Page 105 of Trapped

“Which is…what?” My father grabbed the shot I refused to touch, downing it. “What makes you think he’ll want to go back?”

“You killed his parents.”

His shameless gaze stabbed into me. “I did what was necessary for our family. You wouldn’t understand. You’ve lived a sheltered life.”

“I’ve lived a lie, surrounded bymurdererswho justify their sins as survival tactics!”

Dad laughed. “And what do you think yourmakaronyis?”

“He’s not a selfish asshole!”

“Don’t talk to your father like that,” Zofia shouted.

I glared at her. “It doesn’t surprise me that you’re defending how he kidnapped a child!”

“Luca is an adult,” my father seethed. “If he wanted to go home, he could have.”

“I’m finding Luca, with or without your help. And when I do, I’m telling him the truth.”

Dad’s face twisted. “You’re no longer part of this family, you worthlesssuka! You’re on your own, so don’t you dare comeback here begging for help when Costa tires of you and throws you to his men!”

I headed to the door.

My father followed, shouting. I blocked out most of what he said, but a few of his insults managed to penetrate the wall in my head.

Whore, whore, whore.

I left the house, slamming the door behind me.

When I told Santino about Luca, he’d be furious. He might not want me anymore. What if telling Santino the truth was the thing that finally drove him away?

I’d fallen for him in a way I never expected. He wasn’t just protection from my twisted family; he was the man whose arms I craved. He talked about how I hooked him, but he’d seduced me that first night. Every encounter with him built me up, even the ones on my knees. Because he’d been the one to push for a relationship. He’d told me that he wanted more. He’d shown me what it was like to be cared for.

But this secret had the power to destroy everything.

I drove back home, dazed. Then I parked the car and headed up the elevator, dreading the moment those doors opened.

THIRTY-SIX

SANTINO

Delilah walked to her car, her pace quick but composed. She paused beside the driver’s door, taking out her phone. She typed something, then put the phone away and drove off.

My phone vibrated. I pulled it from my pocket.

Principessa

Done with errands, heading home now.

My jaw tightened. What was so important that she had to see her father without telling me? What was she hiding?

I started my car and followed her. The drive back was a blur of dark thoughts. Every turn reminded me of the distance growing between us.

I parked my car in our building’s garage and headed up to our floor. I stormed into our bedroom, yanking open the door to the bathroom. I opened a drawer. I grabbed another pink box, and then I noticed the stick in the trash.

Two lines. Clear as day.

My heart spasmed.

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