Chapter 26
Twenty-Six
Lissia
If I thought I could outrun Danny’s bullet, I would have left by now. Instead, I found myself trapped on a dead-end road with no escape.
Whose fault is that? Mine. I gave him the location.
“You can’t be surprised your daddy sent me.” Danny stalked toward me with the gun aimed at my chest. “If you are, then you don’t know him at all.”
“You’re right. I had no idea he was so coldhearted.”
“He is coldhearted.” He grabbed my arm and brought me to him. “But that’s not what I’m talking about. He and I had a deal. When you called, he had no choice but to honor it. That’s the kind of man he is. Besides, how else were we going to get you away from our enemy?”
“Marchello isn’t my enemy.”
I pulled away from Danny, but he hauled me back and shoved the gun into my side.
“That’s not necessary,” I said. “There’s nowhere for me to run.”
I had to be careful I didn’t get myself shot. Danny might not mean to pull the trigger, but he didn’t seem as controlled as Marchello. I would much rather be in this situation with him.
“You’re right about that.” He pushed me toward the car. “I’ll make sure you never run again.”
This was not the way I saw my plan going when I called my father. I wanted to negotiate and make him see that I wanted to be with Marchello. Talk about a huge blunder.
I bet Marchello would have seen this coming.
Danny opened the passenger side door and shoved me in.
“Don’t bother trying to get out. I’ll shoot you in the back.” He slammed the door and hustled around the vehicle, keeping his eyes and his gun on me.
I had to stay calm and try not to provoke him. Once he took me to my father, I could get myself out of this. I just couldn’t get myself killed in the process.
Danny slid into the car and holstered his gun before putting the car in drive and speeding away from the safe house. The one place I’d actually been safe. Go figure.
“It’s nice to see you can listen.” He glanced at me. “You didn’t try to run.”
“And risk getting shot?”
“I never know with you.”
“Why would I run?” I leaned against the headrest. “You’re taking me back to my father. I can explain everything. So, there’s really no reason for you to hold me at gunpoint. I called my dad, remember?”
“Can you really be that unaware of the situation?”
“You don’t have to be so rude.” I flipped my hair to the side. “Just because I don’t want to marry you, doesn’t mean someone else won’t.”
“I won’t be marrying anyone but you.”
When he reached for my thigh, I smooshed myself against the door. The thought of his slimy hands on my body repulsed me. I would never let anyone other than Marchello touch me.
“You’re so stubborn.” He put his hand back on the steering wheel. “There are so many habits I have to break you from. We could have already started our life together if you hadn’t taken that little detour with Accetti.”
I wished I was still on that detour.
“Your father and I were so worried about you.”
“You didn’t even try to get me back,” I said. “All you wanted to do was fight with Marchello over territory.”
“Is that what the used-car salesman told you?”
“His cars are hardly used. You probably can’t even afford one.”
“Don’t defend him.” Danny shoved my arm, causing the car to swerve. “Don’t ever do that again.”
“Don’t you ever touch me again.” I tucked my hair behind my ear, wishing I had put it up before leaving. “You’ll be sorry.”
He laughed.
“Where are we going?” I glanced at his GPS. “This isn’t the way home.”
“No one said we were going home.”
“Where are we going? I want to see my father.”
“He doesn’t want to see you right now.” He stared at the road. “He wants the two of us to spend some quality time together. He’s hoping you’ll warm up to me before our wedding.”
“I told you there isn’t going to be a wedding.”
How could I negotiate on Marchello’s behalf if my father wouldn’t see me? I balled my fists in my lap, trying to figure out my next move.
“What’s wrong, princess? Have you realized you made a mistake?”
“Don’t call me that.” I glared at him. “You don’t get to call me that.”
“Why not?” He turned down a back road. “It seems fitting.”
“I want to go home.” I stared at the GPS, but I had no idea where we were. “Tell me what you want. I can get my father to give it to you, and you won’t have to marry me.”
“I want to marry you.”
“Why? I don’t even like you.”
“Don’t say such mean things.” He made a sharp turn down a desolate road. “This is why the two of us are going to spend some quality time in the woods. We got off on the wrong foot, but we can fix that.”
“The woods?” I didn’t like the sound of that. “Where are we?”
“I have a little cabin out here that serves a purpose.”
“What does that mean?”
“It’s secluded and backs up to a lake and lots of forest. Perfect for making problems disappear. You do the math.”
“Take me home.”
“That’s not an option.” He drove around a lake and down a dirt road. “Did you beg Marchello to take you home when you were with him? Did you care that your mother was so distraught she had to be medicated?”
“Is she okay?”
“Don’t act concerned now.” He shook his head. “Your father has moved her back into the main house where he can keep an eye on her.”
“My mother moved in with my father?”
That wasn’t a good sign. They despised one another. If there were ever two people who should not be together, it was them. They were the very definition of toxic.
“Your dad felt that since she was so worried about you, she might do something idiotic. He moved her in to protect her from herself.”
“I need to speak to her and let her know I’m okay.” That wasn’t exactly true. I was fine when I was with Marchello, but now I had created a big mess. “You have to let me talk to her.”
“I don’t have to let you do anything.” Danny stopped the car in front of a cabin. “Your father has things under control. Your mother knows we have you and you’re no longer in the enemy camp.”
I’m not so sure about that.
“A few days out here in the woods with me will do you some good.” He turned to face me, reaching for my hand.
I retreated.
“You’re going to have to stop doing that,” he said.
“I don’t want you to touch me.”
“I’m going to allow you to act out today. I’m sure all of this has been extremely stressful. You were kidnapped and separated from your family.”
“That still seems to be the case.” I took inventory of the cabin and my new surroundings. “I’m being held against my will.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I told you that your family knows where you are.” He opened the car door with an aggressive shove. “Your father wouldn’t have sent me to retrieve you if he didn’t think you would be safe with me.”
“My father who is forcing me into an arranged marriage and holding my mother hostage?”
“Enough with the drama.” He motioned toward the cabin. “We’re going inside. I don’t want any trouble from you.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Of course, the first chance I got, I would run. But I needed a minute to figure things out. No phone, no money, no credit cards. Marchello had taken everything from my bag when we first arrived at the safe house. He made sure I couldn’t access the world beyond his doors.
“I’m serious. Don’t make me use this.” Danny lifted his shirt to remind me where his gun was. Like I could forget.
“You wouldn’t.”
“You don’t think so?”
“My father would kill you.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “In a heartbeat.”
“I can handle your father.” He got out of the car, slammed the door hard enough to rattle the windows, and came around to the passenger side.
I moved away from the door so he could open it.
“Let’s go.” He extended his hand to me.
I refused it and got out of the car myself.
“Are you always this defiant?” he asked.
You haven’t seen anything yet.
“Your father said you were difficult, but you’re going to have to learn some manners by the time we get married.” He gripped my hand and tugged me toward the cabin.
I tensed my legs, digging my feet into the dirt.
“What are you doing?” He stared at me. “We’re going inside.”
He dragged me up the steps, causing me to fall forward and bang my shins. Fuck, that stung.
“You’re the one who will carry the brunt of the injuries in this scenario.” He unlocked the door. “I can promise you that.”
When he pushed me toward the door, the odor of dampness and mold surrounded us inside the dark, cold, and dingy cabin.
“It’s not the Ritz.” His smug smile infuriated me. “I hope you’ll survive.”
“It’s filthy.”
“I’m sorry it doesn’t meet your expectations, but this isn’t meant to be a vacation.” He shut the door. “We’re here for a specific reason.”
“What’s that?” The grimy windows were difficult to see out of. “If you want to get to know me, follow me on social media.”
“I’ve already done that.” He forced me down the hallway and into a small room with a wood-burning fireplace and furniture that had to be at least forty years old. “You’ll be deleting all of that once we’re married. I don’t need you putting our business out there.”
“We’re not getting married.”
“Say that all you want, but it won’t change anything.” He knocked me onto the lumpy couch and sat next to me. “We’re here so I can get you in line. Tame you and explain to you what I expect from you.”
This was worse than any nightmare I’d ever had. I would be Marchello’s hostage any day of the week.
“You’ll never tame me, so don’t waste your time.” I wiped the dirt from my jeans. “I want to speak to my father. Call him right now so I can tell him what an animal you are.”
“Shut up.” He gripped my face. “I’m tired of your nonsense. I’m going to tell you how it’s going to be.”
I struggled out of his hold and pushed him away. He grabbed my wrist and brought me back to him.
“This can go one of two ways,” he said. “You settle down and get yourself under control. If I see a major attitude adjustment in the next few days, we will go back to your father where we can start planning our wedding.”
I scoffed at the idea of marrying him. I was only ever going to be one man’s bride.
“You can have the wedding of your dreams. I’ll spare no expense for you.”
I have my own money, you chauvinistic pig.
“You can have a good life, but you have to show me the respect I deserve. You have to be a dutiful wife who does what I tell her to do. If you do that, you’ll have your freedom.” He arched his brow. “Within reason.”
“And if I don’t?”
“That’s totally up to you.” He stroked my cheek. “If you can’t adjust your behavior and try to give us a chance while we’re here, we’re still getting married. It won’t be a fairy-tale wedding, though, because that’s for a woman who can show she deserves such a lavish day.”
“You’re a real gentleman, you know that?”
“I’m not seeing an adjustment.” He sighed. “We’re getting married either way. You decide if you want it to be with your family and friends in attendance, or if you want to do it right here in this disgusting cabin. You have a few days to decide.”
I pressed my hand to the side of my neck, pondering a backwoods ceremony with him.
“If you choose the second option, know that I won’t make any of this easy for you. The life you knew will be over. You’ll live with nothing. I will keep you out here for as long as it takes.”
“Why are you doing this to me?” I forced the lump back in my throat and willed the tears not to flow. I would never cry in front of him. He didn’t deserve my tears. “Why is this arrangement so important to you?”
“Because you were promised to me, and I’ve already given up a lot for your father. I sacrificed a solid connection I had with some very valuable men because he assured me that, once he gains Nico Accetti’s territory, he will be on top.” He took my hand. “I’ll stand with him, but you will be with me. We will show the cartels and the other families that Gian and I can’t be stopped.”
“My father would sacrifice me for power?”
“It won’t be a sacrifice if you embrace it.”
I closed my eyes and tried to process my options. They were slim. I would have to play nice with this lunatic if I wanted to get out of here. If I wanted to get back to Marchello.
“I’ll try,” I whispered as I swallowed back the vomit in my throat.
“I knew you’d see it my way.” He squeezed my hand hard enough to cause pain. “Of course, there is one deal-breaker.”
Sign me up!
“I was promised a virgin.”
Oh.
“I believed you were pure before you got into Accetti’s car that night and he took you as a hostage .” He laughed. “That’s what happened, right?”
I nodded.
“Your virginity better not have been compromised.” He trailed his fingers along my throat. “I won’t marry a whore.”
“So, if I’m not a virgin, you’ll let me go?”
“I didn’t say that.” His tone dripped with unspoken threats. “Your father promised you to me. That’s not going to change.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying if you aren’t what was promised, that will be a problem. I will have a doctor verify it, so don’t pretend you’re not a virgin to get out of marrying me. It won’t work.” He tightened his hold on my throat. “But if you did give yourself to Accetti, you’ll be very sorry.”
Things were more dire than I had anticipated. I had to get out of here before any doctor came to violate my privacy.
“If you’re not what I was promised, I’ll still use you.” He forced me to look in his eyes. “You’ll be a nice reward for my men.”
“No.” My stomach churned, but I inhaled through my nose, trying to keep calm. All I could smell was the vile tobacco on his breath and clothes.
“They would love to take turns fucking you night after night.” His demented gaze told me he wasn’t bluffing. He eyed my body. “Yes, I’ll have plenty of use for you. You’re even pretty enough to make me money in some…business transactions.”
“You’re sick.” I shoved him, got up, then ran into the hall.
He grabbed my shoulder and spun me to face him.
“You’re at a disadvantage.” He pushed me against the wall. “I’m bigger, stronger, and I have a gun.”
“I don’t care.” I rammed him with all of my strength. “Get away from me.”
When he came at me again, I swiped at his face, scratching his cheek and drawing blood.
“You bitch.”
“Just stay away from me.” The fear he had instilled in me was replaced with anger. How dare he think he could punish me for sleeping with another man. I didn’t belong to him. I never would.
He reached for my hair, wrenching it and dragging me back into the other room. I struggled against him, kicking him and clawing at his face.
“Settle down,” he shouted.
“Let go of me.” My palm connected with his face hard enough for it to sting my hand.
“That’s enough.” He held me still. “You’re not making this easy.”
He drew his hand back so fast, I didn’t have time to move out of the way. His fist pounded my face, hurling me to the floor and slamming my head against the hardwood planks.
“Stay down,” he said. “You’ll regret it if you don’t.”
The vomit that had threatened to spill from my gut finally did as I retched onto the floor. I lost the battle of awareness when the pain in my head coerced my eyes shut. The darkness of the room took over in an instant, and everything went black.