18. Gabriella
“Let me go,” I say, wrenching away from Rocco as we head to his car.
“Fine. Gabriella, you’re acting like I’m the villain here. I’ve come to save you.”
“Did it ever occur to you that I didn’t want to be saved?”
Rocco scoffs as he opens the passenger side door. “Get in. Stop being difficult. You’re clearly experiencing some sort of trauma. I walked in and saw that monster taking advantage of you.” He throws a glare Dante’s way. Massimo and Emilio are holding onto Dante and clearly don’t intend to let him go. Dante is still naked. I can tell it makes him feel vulnerable, and I hate seeing him like this. He’s the man who stole me away from my wedding. Who took what he wanted.
But now, he looks defeated—like he knows he’s going to die.
And he probably will. If I don’t find a way to stop it.
“Don’t kill him,” I reiterate. Dante lifts his head and meets my gaze. “Please, Rocco. Don’t kill him.”
“Why do you want him to live? He kidnapped you, Gabriella. He raped you.”
I flinch back. “He didn’t rape me.”
“Then what was that I saw back there?”
“We were making love.”
Rocco scoffs again, shaking his head. “I love you, sister, but you’re delusional. Now, get in the car.”
I know fighting with Rocco is pointless, so I do what he says as my other brothers stuff Dante into the back seat. Massimo and Emilio sit on either side of him, making sure he can’t escape. Rocco gets behind the wheel, and all five of us head for Rocco’s home.
I know what’s going to happen next. They’re going to torture Dante, and then they’re going to kill him, and I’ll be locked up once again.
The drive is silent. Painfully silent.
We reach Rocco’s home within an hour and a half. Rocco doesn’t even look at me as he drags Dante from the car and forces him inside. Emilio follows right away, but Massimo hangs back to stay with me.
“It’s good to see you alive,” Massimo says, holding out his arms. “Can I hug you?”
“Of course, you can.” I wrap my arms around Massimo—the only one of my brothers I’ve ever been super close to.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through all that.”
“I’m fine, Massimo. Really.” I pull back and smile as he stares at me with a dubious frown. “Really. Dante wasn’t raping me. I was willing.”
His eyes widen. “I … believe you. I can tell you mean it.”
“I do. I don’t want Dante to die.”
“You sound almost as if you … love him.”
Do I love him? I think I do. “I want to be with Dante. Help me convince Rocco of that.”
Massimo laughs. “Gabi, I can’t convince Rocco of anything.”
“So, I’m on my own?”
He shrugs, which only pisses me off more. “Sorry.” He heads for the house.
“Dante is my husband now, Massimo.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t think he’s going to be your husband much longer. Rocco intends to make you a widow.”
“And what? Marrying me to Antonio?”
“Did someone say my name?” a familiar voice asks. And before my eyes, Antonio is poking his head around the open door. When he spots me, his whole face changes. “Gabriella! You’re safe. You’re alive.” He runs down to me and pulls me into a hug. I can only stand still, wondering what the hell is going on.
“I’ve been working with Rocco to find you,” Antonio says, pulling back. “I can’t believe that bastard kidnapped you. And at our wedding and everything!”
I turn to Massimo. “Antonio has been helping?”
“Every step of the way.”
“So,” I say to Antonio, “You still want to get married?”
“Of course. Once Dante dies, you’ll be a widow, and we’ll be free to marry. And for the record, it doesn’t bother me that you’re not a virgin any longer. I know Dante forced you.”
I balk and step away from Antonio. “Huh. Ok.” I quickly walk over to Massimo. “Can I talk with you? Inside?”
“Sure.”
When Antonio starts to follow, I hold up my hand. “This is just a conversation between my brother and me.” I pull on Massimo’s hand, and we hurry inside.
“Slow down, Gabi,” Massimo mutters. “You’re going to pull my hand right off.”
“Rocco still intends to marry me to Antonio?”
Massimo hesitates.
“Tell me,” I hiss.
“Ok, fine. Yes, he does. Antonio has been helping us search for you.”
“Where’s Dante?” I ask, looking around.
“Rocco has taken him to the basement. They’re going to torture him before they kill him. More fun that way.”
“So, Rocco will kill Dante and then force me to marry Antonio? Is that it?”
“… Yes?”
“Massimo!” I snap.
“What? I’m just telling you. Rocco likes to get his way, after all. And he wants you married to Antonio. He also wants Dante dead. It’s the way of it.”
I know right then and there I need to leave.
“Where are Lara, Ophelia, and Caterina?” I ask.
“At my house. We didn’t think it would be good for them to be here when we brought Dante in. I can take you to them if you want.”
“No, that’s ok. I know how to get to your house, Massimo. I can go by myself.”
I only manage to take one step before Massimo grabs my hand. “Gabi, it’s not safe out there. You were just kidnapped. You can’t be going off alone.”
“What are the chances I’ll be kidnapped again? Hmm? Our older brother is currently torturing the man who kidnapped me. I’ll be safe. I can ask Antonio to join me. I need to spend more time with him because we’ll be married soon, and I know you want to help with the Dante situation. So, let me go on my own. I’ve been cooped up in a house for the past week. I want my freedom.”
Massimo sighs and drops his hand. “Fine. I understand. But be careful. Rocco will have my head if something happens to you again.”
“Just blame it on Antonio.”
“Good idea.” He smiles and squeezes my arm before walking away.
Once he’s out of eyeshot, I hurry back outside where Antonio is waiting.
“I’m going to see my sisters,” I tell him. “I’m going alone.”
“But—”
“No buts. I need to do this. Dante … hurt me. I don’t want to be around men right now.”
Antonio nods quickly. “Of course. I understand. Completely.”
I walk away before he can stop me.
I can’t believe how easy it was to get away. I think the men are so concerned about me that they’re not even thinking about me.
But soon, they’ll realize I’m gone again. I won’t play by Rocco’s rules.
I have no idea where I’m going, but I’ll figure it out. What I do know is I’m most definitely not going to Lara, Ophelia, or Caterina. They would just tell their husbands.
No. Where I’m going is a place I won’t be found.
Where I’ll finally have the freedom I’ve been craving.