Page 37 of The Freedom in Captivity

I knew they were here, but somehow, it was easy to ignore that fact. Hell, Flynn and I even spoke about them the other day. They’re realer being down here, ignoring them is no longer an option as I’m faced with my ex-stepsisters, Della and Ariella, and Nico Corsetti.

Nico approaches first, one arm angled around Della, which is ridiculous if he thinks I’ll be able to attack anyone in my current predicament. He’s dressed as he is every time I’ve seen him, in a suit, and in direct contrast to the leather jacket and dirty jeans Flynn’s wearing. Despite Dad’s insistence to play the mobster game, I never did enjoy a man in a suit.

At Nico’s side, Della leans forward to see around the wall he’s erected with his body. She’s wearing makeup, her hair shiny and clean, and I’m instantly envious of the signs related to my old life. The feeling of clean hair compared to what I’m living with presently. The most noticeable fact is how much she looks like a queen by Nico’s side. The future Corsetti leaders.

Funny how circumstances change so easily.

At her side, Ariella, who I haven’t seen since the day Dad shipped her off to some medical centre somewhere in the city, deciding she’d no longer be useful to his plans. Knowing him, I expected him to rid himself of her completely, but in typical Dad fashion, he took the opportunity of Ariella being in the car crash too, to use her as leverage against Della.

That day, I had a few choice words for him but I instead walked away, hid in my room, and screamed into a pillow. Kept my emotions turned off, knowing the outcome if I showed any empathy toward the Lambert sisters’ situation to Dad.

Unlike her sister, who’s trying to step into the light, Ariella’s content in the shadows. She’s always reminded me of Yasmine. Both their personalities are of a quiet demeanour. In some ways, I suppose, Della and I also share similarities.

I roll my neck, looking at Flynn, finding enough energy to mask my face into a snarl and find my cocky tone again, pushing through the exhaustion. Nico and the rest don’t get the pleasure of my weakness. Stupid really, considering Flynn’s on their side, but it’s…different. Even if I can’t explain how.

“They’rewho you’re scaring me with.”

Flynn’s mouth flattens, but he ignores the bait at the same time Della steps forward, pushing into Nico’s arm.

“Iasked to speak with you,” she says.

“Why?” I keep my tone flat. “Think some sister bonding will loosen my lips?”

Be a bitch. Hide the truth. Hide the emotions. Don’t let anyone see how close they are to breaking me.

“No,” she denies, half-surprising me. “Came to see you. Talk to you. That’s all.”

She and I end up in a stare down, with Ariella watching her sister. I feel Flynn’s sharp gaze on me, while Nico’s attention flips back and forth.

“Alone.”

I gain everyone’s attention for that comment, but my focus shifts from Della to Nico, knowing he’s the only one here with authority. Flynn might be holding my life, but it’s Nico who pulls the trigger or not.

“I’ll only speak to them alone.”

Nico moves at the same time Flynn’s at my back, one of his many blades jamming into my throat on the opposite side of the slice from last night. “Remember what I said about behaving? You don’t make decisions.”

I turn my head, right into the blade, uncaring as it presses into my skin. If I cut myself, then he loses the power to injure me. That was something Dad always taught me. Take the punishment so when it’s granted later, it hurts less.

“Then I don’t talk.”

Della’s soft voice rises from behind Nico. “Leave us alone. She’s chained. She can’t do anything.”

Nico’s blazing eyes find his wife’s, shifting his wrath from me to her. Difference is, he’d happily stab Flynn’s knife into my heart; his anger for Della comes from a place of love. For everything that happened, Della made a home here. Found love amongst these people. She literally led their underboss to his death and lied and betrayed them, andstillfound herself on the inside. Dad underplayed her abilities.

“Della—”

Ignoring her husband, she pointedly looks at Flynn. “Is there any chance of escape?”

“No,” he answers in a regretful tone as though he wanted it to be a yes, so they’d have a reason to stay.

Della’s winning smile shifts from Flynn to Nico. “See? Ariella and I will remain right here.” She gestures to their feet. “No closer than this spot, I promise.”

There’s a silent argument between the couple that’s almost tangible from over here, but whatever influence Della holds over Corsetti has him finally folding. “Fine. If you’re not up in ten minutes, we’re coming back.”

He glances at Ariella first, as though looking for an argument in her passive expression, but finds none, and then jerks his head toward Flynn. Flynn’s huff blows warm over my neck as his knife comes away from my skin. With a final meaningful glare toward me, he follows Nico to the staircase and exits the basement with his boss.

“That was magical,” I muse. “Della, you really have Corsetti wrapped around your finger.”

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