Page 100 of Luciano (Belles & Mobsters 1)

My eyes lowered to Ella and her curled up form. I wished she’d escaped, maybe stayed behind in Italy. It was her best chance at survival. We both knew the moment we stepped foot in the U.S. it was only a matter of time before the Romano family or the Kings got their hands on us.

As Ella slept, the only company left were my memories. I refused to think about the bad before we face the horrors. I would hang on to the good memories, both with Luciano and our son.

That moment Luciano and I crossed paths, my entire world shifted. Yes, the bastard pulled the gun on me, but I couldn’t even solely blame him. It was the result of grief after his own mother's and sister’s untimely death. Maybe I should have shouted at him that I was pregnant, told him my family was out to get me and hurt me as much as him… but I didn’t. So maybe we both fell short. We created the most beautiful life, our Matteo, and all the pain was worth it. I just hoped Luciano got the letter I left with the lawyer by now.

I wish the window was bigger.I’d rather jump out of it with the slim chance of freedom than remain locked here and live.

This window to freedom was cruel. It was like tempting a thirsty man with a glass of water but keeping it out of his reach. My heart beat against my ribcage, each pump with Luciano in my blood and Matteo in each shuddering breath I took.

A night breeze swished through, the fresh air welcomed. It made Ella’s body shiver, but my skin felt hot, tight, too stretched. The wait was agonizing, not knowing what comes next was excruciating.

I gently shifted Ella’s body and covered her with the flimsy, dirty blanket. It would seem it was all we were good for. In two quick strides, I was at the window and the vast horizon stretched. And that’s when I saw it. The familiar scene.Grandfather Astor’s tower.

That’s where we were! I hadn’t been back here since my parents were killed, but I’d recognize it anywhere. How did we end up here of all places? The cries of women traveled up the house, and I hated the fact that my grandfather’s home had been turned into something so vile. But it could play in our favor. I knew this house inside out and every single inch of the ten acre beach property.

The secret passage. It was our ticket out. If we can get out of this room, I could get Ella and me to the secret passage and we’d run.

My heart thundered in hope and excitement. I debated whether I should wake up Ella and tell her about it but then decided against it. Just in case the walls had ears.

As if on cue, the door of our prison cracked open.

“Welcome, my lovely ladies.” A man with pitch black hair and dark, soulless eyes entered the room along with a woman and three guards. I glared at all of them as I quickly strode to Ella and sheltered her with my body.

“Fuck you,” I spat at him. “This is the shittiest welcome I have ever seen.” He chuckled like I just gave him a compliment. “And who in the hell are you?”

I had a suspicion but needed to be sure.

“I’m Benito King, my darling,” he beamed with pride. “And you, my little bird, have been causing some serious trouble.”

“I’d say I’m sorry,” I muttered. “But my parents taught me not to lie.”

He grinned with malice. “Oh yes, my son Marco will have so much fun breaking you. There is fire in you that even makes my cock hard.”

Terror shot through my veins, but I made sure it didn’t show. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“I’m surprised at your age you can even get your cock hard,” I taunted. It was stupid, but it was my only weapon at this moment.

His cheeks colored red in ugly blotches.Good, I pissed him off.

The next instant, however, my cheek exploded in pain, as the guard’s hand struck across my face, hard. I staggered backwards, the back of my knees hitting the bed, and I fell next to Ella. She instantly jolted up and wrapped her hands around me. My cheek burned from the impact, and I felt like my entire face was in flames. My eyes stung, but I refused to let any tears fall, not for this motherfucker, not for his despicable son.

“I see we’ll have to teach you some manners,” Benito murmured, his eyes gawking over my almost naked body. I have never been so glad to have opted for full briefs underwear, instead of G-strings. My strapless bra was slightly lacking but it was better than nothing. “A word of advice, my little bird.” It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him to fuck off; I wanted no advice from him. Instead, I held the words back. There was no sense in taunting him. We wouldn’t be able to run if they physically beat us, making our bodies too weak to move. And I had no doubt these men were not beyond that. “You are slightly damaged goods now. Both you and your friend here.” I sensed Ella’s distress without sparing her a glance. “Behave, and maybe you’ll get at least some pleasure from this whole ordeal.”

My body shivered in disgust. Ella stood behind me, her whole posture rigid. She was scared, and so was I, but both of us kept our composure. We had years of practice.

“What do you want?” I asked him angrily.

“Tonight, we are hosting a party.” He chuckled although I failed to see the humor. “Auction, really but it is a marvelous party for my men.” I wanted to spit into his evil face. “You two will be ushered to bathe,” he wrinkled his nose as if disgusted at our state of appearance, “to prepare you for the auction that starts in three hours. Make yourself presentable. Clothes will be brought in for you and your friend. ”

“What’s the point of making us presentable?” I questioned. “If you are only going to humiliate us.”

“Because if Marco is unwilling to marry you, you will become his whore to do as he pleases.” He smirked, a menacing smile on his face. “It is in your best interest to look your best so that he will marry you.”

“W-what? But I’m already married.”

“We have a way to fix that.”

I swallowed hard. What did that mean? I was scared to ask but I did it anyway.

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