Page 21 of Desire and Revenge

I slip on a dark gray dress with pleated flare at the bottom, then hurry down to the kitchen.

The rest of the day is a blur of kitchen instructions and hurrying from one end of the house to another to make sure everything is perfect. I may not have directly cooked, but supervising about ten people to meet everyone’s dietary needs can be just as stressful. At the end of it all, I’m only able to push the food I worked so hard for around my plate.

“The steak is a bit overdone, don’t you think?”

“I guess we’re going light on the greens tonight.”

“So, this is what passes for a family meal?”

I endure the subtle jabs and veiled insults with a practiced smile, willing the time to pass quickly. Relief washes over me when I finally see their cars disappear beyond the gate.

But the moment is fleeting. Barely a second later, Sebastian pulls me aside and corners me, his fingers digging into my arm as he forces me closer.

His blue eyes bore into mine, cold and calculating, devoid of any warmth. His lips curl into a mocking grin as he leans in, his voice a low, dangerous murmur. “Next time you decide to play hostess in front of my family, I’d think twice. You’re not here to impress anyone.”

“I didn’t show off at all,” I protest, my voice trembling as I fight back tears. “You saw how they came at me, and you barely said anything.”

He tightens his hold, his fingers digging into my skin, sending a sharp pain shooting through my arm. “Maybe if you knew how to keep your head down, they wouldn’t have a reason to come at you.”

“You’re being unreasonable, Sebastian,” I manage to say, trying to stay calm, even as my heart pounds in my chest.

“This is the last time you’ll embarrass me, Sofia,” he says, his voice low and controlled. “You’ve been nothing but a constant source of trouble—always talking back, always ungrateful. One of these days, you’ll push me too far.”

I wrap my fingers around his wrist, trying to loosen his hold, desperate for some semblance of control. “If this is about that night, then this is low, even for you.”

His expression darkens, and a flicker of something unreadable passes through his eyes before he quickly dismisses it. “That night? You think I care about that? I couldn’t give a damn about your misplaced guilt. Just do your duty, Sofia, and maybe—justmaybe—we’ll get through this.”

A small, satisfied smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth as he releases me, shoving me away with a force that sends me stumbling backward. I fall to my knees on the rough cobblestones, the sharp edges cutting into my skin, but the pain is nothing compared to the suffocating sense of helplessness that wraps around me.

For a moment, I stay there, trying to catch my breath, my chest heaving with suppressed sobs. Slowly, I stagger to my feet, each step toward the wrought iron gates heavy with the weight of my humiliation.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry, but you’re not allowed to leave the?—”

“Open the damned gates,” I rasp, startled by the venom in my own voice, but too crushed to care. It still feels like I can’t breathe, and it has more to do with this house feeling like a prison than Sebastian’s hand being wrapped around my throat a few minutes ago.

“I’m not running away. I just need a break. Where would I even run to?”

Something in my voice must get to the guard, or maybe I look too pathetic to even attempt something as rebellious as running away, because a moment later, he unlatches the gate, and I takea cautious step out of the house. Like magic, air fills my lungs, and my vision begins to clear.

A real smile splits my face as I walk farther away from the house. Ahead of me, the sun is just beginning to set, and the sky is a brilliant golden pink color. There’s a cool breeze, and the trees wave around lazily.

I’ve always wanted to live in a place like this. For all of its shortcomings, the Lucchese house is in a picturesque location, surrounded by so much vegetation with stunning views from every corner of the house.

It’s paradise from the outside, and the complete opposite—at least for me—on the inside. I’ve been a loner all my life, but the isolation I feel inside that house is crippling. A few more years of living like that, and I’ll surely go crazy.

I’ve just reached the path leading up to the bus stop, just beyond the Lucchese estate, waiting for the next bus to arrive. I’ve never had to take public transportation before—being driven everywhere my entire life has left me oblivious to the most basic routines.

The streets are a bit lifeless today. Not that I’ve ever been outside of the house or in these parts to know any better. I’m still debating whether to stop by my favorite café in the historic center or just find a quiet spot in the park to clear my mind.

I’m so lost in my thoughts that it takes me a moment to notice the man who appears out of nowhere and is suddenly in front of me. I let out a terrified shriek when he whips out something from his pocket, and the glint of the blade catches my eye.

“Now, lady,” he smiles, yellowish teeth flashing at me, “I don’t want to have to hurt you.”

“W-who are you? What do you want?” My heart pounds in my chest, and my knees knock against each other. Even though I was born and raised in the Cosa Nostra, I’ve never actuallyexperienced any of the danger and death of my world. As a woman, I’ve always been shielded from the more unsavory sides of this life.

“As I said, I don’t want to hurt you,” he continues, taking a step closer, his rancid smell filling my nose. “You’re a pretty little thing, and I’d hate to have to wreck that face. All you have to do is hand over your jewelry.” His eyes sweep down my frame and turn leery. “And that dress.”

“O-okay,” my stomach churns, and just as I reach for the clasp of my necklace, the sound of something whizzes past my cheek.

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