Chapter 17
Francesca
“Francesca!” Aldo's voice threatened. “Don’t make me come up there!” Aldo yelled, even angrier this time. If that were possible.
He definitely sounded serious. And he definitely sounded as though he could—and would come up here and get me.
The jig was up.
I instantly felt like crying, screaming, fainting—and jumping out my second story window. All at the same time. There was no getting out of this. We'd tried.
And failed.
This was such a perfect plan. Fee and I had switched places hundreds of times growing up. We were good at it.
If we could trick family and close friends, we should be able to trick complete strangers.
These stupid bruises gave us away. Or lack of them.
Dammit.
I gathered up as much courage as I could. Aldo seemed intent on keeping me free from any more bruises. So, at least I probably wasn't going to get hit. But it looked like I was still going to be in a load of crap for what Fee and I had pulled.
Or tried to pull.
I shuffled out of my room and down the hallway like I was walking a plank. Knowing full well I was going to my doom. I took the stairs one at a time. Slowly. Taking in the scene below.
Aldo had Fee by the arm. She looked frightened. And that pissed me off. Our father was sitting, drinking a beer. Drunk as usual. Nothing new there.
There were several opened cans on the coffee table that hadn't been there two hours ago. He'd been busy while Fee was getting ready.
“Do you think I'm fuckin' stupid?” His hand wrenched Fee's arm, jerking her body forward and back, her hair swinging from the force. “You think I don't know the difference between you two bitches?”
I swallowed over the lump in my throat and continued down the stairs.
“Well,” I shrugged, “I hoped you couldn't.” My voice was amazingly cool and collected compared to how I was feeling.
“What's your problem anyway? She looks exactly like me.
What's the harm in her taking my place? No one will even know.” I tried my best to reason with him.
“The difference?” He shook Fee again. This time letting her go with a not so gentle shove.
“The difference is,” he glowered at me, “she's a fuckin' whore and you're a fucking virgin.
My guys don't want a fucking whore. They can pay a lot less coin for someone like her.” His hand motioned to where Fee now stood.
“These guys don't want a slut whose legs are always open. They want fresh meat.”
Bile rose in my throat. His words disgusted me. This whole situation disgusted me.
“Great. Sounds good. Let's go,” I said nonchalantly, walking right up to him. I stared him in the eye, trying not to let the fear I felt inside show through.
“Get upstairs and get fuckin' ready. Fast.” His arm shot out toward the stairs. “No fuckin' around this time. You hear me?”
I nodded and turned. “Yeah, Aldo. I hear you. Loud and clear.”