Alessia
Last night, Antonio made a rare appearance after dinner to inform us that, with Enzo’s backing and the support of their other alliances, he’s been named the new Capo. I overheard him and Dante talking—Valentino made dirty deals that have left many of the other families on edge. Antonio’s going to be busy putting out fires all over Philadelphia. Which, for me, is a good thing.
Antonio still insists it’s not safe for me to live alone, so I’m staying at his mother’s house. He keeps two guards at the front door at all times. I hardly see him. He’s up before dawn and rarely home until the middle of the night.
“You’ve been pacing like a caged animal for weeks,” Cecilia remarks, her voice breaking through my thoughts.
I spin around, pressing a hand to my chest. “You scared me. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Cecilia, with her long dark blonde hair and big brown eyes, is stunning. Despite being raised in this world, she’s bubbly and outgoing, her spirit unbroken. She has big dreams and her family’s full support in chasing them.
“It’s okay,” I reply, steadying my breath. “Did you need something?”
She perches on the arm of the sofa, her eyes sparkling with impatience. “I need to get out of the house. Want to come with me?”
“We’re allowed to leave?” I ask, surprised.
She laughs lightly. “Of course we are. Where do you want to go?” She dangles car keys in front of her.
I hesitate, my heart racing. I’ve been biding my time, waiting for the right moment to escape. With Antonio distracted by his new responsibilities, this might be my only chance. But I have to be careful.
“I’m not sure. Maybe a drive far away from here?” I suggest cautiously.
Cecilia tilts her head, studying me, her smile fading. “I know you’ve been through a lot with losing your husband, but I get the feeling there might be something else bothering you.”
I take a deep breath and decide to take the risk. “There is,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s not something I’ve ever talked about.”
She scoots closer. “You can tell me anything, . You know that, right?”
I’ve come to love this girl, like the sister I never had. “I need to get away, Cecilia. I can’t stay here any longer.”
Her eyes widen in shock. “Get away? Why?”
“I feel trapped. Like I’m in a cage.”
“I get that.” She nods slowly. “Having guards around can be suffocating, but they’re not so bad once you get to know them. And they won’t be here forever. Antonio will take care of everything.”
“It’s not just the guards. We were raised very differently,” I explain. “My parents didn’t love me—they only cared about appearances, deals, and alliances. I didn’t get to go out with friends or go to college. I was never free to fall in love.”
“Oh,” she says softly.
“I was forced to marry Valentino,” I continue, the words catching in my throat. “He was a cruel man. He hurt me in ways I can’t even begin to describe.”
Cecilia’s hand reaches for mine. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
Tears burn at the corners of my eyes, and I let them fall, hoping they’ll sway her. “You grew up in a home full of love and support. I was nothing more than a pawn. Even with Valentino gone, I’m still trapped. I need to leave. I want to be free.”
Cecilia squeezes my hand, her own eyes now glistening with tears. “Where will you go? What will you do?”
“I don’t know yet,” I admit, feeling my voice waver. “But I have to try. I want to find out if there’s more to life than this.” I hold her gaze. “Will you help me?”
For a long moment, she’s silent, considering my words. Then, she nods, a quiet resolve settling over her features. “Okay. I’ll help.”
“Really?” I whisper, hope swelling in my chest.
“Yes. But we need to be careful. Antonio will lose his mind if he finds out I helped you.”
“Thank you, Cecilia. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
She gives me a small, sad smile. “You don’t have to repay me. Just promise that when you get to wherever you’re going, you’ll let me know you’re safe.”
“I promise,” I reply, though I already know I can’t do that.
“How long do you need to get ready?” she asks.
“Give me ten minutes to grab a few things,” I say, standing quickly.
“I’ll tell the guards we’re going for a drive. That we need to get out of the house. Once we’re far enough away, I’ll ditch them. I’ve gotten pretty good at that,” she says, smiling proudly.
“Do you think you can drop me off at the bus station?”
“Sure,” she replies, then lowers her voice. “Do you need money?”
“I’ve been saving what I can. I’ll be okay for a while,” I assure her.
She nods. “I’ll meet you in the car.”
I hurry upstairs to my most recent cage. Grabbing my purse, I double-check that the envelope with my cash is still hidden in the lining. Pulling out my phone, I power it off, and leave it on the nightstand. I can’t take anything with me that could be tracked.
At the doorway, I pause, taking one last look around the room, knowing this is the last time I’ll ever see it. I’m leaving everything behind—my past, my pain, and the life that was never truly mine.
I’ve been trapped for so long—first by my father, then by Valentino. But now, for the first time, I can breathe knowing I’ll be more than just someone else’s pawn.
Today marks the start of a new chapter one in which I’ll finally be free.