a Rizz

wly, dread sinking in my chest. He stood there, his figure shadowe

stupid," he said, stepping closer. "You

the handle for support. "Let me go, Leonardo," I said, my

sorella. I do own you. You live in my house, eat my

s the dark satisfaction in his

voice barely above a whisper. "T

sound that echoed in the small space. "So you're not as cluel

e despite my fear. "You can't do this!

m the door and slamming it shut. "You think your little tantrums will stop me? You're not

fused to let them fall. I woul

s want with me?" I asked, for

what he wants. What matters is that he's willing to pay off my deb

een ripped out from under me

lling whisper. "No, Alessia. I'm a survivor.

les. He pulled me into the grand sitting room an

room was too quiet, too still, as if it were

he door opened, a

ramed by neatly combed black hair, and his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine the moment he entered. He w

id, his tone filled with forced re

wasn't his sister, not really. But the words stuck

d, his voice deep and smooth, but with

tougher than she looks. A bit fiery

ardo. "I'm not some object you can t

he said nothing. Instead, he stepped c

o snapped, his voice hard. "Be gratefu

a piece of art-or an animal in a cage. "You have f

the way his words

he's all yours, then. The papers are ready. O

d his expression turned colder. "I don't

e nodded quickly. "Of course

ouched slightly, bringing his face level with

way. "Because my stepbrother is a co

, almost as if he wanted to smile. But

ow, "because I allow it. From this

ng to no one," I said, my v

ing over me once more.

oat nervously. "Shall we

him; his expression u

usion flickering across

sition," Donatello said, cutting him off. "

o stay on Donatello's good side. "Of

e. "We leave in an hour. Pack whatever you want to bring. It won'

trolled, and utterly indif

u," I said, my voice firm despi

dangerous thing. "You will. Whether

an amused expression. "You should listen to him,

ing for a way out. But the

son, Alessia. In my world, defiance has consequences. Consider this your warning." The thr

ar, leaving me with one final, chilling promise: "By the ti