Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 94076 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94076 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Yep, I can’t see this working out in Luca’s favor.
“Meaning?” I ask.
“Your brother is a psychopath,” he says. “He was lucky I needed him more than he needed me. Which I suppose was unlucky for you.”
I frown. What does he mean by that?
Luca sold me to Viktor in a malicious auction. But Viktor is talking as if this is more than that.
His cold eyes seek me out again. But looking at him makes me sick to my stomach, so I turn my face back toward the window. “It sounds like you regret your arrangement.”
“I had little choice about it. I needed unhindered access to the coast roads. They belong to the Moretti.”
And there it is.
Luca didn’t just sell me to Viktor. He also sold his soul to the Bratva kingpin and joined forces with him.
“When I asked your brother what he wanted in return, he said there was only one thing he wanted.”
I turn to face him again. “Which was?”
Our eyes meet in the rearview mirror.
“Revenge.”
When we arrive at the Moretti estate, Viktor grabs me by the arm and pulls me out of the car.
But before I can take a step, he yanks me to him and brings his lips to my ear, “Time to face the music, you fucking blyad.”
Whore.
I turn to look him in the eye. “I’d rather be his whore for five minutes than your wife.”
The back of his hand slaps into my face and his pinky ring catches on my cheek, tearing into the skin.
I taste blood.
So I spit at him, and blood splatters across his face.
He slaps me again. “Pizda.”
Cunt.
“I should kill you,” he snarls.
“Enough,” Luca barks from the doorway.
Its two a.m. and he’s wearing a suit as if he’s dressed especially for the occasion.
No doubt this is his grand finale when he tortures me to death.
Beside him, Carolina looks like Cruella De Ville, dressed in a long gown, ridiculous hat, and a face full of makeup, puffing on her long white cigarette.
“Get her inside,” Luca demands.
Viktor shoves me up the front steps and into the house.
I struggle to swallow because my throat is cold and tight with fear.
When the door closes behind us, Luca turns to me with a menacing smile, and I know whatever happens next is going to hurt.
I bite back my fear.
And I thank God Lucretia isn’t here to witness what is going to happen to me.
CHAPTER 56
Ella
Carolina stands by the staircase, while Viktor shoves me into the middle of the marbled foyer where Luca begins to circle me like a shark.
Silently.
Slowly.
Toying with me.
Trying to intimidate me.
He wants to squeeze as much fear out of me as possible.
But I hold my own. I lift my chin. Square my shoulders.
My face hurts from where Viktor struck me, and I can still taste the metallic tang of blood in my mouth.
But I don’t show it. Just brace myself for what is about to come.
Luca makes a point of releasing a deep breath. As if me purely breathing is a disappointment to him.
“So tell me,” he starts. “Did you enjoy your first taste of cock?”
I close my eyes. Here we go.
I had hoped he would skip the theatrics and just get on with it.
But then, Luca loves his games.
I open them again. “Nothing happened.”
Luca stops circling and his black shark eyes burn across at me. “This will go so much nicer for you if you don’t lie to me.”
He nods to Viktor who disappears.
Which is a giant red flag.
To my horror, when he returns, he brings Lucretia into the room with him.
Oh God.
She’s not overseas at boarding school at all.
Fear erupts inside me, and I start to panic. “Let her go.”
She’s frightened as Viktor hustles her into the foyer.
“Ella?” she cries.
I want to run to her, but Luca blocks me.
“It’s going to be okay.” I try to reassure her. “Try to keep calm.”
She starts to cry, but Viktor grabs her by the hair and yanks her head back, strangling the sobs in her throat.
Carolina watches from the stairs. A smile of excited anticipation on her cruel mouth.
“Let’s try that again, shall we,” Luca says, enjoying himself. He starts to circle me again. “Did you enjoy your first taste of cock?”
Across the foyer, Lucretia whimpers.
“Yes,” I whisper.
As Luca circles, I frantically scan our surroundings, considering everything and anything I could use as a weapon. The crystal ashtray on the marble table. The umbrella in the umbrella stand. The marble bust of our grandfather by the stairs.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you,” he growls.
I could grab the ashtray and smash it into his jaw.
But if I did, Viktor would hurt Lucretia.
We’re trapped.
“Yes,” I say harshly.
Luca stops circling and leans in. “Slut.”
His breath skates over my skin.
I close my eyes so I don’t see the slap coming. But I feel it. He slaps me so hard I swear it reverberates around the foyer.