The day every girl dreams of, instead, this is my nightmare. Trapped in a tiny room in the church. I can hear the chattering of the guests outside, all waiting to come in to watch the end of my life.
I wrap the shawl tighter around my arms, hissing as the soft fabric brushes against the bruises on my arms. The marks he left me with.
I am numb at this stage. My eyes are dry from crying myself to the point of exhaustion after watching Luca walk away from me. That is the only shred of hope I am clinging onto. That he is working on a plan, that he realizes something is seriously wrong. It’s my only chance now.
If anyone can save Eva and me, it’s Luca. I just need to keep her alive for now. But, after what I’ve seen, I’m losing hope.
My heart is in my throat as the door swings open, Dante’s presence taking up the doorway. He steps towards me and my legs start to shake. Fresh red scratch marks span his other cheek and my heart sinks. I know that was her.
“Only a few more minutes until you will officially be mine. The new Mrs. Capri.”
Shivers run down my spine. Tears well in my eyes.
“Don’t cry, baby girl. This is a good thing. You get to be my personal slave, and in return, your sister gets to live her life.”
“What have you done to my sister?”
He laughs, tipping his head back, clutching at his stomach. Once he stops, he storms towards me and grabs my arms.
I try to jerk free. “Get off me! I’ll scream. You think they won’t hear me out there?”
He steps back and scratches his stubble. “Your sister fights harder than you. Especially when I took her virginity.”
He rubs the red marks on his face, and I double over, heaving.
He yanks me back up by my shoulder, grabbing my chin, forcing me to face him. No matter what I do, I lose. Rage burns through me. This monster has taken everything from me. I’ve been silent, I’ve played into his game.
With all the strength I can muster, I push at his chest, and he takes a step back with a smirk.
“Is that it? All you’ve got?”
I look to my left on the desk, picking up the candlestick, and I launch myself at him. Hitting him as hard as I can in the head. Pain sears from my wrist as he grabs it. We lock eyes, his now completely black.
“You know I love a fight, baby girl. Keep going; it will only make me fuck you harder later.”
“You won’t.” I draw back my knee and slam it straight into his balls as hard as I can.
He doubles over, clutching onto his groin, letting out a guttural scream.
“You fucking bitch,” he growls. I sprint past him, my lungs on fire when I reach for my escape.
“I don’t think so.” He snakes his hand out and grabs me.
I battle in his arms, trying to free myself.
“Get the fuck off me!” I scream as loud as I can.
He clamps his hand over my mouth and nose, muffling my cries for help.
“If you don’t calm down, I’ll have your sister and your little boyfriend out there killed with one phone call. I suggest you behave.” Venom drips from his tone.
Just like it did that night.
I squeeze my eyes shut. He licks along the side of my face, tightening his hand over my mouth. “So delicious, Rosa. You taste better than your sister.”
I feel sick to my stomach. He releases me and I gasp for air. He laughs at me while straightening his tux.
“I-I’m not marrying you,” I splutter.
“You are.” He leans forward, his breath hitting against my neck. “Because if you don’t, your boyfriend will die. Is that what you want? Two deaths on your conscience? I know you can’t handle that. Poor little broken Rosa.”
I swallow the bile in my throat.
“You can’t kill Luca.”
“You know now that I am a Capri. You know the resources I have available. My family is in that room, and an army is waiting outside. Trust me, we can kill Luca.”
“You try to run, you utter a word to anyone out there, you will stand there and watch Luca die. It’s over, Rosa. I don’t know what you thought you were doing with him, but there is no going back now.” He steps towards me and tips my chin up, a darkness covering his eyes. “You are mine.”
“No. I’ll never be yours.” My bottom lip quivers.
“You know he’s back with Maria? They’re coming here together. He doesn’t give a fuck about you. No one does.”
He abruptly releases his hold on me and my back crashes into the stone wall behind me.
He snatches up my bouquet from the little wooden table and shoves it into my hands.
“Well, what’s your choice? Marry me and let Luca and Eva live? Or run, and they both die.” He crosses his arms across his chest.
There isn’t a choice. I lower my head to the ground. “Okay.”
“There’s my little obedient slave.” He leans down, his eyes locked on my lips. I turn my head so he kisses my cheek. He grabs my face and tugs me to face him. His lips crash over mine with the sour taste of whiskey. His rough hands hold my cheeks.
I push at his chest, and he laughs at me.
“You better get used to it. I’ll be claiming every hole of yours tonight. Both sisters on the same day. How perfect is that?” He blows me a kiss and backs away, locking the door behind him.
