Adjusting my cuff where it’s scratching at my wrist, it gives me a moment to focus on not losing my shit.
Then I lift my eyes to Elena’s, and I stare at her as I choose my words carefully.
Slowly, I begin to stalk closer to her, and when I’m within reaching distance, my right hand shoots up, and I grab hold of her behind her head. Yanking her against me, my voice is low and threatening. “Do you want to go back to Dante?”
Elena only holds my stare, her lips sealed as her anger silently wars against mine.
“You asked me to stop the wedding between you and Capone, and I did. You asked me to kill him, and I will.” When I take a breath, it’s filled with Elena’s soft scent. “The world is filled with monsters, Elena. At least you get one who won’t rape and beat you. Count your fucking blessings.”
I watch as my words hit her, her infuriated breaths matching mine.
“I have shit to take care of, so you’ll just have to fucking deal with the fact that we’re engaged, and nothing on this godforsaken earth is going to change that.”
Done talking, I take hold of her hand and begin to drag her back to the house.
ELENA
Sitting in the back of the G Wagon, between Lucian and his aunt, I clamp my hands tightly together.
My anger simmers in my chest as I stare blankly ahead of me.
We’re on our way to the morgue. I have no idea why Lucian’s bringing me along.
Probably to make sure you don’t try to escape.
I roll my eyes at the thought because it’s ridiculous. I still don’t have any identification documents or money, so I’m stuck.
The fight with Lucian exhausted me, and after not getting any sleep last night, I feel drained.
I’ve never fought with anyone like that before. Dante would probably have killed me if I spoke to him like that.
Yet, Lucian remained calm. It was a deadly calm, but still, he didn’t lash out at me.
‘The world is filled with monsters, Elena. At least you get one who won’t rape and beat you. Count your fucking blessings.’
His words keep replaying in my mind. I’m not so sure I can believe them, though.
I mean, we’re going to get married. What will happen on our wedding night? Will our union be consummated in blood because I will not give my consent? I won’t agree to have sex with a man I don’t know. Least of all, one who’s taken me captive.
God, all I wanted was my freedom.
For a stupid moment, I actually thought Lucian could give it to me.
Stupid, Elena. You trusted the first person who showed you a glimmer of compassion. But it was all business for Lucian.
We stop outside a building, and I take a deep breath as we climb out of the car. Lucian grips hold of my hand, and when I try to pull away, he gives me a dark look filled with warning.
Alexei and Demitri join us from where they parked next to our vehicle. I don’t know where Carson is. It looks like he left after the meeting.
Surrounded by guards, we enter the building, and I’m instantly freezing.
A man comes to meet us. “Mr. Cotroni, we were expecting you. This way.”
My eyes begin to widen when I realize I’m not going to wait somewhere until Lucian’s done viewing the body of his father.
Before we enter a room, Aunt Ursula begins to softly sob. My heart instantly goes out to her. Lucian lets go of my hand and wraps an arm around his aunt. He presses a kiss to her temple, then murmurs, “Let’s say goodbye. Okay?”
She nods against his chest, and the interaction between them touches me deeply.
Lucian holds his aunt as they enter the room, and then Alexei places his hand on my lower back, softly nudging me to follow them.
I step inside, and my eyes instantly fall on the white sheet.
Oh, God.
Lucian lets go of his aunt, and then he steps closer to the table until he’s right next to it. He tilts his head and reaches for the sheet. I hold my breath as the white fabric is pulled back, and then emotion inundates me as Lucian takes a shuddering breath. “Papà,” he whispers, his voice drenched in sorrow.
Even though Lucian’s my enemy, and I didn’t know his father, compassion fills me.
Lucian places his hand over his tie, and then he leans forward and presses a kiss to his father’s forehead. “Ti voglio bene, Papà.” He murmurs something else I can’t make out and then straightens up.
I watch as Lucian closes his eyes, sorrow shadowing his face. He takes a couple of minutes, just staring at his father before he steps away so his aunt can say goodbye.
She falls over Mr. Cotroni’s chest and lets out a heartbreaking wail. Tears spring to my eyes, and I quickly blink them away. When I glance away from the tragic scene, my eyes collide with Lucian’s.