips her hand, pinching her lips tight. It’s been two years since Chiara’s mom disappeared. No one knows what happened.

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