Page 4 of Taunt Me (Dark Odyssey 2)

A gunshot steals her next words and we both look to the door when a scream pierces through the house. Another shot and another scream come. Then angry voices.

I’m about to get up when two thuggish men barge into the room.

Cordelia and I both scream as the men take hold of us. Another two come and hold me so I can’t move. All I’m doing is screaming and trying to wriggle free of their grasp.

They take us downstairs into the living room and my eyes bulged in fright when I see Freddo lying in a pool of blood on the living room floor.

I scream louder and louder as my gaze lands on Tony not far from him, gripping his chest as blood pours from a wound.

By the fire place six men are standing over my parents and Abuelita,who are kneeling before them on the floor.

Cold terror grips me in its icy embrace as I recognize the man standing closest to Pa. Everybody knows him and everybody knows to be wary of him. His name is Antonio De Lucca.

The De Luccas are considered something of royalty. The only other family who are as revered as they are feared are the Antonellas.

The sight of him is enough to put the fear of God inside me. It’s more than enough and I can’t even begin to comprehend or accept what is happening around me.

Freddo…

Oh God. Freddo.I think he’s dead. I think he is and I dare not look back to check.

“You owe me Donny Revello. You fucking owe me big time,” Antonio roars and his voice makes my soul shiver.

“Please just give me time,” Pa begs.

“Please?” Antonio asks. “I don’t think so. You’re so sure of yourself you give a fucking guarantee and then this happens.”

“It wasn’t my fault.”

Antonio hits Pa with the back of his gun and he falls back howling from the pain. Ma and Abuelita are crying as much as me.

“Not your fault! My brother killed himself because of youuuuuuuu!” he thunders.

I start sobbing as he sends a kick to Pa’s stomach and blood spurts from his mouth. Antonio looks to me as he hears me and the smile that washes over his face now tells me the nightmare has only just begun.

It’s only just started.

“Here’s what we’ll do...” Antonio declares and without a flicker of an eye he shoots Tony in the head.

I bawl as blood splatters and Ma starts screaming, holding her stomach in agony.

Antonio walks up to me and runs his hands all over my face.

“She’ll come with me. The beautiful daughter.” He places his finger over my lips and lingers there. His touch makes my skin crawl. “You are so beautiful, bellezza. You’ll come with me to Italy and be the new Mrs. De Lucca.”

His words are like darkness falling over me. “No, please, no…” I scream.

I can’t marry him. I love Gabe.

I’m in love with Gabe.

This can’t happen.

No.

“No? My pretty.” He taunts, leering over me. He kisses my face and the men hold me in place as he fills his hands with my breasts and starts squeezing, churning my stomach.

I flinch, recoiling and manage to knock his face away with my forehead and he scowls deeply, eyes blazing.

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