Page 90 of Mafia Fire

My throat feels tight and I clear it so that my words will be heard and there can be no mistaking of my response.

“No.”

The single word echoes through the church like the sound of the guillotine crashing down on the block.

All eyes are on me.

Includinghis.

They smolder with flames from the depths of hell. Fear and fire fill my belly as his hand reaches toward me. I flinch as he grabs my hand in his. His touch surprises me.Strong. Warm. Possessive.

He turns to the Priest, murmuring, “You’ll have to excuse us for one moment.”

The haunting silence finally breaks in the crowd as hushed whispers fill the church. He drags me past the altar to the side. He opens a door, guiding me down a long hallway.

Terror pierces my heart. I try to tug my hand from his. “Where are you taking me?”

He ignores my question, opening another door, pulling me inside.

“Let me go!” I struggle to pull away, but his strength overpowers me.

We’re standing in a small, rectangular room, what looks like a butler’s pantry. A window overlooks the gardens, the walls are lined with shelves of food, and a counter runs down the length of the room. It reminds me of the store, adding sadness to my anger.

He shuts the door, facing me.

His words come, harsh and fast. “It’s time you received your first lesson in respect. You are nothing without me. Penniless, homeless, left with your father’s debts. No education, no career, you have nothing.”

How dare he.Anger rises in me, looming so large I’m briefly no longer afraid of him.

I lean in, pressing my fingertip into his chest. “Let me offer youyourfirst lesson in respect. You, sir, are wrong. I mayhavenothing, but that does not make me nothing. I’m bilingual and highly educated from books I’ve read. I have a community that I served every day, before you brought me here. And yes, though I am burdened with my father’s debts, I am also filled with his love.”

His gaze lowers to my hand, my finger still poked into his chest. He takes my hand in his, removing it. It drops limply to my side.

His jaw tightens. His eyes flash. The muscles in his shoulders tense.

He leans in, close, his voice lowered to a dangerous rumble. “Well played. But no one,no one,tells me no.”

I’ve crossed a line. A dangerous one. And I’m going to pay for it.

Fear swirls around me, fogging my mind, making me numb. No other defense, I back toward the window like a caged animal. There’s no escaping him—his broad shoulders block my way.

My voice shakes. “Why are we here?”

“Why do you think?” he asks with the growl of a tiger, stalking toward me as if I’m his prey.

“You plan on…punishing me?”

“Youaresmart, aren’t you?” he sneers.

What will he do to me?

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