Page 84 of Dark Mafia Vows

He’s looking for me. He has to be. He’s coming. For me, for our baby.

Every hour since I got here has seemed like forever, the days blending into each other. I don’t know whether it’s day or night since the light in the room almost never changes. Sometimes I drift in and out of restless sleep, only to wake up in the same position, the same cold creeping into my bones.

I’ve dreamt of Dario every night since I got here. Sometimes, I dream of Lorenzo, as well. In my dreams, they find me, break down the door, and pull me out of this nightmare. But then I wake up, and I’m met with deafening silence.

I don’t know how long it’s been when the door opens again. Hours maybe. This time, it’s not the first guy. Instead, it’s another man, leaner, with a cruel smile that makes my skin crawl just as much. He never brings food with him, just his presence.

“Getting comfortable, are we?” he asks, pacing the room like a predator. When I don’t give him an answer, he chuckles. “You should be grateful. Boss doesn’t usually keep people alive this long.”

I watch him, my heart pounding in my chest, and as usual, I remain silent. I’ve learned to read them by now—their bodylanguage, the way they circle me like vultures. Like his colleague, he just wants a reaction. He wants to see me cower.

When he becomes annoyed by my lack of response, he crouches down in front of me, his breath hot and reeking of beer and cigarettes.

“You know, I wonder if Dario even cares about you. We sent him a message the moment we captured you, but we still haven’t heard a thing from him.” A wicked glint flashes in his eyes. His voice drops into a whisper. “Maybe he’s moved on by now. Found someone else. Realized you your stale pussy wasn’t worth the stress. Happens all the time.”

His words cut me like knives, but I force myself not to move or give him any reaction. I won’t let him see the fear or doubt creeping into my chest. Dario wouldn’t move on. He wouldn’t abandon me.

Or would he?

“I’ll bet you thought you were special,” he continues, his bitter snicker filling the room. “I don’t know why you women are always attracted to the bad guys. Men like Dario never settle down. They don’t get attached. They don’t fall in love.”

My heart is pounding as he leans in even further. I resist the urge to pull my face away, and that leaves only a few inches between us.

He smirks. “I see you still have some fight in you. But in time, you’ll see that I was right. Men like Dario only want you around for a good time. The moment things get tough, they disappear. It’s good thing we have your brother to rely on if your bastard husband doesn’t comply. A few million transferred to our offshore account, and we’ll send you back to him in pieces. Everyone wins.”

The words settle in the air between us, heavy and suffocating. But I don’t break my expression—or lack of.

He stands up with a sigh, clearly disappointed that I didn’t give him the reaction he wanted. He walks out the door and slams it shut again, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

The only time I ever get a semblance of peace here is when I’m asleep, which is why I rest against the wall and close my eyes, my food long forgotten as I try to shut the world out.

Time blurs as I slip into a dreamless slumber. When I wake up, my body feels weaker, and all my joints hurt. I hear the door open again, and I don’t bother getting up from where I’m sprawled on the ground.

“Time for your breakfast, Doll,” the familiar voice drawls.

Breakfast? I groan inwardly. It’s a new day. Another day of being stuck here.

At the smell of the soup, my stomach growls loudly. The guard lets out a loud guffaw, but I pay him no mind.

“You look pathetic, sweetheart.” He squats down in front of me, his eyes roaming over my face, lingering on the exposed skin where my t-shirt had lifted up. His grin widens, making my skin crawl. “You know, if you’re real nice to me, I might bring you something better tomorrow. Maybe even some fresh bread.”

When I still remain silent, he snarls and suddenly grabs my wrist, pulling me to my feet. I yelp and stumble. My body is weak from lack of food, but I manage to pull away from him, my heart racing.

“Get off me!” I shout, finally breaking my silence.

He laughs, still holding me. “Relax, Doll. Just wanted to see if you can still talk. It hurts my feelings when you ignore me, you know that?”

The air stills as the door is suddenly pushed open.

“Leave her the fuck alone,” says a man I don’t recognize.

The moment he leaves me, my body crashes into the floor. My body is trembling, tears pricking at my eyes.

“Sorry, Boss,” the first guy says in a terrified voice before scrambling out of the room.

The man who just stepped into the room isn’t like the others. He walks with a purpose, his eyes scanning my crumpled body on the floor. He’s tall, broad-shouldered, with a bandage covering part of his cheek, concealing what looks like a healing scar.

“What the fuck have they been doing to you?” he asks, sounding pissed as he reaches me. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know my men could be such brutes.”

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