tte's

ak through the door. I didn't care where I ended up. I only needed to find

and dressed in torn clothes just as Gaspa

orward. The cold air struck my skin, yet it felt weaker than the thou

ed to hide myself in the dark. The village looked dim and em

adlight suddenly

ew. The moment I recognized two of Don Vito's men, I

. His hand closed around my arm, and

l," he sai

lcohol, but these men were different. They

ittle pest!" my drunk

r in Italian, refusing to

from the pharmacy. I fell onto the leather seat, trapped between two henchmen I a

orter one said as his f

your fingers," replied the older man as

little fun with her," the tall

cover my chest. Before the man could touch me, the car stoppe

ing," Miguel said, trying to

outside, and threw him onto the middle of the road. After that,

girl!" Gianni shouted at

the village fade from sight. One prison was behind me, but

rrived at an und

and led me toward an elevator surrounded by mirrors. My r

me through a quiet hallway. Huge windows lined th

e opened a door and rev

standing near the window. His broad shoul

ested is here, sir

king out at the city as if he were finishing some private

him. My eyes dropped lower, and I noticed that his sleeves were rol

from head to toe, taking in my torn blouse, the dirt on my clothes, and my b

narrowed them slightly before giving a nod. Gianni took

cina," Don Vito

N

ed up and wal

follow my rules. And the

agreed to anything with you. A drunk sold me like I

ather o

to you!" I sho

ed myself for a slap, a scream, or the kind of uncontrolle

lied. A slight curve touched his

o!" I yelled. The words came from a reckless burst of

orse I am," he said as he cl

my eyes shut and waited for the hit to come. My entire

h my chin and slowly lifted my face. His hand felt cold and rough agai

zza," he said in a fi

_______

Lucches

my G

er skin. The moment I noticed the injury on her shoulder, I let go of

to the man waitin

lied as he immediat

e and shoulder?" I asked

bruises when I found

sponsible for this?

is my st

lammed against the table. My patience was

tears running down her cheeks ga

e," I instructed.

left at once to ca

hem drew attention the way the small French girl did. She sto

While speaking, I headed toward the door. "Dinner wi

behind me. My hand clenched into a fis

if Gaspar already..." The idea stopped the moment I glanced back toward the French girl

f he lied to me. I would've hunted him down