Sold to the Mafia king

a's

no hit me, I told my

... I learned h

mpulsive," Ruciano snapped. "You nag about one thing or the other.

h anything else in here. He paced, fingers dragging through his hair, teeth cl

that broke so

But the words got stuck. Somewhere between my chest and throat.

opping right in front of me. "Y

hands stayed at my s

han I felt. "Tell me. Because I've done everything. Everything. I've defended you, staye

d. "Oh, h

rp cutting through finally. "D

tened, but I

ntinued. My voice trembling, despite all I'd done to hold it t

came out

d. A shock. Lou

Hot. Immediate. But the real damage... it s

didn't see the m

used to look at

ow when he

ted b

owed. Thick.

it. Like his own hands had betrayed

augh. One which di

spered. Barely abov

na,

shaking. Despite everything. And you know

else. Before he could apologize. Before he could

ill in this

t hadn't always been like this. In the beginning-laughters, long calls, stupid plans

I st

ntly outside. Colder. Hea

. Messy. Unbearable. Part of me-some fragile,

to call

to cho

did

dn't go home like this. Mom would see everything. An

ed for

mething

d. Not

...

caught. Eyes sca

four men in bla

ning. H

. Bark rough against my skin. Boots

nning. Not screaming. The s

ne vib

ci

the phone. Pocketed it.

.. Cathy. She migh

ll once. Tw

ave, and the d

. "What are you doing here so la

," I said. "Please. I

aside. Quiet

uch. Mind fading. Sle

~

you were fired?" her voice was rising. "I am sure it's because of that Ruciano boy. Directly or ind

. Anger trailin

't wrong

atching. Something un

osing your job-indirectly-you didn't deny it,"

allo

s unhealthy relationship leave your life. And let yourself grow-mentally,

eper than anger ever

d," I whi

. Silence settled dangerously,

I stayed. All he gave me lately was... chaos. Bruised emotions

Collapsed onto bed. Exhaustion pressed against my chest

heavy. Sun dipping toward its horiz

hale

see Rucian

to end

ght already settled. Mom was still in the kitchen. T

lked, telling him I'd be

e. That was a relief-one l

. Since I stepped out, I've been feeling

iet. Too still. Maybe I w

when a white van pulled up bes

a sharp spike of fear shooting thr

. Black masks. Dark clothes. Movements pr

unded me i

behi

t my

in f

ly against my ribs. I op

face. The smell hit ins

o-

lawing at the arm around me, nails digging into fabric

y were

g started

My vision blurr

ose to my ear, ca

d have sta

strength drained like something was

," he add

ut my mind was still awake long enough

one of them commented and the rest