Page 104 of His Son's Ex

I can’t help but taunt her. “Let me guess, you want to kill me yourself.”

Linda’s lips curl into a malevolent smile. “You’re more clever than you look, aren’t you? Drop the gun, Gianni. You don’t want to rob me of my fun, do you?”

He scoffs but lowers the weapon. I cough, blood spattering the floor as I step away from the wall. My side screams in protest, but I ignore it, trying to maintain an air of calm and strength.

Linda strolls forward, taking in the scattered bullet casings, the chipped concrete, and my disheveled state. “You tried to escape. How adorable. Did you actually think you’d make it beyond the front door?”

“Better than just sitting around waiting to die.”

She laughs, a cold, haughty sound. “You poor, deluded creature. You were never going to leave here alive.” Then she studies my face, noticing the bruise on my cheek and the blood on my lip. “Looks like Gianni roughed you up a bit.” Turning to him she says, “Let’s not break her completely. I want her conscious for the grand finale.”

“Grand finale?” My voice trembles a bit despite my best effort.

She flashes that snake-like grin. “You should know by now that I do love a bit of drama. You stole Dante from me, you worthless slut. You flaunted that bastard you’re carrying around like it’s some ticket to the Bellacino throne. Did you truly believe Dante would choose you over everything he’s built with me?”

I grit my teeth. “You’re delusional. He didn’t exactly choose me, Linda. Not the way you think. Also, if you believe I’m with Dante and pregnant with his child because I’m after his throne, you need to see a goddamn therapist.”

She stiffens, a flicker of rage crossing her face. “I’m not the one who needs help, dear. I’m not the one being held captive in a basement. Look at you—pathetic, battered, and at my mercy.” She steps closer, eyes gleaming. “Ever wonder why Luca threw you aside? You’re nothing but a passing distraction. A convenience. A warm body.”

Fury begins to build. “Oh, honey, you thinkI’mthe passing distraction? At least I don’t revolve my entire existence around a man who ditched me decades ago. You’re still pining after Dante like some high-school reject, getting jealous over the new girl at prom.”

She inhales sharply, fist clenching in anger. “You stupid, fat?—”

“You are nothing more than a shallow, gold-digging, silicone- and Botox-stuffed has-been, clinging to your lost youth,” I cut her off, done with her insults. “At least I know who I am. You’re so desperate for validation you’ll ride your idiot son’s coattails just to feel important.”

Her eyes burn with hatred. For a second, I think she’s going to slap me again, but she just clenches her jaw. “I don’t need your psychoanalysis.”

I roll my eyes. “Because you’re clearly so well-adjusted.”

Gianni snorts. I’d imagine he’s not used to seeing Linda get verbally smacked around.

Linda composes herself with visible effort, smoothing her hair, and straightening her jacket. “Your mouth is going to get you killed.”

“Yeah, well, if I’m dying anyway, might as well tell some truths while I’m at it.” I shrug, my voice even though fear churns in my gut. My entire body aches, my head throbs, and blood trickles down my chin, but I’m not backing down.

Linda levels me with a frosty stare. “I could kill you right now. Ishouldkill you. One command, and Gianni won’t hesitate.”

I raise my chin in defiance. “Then do it. Or shut up and accept that you need me alive for whatever twisted plan you and Luca cooked up. What is it? Ransom? Leverage? If you think you’re going to get anything from Dante by trying to play him, you clearly don’t know him half as well as you think.”

She glares at me. “Enough. Gianni, take her back to her cell—gently. We can’t have her bleeding out before I decide how big of a spectacle I want to make this.”

He nods, stepping toward me, gun still in hand. “Try any more stunts, and I’ll make the rest of your stay very uncomfortable.”

“Oh, because it’s so cozy now,” I mutter.

Linda waves a dismissive hand. “Don’t waste your breath on her, Gianni.” Then she smirks at me. “Enjoy the last few hours you have alive, bitch. We’ll see how tough you are when you’re on your knees, begging for mercy.”

Gianni forces me back down the corridor, through the gloom of flickering bulbs. My attempt at escape ends when he shoves me roughly into my cell, the steel door slamming shut. I stagger, catching myself on the concrete wall. The lock scrapes into place, final and cruel.

My breath comes in ragged gasps, adrenaline still buzzing through my veins. My cheek throbs, my lip stings, my leg muscles quiver. I’m back where I started in this basement prison, no windows, no hope.

But at least I’m alive.

For now.

I press a hand to my belly, the reality of the close call finally hitting me. My baby squirms—a faint, fluttering motion that should bring me joy but instead sets me on edge. I should be somewhere safe, not locked in a grimy basement with psychopaths deciding my expiration date.

Despite the dire circumstances, I still feel something raw and fierce flicker in my chest. Linda can try to humiliate me all she wants, and Gianni can point a gun at my head, but I will not give up. I can’t. This child deserves better.

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