MasukARYA’S POVMarco was in the living room, throwing items into a duffel bag. "About time. The car's out front. Let's go.""Marco." I whispered"Not another word. Move."I walked toward the door, my mind racing. Once we were in the car, my opportunity would be gone. I needed to…A phone rang, cutting off my thoughts. It was the landline, mounted on the kitchen wall. My heart jumped, could it be…I looked behind me, Marco had not noticed yet. This could be my chance. Running quickly, I rushed towards the phone and grabbed the receiver. "Hello?"No one said anything for a moment and my heart almost dropped in disappointment. But then I heard, "Arya?"The voice made my knees buckle but I steadied myself and gripped the phone tighter. "Giovanni?" I could barely breathe. "Oh my God, Giovanni. Is that you?"I could hear him speak in rapid Italian, shooting orders. My heart tightened even further and a smile nearly crossed my lips. He still sounded the same, although his voice has a raspin
ARYA’S POVDante's cries woke me from a restless sleep, I didn’t know whether to thank him or break down in tears myself. But I was on my feet instantly, moving to his bassinet on autopilot. "Shh, baby. It's okay. Mama's here."I could tell instantly that he was hungry, his little face scrunched up and red. I lifted him, settling into the rocking chair to nurse him."Good morning, sweet boy," I murmured, stroking his soft hair. "I hope you didn’t cry for long?” He latched into my nipple, sucking greedily and I chuckled at his enthusiasm. His hair was getting longer by the day and the only thing I was grateful for was that he had more than enough necessities for his personal needs. Dante’s skin was soft and smooth, his hair was silky black and I admired the roundness of his cheek. But I couldn’t ignore the dimness in his eyes, like he also knew we were in danger.“Baby,” I whispered. “I don’t know what to-“The door burst open and Marco walked into the doorway.He was already dress
GIOVANNI’S POVThe doctor closed his medical bag with a satisfied click. "Much better, Mr. Vitale. Your vitals are stronger, the wound is healing cleanly. Another week of rest and you should be able to move around more freely."Robert, propped up against pillows in his bed, looked pale but infinitely better than he had a week ago. "A week? I'll be up and about in three days.""Robert, don't be stubborn," Isabella chided from her chair beside the bed, though relief was evident in her voice. "Listen to the doctor."Robert huffed. "I've been shot before. I know my body.""Yes, and you're not twenty anymore," I said from my position by the window. "Take the week."Robert shot me a look. "Since when do you side with the doctors?""Since you almost died and left me to deal with your wife and daughter's grief." I kept my tone light, but the memory of that first night was still too fresh."He has a point," Isabella said, squeezing Robert's hand. "You scared us."Robert's expression softened a
ARYA’S POVI barely slept.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Marco's hand around my throat or heard his voice promising to take me away somewhere I would never escape.Dante, at least, was better. The fever had broken completely during the night, and he nursed peacefully in the early morning hours. I pressed my face against his soft hair, breathing in his sweet baby scent."I'm going to get us out of here," I whispered. "I promise, sweet boy. I'm going to keep you safe."Around seven, I heard movement outside my door. Then, for the first time in a week, the lock clicked open.But no one entered. I waited, holding my breath but there was nothing.Frowning in confusion, I continued to pet Dante. I moved around my daily routine until curiousity got the better of me and I crept to the door and pulled it open.The hallway was empty. My heart pounded as I tiptoed toward the stairs with Dante in my arms. I reached the bottom of the stairs to find that living room was empty and the kitche
ARYA’S POVThe car ride back was silent except for Dante's soft breathing. I kept my head down, my body language was defeated.It wasn't hard to fake. I was defeated and trapped.But beneath the fear, a plan was forming.Marco wanted docile? I would give him docile. I would be so compliant and sweet that he would stop watching me so closely. And then… when he let his guard down for just a moment, I would find a way out.I had to. For Dante’s sake. "I'm sorry," I said quietly as we pulled into the parking garage.Marco glanced at me in the rearview mirror. "What?""For almost… for what I almost did at the hospital." The words tasted like ash, but I forced them out. "You're right. You've been taking care of us. I shouldn't have and I'm sorry."He was silent for a moment, possibly surprised. "I know you are." His voice was softer. "I know you're just scared and confused. But you'll understand eventually. This is all for your own good."I nodded, keeping my eyes downcast.We parked an
ARYA’S POVIn the elevator, I held Dante close and tried not to think about how easily Marco lied. How convincing he was as the concerned husband and father.I tried very hard not to think about how trapped I was.We managed to find the pediatric wing and walked into the office. Dr. Lombardi was a kind-looking man in his fifties with gentle hands and a warm smile."And who is this little one?" he asked, gesturing to Dante."This is Dante," I said quietly. "He's been running a fever since this morning. He's crying more than usual, barely eating and… I don’t know what to do."He smiled softly, like he understood my struggle and my shoulders relaxed. "Let's take a look." He took Dante carefully, his hands checking his temperature, examining ears, throat, and listening to his chest. "How old is he?"I provided automatically. "Four weeks.""And has he had any other symptoms?” He asked, looking up to stare at me. “Difficulty breathing? Unusual discharge?"I answered his questions while Ma
I wouldn't do it.The thought of giving myself to Giovanni made my skin crawl and my stomach churn in equal measure. I would literally, genuinely rather die than have him inside me, claiming me like I was just another thing he owned.I ran to my room, my heart pounding, and my breath coming in sho
I woke up with a sharp pain radiating through my neck.I groaned, my hand flying to the stiff muscle, and slowly opened my eyes to find myself still perched on the window seat. I had fallen asleep here last night, curled up against the glass, watching the darkness and wishing I could disappear int
MARCO’S POVRobert Vitale's office was suffocating with tension.He stood at the head of the table, his face flushed with rage as he gripped the edge of the mahogany surface. The capos seated around him exchanged nervous glances, their eyes carefully averted from him. "He's making a mockery of us,
I was awake before dawn, sitting rigidly on the edge of my bed, seething.I didn't move for hours. Just sat there in the grey pre-dawn light, my jaw clenched so hard I thought my teeth might crack, replaying everything that had happened in the alcove over and over in my mind.He'd touched me like h







