Page 42 of Mafia and Gold Digger

A shiver rolls down my spine. I know he’s still mad about whatever Milena said to him before he slapped her. “What are you talking about, Enzo?”

“She’s sixteen, right? That means it’s about time a man breaks in that tight pussy of hers. I like my whores as young as I can get them.”

Jesus Christ.Revulsion and fear flood through me. I hear a clink. My gaze darts down to see he’s already undone his belt. And he starts to walk toward the bedroom where she’s sleeping.

Oh my fucking God.

I sprint forward and shove myself in front of him to block his way.

But he pushes me hard, making me stumble into the wall. “Stay out of my way!”

And before I can do anything else, he lashes out at me with his belt.

Pain pierces through me, making me cry out.

He takes another stride toward me and goes to raise the belt again.

But before he can bring it down, I shove him hard.

Stumbling over the edge of the coffee table, he sprawls backward onto the floor and lands with a heavy thud.

He looks dazed, so I take my chance. Running to the room I share with Milena, I see the noise has just woken her up. I snatch her arm. “Come on!” I yell. And I drag her into Jaspar and Giulietta’s room. I don’t think Enzo will go for either of the youngest kids, but I’m not taking any goddamn chances.

Slamming the door shut and snapping the lock into place, I hear Enzo yelling. “You stupid bitch! You think some flimsy door is gonna keep me from fucking Milena?”

He rattles the door handle, and I hear him slamming his body against the door to force it open. Jaspar and Giulietta wake up. Their eyes dart around in confusion and widen with fear. And Milena’s voice is shaking as she tries to comfort them and tell them that everything is going to be okay.

I snatch my phone from my pocket and hit speed-dial to my mom’s cell.

“Emerald…?” she mumbles.

“Mom! You’ve got to stop Enzo. He’s trying to break down the door to the kids’ room!”

“I’m…sleeping…”

“Mom, did you hear me? He wants to hurt us!”

“For fuck’s sake, why are you waking me up? Can’t I get any goddamn peace from you kids? What about…what I need?” Her words are disjointed and slurred. “You always want something from me…”

“Mom, did you hear me?”

But the phone goes dead as she hangs up.

“Mom!”

I dial again and hear it ringing in her bedroom. But she doesn’t pick up. And then I hear her yell out. “For God’s sake, Em! Leave me the hell alone! I’m sleeping…”

Dread races through me as the door looks like it’s going to give way, so I haul the dresser in front of it.

The kids are crying now, and I sit huddled with them, tears pouring down my face and praying that Enzo doesn’t break the door down. I just need to keep us safe…

* * *

I stare at the key in my palm. The cramped one-bedroom apartment is dingy and has a kitchen that looks like it’s at least sixty years old. The linoleum is peeling, cabinet doors are falling off their hinges, and the bedroom has some exposed brick from a patch job gone wrong. But it’s mine for now.

The landlord had been all too eager to push it off when I told him I could pay cash upfront for the first month and utilities. Almost all my gold dresses online have sold, except for four which no one bid on, so I’ll keep those. The proceeds from the dresses will cover the rent, leaving me with money for food for only the next couple of days, but I’ll worry about that later.

I just know that the kids can’t spend another day under the same roof as Enzo. Last night was awful. I’m still shaken to the core and in pain from where he struck me. Thank God that the door lock held and kept him out of the bedroom. I shudder to think what would have happened otherwise.

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