Page 27 of Beautiful Enemy

Dante turns back to me. “Would you die for Anya?”

I don’t hesitate to answer. “Yes.”

I can feel Dante’s eyes on me. What do they show? Shock? Doubt? Amazement? Or just plain stoicism? I refuse to look. I won’t give Dante the satisfaction.

He places the scissors against my throat, making me gasp and tense up. Even Matteo shifts on his feet, looking uncertain. “Dante?” he asks.

“Just keep filming,” Dante hisses at him. “If I were to cut your throat right now, beautiful Nadia, how would that make you feel? Knowing that your sister will be terribly sad without you?”

“Anya is strong. She has Erik. She’ll be fine.”

“You don’t think she’ll miss you?”

“I know she will.” There’s no point in lying about it. Dante clearly knows Anya and I love each other. “But at least if I’m dead, she can mourn me. Whereas, if I’m being held hostage by you, she’ll never stop looking. It will hurt her more that I’m alive and that she can’t save me.”

“So, you’re saying I shouldn’t kill you right now?” He taps the cold scissors against my skin. I can’t help but flinch. So much for bravery.

“You will do whatever you want. But I know you don’t want me dead.” I force myself to look right into his eye. “And if I’m dead, you can never learn my secrets.”

Dante’s eyes narrow. “Good girl.” He pulls the scissors away and tosses them at Finn, who catches them without flinching. Fast reflexes, I notice. That’s something I don’t have.

“You’re right,” Dante continues. “If you’re dead, then I’ll never know what goes on in that beautiful brain of yours.”

It’s not the first time Dante has called me beautiful. I’m not sure if he actually thinks it or if he’s just trying to disarm me. One thing I know for sure is that he hates me and my family. I don’t think my looks are going to save me at all.

“So, fine. I’ll take you up on your deal. I’ll give you a blanket if you tell me why you left your father behind and moved in with Anya.”

I open my mouth to speak, then quickly snap it shut. “I want to see the blanket first.”

A slow smile spreads across his face. “You think I’d cheat?”

“You did kidnap me. It stands to reason.”

Dante nods knowingly while chuckling to himself. “Ok then. Aiden, go grab a blanket.”

Without question, Aiden does as he’s told. Dante and I stare at each other as Aiden leaves the basement and comes back a few moments later with a blanket. It’s light blue, thin looking, but it will help to ward off the chill in the basement. At least, I hope it will.

“There’s your blanket.” Dante takes it and holds it up for the camera. “Let the record show that I held up my part of the bargain.” He drapes the blanket over my shoulders. “There. Now tell me.”

I clutch the blanket around me. For once, I have some sort of protection over my wedding dress. It’s not much but it’s something.

My breath is shaky as I inhale. Talking about my father has never been easy for me. In fact, I think the only person I’ve ever spoken to about him is with Anya. Erik knows what our father did to both of us but that was because Anya told him. I’ve never shared these secrets with any man before.

“My father isn’t a good man.”

Dante waves his hand dismissively. “He’s in the Bratva. Even I knew that. Don’t tell me I bargained with you just for you to tell me that.”

“No. What I mean is that my father wasn’t good… to Anya or to me. He would…” I bite my lip. Here it is. My secret. My pain. My vulnerability. “He would beat Anya.” It comes out as a whisper that makes tears release from my eyes.

“He was abusive, you mean.”

I nod as I cry. Whenever Anya sees this video, I know this moment will pain her the most. Seeing me break down. Seeing me lose my strength.

I’m sorry, Anya, is all I can think. I tried to stay strongfor you.

“He would hit her and hit her and she would take it. For me. So I didn’t have to experience it. She’s so much stronger than I am. I’m weak,” I sob, buckling forward. Shame fills me. All I needed to do was stay brave for my sister and I couldn’t even do that.

“What happened after Anya married Erik? When you were left alone with your father?”

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