Page 6 of Plus-Size Bratva Possession
“By the time they find out, it will be too late,” he said in a tone so even, so calm that it made me feel even angrier. It was like he was stating a fact about the weather, not hinting at some cryptic future he had planned out for me.
“Too late for what?” I shrieked, but he didn’t answer.
I tried to keep track of where we were going, but soon got confused by all the turns. My mind raced with possibilities, each worse than the last. Was he going to hold me for ransom? Use me as leverage against my family? The worst possibilities made my stomach turn.
I needed to stay calm and think clearly. My brothers would notice I was missing soon. They'd look for me, and then, it would all be okay.
After we'd been driving for about ten minutes, Gastone pulled out his phone. He was speaking in low tones, but I wasstraining to hear. I could only hear Gastone and nothing from the other end.
“Is everything ready?”
“Good. We'll be there in ten. Have the paperwork prepared.”
“No, no witnesses. Just you.”
He hung up.
Paperwork? What paperwork? Witnesses? He had said something about how he was returning the favor to my family, and suddenly, the realization hit me like a slap.
I didn't like where this was going when I thought of why he was furious with Gio and Larissa. I gulped.
“Y…You can’t do this,” I whelped. “Please don’t do this. Are you out of your mind?”
“It's quite simple, really,” he said, his eyes flickering to meet mine in the back mirror. “Your brother took my sister. Now I'm taking his. An eye for an eye.”
“This is insane,” I said, my voice rising. “You can't force someone to marry you!”
“Watch me,” he shrugged, taking a turn.
“I won't sign anything,” I insisted. “You can't make me.”
“We'll see about that.”
My mind whirled. This couldn't be happening. Not in this century, not in this country. But then I remembered who we were, what our families were, similar stories like the ones unravelling, and suddenly, my fear became terror.
“Please, please, please,” I begged, trying to hold back tears. “It will only make things worse. Think about what this willdo to Larissa, to your relationship with her. If you ever want to see your niece—”
“Don't,” he cut me off. “Don't use her against me.”
“I'm not using her,” I said, softening my voice and trying to force myself to remain calm. “You're angry at Giovanni. I understand that. But this? Taking me? Forcing me to marry you? That won't hurt him as much as it will hurt your sister.”
For a moment, he was silent, and I thought perhaps I'd gotten through to him. Then he shook his head.
“Nice try,” he said. “But it's too late for that.”
The car slowed, turning down a narrow street lined with old buildings. We pulled up in front of a small, nondescript Brownstone.
“Where are we?” I asked, though I already had a sinking feeling I knew.
“To meet someone,” he said. “Well, a former clerk. He still has the authority to perform marriages, and he owes me a favor.”
My heart pounded as he got out of the car and came around to my door. When he opened it, I tried to kick at him despite my bound ankles, but he easily caught my legs.
“Stop fighting,” he said, reaching in to cut the zip tie around my ankles with a pocket knife. “You'll only hurt yourself.”
“I'll scream,” I threatened as he pulled me from the car, my hands still bound.
“Go ahead,” he said, gesturing to the empty street. “No one will hear you.”
