“Ah ah ah, easy on the merchandise now. Once I have Sebastian in my grasp, I don’t care what you do to her, but until then, lay off her face.” The man who brought me here says.
“I’m sorry, Luca. You’re right. Why punish her when it would hurt so much more for her to watch this?” My father says as he grips Aria by her hair, tipping her head back.
She’s barely conscious, one brow busted and bleeding, blood pouring from her lip, and bruises blooming under both eyes. I can’t imagine what she’s already endured. My sister is a fighter. Hell, she’s the one who taught me how to defend myself. I know she put up a hell of a fight before they got her here. But what I can’t fathom is why they would do something so horrific to their own child. Just to hurt me? Just to keep me from running? He tugs her hair harder, and she whimpers.
“Stop! Leave her alone!” I scream, tears springing to my eyes.
“Why? She is my property, I can do what I wish with her. She defies me just as you do, useless fucking women.” My father spits back, and I sob.
“If you want to hurt someone, hurt me! Leave Aria alone!” I scream, but he hits her again. Her chair rocks slightly from the impact, her body slumping to one side.
“FUCKING MONSTER! I’LL KILL YOU!” I scream, pulling against my restraints so hard I’m sure my wrists will bleed, but I don’t care. My sister is suffering.
“Calm down, sweetheart, you’ll hurt yourself acting that way,” Luca says, and I want him dead.
I want them all dead. Every single person who’s ever made me feel insignificant, like a victim, like I don’t count for more than a pawn in this game. I want to kill them all. My mother stands wordlessly behind my father, just as she always has. She may not be the one inflicting the pain this time, but she’s not doing anything to stop it either. She’s just as guilty as he is. They will die for this, and I will feel nothing when they do. Nothing but vindicated.
“When is he-” my father starts to say, but we’re suddenly plunged into total darkness.
“Ah, it seems we’ve got company. Finally,” Luca says, coming behind me and pressing his gun to my temple.
A door opens at the back of the warehouse, and no less than a dozen men enter, all looking confused.
“Luca, what’s going on? Someone cut the power to the security feeds.” One of them says, and Luca just laughs maniacally.
“Seems like daddy’s angry.” he says, and I shudder. He’s insane.
The only light filters through one small window in the top corner of the empty space, but I can’t see anything outside. There’s no movement around us, no sound coming from outside. We’re all just staring into the darkness, waiting for something to happen. Suddenly, the glass in the window shatters as a shot rings out, the sound of a body hitting the floor behind me echoing through the space. It happens twice more before Luca pulls me out of my seat, pushing his gun into my skull so hard I’m sure the barrel will imprint there.
“Come out, you fucking coward! You can pick off my men from the shadows, but you can’t face me? Some fucking leader you are!” Luca shouts, his fist tightening in my hair as he shouts into the darkness.
The lights flicker back to life, and I squint against the sudden brightness. All is silent for several long moments before the front door opens, and my heart stalls in my chest. Sebastian steps into the space, looking as calm as the day he walked into my coffee shop for the very first time. He fills every inch of this room with his presence. Immediately, I want to run to him, but Luca’s grip is too tight and I’d be dead before I made it two steps.
“Welcome, cousin. We’ve been waiting for you,” Luca says, kissing my cheek again. I shudder against his touch as his grip loosens on my hair. “Oh, don’t be shy now, baby. It’s time for the big reveal.”
“You wanted me here, Luca. I am here. You will not leave this building alive. None of you will. Unfortunate for you all really.You’ve convinced these men you are some kind of savior, and it will cost them their lives.” Sebastian says, slipping his hands into his pockets so nonchalantly.
The men behind us shuffle uncomfortably, confused whispers spreading through the ranks.
“See, this is what happens when you try to buy loyalty instead of earning it, Luca. There is never a price worth someone’s life. What I offer the men of Fortuna is not what you’ve given these men here. This is a perversion of our lifestyle, of our brotherhood.” Sebastian fires back.
“You know nothing!” Luca barks, a whipped dog waiting to bite.
“Release her. She has nothing to do with whatever this scheme is you’ve cooked up.” Sebastian replies, appearing far too casual for my comfort.
“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong. Isn’t he, Vanessa? You see, this is a family business here. Vanessa’s parents and I have been planning this for so long, and all we needed was for her to worm her way into your bed. She played her part so well, didn’t she?” Luca suggests, and rage burns hot under my skin. “She’s a very convincing little whore. But the time for games is over. She’s served her purpose, and she can be returned to her parents now.”
“You expect me to believe any of the vile dribble that pours out of your mouth? Really, Luca? Not a fucking chance,” Sebastian replies, and my heart clenches. He knows how much I love him.
“You don’t have to believe me. She can tell you herself, right, Ness?” Luca says, his face pressed so closely to mine.
“You tell him what I want to hear, or I will empty this magazine into your sister’s chest, understand?” He whispers so softly only I can hear him, and I choke down a sob.
“Myfamilyis everything to me, Sebastian. I would do anything for them.” I say, watching the darkness in his eyes churn.
“Anything?” He asks, his voice wrapping around my heart and warming me to my very core.
I pray he’s remembered every single conversation we’ve ever had about the way I feel about the family I’ve created and the one I came from. That he can see the truth in my eyes from where he stands now.