Page 1 of Immoral

Prologue

Cara Serrano

Hammers pound into my skull.My throat feels raw, almost as if it has cracks in it from a lack of water. I attempt to open my eyes, but my head spins.

I squeeze my lids, trying to make it stop.

What happened?

Where am I?

Slowly, the last thing I remember flashes through my mind in pieces.

Uberto was screaming at me about Gianni. I insisted nothing was going on between us, but Uberto wouldn't believe me. I couldn't blame him. Gianni wouldn't stay away, and he not only warned me to break up with Uberto but threatened him, too.

Gianni's face pops into my thoughts. My pulse increases, and I curse myself for the millionth time. No matter how much I try to convince myself I'm no longer attracted to him, I fail. Time has only made him sexier, which I never thought would be possible. He's taken excellent care of himself, maintaining a ripped physique any male on Earth would envy. It complements the gray streaks in his hair and tiny lines around his eyes that only serve to enhance his dominant aura.

Stop thinking of him. Focus!

I lick my lips, wondering why my mouth is so dry and my head hurts so badly. I reprimand myself again and concentrate on my foggy memories, but all I remember is Uberto and how scared he made me. I'd never seen him so angry. I tried to leave, but he wouldn't let me. And then I remember him forcing me to the kitchen and jabbing something sharp into my leg. After that, everything turned black.

Rage fills me as I realize he must have drugged me. Then hurt replaces the rage, followed by horror. I squeeze my eyes tighter, holding in tears. Was Gianni right all this time? Is it possible he wasn't just jealous and trying to ruin my love life?

That would be a first.

Several moments pass before I can push my emotions away. I need to figure out where I am and get out of here. Slowly, I open my eyes. Gray darkness surrounds me. As my vision adjusts, sounds hit my ears. I shudder as other women, all naked and lying on the concrete floor, become visible. I look down at my unclothed body, and a new fear shoots through me.

A shrill sound pierces through the air. The faint outline of three men appears as they step through a metal door. I sit up and hug my knees, trying to cover and protect myself.

One of the men stomps toward me. I recoil, looking at the ground, praying he isn't coming for me, shaking from the sudden cold air and fear. But then I see his shoes—shiny, designer Italian loafers. I smell the musk of his cologne, and I know who it is.

Uberto.

How could I not have seen he was evil?

Why did I not listen to Gianni's warnings?

What is he going to do to me?

He crouches in front of me and grabs my chin, yanking it so I'm facing him. My lips tremble, and tears escape my orbs, sliding quickly down my cheeks. He digs his fingers into my skin. His stale breath reminds me of someone who's been drinking for hours. The red in his eyes confirms my theory. His voice is an angry calm. "You were doing so well, Cara."

I stare at him, unsure what he means.

He leans closer. I attempt to retreat, but he holds me firm. His lips hit my ear, and I tremble harder as he states, "Since you're a whore, you get to live the rest of your days as one."

Words get stuck in my throat. I don't know all the details of what he means. Something tells me I don't want to find out.

He lodges his fingers deeper into my chin. I wince, and he grunts. "You should have thought twice before betraying me with a Marino." He releases me and stands.

I grab his leg. "Uberto! Please! I never—"

"Shut up!" he screams then tugs his leg back and leaves.

"Uberto!" I call after him, but my voice is weak from whatever drug he gave me.

Another man comes over and yanks me off the ground. My mind says to fight, but my body still lacks the strength. He leads me to a wall where other women are huddled together. Before I can figure out what is happening, cold water forcefully gushes over me.

I shriek, along with the other women.

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