18. Victoria
18
VICTORIA
They confiscated my cell before marching me up to the second floor and throwing me into this lavish room. All I can do now is twiddle my thumbs and wait to learn my fate. I have no idea who bought me at that damn auction. I was too focused on silently projecting assurances to Dante, begging him to focus, trying to tell him we would be fine.
Lies.
Still, the thought of meeting the man who bought me downstairs or what will happen after tonight doesn’t scare me.
No, I’m petrified imagining what Angelo is doing to Dante right now.
I know I should be working on my escape plan. I promised Dante I’d find a way out, that I would run. It’s like a rerun of my road trip to hell with Liam, this time with a more dangerous man and luxury accommodations.
The phone number I memorized is spinning through my mind on a loop. There’s no way I’m going to stop repeating it to myself, not when it’s a literal lifeline. Not when I’m hoping I can use it to do more than just flee the country and hop across an ocean.
I just need a phone.
If I can get out of this house, I’ll have a better chance at getting what I need. But the thought of leaving Dante, not knowing if I’ll even be able to come back for him, twists my stomach into painful knots. I’ve been fighting back bile and waves of nausea for God knows how long while I continue to wear a track in the plush carpet with my pacing.
I’ve barely bothered to examine the room’s furnishings, too worked up. My anxiety is at an all-time high, making it so I almost miss the sound of the bedroom door opening and closing again with a soft click.
I spin like a startled rabbit to find Angelo standing just inside the door.
He’s still dressed in his dark gray suit, a smug expression on his face.
“I hope you find your room satisfactory, bella .”
I want to punch him, clock him right on his fatty jaw. Could I get it away with it?
He has maybe three inches on me, and while he’s stout, the most strenuous thing I’ve seen him do is puff on a cigar. I’m pretty sure I can outrun him.
I don’t acknowledge his false concern, keeping as much distance as I can between us. The man really is delusional if he thinks I’ll let my guard down around him. There’s a reason he’s here in this room with me and I seriously doubt I’ll like whatever that reason is.
“Dinner will be brought up shortly,” he offers.
“I don’t want it.” He can shove his “hospitality” right up his ass.
Angelo doesn’t bat an eye at my rudeness, glancing around the room as if it’s the first time he’s seen it. “Your new buyer wouldn’t appreciate it if I starved you. He paid a lot of money to?—”
“You’ve really stepped in it this time,” I interrupt. “Eventually the police will come knocking at your door. My parents are looking for me.”
That’s a lie.
My mother and father probably think I ran away with my new husband, throwing away the glittering life they built for me. I haven’t heard from them in weeks. What kind of parents cut off their child for having their own goals?
“I covered my tracks,” Angelo assures me. “However, Liam told me your parents are worthless, that they have no interest in how you may choose to ruin your life.”
Thanks, asshole. Even from the grave, Liam is still fucking me over.
Angelo has clearly been planning this for a while if he bothered to dig into my background.
“Regardless,” Angelo smirks. “You’re not the first woman I’ve taken and sold. You’re someone else’s problem now.”
I want to be his, actually. I want to rain hell down on him for everything he’s done. I’d love to see him locked away for good.
But that’s all a pipe dream. The only backup I have are Dante, Ellie, and the elusive Enzo.
Dante’s currently indisposed and I told my best friend we were lying low. She won’t be looking for us soon enough to make a difference. And I have no idea where Enzo might be or how to contact him without a fucking phone.
“Weston should treat you well,” he continues. “A bit of a temper, but if you keep your mouth shut?—”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” I snap. “How dare you sell me like I’m a piece of property.”
“You are. Every woman is.”
I clench my teeth, biting back the foul words that will only get me into trouble. I’m no use to Dante if I’m dead.
Obviously.
“Who is Weston?” I ask, forcing a quaver into my voice and trying to convince Angelo of my fear. Really, I want any information I might be able to turn to my advantage. If this guy isn’t a part of the mob, he may not be used to killing. And if that’s the case, he hopefully won’t be armed when he comes for me.
“A senator. A very powerful one.”
I’m feeling better by the second, stupid as my relief may be.
“When do I leave?” I begin twisting my fingers, not bothering to disguise the movement. The nervous fidget will help paint the picture of a helpless damsel.
“Tomorrow.”
Perfect.
“Can I see Dante?—”
“No.”
“Before I leave,” I finish stubbornly. “I want to say goodbye?—”
“ No ,” Angelo snarls, taking a step closer. “You’re done with him. Moretti doesn’t deserve a goodbye.” A wicked gleam lights in his eye and his face twists with sick glee. “I’m here because I want to tell that son of a bitch I fucked you to kingdom come while you screamed his name. That I made you bleed—” I jolt backwards, scrambling to the other side of the bed to restore the distance between us.
That asshole does not get to touch me.
I’m done with these fucking entitled men wanting to use me for their own pleasure. For petty revenge. That shit started and ended with Liam.
Angelo’s laugh cuts through my angry thoughts. “Where are you going? The only escape is the window…”
My eyes dart back and forth, desperately seeking anything that could become a weapon.
The lamp.
I rip the damn thing from the wall, plug and all, and the cord whips around and hits me in the thigh. My mind barely registers the sting as I shift my hands to clutch the base like a batter at home plate.
“Now, now, now,” he taunts. “Don’t fret. We can do this the easy way. I’m sure even a lie would?—”
“Go ahead, come closer,” I dare. “I’d love to shove this up your ass.”
He frowns. “You really want to threaten me, little girl? I will beat you until your skin is stained red and you’re crying for mercy.”
God, if only he would shut up.
My thoughts are racing a million miles an hour, trying to find a way out of this hellhole. Trying to decide what I can do in the next minute, the next second, to enable my escape.
Even if I knock Angelo out, I know I won’t be able to get through the door without being seen. The prick always has at least one guard shadowing him. His backup is probably waiting in the hall.
But there is a window.
An idea starts to form, and I make the decision to commit before I can think too hard about everything that could go wrong.
My best chance lies in acting my ass off.
Blindly, I back towards the exterior wall, the window just visible in my peripheral. It’s dark outside, making it hard to see what waits on the other side of the glass. Is there a tree? Is it just sheer brick? Are there pavers or bushes directly below?
Does any of that even matter? Seriously, what other option do I have?
“ Bella , darling,” he calls, his voice syrupy and slimy at the same time as he moves closer. “Let’s not start the night off badly.”
What does he think happened when he appeared at our home and took my husband and I hostage? What about what happened downstairs when he let his fucking friends grope me before bidding on me? When he made it clear that Dante and I would be separated?
I’d rather die than live under another man’s control. Better to end things tonight than allow someone else to touch me, to spend any amount of time with them and not know what’s become of Dante.
Angelo has to still have Dante somewhere in this house, somewhere close. He gave himself away when he admitted he planned to taunt Dante with stories of what he did with me tonight. That sort of torment would drive Dante insane, filling him with guilt and rage. Who knows what he’d try to do then? The man is scarily single-minded. It was hard enough to get him to ignore Liam’s betrayal, but after his nephew died, he became obsessed with getting us out of the country and away from Angelo. But if he thought there was nothing left of me to save…, what would he do then?
“Stay away from me,” I shout, hamming it up for anyone who may be listening at the door. “Leave me alone.”
Angelo’s brows pinch in anger, but he forges ahead. “Don’t be scared. I’m simply curious. Why do all these men want you so badly? I have to know. I won’t be able to rest until I know how it feels to fuck your pussy. If you’re sweet and suck my cock nicely, I might even be gentle.”
The man must have forgotten I have teeth if he thinks a blowjob is an option. I’ll bite his dick off.
“Don’t,” I warn, clutching the lamp tighter. I’ll only have one chance to get this right.
“Put the lamp down,” he orders. “We only get this one evening together before you go to your new home. But who knows? Make it good for me and maybe I’ll change my mind and keep you here.”
Lies.
Angelo would never turn down the money he stands to make by selling me. If my buyer really is a politician, he has power and influence at his fingertips. Power I’m sure he would happily use against the man in front of me if he tried to break their deal.
“Leave me alone,” I repeat, waving the lamp side to side. “I don’t trust you.”
Angelo actually sticks out his bottom lip in a disgusting pout. “I can see why you wouldn’t. But we both know Dante is a mere tool to you. You’ll never convince me you’re in love with him.”
I am, and I’m done denying it to myself.
Telling Angelo, however, won’t help me. I’d just be handing him more power to use against us.
“No one said anything about love, but I am fond of him.” I sneer.
He nods his head, easily accepting my lie.
“I don’t want to leave with the senator,” I continue.
Angelo seems to mull my words, a small scowl forming. He’s closer to me now, nearly in range. I wait, determined to make my one strike count.
“I need the money,” he claims, spreading his hands wide.
“You’d really give up your own chance to own me? The chance to keep Moretti’s wife for yourself?” I scoff. “For a wad of cash?”
I let my words drip with derision, as if I think he’s weak for selling me off.
Stupid man.
He hesitates. I’ve created an alluring temptation. He could do every dark and dirty thing he’s been imagining—not to just any woman, but to the woman belonging to his enemy. The woman who belongs to the one man who won’t yield to his authority. Angelo has a taste for our blood. He finally has me at his mercy, but now it’s a choice between my flesh or his money.
He’ll choose the money.
There’s not a doubt in my mind.
“Please,” I beg, taking a small step forward. “I could stay here. We could get to know each other and—” I pull my arm back as quickly as I can and swing the lamp with all my strength.
The unmistakable thud as the metal connects with Angelo’s skull fills me with relief.
He stumbles to the side with a groan, his knees buckling. Before he can right himself, I land another blow on the back of his head.
He drops like a tree. Unable to help myself, I kick mercilessly at his face and ribs.
One strike, two, three…
Then nothing.
My eyes flick to the door, terror ripping through me as I pause to see if anyone is going to respond to the sound of Angelo’s heavy body falling to the floor.
I offer a quick prayer in thanks when the door stays shut.
“Get your hands off me,” I yell to keep up the illusion.
The metal of the lamp resists the tight squeeze of my fingers as I watch Angelo. Did I really knock him out? Or is he faking?
I count to ten in my head, and he doesn’t move.
I don’t even think he’s breathing.
Did I kill him?
Sinking down to my haunches, I search his pockets for a phone. The outer pockets are empty, but a tell-tale bulge gives away the presence of an inner breast pocket. I slide a hand through the layers of fabric and snatch up the device. The shallow rise of his chest under my hand nearly makes me jump out of my skin.
Guess the bastard is still alive after all.
Moving toward the window, I call out, “No, please!” My heart pounds violently in my chest as I ease the French doors of the casement open. “Don’t touch me!”
Looking down, I’m relieved to see that the roof of the first story juts out, creating the perfect landing spot for me. I’d much rather lower myself one floor at a time than take a two-story trust fall. I glance back over my shoulder one last time.
Angelo lies on the floor, not moving apart from the slightest lift and fall of his chest, a dark puddle spreading from under his head.
I know it’s blood.
He’ll kill me if he ever gets his hands on me again.
How much security does he have? How many men? How many cameras?
None of that matters now. I’ve already sealed my fate. I’m in this to the end.
Either I walk out of here under my own power or Angelo gets everything he wants.
My body and my money.
My husband.
I’ll fight tooth and nail to protect what’s mine.
Taking a deep breath, I gently set the lamp down and balance myself on the windowsill.
It’s now or never—I check the phone to see whether it’s locked. To my endless relief, I see it’s not and with one final look at Angelo’s limp body, I change the pin to a combination I can remember. Slipping the phone into my bra to free up my hands, I climb down to freedom.
As I make my way to the flat stretch of roof, I force myself to keep repeating the phone number Dante had me memorize.