Page 52 of Beautiful Enemy

“Because my father beat my sister almost every day. And when she got married, he turned his sights onto me and used his fists on me too. So I know what absolute fear feels like. While Dante does frighten me, it’s hard to truly frighten me when I know what it’s like to fear my own father. So, you’re lucky, Aria.”

She scoffs. “Lucky?”

“You have a father who clearly loves you. He wants to protect you. He’s worried about you. My father couldn’t even be bothered to meet up with Dante to try and bargain for my life. That’s how little I mean to him. So yes, I know that my father is a bad man. I’ve seen it firsthand.”

She eyes me over with suspicion but I can tell her guard is dropping. “How do I know you’re not lying?”

“I guess you don’t. But look at me. Do I look like I’m lying?”

Aria studies me for a long moment before she sighs. “No. You just look… tired, I guess.”

“You were kidnapped and used in my father’s schemes. Now I’m being used in Dante’s scheme. Can’t you see that I understand you? That it doesn’t matter that we’re Bratva or Mafia.”

“I… guess. My father makes me see a therapist but she doesn’t know what I’ve been through. No one in my life knows.”

“But I do.”

Aria sighs and her shoulders slump like she’s done fighting. “You were kidnapped. Yet, Dante treats you more like his girlfriend.”

“No he doesn’t. Trust me. He doesn’t.” A boyfriend wouldn’t play the mind games Dante is playing with me. He still sees me as his enemy and that will never change.

That finally snaps Aria’s resolve. “It’s not right, being kidnapped. It’s not right that these men have this sort of power over us.”

“Are you sure you’re sixteen? You speak with so much confidence. I’ve always struggled with that.”

“Why? It comes naturally to me.”

“I’ve always been shy.”

“Interesting. You don’t seem that shy to me. You have a… quiet confidence, I guess.”

I take a step towards her and Aria, to her credit, doesn’t step back. “You know this isn’t right. That I’m a prisoner when I haven’t done anything wrong. Would you want to be blamed for your father’s actions?”

“No,” she admits.

“So don’t blame me for my father’s. But if I could get out of here, I could return to my home and make sure my father is punished for what he did to you.”

“How?”

“Erik could… kill him.” There it is. I’ve finally said it out loud. “If I asked, Erik would end his life. My father has proven a thorn in his side anyway. Erik would do that if it meant peace. But only I can make that happen.”

Aria looks over her shoulder then back at me before lowering her voice. “You could really make that happen?”

“I could. Dante isn’t able to get close enough to my father but I am. You just have to help me get out of here. That’s all.”

“How do I know you’re not just using me?”

“You don’t. But you can tell I’m not lying about my father. He is a bad man. I don’t have any love for him. So help me and I’ll help you.”

“Dante will be angry if you leave.”

“Are you afraid of Dante?” I ask.

A confident expression crosses her face as she smirks. “No.”

“Then help me.”

Aria nods once. “Ok. I’ll go distract the guard stationed at the front door. He’s the only one here today. Once he’s looking away, make a run for it.”

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