Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
My emotions are all over the place as I push myself into a sitting position and press my palm to my flaming cheek.
It’s the first time in my life someone has hit me, and it has my mind reeling with shock.
Not even Viktor hit me when he took me captive. He might’ve yanked me around and forcefully restrained me, but he never hit me.
“Did you really think we wouldn’t watch you?” Mr. Amato asks.
God, I'm so stupid.
The man who stopped me at the airport steps forward. “She tried to make a call, but I stopped it. The phone is locked.”
Mr. Parisi takes my phone and glares at me. “What’s the password?”
I shake my head desperately because God only knows what will happen if they read the texts between Viktor and me.
Anger tightens his features. “Who did you try to call?”
“Nine-one-one,” I lie as I scramble to my feet.
“The woman doesn’t have the money to repay us,” Mr. Amato says. “Just kill her and be done with it.”
NoNoNoNoNo.
Before I can plead for my life, Mr. Messina snaps, “The debt needs to be settled!”
“How do you propose we get the money out of her?” Mr. Parisi asks.
Panicking, I’m about to say I’ll get it even if I have to ask Viktor, but Mr. Greco comes to stand in front of me, his eyes sweeping over me with depraved hunger that makes me feel physically ill.
“I’ll pay the debt on the condition that she marries me.”
What? There’s no way in hell I’m marrying a man three times my age.
Mr. Greco is easily fifty years old, and the evil glint in his eyes just makes him look… gross.
“Have you lost your mind, Salvatore?” Mr. Parisi laughs.
I’m shoved into the chair as the men start to argue.
“I vote for a quick death,” Mr. Amato mutters.
This isn’t happening.
“I’ll find a way to pay,” the words burst from me, but no one cares to listen.
Frustration floods my chest, and my hands tighten into fists.
“I can do with a young wife after the old one died on me,” Mr. Greco says.
Dear God.
I start to shake my head, but Mr. Greco backhands me right off the chair. I fall with a hard thud, my vision going black and a copper taste fills my mouth.
“You really want to marry the woman?” Mr. Parisi asks.
“Yes. I think it will be poetic justice seeing as her family traded in sex slavery.”
What? No!
Shocked out of my ever-loving mind, I stare at all the men as Mr. Greco’s words sink in like burning coals.
“We didn’t,” I argue as I climb to my feet.
“Shut up, bitch,” Mr. Greco roars. “Why do you think we cut ties with your family? They were selling pussy on every street corner.”
The things I’ve found out today… Jesus, there’s so much about my family I didn’t know. The debt. Sex trafficking. How my father really died.
God, was everything my grandfather and uncle told me a lie?
“Christ,” Mr. Amato curses. “I’ve had enough of this.”
“I’ll pay her debt on one condition,” Mr. Greco continues with his vile plan. “The wedding has to happen before I go on my trip to Sicily.”
“You’re leaving in four days,” Mr. Parisi replies.
As the men discuss my fate, intense fear fills every inch of my body until I’m a trembling mess.
There’s a moment’s silence, then Mr. Parisi says, “It goes to a vote.” He looks at the other men. “Who’s in favor of the marriage?”
One by one, hands go up. Only Mr. Messina disagrees.
“It’s settled then,” Mr. Parisi says, his eyes coming to rest on me. “Mr. Greco just saved your life. You’re to be married in four days.” He turns his attention to the man who’s so much older than me, while Mr. Greco looks at me as if he’s going to rip me to shreds. “We expect the funds to be transferred before the vows are said.”
Horrified by what just happened, I give Mr. Parisi a pleading look. “I can get the money. I just need time.”
Mr. Greco lets out a dark chuckle, then grabs hold of my arm and yanks me against his body. Revulsion hits me so hard, bile churns in my stomach.
“Unlike your grandfather, we don’t go back on a deal once it’s made.” He chuckles again, the sound making me feel sick.
“Please, don’t,” I beg while trying to yank free. “I can get the money to pay you.”
“What’s done is done,” Mr. Parisi mutters, waving a hand to the door.
“Nooo,” I cry.
I yank against Mr. Greco’s hold, but he pulls his arm back, and even though I try to block the blow, his fist connects so hard with my jaw, lights explode behind my eyes before I sink into a pit of darkness.
Chapter 24
Rosalie
I regain consciousness and find myself lying on the floor in a bedroom.
I can still hear the music from the party. It’s a relief to know I’m at the Parisis’ mansion and haven’t been taken away while I was out cold.