Chapter 19 - Angela

I hated Marco with every fiber of my being! That man acted like he owned me — there was nothing different between him and my father. Both were tyrants, using me like a tug-of-war rope in this idiotic battle, and no matter how much Marco claimed he would let me make my own decisions, he would never truly do it.

“What happened between you and my brother?” Mel burst into the room like a hurricane, making me jump on the bed.

“What do you mean? And when did you get here?”

“I was planning my weekend when Frank called, saying Marco was upset about what I caused between you two.” She flopped down next to me, heels and all. “So tell me, what happened?”

I sighed, knowing she wouldn’t let me escape interrogation. But it felt good to have a friend I could confide in — I’d never had the chance to share my most intimate thoughts, and with Melissa I could finally let them out.

“I told him I wanted to go out, have a night out, without security, meet other guys…”

Melissa exploded into laughter, leaning back so far I almost lost my balance. We had talked about sex, about intimacy, and since the only man I’d ever kissed was Filippo — which didn’t count for much — she had advised me to go and have other experiences.

“You… you didn’t…” she tried to speak between laughs. “You didn’t tell him that, did you?”

“I did. Who else was I supposed to tell that I needed to go out and didn’t want security following me?” I shrugged, and she finally seemed to recover.

“You’re unbelievable, Angela. I’d give good money just to see his face when he heard you say you wanted to go out and meet other men for an experience.”

“But you were the one who said I should experience more before agreeing to marry…”

“Yes, yes. I know what I said, but I never told you to ask his permission. You have to trick the guards and sneak out, have your night of freedom, do whatever you want, and then come back decided about what you want.” She spoke so casually that I almost thought she was lying — but she wasn’t.

“How do you expect me to escape the guards? Don’t you think that if I could, I would have already done it?” I said sarcastically, because after the first conversation I had with Marco, I wasn’t sure I even had the courage to leave and come back home.

“No, I don’t think so.” Her words hit me like a slap in the face. Apparently, I wasn’t as good at hiding how much I was enjoying this every day. “But that’s beside the point. Today you’ll find out if you want to continue here or have a normal life far from all of us!”

She stood up determinedly, as if on the most serious mission of her life, and went straight to the wardrobe. We spent the next half hour looking for the perfect outfit, and after a shower, she styled my hair and applied perfect makeup for the night.

Melissa didn’t go home — she waited until the escape time to cover for me. The plan was simple, and she said she had used it many times when she was younger and her brothers never let her go out.

“Don’t forget, the car I called will be waiting on the corner. When you pass through the door behind the trellis, don’t stop — just run and you’ll see it right away.”

“Okay.” I replied, feeling like a bundle of nerves. It was already eleven at night, and I had never gone out at this hour unless it was for an event with my parents.

“The driver will take you straight to a nightclub I trust. You have my card, and everything will be fine. Anything you need, you can ask any of the security there — just mention my name.” She gave me another long look, admiring her work.

I was wearing a silver, sparkling dress — not tight, but with a bare back, ending mid-thigh. I would have protested not being able to wear a bra with this style, but she had told me I looked stunning for a night at the club, so I kept my protest to myself.

“Wish me luck.” She hugged me tightly before I ran off.

Not even the night’s cold while running through the garden affected me — my nerves were too high. Melissa had tied my hair in a high ponytail, leaving my back exposed, yet the icy wind of early dawn didn’t touch me with all the adrenaline running through my body.

I ran where she had instructed, feeling my heels sink into the grass. But that lasted only a few seconds until I reached the trellis wrapped around the wall and found the door she had mentioned.

It had to be an emergency exit, a secret passage in case something happened on the property. She confided that she had used it when she was younger, and her brothers had never discovered it.

I slipped through the door, glancing back to make sure no one was following, and then ran.

If I were reasonable, I would have gone to my father’s house, or called him to meet me at the club. But things had changed — discovering that Marco wasn’t the only demon in the mafia had made me rethink what I truly wanted. And if this night didn’t go as planned, I would accept marrying Falcone.

When I spotted the black car with its lights off, a shiver ran down my spine, and I clutched my small purse tighter, but I walked toward it as Melissa had instructed. The back door opened, and I quickly got in, receiving no words from the driver.

He drove straight through the city to the nightclub. Mel had put my name on the list, so I didn’t need to wait in line, just as she had said. But inside, it was all on me — I had to let go, hit the dance floor, and order drinks on my own.

The loud music hit me as soon as I stepped into the hall. People were dancing and pressing against each other, pushing with no care. I tried to walk slowly, but before I knew it, I was near the bar, jostled by the crowd.

The flashing lights made me dizzy for a moment, and I paused to breathe as I placed my hands on the counter.

“Rough night?” a voice rose over the music, catching my attention instantly. “Looks like you need a drink.”

The bartender smiled widely, eyes fixed on me even as other patrons shouted and banged on the counter.

“I need a drink. What does Melissa Falcone usually drink?” His eyebrows raised and the smile disappeared as if he realized I wasn’t an ordinary girl.

As Marco said, I would never be ordinary — at least not in a country where everyone knew our surnames.

The man quickly returned with an orange drink in a glass with a straw. No smile, but still attentive.

“Need anything else? Some water maybe?” His eyes focused behind me, and before I could understand what he was looking at, a hand slid across my waist.

“What’s a beautiful girl like you doing alone?” The male voice whispered in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Who said I’m alone?” I challenged, turning to face the man who had his arms around me.

Tall, blond, green eyes — I could handle that. Something in his aura told me he’d make a perfect third kiss.

“The lack of a man holding you and keeping others away.” He smiled sideways, making me smile back.

“Don’t you think you’re assuming too much?” I sipped my drink, feeling the sweet and fresh taste, surprised at how delicious it was — especially with the alcohol hitting only at the end.

“I only say things when I’m sure, and I’m sure this night is going to be amazing for both of us.”

The man didn’t wait for me to finish the drink — he pulled me to dance, his body pressing and winding against mine. I tried to move to the rhythm among all those bodies, but it was getting difficult.

Soon, his large body leaned over mine, and his lips took mine. His eager tongue tangled with mine, spreading a strange taste that made me nauseous. I placed my hands on his chest, trying to push him away, but it only fueled him. He grabbed me tighter, pulling and pressing me.

I escaped his lips and rushed back to the bar, already feeling dizzy and needing to pee.

“Where’s the bathroom?” I shouted to the bartender, who pointed the way. He kept his eyes on me the whole time, like a guard — and I wouldn’t blame Melissa if she had put someone trustworthy there to ensure my safety.

“Just go to the end and turn down the corridor. Are you sure you can make it alone?”

I staggered, dodging people and balancing in my heels, feeling the alcohol spread through my body. It may not have tasted strong, but it was definitely affecting me.

I was one step from the bathroom when someone grabbed my ass, making me jump aside. He was back — and not alone.

“Looks like you’re loosening up now, huh? This is my friend, we’ve been looking for you.”

“James, you were right when you said she was a cute little scared mouse.” The man leaned over me, almost kissing my lips. If I hadn’t turned my face, he would have. “Don’t run, cutie. We’re going to have fun tonight.”

“I told you the night would be amazing, and I only say things I’m sure about!” James grabbed my wrist, pulling me toward him, while his friend pressed behind me.

“Let me go or I’ll scream!” I warned, shaking my arm, trying to break free, but it seemed useless.

“You’ll scream… all right, and it’ll be pleasure when we both fuck you at the same time.” His grin had turned sinister, almost sick, as his friend’s tongue slid over my neck.

I struggled, screaming, begging for help, but everyone around seemed oblivious to the girl about to be assaulted.

The man in front lifted me effortlessly. I managed to kick him between the legs, landing on the floor and giving myself a chance to run. I had to find the bartender and have him call Melissa!

But I didn’t get far — a yank on my hair threw me back, and I was grabbed before I could run enough. They dragged me down the dark corridor, and I could hear James swearing. When the door closed behind me, I realized I was in the men’s bathroom.

Fear shot through every nerve in my body, putting me on high alert. I scanned every corner, trying to find something to defend myself.

“No need to be afraid, little mouse. We’ll be gentle with you.” I stepped back, moving away from him as James still held his cock in his hand, glaring at me. “While he recovers, I’ll start with you.”

He approached as I tried to run, pushing me against the sink brutally.

“AHHH!” My scream of pain echoed through the bathroom as the pain at the base of my spine spread. He didn’t even care, grinding against me and pulling down his pants as his filthy mouth kissed my neck.

My mind conjured the worst scenarios — I’d be abused by both and left there to die, or they’d kill me and disappear with the body. No one would ever know what happened to me. Marco would want to kill my father, sure he’d think he’d taken me, a bloody war would erupt, and my mother and siblings would be unprotected.

“Stop running, and I promise I won’t hurt you.” He said, gripping my arms when I tried to push him away again.

The door opened with a loud bang, throwing her to the floor, startling us, and making the man turn to the side.

“But I will hurt you!” Marco’s growl made me shiver, and despite the murderous look on his face, I couldn’t have been happier to see him.