Act 5: Botez Gambit - Chapter 3

Sienna

I blink, trying to take in my surroundings, but I cannot seem to focus my eyesight. Everything hurts; right on top of the broken ribs and bruises, I can now add this concussion to my list of pain.

Fuck, what happened? Why am I tied to a chair, and where am I? The last thing I remember was calling Christian and telling him to come to New York and turning to walk back inside the mansion…

“Awake, Principessa?”

Those two words alone, and my soul feels like it has left my body. Seated in a chair opposite me is Dante with a Beretta in one hand and a knife in another. I look up and peer into his eyes, noting the coldness there. This man hasn’t looked at me with such disgust since our wedding night, and now it seems the old il Drago has returned.

“How are you still alive after all this time?” I croak out, my throat dry and fighting against every inch of my body screaming out in pain.

This question seems to confuse him, and he leans forward, not breaking eye contact. “Why do you