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My blood pounded in my ears as I was faced with the man I’d hoped I’d stay away from for the rest of my life.
“Dad?”
“Who else?” He shook his head at me, glancing around the alley before meeting my gaze again. “That thug knows where you are?”
No. The realization of that thought had panic slice through my veins. I clenched my fist tighter around the takeout bag in my hand. The bites of pain from my nails digging into my flesh did little to keep the fear from making my body feel like lead.
“Ye-yes.” I hadn’t lied to my father in years. I knew the punishment if I did, but everything in me screamed if I told the truth, something bad would happen.
“Shit,” my father spat. “He’s been keeping you locked up like some damn princess.”
Why is he here? How?My mind was trying to come up with answers, and the only thing I could think of was my father had me watched. I thought back to the three men across from Gin’s house.Shit.Of course, he had. How fucking stupid could I be? There was no way in hell I’d escape him. It wasn't possible. I’d let a little seed of hope blossom in my chest like a fool.
“Aren’t you going to greet your old man?” His jaw ticked as he glared down at me.
My limbs were frozen. Every move I made took more effort than it should. “What are you doing here?”
My father’s eyebrows dipped. It was the only warning I got before he rammed his fist into my stomach. The air was knocked out of me as I bent over in pain. He grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked me back up.
“Forgetting your manners already? Hanging out with scum made you forget where you come from, boy?”
He was right. I’d been with Giancarlo for a while now. He’d encouraged me to speak my mind, to do things I like. He opened the door for me to be me or at least find out who I was.
I needed to shut that door. I forced a smile on my face slipping into old habits like slipping into jeans that were too tight. I could fit, but it was cutting into every inch of me.
“Sorry, father. Won’t happen again.”
“Better not.”
The moment his hands were off of me, I could drag in a breath. Now if only I could get my legs to work and run away from him.
Ha, run away, where would I go?My old thoughts came crashing through, reminding me it was best to give my father what he wanted without any fight. Smile and be good. It was the only way to live.
I could run to Giancarlo.The stupid thought barreled through me in full force. I glanced at the alley’s opening and turned my body, ready to run to him.
A heavy fist crashed into my shoulder. My back slammed into the brick wall, nearly tearing a shout from me. I swallowed it down and pushed past the pain. I clenched the bag with Giancarlo’s and my food harder, determined not to let it go and spill it.
He’s going to be hungry when he gets home.I know it.
“Don’t forget where you come from, who you belong to.”
“I belong to Giancarlo Vitale.” The words had left me before I could think about them. Fuck, fuck, fuck.I’m so goddamn stupid.
Hurriedly I thought of something to placate my father. “I mean for now.” The words tasted bitter on my tongue. “He’s paying me.”
My father stepped closer and glared down at me. He didn’t look or feel nearly as terrifying as I remembered. Giancarlo and his brothers were far scarier. I forced those thoughts away before I messed up again. My cheeks burned as I kept the fake smile plastered to my face.
My father squinted at me. I was certain he would beat me or, worse, drag me back to hell. The place I once called home.
Anywhere but there.
“How much?” he demanded.
“Huh?”
My father’s hand collided with the side of my head. “How much money? Don’t be a dumbass.”
Right, money was all my father thought about. It shouldn’t surprise me anymore. Yet I kept holding out hope that he’d think about me for once.
