Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Maybe she’s just as in the dark about her family’s business as I was about mine.
“They’re going to make me marry, Mr. Greco,” I tell her, my voice hoarse and pleading. “I didn’t know what my family did.”
“Enough,” Mr. Parisi roars. He points at me. “Alessandro, get the girl back to the room and make sure one of the guards seals all the windows so she can’t try to escape again.”
“Yes, boss,” the guard answers, then he grabs hold of my shoulders and forces me to walk past everyone.
Alissa tries to reach for me, but her father holds her back, which has her crying, “This isn’t right, Daddy.”
Out of desperation, I shout, “Alissa, call Viktor. Tell him what’s happening.”
“Shut up,” Mr. Greco snaps before slapping me against the back of my head.
A dizzy wave hits me before I’m overwhelmed by a wave of nausea again. This time I gag, but nothing comes out.
Shit, I think I have a concussion.
I’m dragged up the stairs and shoved back into the bedroom.
Mr. Greco follows us inside, then orders, “I’ll stay with the woman while you get something to seal the window.”
The door shuts behind the guard, and as another wave of dizziness hits, Mr. Greco yanks me to his body.
He locks eyes with me, then grins cruelly. “I don’t think anyone will mind if I sample my bride-to-be.”
“D-do–” I don’t manage to finish the word as everything goes black.
The morning light is bright when I come to, and it takes a moment for my sight to adjust.
My head is pounding so badly, my eyes start to water. When I try to move, my right arm comes alive with searing pain.
“Morning,” I hear Alissa whisper, then a cool cloth is brushed over my forehead. I turn my gaze to her and watch as her chin quivers, and a tear spirals down her cheek. “I’m so sorry. I threatened Daddy that I’d disown him as my father if he didn’t let me take care of you.”
I struggle to sit up, but with Alissa’s help, I manage.
Then the last memory of Mr. Greco shudders through me. Panic flares hot in my chest, and I scramble off the bed. Running to the bathroom, I slam the door shut.
It doesn’t feel like anyone was inside me.
God.
“He didn’t… rape you,” Alissa says on the other side of the door. “I ran after you, which means my dad came after me. We found you unconscious, and Daddy told Mr. Greco to leave… and wait until after the wedding.”
I lean my forehead against the door and let out a breath of relief.
Thank God. I still have time to find a way out of this nightmare before Mr. Greco can force himself on me.
“Please come out,” she pleads.
Alissa’s been on my side since she found out what’s happening. I really need an ally right now.
I open the door and lock eyes with the girl who used to be like a sister to me.
Her face crumbles as she throws her arms around me. “I wish I could help you, but I don’t know how.”
Sobs start to shudder through me, and I grip her with my left arm. “Please. Just call Viktor Vetrov. He’ll come to get me.”
“I don’t know his number.” Alissa pulls back to look at me.
I don’t know it either, so I can’t give it to her.
The little bit of hope I had vanishes, leaving a hollow sensation in the pit of my stomach.
Desperate to escape, I ask, “Do you know a way to get me out of the house?”
Alissa shakes her head.
“You can try to smuggle me out. I can hide in the trunk of your car.”
Alissa’s chin starts to quiver again. “Alessandro is guarding this bedroom. We won’t make it past him.”
Shit.
“I can’t marry Mr. Greco,” I whisper, distraught by everything that’s happened and not being able to find a way out of this nightmare.
After everything I learned about my family, it now seems so stupid that I left Viktor. He might be a villain, but that’s what I need right now.
Because only a villain will do what’s necessary to save you. He’ll burn down the world if he has to.
With every fiber of my being, I know Viktor would do that for me. If only I could let him know what’s happening.
He never lied to me. He kept every promise he made.
Oh, God.
I wrap my left arm around my waist as sobs burst from me.
I walked away from the one person I could trust all because I was loyal to a family who made a living from sex trafficking.
Alissa pulls me back into a hug and holds me as I cry.
With everything I know about my grandfather and uncle, I realize there’s no more guilt for falling in love with Viktor but only heartache and regret because I left him.