Total pages in book: 260
Estimated words: 245483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1227(@200wpm)___ 982(@250wpm)___ 818(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 245483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1227(@200wpm)___ 982(@250wpm)___ 818(@300wpm)
“Go fuck yourself,” I say to him just beneath my breath.
He laughs and carves into my other leg, the sharp knife slicing easily. I wince and grunt in pain, clenching my teeth and barely falling forward, but I still don’t cry out. I’ve had worse. I can handle this.
I’d rather die than be a fucking rat. I’ll let him destroy me if I have to, but I’ll never talk.
It goes on like that for a while. I don’t know how long. He asks me questions, I don’t answer, and then he cuts into me.
He gets creative after a while, taking thin slices and pouring salt onto the open wounds. At least that makes it numb for a while. I'm in so much pain that my vision becomes blurred. They give me breaks, even feed me and give me water, but the pain comes back.
I sleep at least once. I don’t know for how long. I’m in that room, strapped to that chair, and it’s all I know.
I don’t say a word. I’ll never talk. I can feel my life hanging in the balance, and part of me wants it to finally end.
But the other part, the stronger part, wants to survive. I want to make it through this until I get the chance to have my revenge.
I’ll kill them. I’ll maim them. I’ll tear them into pieces. For my princess. I have to live for her. I have to save her.
That’s what sustains me. Rage and violence. Even through the torture, my silence never wavering, the only thing keeping me going is the rage. I worry about Grace every second, but my revenge will be for both of us.
Without her, my life is finished. I’m okay with that. I can handle that. When I’m through, I can join her, wherever she is.
For now, though, I survive. Cuts and kicks and bruises, I survive. A day, maybe two days, I can’t be sure.
I don’t know what time it is when Toni appears in the room. He stands near the door, his arms crossed, a smile on his face.
“The cameras were smart,” he says, as if from a distance. “But you were never going to get to me. Maybe my brother, but never to me.” He laughs.
“Fuck you,” I mumble. It’s all I say anymore.
“Right, of course. Fuck me.” He grins, and I want to kill him slowly. “I’m actually here to show you something, Gio. I think it might help you find your tongue.”
I spit onto the floor and stare at him.
“Okay,” he says. “I just want you to know that I hold no ill will toward you. I understand that you’re just doing your job. Well, except with Grace. My lovely niece, Grace. She’s wonderful, isn’t she?”
I stare at him, my heart beating rapidly. I hate that he’d ever use her name. None of the Rossi family deserve her.
“You wanna see her, don’t you?”
I won’t give in to their tricks. It’s just a stupid game they’re playing.
“You’re desperate to make sure she’s okay. Well, I can do that for you. Would you like that?”
Yes, I want to see her. I want to make sure she’s okay. But not like this. Not when I can’t save her. I don’t give him anything. Nothing. I’ll give them all nothing. “Fuck you,” I mumble.
“Grace,” he says. “Come in here.”
The door opens with a loud creak, and daylight filters into the room. The Don steps through, grinning wickedly.
Followed by Grace. Her head is held low.
I feel like I’m going to pass out. My heart is hammering in my chest.
It’s her. She’s safe. She’s alive. She lifts her head to look at me, and horror passes through her expression.
They have her. But at least she’s alive. At least she has a chance.
That gives me hope. I feel new strength surge through my body at the sight of her. She’s so beautiful, so perfect. I know what I have to do.
I’m going to kill them. And then I’m going to take what’s mine.
Chapter 26
Grace
* * *
I’m barely walking as Alec pushes me toward the room. I know what door this is. The people who come in here never leave. Maybe my father’s disappointment in me not knowing a damn thing has finally led him to kill me. I don’t know, and I don’t care.
My uncle’s outside the door, and I can’t even look him in the eyes. His arms are crossed and I can feel his eyes on me, but I don’t return his gaze. I can’t stand the sight of any of them. All those years I thought he protected me, I was a fool.
I thought he loved me, I thought he kept me safe. I was so wrong. He did nothing but keep me quiet. Maybe he prevented the beatings, but he never saved me. Not like Gio did.