Page 21 of Massimo

If I ask him to give me that order, is that breaking the rules of Massimo's test or game?

I don't know. But I can't forget Massimo's rage last night when he kicked the tray. His vicious malice and the menacing hate he's allowed me to see. The man is a vault otherwise, so whenever he let his emotions show, I know it's deliberate—he wants me to see them.

He's a man of control, that much is clear. I'm slowly gathering information to help me navigate this new monster.

So, if I ask Jerome to give me the order to eat, that would likely play into Massimo's hands. Either he'd punish me for trying to skirt around his rules, or he'd have knowledge to use against me.

I keep my mouth shut.

Jerome does, too. Even though he looks like he wants to say something, he only turns away. I watch him carry out the breakfast tray, leaving me the lunch tray, and he shuts and locks the door.

I sink to the floor, ignoring the pangs of hunger and my thirst.

Gabe comes the next time, his brow deeply furrowed. "What are you trying to achieve with the hunger strike, Nova?"

At least he called me by my name.

"Nothing," I croak and cough on the dryness of my throat.

"Do you have food allergies or something?"

I want to laugh, break out into hysterical laughter, but I only shake my head.

He sighs. "This won't make Massimo break. Just give him what he wants."

"I am. This is me," I say hoarsely, leaning my head back against the wall. "What time is it?"

"Seven p.m. on Tuesday."

I've been in this room for thirty-six hours. I'm cold, but it's like my mind isn't fully processing it.

"For fuck's sakes," Gabe mutters, grabbing the full lunch tray but leaving the dinner one. "At least drink some water."

He stalks out, slamming the door and locking it.

I grab the water bottle and open it, forcing myself not to guzzle it, and instead take small sips. But it's gone all too soon.

At least they're giving me water. I had no food or water when I failed my father's test.

This won't make Massimo break.

I'm not trying to make Massimo break. This isn't stubborn defiance, or me trying to get my way.

I may be broken in many ways, but my resolve to remember the hard-learned lessons isn't one of them. I've endured too many years of brutal, merciless lessons to ever forget what they've taught me.

Chapter 12

Massimo

It'sWednesdayevening,andI've forced myself to stay out of Nova's cell since I launched her food tray like I was kicking a field goal for the Super Bowl. Frankly, I didn't trust myself not to choke her to make her break.

Is she a fucking masochist? Or just the most stubborn, maddening woman on this planet?

She's been in that cold room for two and a half days. She hasn't eaten, but at least she's drank a bit of water.

If I had been home at all today, I would've likely been unable to stay away from her. But as it stands, I've been gone all day and had to rely on the video feed on my phone and the updates Jerome has been giving Gabe. Jerome hasn't sent those to me directly because he knows I've been preoccupied with keeping Vito and Eden alive as we prepare for the meeting at Gilly's with the leaders of all the city's criminal factions.

The meeting is over now, and it's done.

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