The summons came an hour before dinner.
A sharp knock on Elena's door, followed by Maria's nervous voice: "Mr. Valenti requests your presence at dinner tonight, Miss Russo. Seven o'clock sharp. He says it's not optional."
Elena's hands clenched around the book she'd been pretending to read. "Tell Mr. Valenti I'm not hungry."
"He said you'd say that," Maria replied quietly. "He also said if you don't come down, he'll come get you himself."
Of course he did, Elena thought bitterly.
"Fine," she said through gritted teeth. "I'll be there."
At exactly seven o'clock, Elena descended the stairs in the same jeans and t-shirt she'd worn all day. A small rebellion, but rebellion nonetheless. If Dante wanted to parade her around like a trained pet, she'd at least refuse to dress up for it.
The
