Page 46 of Nicoli

I shake my head, pinching my eyes closed even harder. “No, Momma.”

“Good girl. Now, remember, if the bad man tells you to open your eyes, you tell him no. Understood?”

I nod.

“No matter what he says, or how angry he sounds, you do not look. Okay?”

“Yes, Momma.”

There’s a sudden cold breeze that wraps around my ankles with icy tentacles. “It’s the bad man,” I say. “He’s here.”

“Remember, he can’t hurt you. He can’t make you do anything you don’t want to do. If you stay strong and keep your promise, he will go away.”

My tears are warm as they trickle down my cheek, and I swat them away with a quick sweep of my hand.

“Open your eyes, Mirabella.” His tone is dark, his voice thick and sticky…like blood. “If you want to remember, you have to open your eyes.”

“Remember what?”

“Everything. Just open your eyes.”

“No.” I shake my head almost manically, my warm tears turning into coals. “I won’t.”

“You have to. It’s the only way you’ll remember.”

“No.”

“Look at me!” he roars, the world around me shaking with waves of anger.

“No. No. No,” I keep repeating, pressing my palms over my ears. “I won’t look.”

I won’t look.

* * *

“Great. You’re not dressed yet.”I shut the bedroom door behind me, sauntering toward Leandra.

“What do you mean?” She arches an eyebrow and glances down at her front. “Iamdressed.”

I balk. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No. What’s wrong with it?”

“It’s one button and three inches of fabric away from a habit.”

She rolls her eyes and turns her attention back to her reflection in the mirror. “I like it. Alexius loves it, too.”

This time it’s my turn to roll my eyes, making a dramatic show of it. “Of course, he loves it. It’s a black frock that accentuates absolutely nothing. What’s not to like? Here, try this one.” I give her the dress I picked out specially for her, knowing she’d want to go out in a dress more suited for Sunday mass than a Saturday night birthday party.

Leandra glances over the low-cut cowl neckline mini dress then scowls at me. “Are you serious?”

“That color will complement your skin tone. Plus, the reflective sequins and beads will make you stand out in the crowd.”

“Why do I want to stand out?”

“Because you’re a Del Rossa wife, and everyone in this city needs to know that every time you walk into a room.” We lock eyes for a moment, and I know she knows I won’t let her leave this room without trying the dress on first.

“Fine,” she concedes and slips in behind the wooden dressing screen. “But if Alexius decides to lock me in a room again, it’s on you.”

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