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Tears sting my eyes as the reality of the situation sinks in. “Please, Elio. Don’t do this.”
He reaches out, his fingers grazing my cheek. I flinch at the contact, and I think about how his touch once made me feel safe but now fills me with dread.
“And what about my friends? My classes?” I’m grasping at straws, trying to find any reason to make him reconsider.
“You’ll still go to your classes, just accompanied by one of us at all times.” His tone is final, leaving no room for argument. “You will help us with another task, but I’ll explain about that later.”
I feel like I’m suffocating, the walls closing in around me. “People will notice. They’ll ask questions.”
He leans in close, his breath hot against my ear. “We have ways of dealing with that. Trust me.”
Trust him. The words are like a knife to my gut. How can I trust him after everything that’s happened? After learning that his interest in me was nothing more than a ploy to get information about my family?
His eyes land on my cell phone on the floor, and before I can react, he lunges forward and snatches it.
I gasp and reach for it, but he’s too quick. He slides it into his pocket, a smug grin on his face.
“My phone! What are you doing?” I cry out, panic rising in my chest.
“Can’t have you calling anyone for help.”
I shake my head. “No! I won’t do it. You can’t make me move in with you.”
His expression darkens. He steps closer, his hulking form looming over me. “You don’t have a choice. Unless you want something to happen to that brother of yours.”
I freeze, my heart dropping into my stomach. “Which brother?” I whisper.
A twisted smile curls his lips. “Sergio. We’ve had someone tailing him since he started at Columbia. One wrong move from you and...” He drags his thumb across his neck in a slashing motion.
The threat hits me like a blow to the gut. I can’t breathe. Elio reaches into his jacket and pulls out photos, fanning them before me.
There is one of Sergio walking around campus, another of him studying at the library, and a third of him grabbing coffee at the campus cafe. They’ve been tracking his every move, just waiting for this moment.
Tears blur my vision as the reality of my powerlessness crashes down on me. I open my mouth to plead with Elio, but no words come out. He pockets the photos and crosses his arms, staring at me expectantly.
“Pack a bag. I’ll be outside. You’ve got ten minutes.”
With that, he turns and stalks out of my dorm, slamming the door behind him. I sink to my knees, finally releasing the sobs that claw at my throat. I’m trapped. Elio has backed me into a corner, and Sergio will pay the price if I resist.
21
RENZO
Ipace back and forth in our apartment, my mind racing with the thoughts of Camila. The anticipation of her arrival is driving me wild. I can’t wait to see her face when she realizes she’s stuck with us—our slave, our key to the Nexus.
The door opens, and Elio walks in with Camila trailing behind him. She’s crying, her eyes red and puffy. It’s a real turn-on, seeing her so vulnerable and helpless. I’ve always been turned on by girls being scared or upset. Elio says it’s because I’m sick in the head, and he may well be right.
I smirk as I stride toward her, my eyes locked on hers. “Well, well, well. Look who it is. Are you happy now? You get to have both of us whenever you want.”
Camila flinches at my words, trying to back away, but Elio’s grip on her arm keeps her in place. “Ren, leave her alone,” Elio warns.
But I’m not about to let this opportunity slip away. I step closer to Camila, my hand reaching out to stroke her tear-stained cheek. “Come on, baby. Admit it. You know you want this.”
Elio pushes me away, his eyes flashing with anger. “I said, leave her alone.”
I laugh, enjoying the tension in the room. “What’s the matter, Elio? Are you afraid she’ll like me better than you?”
Camila whimpers, trying to pull away from Elio’s grasp. “Please, just let me go.”
