Born In Violence ( A Mafia Romance book 2)

Chapter Ten

     To fight evil, you have to understand the dark

           ~Nalin Singh~

            Romano

Looking at Stefano's account made me disgusted and angry. I stood frozen reading through the list Mac had printed out for me, recognizing names of men older enough to be her grandfather, I read through conversations of these same men as they offered more money to take her virginity. The disgust I felt could have chocked me, but I reigned it in.

I needed to be on the move because as evidenced on the information Mac was able to pull out of Stefano's account, he was about to decide who had won the daughter. That young, beautiful, strong girl was about to be traded like a horse, her spirit broken and I couldn't let that happen.

As I left Seung, having thanked Mac, slipping out of that unmarked building, realizing none of us had mentioned the many blackmail threats Stefano had received in exchange or in favor of the privilege of being the first one with her.

Judging from all the offers he had received, I had no idea who would get her, but I would be damned if I allowed any of those old leeches have her. I tucked the brown envelope inside my suit jacket, crossing the road to walk through the street crowded with people.

Taking out my phone, I dialed Raphael's number. I knew he was in Italy trying to negotiate the price of a casino, but I needed him to know I was heading to Marseille where I had just found out Stefano had secretly transferred her.

Ameria, that was her name. It was as beautiful as she was, as magnificent as she seemed to be. She reminded me of a particular mermaid story, one of the nuns read to us when I was sixteen. I remember thinking it was the most childish story I ever heard, though, to be honest, I hadn't heard many stories by then. The maiden mermaid-the stories goes, had blinded a king from her mare beauty.

I snorted, just as I had then, laughing at myself but also afraid I was going to be so much invested in her that I would start to care how this ended. As much as I wanted to rescue her from a fate worse than death, I didn't want to care about her; I didn't want to have to mourn her if this ended with a bullet through her skull. My life was as uncomplicated and untangled as I wanted it. I didn't care about my death, why should I be forced to care about another person's demise?

Raphael's phone was unreachable, so other than leave him a message, I decided not to say a word. I would have called Bruno, but he could have insisted on coming with me, and I couldn't allow that. This was my choice, my decision, and my responsibility. I was not about to put my family in danger even if they could have come with me- no question asked.

I climbed into the jet after a few minutes of walking on the streets alone, a few minutes of looking over my shoulders to see if anyone was following me.

Leaning my head on the seat, I exhaled loudly, closing my eyes. Every muscle in my body protesting, fatigue embracing me like we were long lost, friends.

I saw her the minute I closed my eyes. The curry hair that seemed to brush against the smooth cheeks, her sorrowful eyes deeply hidden by long eyelashes, those long fingers painted blood red and lips the same color. She was magnificent. Pampered and prepared to appear attractive to be sold. It was unnerving to know that those lining up to buy her were my peers; I inhibited the same world that allowed these men to sell innocent girls.

If it were possible to feel shame, I would have, but I didn't. Instead, I opened the documents and images, mostly hers that Mac had printed out for me. I looked at her before I picked up the full printed list of everyone who participated in the bid.

Every name on this paper was known to me except one: Silvio Renzi. He was the winner of the bind, promising to pay Stefano a hundred million dollars for her if he could have evidence of her virginity and seventy-five million dollars if she were not. These men had more money than sense.

I felt like throwing up. My heartbeat so fast I was afraid I could have a heart attack while on air, my hands shook, sweat dripping through my whole body, I felt so hot and bothered I walked away from those images and documents heading towards the bathroom. I needed to shower, I needed to scrub away the revulsion I felt, and for the first time, I wished washing revulsion was as easy as washing dirt.

I stood under the cold shower. Water bouncing off of me as my mind planned, calculated on how I was going to rescue Mia. This wasn't going to be a trade; I was going to steal her from under his f*****g nose the same way he took her from her grandmother's. I was going to humiliate him, making him the laughing stock of everyone in our world and the best part, he will never know it was me. I will make sure if it.

I smiled, imaging him fuming and trying to find the words to explain how a slip of a girl could have escaped from him.

I'm going to be your worst nightmare you perverted son of a b***h. I breathed, towering my body as I stepped out of the shower. I knew I needed time to plan and carry out the rescue, but I didn't have time. Anytime now is just too late. I had memorized names and faces of all Stefano's employees, including Mrs. Luiz, the housekeeper. She was my entry pass. I didn't know how, but I knew for a fact I wasn't going to sweet talk any of his men. If I couldn't get Mrs. Luiz to do my bidding, then one man had to die. But one way or another, I was going to get out of that country with her.