I gasp, tears threatening to pool at my eyes at his words. "My mother was not a burden. She died because of you and your selfish greed just as you will lead me to my own death because of your selfishness!" I scream. My father stands abruptly, knocking his chair over in his haste as pain contorting his face as he remembers his leg that was shot just yesterday. He leans forward just as fast and grasps my wrist in his hand. His face reddens as he tightens his hold on my arm. Squeezing it tight I wince at the pain.
"You stupid girl you know nothing of what happened to your mother. I loved her and she tried to betray me!" He started tightening his grip even more as he continued. "She said it was to protect you. She chose you over me and that will never be forgiven. She deserved what happened, the moment she made up her mind to go to Dante and sell me out to protect you. She knew better," he spits. He is now holding my wrist so tightly I am afraid he is going to break it. Tears begin pricking at my eyes both from the pain and words of my mother.
Shoving me back he let's go of my arm as I fall into the book shelf. Slamming my head against the wooden boards as I fall to the ground. My vision blurs slightly, trying to focus on him as he goes back around to his desk. "You will live here under my protection until you are eighteen as is tradition. But once you are he will be back to take you. You will no longer be my burden. In the meantime, no one is to know of this arrangement. If you cannot keep your mouth shut then you will not leave this house. Now leave and get the fuck out of my sight."
I resist the urge to lash out, knowing better than to provoke him right now as my vision is still a little hazy. I lean forward to push myself off the ground and wince as I put pressure on my left arm. Being careful with my wrist, I pick myself up and hurry out the door as I run up into my room. Once the door is closed behind me, my tears start to fall as I tumble down on my bed. Crying until I fall asleep.
3
LILIANA
It has only been a week since that day Nicoli showed up and my life was flipped over. I have been spending more and more time hiding away in my cove since my father has made it clear he doesn't want to see me. It's easier for both of us to stay away from each other, even though he won't allow me to leave right now. Too worried I will act out and slip up about my arrangement. I sigh. I miss Gianna. I need someone to talk to. My stomach has been in constant knots after that day. Trying not to imagine how much worse my life will be once he comes back to claim me. Anxiety at what is to come makes it hard to eat or sleep.
Reaching down I don’t think about it as I rub my hand over my wrist. Feeling the familiar ache of the tender flesh beneath my skin that I am all too familiar with. Looking down I see my wrist is still bruised. Purple and yellow spots maring my skin. It is still slightly tender, but not as bad as it was the first day. Lifting my head back up I look out over the glistening water as the sun is starting to set. Reluctantly deciding it is time to make my way back to the house.
My stomach suddenly growls as I remember I hadn't eaten today. Or yesterday. I think to myself. Losing my appetite after talking with my father over my future, I haven’t eaten much this past week. Not sure I would be able to really hold anything down on my constant churning stomach. I make my way back to the house as darkness starts to sweep the sky.
Once inside I make my way into the kitchen to grab something to eat, knowing I need to at least get something inside me. Passing by the hallway, I noticed the light is on in my father's office. Picking up my pace as I try to hurry and just grab something quick to take up to my room, not wanting to be seen. Opening the pantry to see what we have, I spot a bag of chips and granola bars on the top shelf. That will do. I reach up to grab them but can't quite grasp them.
Damn it too short. I mean at five foot two, I'm not that short, but short enough to not be able to reach things on top shelves. I stand on my toes to get an extra inch as I reach up again. Swatting my hand back and forth at it as if that will magically help me reach them.
A shadow falls over me and the pantry as I feel someone's presence causing my skin to prickle as they step up behind me. A hard arm brushes against me as it reaches up past my head and grabs my bag of chips and granola bars. I whirl around, not in the mood, to see which one of my fathers’ men is taking my shit when I come face to face with the man who now owns me.
Trying not to allow him to see the fear that washes through me, I slip on a mask of my own, trying to rein in the anger I am still feeling at him and my father. Placing my hands on my hips I glare at him. Seeming unfazed he just stands there
