Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
MIA
" M addie, I'm running low again," I say into the phone, my voice barely above a whisper. I pace the length of my big room, my prison cell, glancing nervously at the door.
"Oh no," comes Maddie's concerned reply. "When will you need more?"
I rake a hand through my hair. "Soon. Very soon."
She sighs. "I wish you could just come by the clinic. It would be easier."
"You know I can't." I sink onto the edge of the plush king-sized bed, the silky comforter bunching beneath me. "It's too risky..." I trail off, but she knows exactly what I'm talking about.
"I know, I know. But we'll figure something out, okay? I promise." Her voice shakes slightly with emotion.
“What about we meet during…”
There's a knock at the door and I yelp, flinging my phone under the pillow. I take a deep breath and pull on a brave face before answering in what I hope is a casual tone, "Yes? Who is it?"
"Mrs. Barone, just a reminder that you and the boss have that event tonight," he says from behind the door.
“I'll be ready." I let out a shaky sigh, dreading having to play the doting wife in public again, but I know better than to keep Carmelo waiting.
I walk to the massive closet and pull out the slinky red gown Carmelo bought for me. The neckline is very low and half my breasts will be spilling out of the dress, just like he loves it. Except dressing like this makes me feel like an object on display.
I peel off my comfortable clothes and step into it, zipping it up with some effort. The neckline plunges as I expected and the slit up the side is so high it practically meets my hip. I tug at the top, trying to cover up a bit, but it's no use. I still look like a prized doll.
I leave the gown primly in place and go to the vanity. I redo my makeup, lining my eyes with a subtle smokey look. Carmelo hates it when I wear too much makeup. Last time I did, he scrubbed it off himself in front of his men. That was humiliating.
“Who is all this make up for? Are you begging to be fucked by my men? You look disgusting,” he’d said.
Another impatient knock. " Andiamo , you don't have all day!"
I catch my reflection and recoil inwardly. The way the gown clings too tightly makes my skin crawl. This isn't me. This gaudy, objectified persona is Carmelo's creation. But it's not like I have any other choice than to play the role he's assigned me if I want any chance at freedom.
I take one last breath and head for the door. Time to put on the act once more. The door flies open before I can reach for the handle. The guard's eyes go wide as he takes in my appearance, but he recovers quickly with a disapproving scowl.
"Mr. Barone is waiting in his study. I suggest you don't keep him waiting any longer." His disdainful glare burns into me.
I brush past him without a word, my heart pounding. What new humiliation did my beloved husband have in store this time?
I take a deep breath and enter Carmelo's luxurious study after knocking, keeping my gaze lowered submissively. But despite my best efforts, my eyes are immediately drawn to the tall, muscular stranger sitting silently near Carmelo's desk.
Our eyes meet for a brief electric moment before I quickly avert my gaze. But that fleeting connection is enough to send a spark through my entire body.
I keep my gaze lowered, not daring to look at the handsome stranger again. But I can feel his presence like a physical force in the room, making the hairs on my arms stand up. Why does he have to be so handsome? The last thing I need on my hand is another death. Carmelo would not even wait for an explanation. He would place the man's head on a platter in a second if he suspected anything is happening. He did it to two of my previous bodyguards and I wasn't even remotely attracted to either of them.
I suppress a shudder as Carmelo's expensive loafers click against the hardwood, announcing he’s approaching me. Every muscle in my body tenses instinctively, bracing for whatever cruelty he has planned this time.
"You're late, piccina ." His hand clamps down on my backside with a harsh, possessive squeeze that makes me flinch. "You know I don't like to be kept waiting."
"Forgive me, it won't happen again," I murmur automatically, the placating words as hollow and meaningless as they've become after months of abuse.
Carmelo chuckles darkly, giving my ass another demeaning grope just to reinforce his control. "No, I don't suppose it will. Not with your new bodyguard here to keep you in line."
He gestures dismissively at Giovanni's imposing form. "This is Giovanni Micheli. From now on, he'll be watching over you at all times to ensure your... obedience."
The man stretches out his hand towards me "Mrs. Barone, pleasure to meet you. I'm Giovanni Micheli, your new bodyguard,"
I risk a brief glance at Giovanni. He's even more striking up close, with sharp cheekbones and smoldering dark eyes. I am in trouble.
I look nervously at Carmelo, seeking his approval before I dare touch another man in his presence. He nods curtly, seeming unconcerned. But I know better than to fully trust any allowance he makes. This is likely a trap, a test to see if I'll eagerly leap at the chance for male contact. If I take the bait, I'll likely be punished later for falling into his trap.
Carmelo nods sharply. "Go on, shake his hand."
Refusing now that he has given his permission could provoke his temper even more. I have no choice but to play along with whatever game he has devised. I reach out and gingerly take Giovanni's outstretched hand. His palm engulfs my own, warm and calloused. I fight to maintain my composure, though my knees nearly buckle. No man has elicited such a visceral reaction from me before. I want nothing more than to cling to his strong hand forever. But I let go after the briefest contact, dropping my hand quickly to my side.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Micheli," I murmur demurely. I can still feel the imprint of his touch lingering on my skin and I don't hate it.
I take another short glance at Giovanni. I can't decide if his stoic professionalism is more unsettling or reassuring than the leering looks I usually get from Carmelo's men.
Before I can process anything, Carmelo yanks me back against him. The scratch of his rough stubble scrapes my cheek as he forces his thin lips onto mine, invading my personal space yet again. I clench my jaw and I refuse to make a sound, denying him the satisfaction.
His grip on my arm tightens painfully, nails digging into my skin. Sensing my defiance, he bites down on my lower lip, making me cry out despite myself. Tears prick at my eyes but I force them back, refusing to show weakness in front of this stranger.
Reluctantly, I part my lips just enough to offer the barest glimpse of submission, allowing Carmelo's tongue to violate me as he pleases. All the while, I can feel Giovanni's gaze boring into me as I give in to this degradation.
After what feels like an eternity, Carmelo finally pulls back, a smug smirk on his thin lips. His hand travels up to grip my chin roughly before tilting my head up to meet his cold eyes. "You'll learn to enjoy it eventually," he sneers, before releasing me with a shove.
I stumble but quickly right myself, blinking back tears of humiliation. His casual cruelty cuts me to the core once again, reducing me to nothing but a plaything for his twisted amusement.
I clench my jaw as Carmelo's cold hand trails down my exposed cleavage, his long nails scraping my skin. Bile rises in my throat but I force it back down, refusing to show any reaction. He dips the clothes down again to reveal more cleavage before he squeezes my breasts.
Carmelo wants to hide any evidence that I used to be an athlete with muscles. He hates that part of my past, my independence and ambition. So he delights in forcing me into the tiniest, tightest dresses possible, erasing my athletic physique and reducing me to a weak, passive doll.
I have to clench every muscle to keep this dress from slipping indecently. One wrong move and my entire breast could tumble out.
The silky material feels like there are thousands of crawling insects on my body. I feel like a painted hooker in a window, dressed up and displayed for men's consumption. Except my owner never lets me leave my box, only taking me out to show off before locking me away again.
At the events we go to, Carmelo parades me around like a prized possession. I'm meant to smile vapidly, laugh emptily at vulgar jokes, and ooze sexuality. But God forbid any man tries speaking to me alone. Just a friendly chat could end with a bullet in their brain. And I'm always the one who suffers for it later.
So I play my part, become the doll I'm expected to be. I walk elegantly in these impossible heels and dress, and I even giggle mindlessly at their lewd comments. Anything to avoid Carmelo's wrath when we're alone again.
I suppress a sigh as Carmelo's cold hand finally releases me. My skin still crawls where he touched me, his possessive grip sure to leave bruises on my arm. I smooth my expression into a mask of calm indifference, refusing to let him see how deeply his actions hurt me.
“Let’s go. We don't have all day.”
As we head for the door, I chance another glance at the imposing form of my new bodyguard. Giovanni's dark gaze is fixed straight ahead, his expression unreadable. Yet I feel the weight of his attention like a physical force, and it makes my pulse quicken despite my attempts to ignore it.
There's an undeniable magnetism between us, like opposite poles of a magnet straining to connect. I have to clench my fists to keep from reaching out, just for the relief of human touch without cruelty or possession behind it. But reality crashes back in an instant later when I meet his eyes. They are cold and hard as flint, narrowed with unmistakable contempt and judgment. My cheeks burn with shame under that withering stare. Of course he despises me, just like all the others. And nothing can ever happen between us anyway.
I drop my gaze quickly, angry at myself. I don't have the luxury of indulging in fantasies. My focus needs to remain on enduring, surviving each day under Carmelo's thumb until I can finally make my escape. Until I can leave here safely with my family. I can't afford to be distracted by impossible daydreams, no matter how strong the temptation. Especially not when I know that Carmelo can replace me with my sister if I make the wrong move.
As we step outside, I paste on my best plastic smile, allowing Carmelo to wrap a possessive arm around my waist. His grip is bruising, as usual, even through the layers of my gown, pressing my hip bones together painfully. But I don't let my smile falter.
My heart feels like a lead weight in my chest, but I ignore it. Just a little longer, I tell myself. Just a little longer and then it will all be over.