Chapter 149 Pretence

Chapter 149 Pretence

ARYA’S POV

But Giovanni didn't even know where I was. He didn’t know what plane I was on or where it was going.

I was alone. The realization made me cry until I was completely exhausted. Despite the terror, my body simply gave up. 

My eyes closed against my will, and I sank into a fitful, nightmare-filled sleep.

A sharp pain across my face jerked me awake.

Marco stood over me, his hand raised for another slap. "Wake up. We've landed."

I blinked groggily, and through the window, I could see tarmac and buildings. A small airport, nothing like the major ones I had flown through before.

"Where are we?" My voice was hoarse.

He smirked. "Somewhere the Valentis will never find you." 

He bent down and untied my ankles, though he left my hands bound. "Now, you're going to walk off this plane quietly and get in the car. Understood?"

"Where's Dante?" I asked instead. 

He answered gruffly. "He's already been taken to the house."

"What?” I screeched in panic. “No! I need to see him! Has he been fed? How’s he doing? How many hours have we been flying?”

Marco grabbed my arm and hauled me to my feet. My injured ankle screamed in protest and I nearly collapsed.

"Walk," he commanded, dragging me toward the exit.

"Dante!" I screamed as he pulled me down the stairs. "DANTE! Where is he? What did you do with my baby?"

Guards waited at the bottom of the stairs, there were big men with hard faces who didn't even glance at me as I screamed and struggled.

“Shut the fuck up!” Marco growled and slapped me hard. 

My head snapped to the side, stars bursting across my vision. I tasted copper in my mouth and I was sure I had torn my lip. 

"Be. Quiet." His voice was deadly calm. "You're making a scene."

I shot him a revolting glare. "I don't care! Where is my son?"

"He's safe… for now." Marco leaned close, his breath hot against my ear. "But that could change very quickly if you don't calm down and do exactly what I say."

The threat was clear. Behave, or Dante would suffer. I went limp in defeat.

"Good girl." Marco's hand stroked my hair, and I shivered inwardly. "Now, here's what's going to happen. Tonight is just for us. You're going to give me what I want.” 

He pressed his lips against my cheek. “And if you're very good, if you please me, I'll let you see Dante tomorrow. Deal?"

Hatred consumed me. Pure, burning hatred unlike anything I had ever felt.

But I nodded. Because what choice did I have?

Marco smiled and guided me toward a waiting car.

As he paused to speak with someone, I noticed the guard nearest to me had a knife clipped to his belt. It was a small, folding knife but it was better than no weapon at all.

Marco was distracted, his back to me.

My bound hands were still free enough to move. Slowly, I reached out and unclipped the knife, palming it before Marco turned back.

"In the car," he ordered.

I climbed in, pressing myself against the far window, as far from Marco as possible. I wrapped my arms around my body and pretended to fall asleep. 

He didn't seem to mind. He just pulled out his phone and started making calls.

"Yes, we've landed. Is the shipment on schedule? Good.” He cleared his throat. “And the others? They're already in position? Excellent."

I listened, trying to make sense of the conversation through my terror and exhaustion.

“…can't afford any mistakes. This is our final move.” He was saying. “If we succeed, the other families will have no choice but to bow to us.”

My blood ran cold but I pretended to be asleep, keeping my breathing even. 

"Have the weapons been distributed? And the letters sent?” He chuckled and I could almost see the stupid satisfaction on his face. “Good. Remember, no mistakes permitted.”

I had no idea what they were planning but whatever it was… I was certain it wasn’t anything good. 

Marco ended the call and glanced at me. "You're very quiet."

I said nothing, just stared out the window at the unfamiliar landscape passing by. 

The knife was a small, hard pressure against my palm where I had hidden it in my bound hands.

The car pulled up to a small townhouse, isolated and surrounded by forest. I noticed the guards posted at the entrance.

Marco got out and came around to my side, pulling me from the car.

He scooped me up easily despite my struggles, carrying me toward the house like a grotesque parody of a groom carrying his bride.

I struggled against his hold. "Put me down!" 

"In a moment." He addressed the guards as he passed. "No one disturbs us tonight. Understood? I don't care what happens… the house could burn down and I don't want to be interrupted."

They nodded, their expressions blank.

Marco carried me inside, up a flight of stairs, into a bedroom. He set me on the bed and finally untied my hands.

I immediately tried to scramble away, but he grabbed my wounded ankle and squeezed.

“Arrgh.” I screamed, the pain blinding.

"Don't try to defy me," he warned. "I'd hate to make that worse."

He released me and moved to a small bar in the corner, pouring himself wine like this was a 
romantic evening instead of a nightmare.
"Strip."

I stared at him. "What?"

"You heard me." He took a sip, watching me over the rim of his glass. "Take off your clothes. All of them."

I glared at him. "No."

"Then you'll never see Dante again." He said it casually, like he was discussing the weather. "Your choice."

My mind raced. I had the knife, I had quickly tucked it in my waistband now and if I could get close enough…

"Fine," I whispered.

His eyes lit up with triumph. With shaking hands, I stood and began removing my clothes. 

The shirt first then my  jeans but very carefully, so the knife didn't fall out.

I stood there in my underwear, and Marco's gaze raked over me like I was something he owned.

"Beautiful," he breathed. "I've waited so long for this."

He approached, setting down his wine glass. His hands touched my shoulders, slid down my arms.

I wanted to recoil and fight back but I forced myself to stay still and even leaned into his touch slightly.