Chapter 5

I thought I was done with the North District.

Then, at a family council meeting, Angela suddenly proposed keeping me in the North District to help her.

Someone objected at once. "Donna, have you forgotten how many men died in that fight? If Carina hadn't changed the plan on her own, we wouldn't have lost so many!"

"Exactly. You had to go in and clean up her mess yourself. Who would trust her anywhere near the North District again?"

Victor glanced at me instinctively, tension in his eyes.

But I kept my eyes lowered, showing no interest in defending myself.

He paused.

Angela smiled.

"Who said I was letting her handle any of that? The North District warehouse needs a clerk. Send her there."

The table fell silent for a second. Then several captains laughed out loud.

Angela slowly turned to look at me.

"We have to find her something to do. This family shouldn't be feeding someone who does nothing."

Then she turned to Victor. "Don, what do you think?"

She was certain he'd side with her, just as he always had.

But this time, Victor paused before sweeping a cold gaze around the table.

"We'll vote."

I kept my face blank, laughing at him on the inside.

He probably thought letting everyone else decide made him less cruel.

Even though he knew it would only humiliate me further.

Sure enough, hands went up around the table, one after another.

All in favor.

Only Simon Castellano, Victor's brother, kept his hand down.

Everyone paused, then dismissed it.

After all, everyone in the Castellano family knew Simon had spent years enjoying every chance to defy Victor.

After the meeting, one of the captains clapped me on the shoulder.

"Goodbye, warehouse clerk. Guess we won't be seeing you at council anymore."

Angela watched with satisfaction, but Simon's refusal still bothered her.

Once the others had gone, she walked over to him, clearly displeased.

"I know you like defying Victor, but opposing such a simple decision only makes you look childish."

Simon didn't so much as look at her.

"Who said I did it because of him?"

As he spoke, he turned to look at me.

"I just think Carina is good at what she does and deserves real responsibility."

Only then did he turn an expressionless gaze on Angela.

"Sticking her in a warehouse is the stupid decision here."

Angela's eyes reddened. Victor's expression turned icy. "Simon, do you think I won't punish you?"

Simon shrugged. "Go ahead."

He turned to leave.

As he passed, I caught his wrist and smiled up at him.

"Thank you for saving me from complete humiliation in there. Let me buy you a drink tonight."

Simon looked down at my hand, then up at me, and smiled.

"All right."

"Eight o'clock. The usual place. See you there."

There was a click beside us.

Victor had snapped his lighter shut. His knuckles were white around it.

I released Simon's wrist and walked out, with Victor's gaze on me the whole way.

That night, I'd just changed into a dress when someone pushed the door open.

Victor strode in and locked the door behind him. Before I could speak, he clamped a hand around the back of my neck and crushed his mouth against mine.

I kicked with everything I had and shoved at his chest with both hands. He didn't move an inch. He only pinned me more firmly in place.

Pain tore through my chest. I went pale and couldn't hold back a cry. "That hurts..."

Victor went still, then released me at once.

I doubled over, clutching my chest. Blood was soaking through the fresh gauze.

He reached to steady me, then noticed my dress and stopped.

He'd given it to me years ago.

Concern lingered in his eyes, but anger was already overtaking it.

"The usual place?

"How many times have the two of you met behind my back?"

His gaze traveled down my dress. He grabbed a handful of the skirt and pulled me against him.

"You're wearing a dress I gave you to go see him?"

I laughed and smoothed a hand over the skirt. "Why? Am I not allowed?" I asked, drawing out each word.

"Not only am I wearing it, but when the mood is right, he'll take it off me himself."

"Carina!"

Victor caught my wrists and shoved me back against the door.

"I know you still hate me, but you don't have to use Simon to hurt me!

"He's ruthless. He's never valued a woman in his life. If you think he'll treat you well, dream on!"

I snorted at that.

"Then I'll pick somebody else."

His grip tightened, as if he couldn't understand what I'd said.

"What did you say?"

"I said if Simon won't do, I'll find another man."

The words had barely left my mouth when he grabbed my chin and forced my face up.

"You wouldn't dare."

I winced, but he didn't ease his grip. With his other hand, he pulled the key from the lock and hurled it onto the table behind him.

"You're not leaving this room tonight without my permission.

"You can hate me, you can fight me, you can go your whole life without forgiving me..."

He held me in place, his voice hardening. "But finding another man? Don't even think about it."

I was angry enough to laugh.

"By what right?"

Victor leaned in until his nose touched mine and I could feel his breath on my lips.

"Because I'm Victor.

"In this family, nobody takes you away from me unless I say so."

His arm locked around my waist as if he meant to hold me against him forever.

"Carina, even if you're only ever my mistress, you'll still be mine."

Then he yanked the curtain open.

Before I could react, he'd pressed me against the cold glass.

He gripped my jaw and made me look down at Simon, who was waiting by his car below.

"Watch."

He pressed his mouth to my throat.

Then the cold tips of a pair of scissors pressed against his stomach.

"Let go."

Victor froze. He looked down in disbelief.

The room went silent. At last, he slowly let me go, his eyes turning cold.

"Carina, I've spoiled you.

"Anyone else would have died 100 times over by now."

He slammed the door on his way out.

The scissors fell to the floor. I scrubbed at the marks on my neck in disgust, as if his kisses had left me filthy.