Page 57 of Sweet Retribution

Product?Is Stone a drug dealer? An arms dealer? I’m not so naive to believe he doesn’t have his hands dipped in illegal business, but I don’t know why I have to be here for any of it.

“The other two can wait in the car,” says a familiar voice from inside the house.

I gasp and turn to run, but Tio is there, stopping me.

“I have to admit,” Antonio says, coming into view, “I had my doubts about you, Stone.”

“My men will leave after I see the product.”

Antonio’s beady eyes find me, and he gives me an evil sneer. “So we meet again.”

“Fuck off.”

He tilts his head to the side and laughs. “I do like them spunky. Much more fun to play with.”

My blood runs cold and my stomach rolls, threatening to purge the muffin I had for breakfast.

Antonio turns his attention to Stone. “How do I know your men won’t come in and blow the deal?”

“What happened at Parisi’s won’t happen here.”

What happened at Parisi’s?He never did tell me what went down. I’d been too focused on my recovery, on staying safe from Antonio, on understanding why Stone was ignoring me. Whatdidhappen at my father’s estate? All I knew was he was dead.

Stone or his men killed him, I’m sure. And the young girls were found and returned home. What happened that Stone isn’t happy about?

Antonio glances from me to Stone to back to me again. That evil smile curves his lips. “Well, then. Move aside so I can inspect the product you brought me.”

I watch in horror as Stone steps to the side allowing Antonio a clear and direct path to me. When I try to move, Tio’s arms come down on my shoulders, holding me in place.

“You can try to run all you want, sweetheart, but this time, he won’t be rescuing you.”

I glare over his shoulder at Stone, who stands like a statue, facing me but not looking at me.

Antonio chuckles. “You’re a pawn in our games, Callista. Don’t tell me you’re foolish enough to believe something else.” He touches my cheek with his finger, pressing hard as he trails it down my neck.

“I made good on my end, Parisi. Your turn.”

“Made good?” I spit out. “What the hell are you talking about?” I shout at Stone.

He doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak.

Again, Antonio chuckles, a sickening amused smile on his face. “You were a means to get to your father, Callista. Payback for him killing your mother. But yourhusbandhas needs, as all men do, and your pussy isn’t enough to tide him over. He wants what I have, I want what he has.”

The blood drains from my face and my knees buckle. “You’re lying,” I say to Antonio but my gaze is still glued to Stone.

“Would you care to see a video of him fucking the product he so desparately wants?”

I cover my mouth with my hand tamping back the vile threatening to come up my throat. Stone raping the young, kidnapped girls? I can’t believe it. I don’t believe it. Antonio is only trying to make me weak, to make me turn on Stone.

“Show me,” I say hoarsely.

Stone’s head snaps up, his shocked eyes locks with mine.

***

Fuck.I can’t do this. I can’t let her see the video. I knew Antonio had cameras in the cages. I had positioned myself exactly where I wanted the girls so he could see the show I wanted him to see.

It was a test I had to pass before he’d bring me here, to where he held and sold the rest of the kidnapped girls. Girls he was willing to let me have in exchange for Gia. She was worth more to him than the twelve girls he held captive. He could easily replace them, but Gia held the key to his wealth.

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