Chapter One
Hope was led into her father’s office. She stood staring down at him with her arms crossed and waited. God, what she wouldn’t give to be able to pull out the knife she had strapped to her thigh and slit her father’s throat.
“You called, oh mighty Father?” She enjoyed the anger that flashed on his face before he relaxed and chuckled.
“You little cunt, you’ll be sorry for every word you say.”
She shrugged.
Her father growled. “Your sister Faith has put you in a bad situation.”
“Oh, really?” she asked sarcastically.
“Yes. She was supposed to be Gabriel Rizzo’s bride, but she ran away. So now you get to take her place. You can thank your sister for everything that happens from now on.”
Hope snorted. “None of this is her fault, you bastard. You’re the monster in this family, and I’m thrilled she got away. I hope you never get your hands on her again.”
“Oh, she’ll be found. Of that, I have no doubt, and when she is, Rizzo will get her too. You may or may not be there to see her because he might have already killed you, but don’t worry, you’ll be together again in hell.”
Hope rolled her eyes. “Daddy, you’re the only one going to hell, and we both know it. God, I wish I could see your face as Satan comes for you. Every person you’ve hurt will cross your mind, and you’ll spend a thousand years for each one in purgatory.”
He laughed. “Nothing can happen to me, you little bitch. I’m too powerful.”
“So, you’re saying you will never die.” She snorted again. “I took you for being smarter than that because, Daddy,” she said, “everyone will die eventually. Some sooner than later.”
His face turned red. “Get this little cunt out of my face and make sure she gets to Rizzo’s.”
“Yes, sir.”
Hope struggled against the guard’s grip until they were outside in the car.
Mateo followed, sat across from her, and scowled. “What in the hell were you thinking? Your mother would have a heart attack if she knew you were provoking that bastard.”
Hope sighed. “I hate him, Mateo.”
“We all do, but I would have had to step in and protect you if he had come at you, and then we would both be dead.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, sweetheart, but please know that Trent and I are taking care of things. You won’t have to worry about that bastard for too much longer.”
“How?” she asked.
“We don’t have time to talk about it,” he said. “We’ll be stopped shortly. This has all been planned, so don’t be afraid.”
“You can’t tell me anythi—”
He looked out the back window and shook his head. “We’re being followed already. These people will take you to a safe place. It’s where Faith is, honey. We’ll have your mother and sister out of the house within a few days, but in the meantime, they are being guarded for their protection. And not because of your father.”
Hope looked around as two cars surrounded them.
“It might look bad, honey, but it’s all for show. So don’t freak out and try to kill anyone.”
She rolled her eyes. “I wish you and Trent were my fathers.”
“I think we’ve been more of a father to you than Lorenzo.”
“You’re right about that.”
The side door opened. A few men reached in, grabbed him, and hauled Mateo out. Even knowing it would happen, it still terrified her, and she screamed. She looked out the window to see all her father’s men lined up against the side of the building. There were three times the men she didn’t know standing around.
No one said anything for a long time, and she wondered what they were waiting for until another car pulled up. Two huge men got out of the back and talked with one of the guys she didn’t know before coming her way.
She scooted toward the back corner when the door opened, and both men slid in.