7

Autumn

“What the hell do you mean by that?” I blinked, trying to make sure I wasn't mishearing things. “Excuse me?”

Dante sat up, grimacing slightly but still managing to look every bit like a villain in control of his twisted empire. His eyes met mine and I could see the controlled rage in them. He was angry…at me? What did I do for God's sake?

“You were seen, followed and used,” he snapped as a muscle ticked in his jaw. “That ambush wasn’t a coincidence. They knew where to find us because of you.”

“But I just wanted a job. I did nothing to alert them.” I tried to explain to him.

“You went outside.” His voice was like a slap. Cold, flat and painful. “That was enough to alert enemies.”

“I had a guard with me!”

“Yet you left him,” He grinded out, his voice rising now. Spasms of irritation went across his face as he continued. “To take a fucking walk? Are you completely brainless? This is not some novel fantasy where you can pick flowers and feed birds, Autumn! You have no fucking idea what you’ve stepped into.”

“You didn’t tell me!” I shouted back. My nails were digging into my skin but I didn't care. “You didn’t tell me anything! You keep me locked in a house like some prisoner, how the hell am I supposed to know that I suddenly have enemies because my mother decided to marry the devil?”

I knew I crossed a line with my words when he stood up.

“The devil?” He whispered, then chuckled lightly. I backed away in fear till my back hit the wall, but he was in front of me in milliseconds and my jaw was tightly clamped in his callused palms. His jaw clenched tightly.

“You're in the middle of a war,

cara mia. A real one. You are surrounded by people worse than the devil himself. That's the world you walked into. And now you're on the radar because you were careless.”

“I didn’t ask to be here!” I fired back, my voice rising with anger and frustration. “My mother made that choice, not me! She’s the one who stepped into your world, not me! Don’t freaking talk to me like I belong in this hellhole. I don’t.”

He chuckled darkly. The sound was hollow and scary. “Do you think this world cares about what you asked for? You’re in now. Whether you want it or not. And if you think you can just walk out of here like this is some damn hotel, you better think again.”

“No one is going to hold me back,” I hissed, stewing in my rage. “Especially not you. Wait, who do you all think you are to imprison me in a castle like I'm Rapunzel or something?”

Dante’s eyes dimmed at my outburst. He looked like he was on the edge of snapping completely. He roughly let go of my chin and when he spoke again, his voice had dropped to a chilling calm that made my skin crawl.

“Get out of my room.” His tone was dismissive and final as he turned his back on me.

“What?” I was surprised at his sudden reaction. But when he didn’t say anything else, I gathered what remained of my pride and walked out.

I reached my room and slammed the door shut behind me. I slid down to the floor, unable to stop the mess of my thoughts. A mafia stepfather, a maniac for a stepbrother and my mother… I fumbled for my phone, praying that she would answer. She had to. She could bring me out of this since she brought me into this mess in the first place. I hit the dial button but it took me straight to voicemail. I tried three more times before giving up. A choked sound left my throat. Something between a laugh and a sob. I dropped the phone onto the bed and covered my face with my hands. Everything that had happened today, all the madness, being kidnapped, the blood, the screaming, the fear, rushed through me like a tidal wave. And finally, I broke like a dam. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I curled up in a foetal position on the bed. I cried for the job I lost. For the life that was no longer mine. For my mother who chose another life different from what we shared. I had no idea how long I wept but when I came to, I realised that I had slept midway. I almost didn’t remember where I was. For a moment, I thought I was back in my tiny yet comfortable apartment. But reality slowly dawned as I looked at my new fancy room graciously given to me by my stepfather. I knew it was an attempt to ease me into the new lifestyle but honestly, it wasn't working. Especially since my room was located directly opposite the room of that beast. I sat up slowly, brushing strands of hair from my face. I glanced at my phone, half-expecting that there would be a missed call or message from my mother. But there was nothing. I dragged myself to the bathroom, splashed cold water on my face, and stared into the mirror. I looked like someone who’d been through hell. And I had. I wasn’t sure how long I stood there before a knock sounded at my door.

“Come in,” I said cautiously, wrapping my arms around myself as I came out of the bathroom.

The door creaked open and one of the housekeepers stepped in. Her name was Maria. I remembered her from dinner the first night. She had kind eyes and always looked like she wanted to say more than she was allowed to.

“Good morning, Miss Autumn.” She offered me a small, tense smile. “You’re being summoned.”

My stomach sank with premonition. “Summoned? By who?”

“By the council.”

I was frozen like a deer caught with headlights. “The what?”

She stepped forward and handed me a box. Inside was a clean black dress, along with a pair of black flats. A note rested on top.

“Wear this. Don’t make them wait if you want to live.”

—D I stared at the note for a long second before laughing bitterly.

“Marla…” I looked up, not sure I wanted to hear the answer. “What is the council?”

Her smile vanished. And her face turned impossibly pale. Something told me this…council would be nothing but trouble.