Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 103124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Inside the bathroom, I take a breath at the sink, splashing cool water on the nape of my neck and breathing in the subtle scent of vanilla and cherry blossom as I try to calm my heart. Around me, gold gleams in the dimly lit room.
I don’t enjoy being in competition with another woman. Usually, I’m Team Women United. But when a bitch throws the towel in the ring, I need to step up if I am to survive in this world.
There will be more Amélies in our future. But let word get out that I won’t suffer them very well.
Resting my clutch on the vanity, I remove my lipstick and touch up my lips, then smile at my reflection in the dimly lit bathroom. Two months ago, I would never have stuck up for myself. I would’ve taken Amélie’s assault on my confidence on the chin and let Amélie get it out of her system. But my days of being anyone’s doormat are done.
I tuck my lipstick into my tote bag and cross the Italian tiles to the door.
But the moment I step out of the bathroom, something hits me in the head, and my world fades to black.
Blackness.
I only become aware of the nothingness as I slowly rise out of its murky depths.
Feeling foggy, I open my eyes and blink, and my blurry vision begins to sharpen.
I’m sitting in a chair, my hands tied behind my back, my shoes and jacket gone.
A man steps in front of me. “Welcome back, sleepyhead.”
I glance around. We’re in some sort of warehouse. It’s dimly lit, and the musty stench of mildew is in the air.
“Do you know who I am?” he asks.
“A kidnapping asshole?” I manage.
He leans down and scoffs. “You always were too feisty for your own good.” He stands. “My name is Luca Bamcorda. You will have heard of me.”
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
Of course, I know who he is.
But I won’t give him the satisfaction of admitting to it.
“My family was once aligned with the mighty De Kysa. When your father and Gio De Kysa became rivals, it was the Bamcordas who stepped in and formed an alliance with Gio. An alliance forged in honor and respect… both of which have been spat on by this truce. Nico had no business offering peace. And your father had no business accepting it.”
“You’ve done this because the De Kysa and Isle Cicculas are no longer rivals?” I pull a sad face. “Aw, are you sad because no one wants to play with you, Timmy?”
My mockery earns me a swift smack across the cheek.
“You really aren’t in a position to disrespect me,” he growls.
I glare up at him, my skin stinging.
“You’ve kidnapped me to get to my husband?” I taste blood, and it sends anger up my spine.
“Good to see that little bump on your head hasn’t affected you.”
I swallow thickly. Behind my back, I’m furiously working on the knots binding my wrists together.
“You stand to gain nothing from doing this,” I say.
“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong. There is nothing like the sweet taste of revenge.” He smiles evilly. “Kill you, and I destroy your father, and I let your husband know what happens to people who decide to betray me.”
I narrow my eyes, my head hurting like a son of a bitch. “They will find you.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt that. In fact, I’m counting on it. You see, I’m a proactive man, Bella. I like to be the one to draw first blood and declare war. And that is exactly what I plan to do. But by then, it will be too late for you.” He reaches for his belt buckle. “Now, I’m not normally a taking man, Bella, but I want your husband and father to know exactly what I did to you.”
He crouches before me and yanks my knees apart and runs his hands up my thighs.
I growl and push them closed, but he laughs. He stands, and his eyes gleam menacingly as he unzips his pants. “You might want to make your peace with it now, Bella Isle Ciccula, because the next hour is going to be hell for you.”
I look up at him and smile. Something he wasn’t expecting.
“You’re in so much trouble,” I say.
“Ah, yes, your husband. What will he do when they pull his beautiful wife’s lifeless body out of the Hudson?” he taunts.
I shake my head. Blood drips from my nose onto my swollen lips.
“No, it’s not him you should be afraid of right now,” I warn.
“No?” He mocks surprise. “Who then?”
My eyes zone in on his. “Me.”
Before he can reply, I’m out of that chair so damn fast he doesn’t have time to react. I get him first in his stomach which bends him over, allowing me to get him in the eyes with my fingers, and his balls with my foot.