I’ve seen Mikhail’s atrocities on several men who have betrayed him. And what I haven’t witnessed firsthand, I’ve seen the remnants of body parts that littered the prison basement.
Antonio hasn’t threatened the children. And while he’s taken us against our will, he hasn’t physically harmed any one of us.
That doesn’t make me grateful to him. He’s still a monster, but maybe he’s less awful than my brother, which doesn’t say much.
I finish the sandwich on the tray and am surprised when Antonio comes into the room.
“Tesorina,” he says, glancing me over.
My heart quickens at his presence.
“I want my children,” I say, standing from the edge of the bed. I step closer to him, unafraid.
“Our children,” he says, correcting me.
I pinch my lips together. “I need to see them.” I don’t answer his remark.
“And you will when I know you won’t do something stupid,Tesorina,” Antonio says. He steps closer, closing the distance between us.
“Quit calling me that,” I snap.
Why does he think he can bestow a pet name on me? I’m not his anything.
A smirk crosses his features, pleased with my outburst.
Why does this delight him? Is it that he’s found a way to bother me? Am I better pretending that I don’t care and let him call me whatever he wants?
He guides his hand up to my cheek, and his thumb brushes a strand of hair behind my ear. He’s gentle and attentive.
I smack his hand away.
“Get your grimy paws off me.”
His eyes crinkle as the corners of his lips turn upwards in a smile. “I require your assistance,” Antonio says.
I take a step back, needing space, and fold my arms across my chest. “And why would I ever help you?” I glance at the silver tray on a nearby table. Could I use it as a weapon, knocking him unconscious, and then take him as a hostage with his gun?
He doesn’t so much as glance behind him. “Don’t even think about it.”
“What?” I ask innocently. He couldn’t know what I’m thinking.
“Hitting me over the head with that tray,” he says. “Don’t even think about it.”
Well, he isn’t wrong on the first part of my plan. I bolt around him for the tray. It’s the only feasible weapon I can use.
Antonio grabs my wrist and spins me around, pinning his body against mine, restraining me. “Something tells me you like this position,Tesorina,” he whispers into my ear.
“I don’t like anything about you,” I mutter.
“That’s not what you were moaning in the shower.”
I stomp on his toe and spin around to face him, slamming my knee up into his groin. “That was a long time ago.” I reach for his gun attached to his belt. It’s my only chance out of this hellhole.
He groans in pain and releases his grip on me, pushing me away, knocking me backward onto the bed. The gun remains holstered. He’s stronger than I am and quicker.
“The guard isn’t going to just let you go,” Antonio says and straightens up. Any residual pain from my assault is hidden from me. “And do you honestly think I would let you get ahold of my gun?”
He towers from above, and I scramble backward to keep from being trapped. I bolt off the side of the mattress for the locked door.