FIONA
"You never told me you and McGregor's kid were lovers," Vinny said in a teasing tone. "And I thought we were family."
I threw my purse at my bed. Giovanni didn't want me out of his sight, my apartment was gone, and my entire freedom was at the mercy of the Spinelli family.
A family I didn't want to be a part of.
"We…we're not lovers!" I protested.
I hadn't expected to see Kane at the party; Giovanni claimed it was a simple get-together, nothing more. The look Kane gave me was heartbreaking when I moved away with Giovanni.
Vinny lifted a brow. "If you're going to lie to me, at least make an effort. He looked like he wanted to have his way with you on the dance floor. Poor fucker."
I grunted, letting out my fury, and sat on the bed. "Shut up, and leave me alone!"
"Touchy, aren't you? Have a good night." He shoved his hands into his pockets and turned to exit the room.
Dante leaned by the doorway, watching me intently. He had softer features. Perhaps I could exploit that.
I stood. "Dante, I know you don't want me here."
"Of course I don't." Dante spat bitterly.
"Then help me escape," I pleaded. "How much do you want? I promise you'll never see me or…the Higgins ever again."
Dante threw his head back and laughed.
I gasped in surprise when he suddenly grabbed my neck tightly and pushed me against the wall.
"Now you listen to me, do I look like an idiot? I could kill you right now, and nobody will ever discover the truth."
"Ack!" I choked. "You're hurting me!"
"Listen to me, don't ever think about escaping because you never will, don't think about McGregor, he's the enemy, you belong here, got it?"
My vision became blurred, and I swayed and nodded weakly.
He removed his hand, and I dropped to the floor, gagging for air. My eyes stung a bit, and I heard the door slam shut along with the click of a lock.
Weeks passed; I was still trapped in the compound. I was only allowed one phone call a day, which would be monitored. The only other person I could talk to was Louise.
"Where are you, Fee?" Louise asked in worry. "Did you move?"
"I'm still in Boston, Lou," I answered. How could I send her a message without anyone intercepting it? Vinny was standing across the hall outside the kitchen with the telephone pressed to his ear, listening.
"Okay, but I need to talk to you in person, Fee," Louise sniffed. She sounded upset. "I'm freaking out."
I bit my lower lip. "We can talk…right now."
"Please, Fiona," Louise pleaded. "I could come and meet you."
I sighed, looking at Vinny, who shot me a straight look and shook his head.
I glared at him and called the address to her.
Vinny slammed his phone down and marched into the kitchen as I hung up.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Vinny shouted.
"I want to speak with my friend!" I yelled back.
"If you want a friend, talk to my wife!" Vinny snapped.
I didn't even like Vinny's wife, Pauline; she was so uptight.
"I demand to speak with the Don!" I said. "Now."
Vinny scoffed. "You'll see him at dinner, you whiny brat. Do you know how many people are waiting in line to see Giovanni Spinelli?"
"I'm sure he'll have the time for his daughter!" I replied. "Unlike you, brother, I'm not some consigliere!"
Vinny's lips parted in surprise, and I stormed off to Giovanni's office. He had guests waiting outside; the men stared at me. The soldado standing guard held me back.
"But I need to get in there!" I protested.
He stood firm.
The door burst open, and a man walked out. I quickly slipped through and froze at the sight of Giovanni.
"Have you lost your mind?!" Giovanni barked at me.
"Yes, I can feel it slipping!" I said shakily. "I can't just sit here trapped in this compound every day. I have a life, and I need to work. I need to see my friend!"
Giovanni signaled his bodyguards to leave us.
"Fiona, I believe we had an agreement." He began. "You'll do whatever I say, and I'll spare those worthless fools."
"Yes, but I also have a life," I pleaded as I tried to keep my voice steady. "I won't say anything!"
Giovanni's expression remained unreadable.
"She already gave the manor's address to her friend!" Vinny growled behind me. "Do you have any idea how stupid that was, Fiona?!"
I inhaled, waiting for Giovanni to respond.
An hour later, Louise and I hugged tightly in the garden lounge. Giovanni gave us an hour before Louise would be thrown out.
"Omigod, Fee, what are you doing here? I saw one of those guys holding a rifle!" Louise gasped as we sat on the bench.
I glanced at the soldado hanging around, listening to us. "I…"
"Are you in trouble?" Louise asked with worry.
I swallowed and told her everything, except the part about Crompton getting shot and my adopted parents being held hostage somewhere.
Louise widened her eyes. "Your dad's a Mafia boss; I can't believe it."
"Me neither," I whispered. "But I already saw the DNA results. It's absolutely legit. Do you know how he got my DNA? Apparently a Soldado stalked me as I got my last haircut at the salon."
Louise glared at me. "It all makes sense now, and why Lionel's always been such an ass!"
I exhaled slowly and felt the tension in my shoulders slip away. "My life's in shambles now, Lou; I don't know what to do."
"You cannot get mixed up with the Mafia, Fee." Louise warned.
I glanced up and caught Dante's gaze through a window. A cold shiver ran down my spine, then he turned away.
"I don't have a choice."
"Yes, you do; you're an adult."
"It's not that simple. These people are dangerous. Look, what's wrong, Lou? What did you want to talk about?
Louise covered her lips and sobbed a little. "Marcus and I broke up for good. He said I was too clingy and just not what he wants right now. Can you believe it?"
And with that, I held my friend as she cried in my arms.