Page 108 of Scarred King

“Let us decide that,” Liam says, looking at me tensely with all the others.

I sigh and avoid the furious expressions on the Italians’ faces. “I saw there are building plans in your area,” I say to Liam, “our area,” I correct myself. “Building plans for two office buildings as well as a restaurant and a recreation complex. Right here.” I point on the map. “So, in a few years' time, this neighborhood will be worth much more—”

“Bastards,” Ralph says angrily.

“Where did you see that?” Liam asks and I show him my phone screen. “It might not be the Dark Net, but you can find important stuff here too,” I tease, and he puts his arm around my shoulder and glares at the Italians.

“Haven’t you had enough with all your shit already?” Tommy asks, yawning as if the meeting is boring him to death.

“Wait, what does that mean?” Mike whispers in confusion and scratches his head.

“It means that your Duchess is too smart for them.” Ilan laughs and turns his head towards the Italians.

“At least their sneakiness is consistent,” Mordechai says with a smile as he tries to defuse the tension around the table. “I think we can bring this meeting to an end.”

“Nearly,” Carlito tugs at his necklace and it looks like he’s close to tearing it off his neck. “There is still the matter of the girl,” he looks at me venomously and I cover my face with the fan, trying to control my shivering fingers. “We can’t act as if it is business as usual when everyone knows that she humiliated us. Not once, but twice. So there's only one thing left for us to do.” I think that he’s smiling, and I'm shivering all over. “We will show everyone that we didn’t come out losing this war, but still acted with compassion and humanity. We will not kill her. But we will stick to tradition and mutilate her.” My fingers freeze and my body does as well.

“Mutilate?” I whisper in horror to Liam. “Did he say mutilate?” I see Liam sliding his hand under the table and placing it on my thigh, but I don’t register his touch at all.

“She’s just a girl,” Mordechai says, shaking his head from side to side. “You don’t have to act in such a barbaric way.”

“Oh yes? And what exactly did your son do to Liam, huh?” Giovanni yells, and I feel completely detached, as if I am watching this entire show from the sidelines.

“There are different rules for men.” Ilan pounds his fist angrily on the table. “We won’t allow what happened with the Russian’s woman to happen again.”

“That was an accident,” Mariano answers irritably.

Ralph places his gun on the table. “I told you,” he says to Liam. “You should have let me take them down the first time they came here.”

“Everyone calm down,” Mordechai raises his voice. “She’s just a girl.”

“She’s not just a girl,” Carlito says with an evil sneer. “She is the Duchess.”

“That’s right.” Mariano stands up, lifts his foot up to the table, pulls a knife out of his sock and releases the spring. “I’ll do it, yeah?” he announces cheerfully, and Liam jumps up to stand in front of him.

“If you touch her,” he says in a cold and venomous tone, “If you even dare to go near her, one of us will not leave here alive.”

“I don’t have a problem with that” Mariano answers in the same tone and they stare at each other hatefully.

I shut my eyes. The thoughts are spinning inside my head. Think fast! I shake my head. Elena, think fast! Suddenly I understand what is my only chance to get out of this without putting my man at risk. I have to take a chance; I have nothing to lose. I shove my chair back and kneel on the floor.

“Giovanni,” I say to the younger brother, “I embarrassed you, so I ask you to do it.” I see everyone’s shocked expressions and continue quickly, while I still have the courage. “But I have one condition. You can do anything,” I whisper. “cut my face, cut off my finger, just don’t touch my hair.” I look around me. “Everyone knows that nobody touches my hair!” I raise my head and shout, “Just don’t take my crown away from me!”

Before I can even lower my head again, Giovanni snatched the knife out of his brother’s hand and is running towards me.

“No!” I hear Mariano yell, but Giovanni is already pulling my hair and I cry out in pain. He passes the blade over my hair, cutting as he does so, and my head is free again. I raise my hand and slide it over my head. My long hair now reaches my shoulders in jagged edges. Giovanni bursts out into an evil laughter and Liam rushes towards me. I raise my hand, signaling him to stop, straighten up and look at Mordechai.

“Is my punishment over now?” I ask dryly.

“Your punishment is over now!” he announces, and I turn to look at Giovanni.

“You are so pathetic and predictable,” I hiss at him and stand up before Liam. He looks upset as he puts his hand on my head and strokes it. “It will grow back,” I smile in an attempt to reassure him and my heart, which is still galloping wildly.

“Idiot!” I hear Carlito’s furious voice, as Giovanni comes back shamefaced to the table.

“I told you she was too smart for you,” Ilan’s looks amused.

“I don’t get it…” Mike scratches his head and looks at Tommy.

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