Chapter twelve

Gabriella

The man burst into loud laughter and I shook with fear, what was he laughing about?

“Of course I know you and guess what? I’m not scared of you,” He snarled, turning to face me, “this lady is coming alone with me.”

I should be jubilant and joyous, but I wasn’t. Who knows, he might be just as bad as Marcello was.

A smile played on Marcello's mouth then he took one step closer but the man tightened his grip on my neck.

“Any more move and I’d slit her throat!” He threatened.

Shit! This can’t be happening to me, why did I even come here in the first place?

“Don’t hurt her!” Marcello said emotionlessly his gaze locked on mine, he then winked at me but not in a flirty way, but in a way that suggested that I try to hit the man who was holding me.

“I will do what I want with her!” He said and that’s when I felt the pistol kissing my head. Shit! I was totally fucked, Marcello gave me that wink again and it nearly drove me insane.

How can he ask that of me? I was lanky, weak, and not strong enough to defend myself, but he was right; my life was at stake, and I needed to do something.

“I won’t let you walk away with my wife!” Marcello snorted.

“I don’t care, Marcello Ricci, she’s mine now!” He blurted out, That’s when I stepped on his feet and bit his hand so hard that the gun he was holding fell to the floor, he yelped in pain while I ran to Marcello hiding behind his back, he shielded me like he was trying to protect me but that didn’t make me like him one bit.

Before the man could reach towards the pistol on the floor Marcello had brought out a shiny silver pistol,

“Do not move or I’ll blow your brain into pieces!” Marcello commanded.

The man straightened, raising his hands in mock surrender, a fake smile played on his lips as he pleaded for mercy.

“Please don’t kill me!”

I gasped as I watched, waiting for Marcello's next move.

Marcello smirked as I grabbed the pistol on the ground, offloading the bullets and throwing the empty gun at the man.

“The next time you try to harass my wife, I’d make sure I’d be the last face you ever see.”

He left the event and slid back into the limousine. Throughout the ride not one of us said a word, I kept staring out the window still traumatized, I couldn’t believe I almost lost my life.

“I told you, Wife, do you think the enemies won’t skin you alive if they get their hands on you? You’re safer in my hell than in anyone else’s heaven.” his voice cut through my thoughts.

“I didn’t ask you to save me, I was doing well before you showed up!” I hissed.

“Hmmm!” That was all he said and we continued the ride in peace.

Finally, we were back at the mansion and his men placed a cuff around my wrist, I was shocked. Did he save my life just to imprison me again?

“What’s this, Marcello?” I asked, looking around, that’s when I saw Andrianna staring down at us from the balcony, her face filled with dissatisfaction.

“Yeah, why are you putting a cuff on your wife?”Andrianna cut in, descending the wooden case.

“None of your business, little sister!”

“No, I have the right to know, is it through you murdered her father and made her your wife?”

“Now is not the time, Andrianna!” He snapped. Then he turned to his guards, “Take her back to the room, make sure she’s well fed and taken care of.”

With that he stormed off not even sparing me a glance, Andrianna rushed over to me before the guards dragged me away, she held me, “Sister in law, are you okay? You look troubled.”

“I’m okay, I guess,” I managed to say, avoiding eye contact.

I couldn’t tell her about the date, even if I did she wouldn’t care.

“Good night, Gabriella!” She smiled at me.

“Night!” and just like that I was dragged back into the hell hole.

That night, I was bathed by his female maidens and dressed in a silky robe.

Then I spent another night staring at the white ceiling thinking of an escape plan.

How do I escape?

I sat upright, staring out the window at the birds flying freely around the moon. A few months ago I’d never have imagined being in this position, my father had promised me that on my 20th birthday, I’d be introduced to the family business but instead, he sold me out to the man who ended his life.

My body shook as memories of his last words filled my ears.

“Avenge me, Ella!”

Tears blurred my vision, I’d give anything to end Marcello once and for all but I was weak, there wasn’t much I could do.

The next morning, the sun spilled through the curtain almost blinding my eyes. I stretched as I sat up wondering when I fell into slumber. I heard the door open, it was Luca, he was here with a tray of breakfast, he dropped it on the wooden mahogany.

“Good morning, Gabriella!” He greeted me.

“Luca…good morning, I’m so happy to see you.”I smiled up at him, sincerely I was, I needed to speak to him maybe he could help me successfully escape.

“How are you?”

“I’m not good, I tried to escape but I almost lost my life,”

“It’s not wise, Gabriella, I suggest you lay low till I come up with a better plan,” he said looking around in case anyone was watching.

“I’m getting impatient, Luca, I can’t stand him,”

“I know, especially since he killed your father,”

“Yes and I’m married to him legally, very soon he’d want my body, and I can’t give that to him.” He snorted.

Luca bent and held my hand kissing the back of it, “I’d make sure he doesn’t touch you, I need to leave now .”

I smiled nodding, “Thank you, Luca.”

“Anytime!” He said smiling before leaving me alone in the silence of my room. After a few minutes, I got up to check what Luca had brought when I saw a golden key on the tray. I smiled while lifting it.

“This is my escape plan.