Part 2Sold To My Secret Mafia Father

Nelson hauled me toward the gatehouse. Two security guards stepped out, looking bored until they saw my face.

"State your business," one said.

Nelson offered a greasy, desperate smile. "I’m here to see... uh, Mick. Tell him I have the girl."

The guard looked me up and down, his eyes lingering on my disheveled state with blatant disgust. He didn't say a word, just jerked his head toward the interior. "Get inside."

Nelson and Amber lugged me through the grounds. The estate was massive—it had grown even more opulent since I left. We passed through a grove of birch trees to a detached guest villa.

The guard opened the door. "Wait here."

He disappeared. Nelson dumped me onto a leather sofa. Amber stood by the window, checking her phone every few seconds.

The drugs were wearing off slightly. I was still weak, but I could wiggle my fingers. My throat felt like it was filled with glass, but I could finally make a sound.

Nelson sat beside me. He watched me for a long time, then reached out and took my hand.

"Regina." His voice was soft again, that practiced, soothing tone he used whenever he messed up. "I know you're angry. But think about everything I’ve done for you over the last five years. If the company goes under, I’m nothing."

He leaned in closer. "When Mr. Rossi gets here, just... cooperate. Don't make a scene. Later on, when he’s bored with you, you can come back to me. I’ll take you back. I promise."

I stared at him, my expression blank. He took my silence for hesitation and squeezed my hand tighter.

"I swear, I’ll treat you better than ever. We’ll have the money, we’ll have everything."

Suddenly, Amber marched over and slapped his hand away from mine. She reached down and pinched my arm, hard.

I gasped at the sharp sting of pain.

"You little bitch," Amber hissed, glaring at me. "Stop acting so innocent. You’ve spent five years riding his coattails, and now that it’s time to pay the bill, you're going to act like a martyr? You loved him, didn't you? Well, prove it. Save him."

Nelson caught her wrist. "Amber, take it easy."

He turned back to me, his voice returning to that sickeningly sweet pitch. "Regina, don't mind her. She’s just stressed because of the baby. Just be a good girl for Mr. Rossi. Once this hurdle is cleared, I’ll owe you everything."

He reached out to stroke my cheek.

My voice finally came back. It was dry, a raspy whisper, but it carried.

"You... pathetic... animal."

Nelson’s hand froze in mid-air.

His face transformed. The tenderness vanished, replaced by shock, and then a searing, bright red rage.

"What did you say?"

"I said... you’re a pathetic animal."

My voice was hoarse, but every syllable was a dagger.

Nelson’s features twisted into a mask of fury. He lunged forward and slapped me across the face.

Crack.

My head snapped to the side. The metallic tang of blood filled my mouth.

"Ungrateful bitch!" He stood up, towering over me. "I give you five years of my life, I talk to you like a human being, and you throw it back in my face?"

"Look at where you are, Regina! Look at who I am! You have nothing without me!"

I lifted my head, my hair matted against my face, and looked him dead in the eye.

"I will destroy you."

He blinked, then let out a sharp, jagged laugh. He grabbed me by the hair, pulling my head back until I was forced to look at him.

"Destroy me? Do you have any idea how much this company means to me? You should be honored you're finally useful for something!"

My scalp burned, but I didn't make a sound. I just watched him with cold, dead eyes.

Amber stepped up and kicked me in the shin. "Still staring? You really don't know where you are, do you?" She leaned down, patting my bruised cheek. "Let me make this clear: Nelson loves me. You were just a placeholder. If you really loved him, you’d be happy to do this."

Nelson pushed her back slightly, then knelt down again. He let go of my hair and cupped my face with a horrifying gentleness.

"Regina, stop fighting. Listen to me. Just make Mr. Rossi happy tonight. I won't even care that you’re 'dirty' afterward. I’ll still marry you. How about that?"

Amber scoffed in the background, but didn't argue.

I looked at this man. The man I had shared a bed with for eighteen hundred nights. The man who had cried on my shoulder.

He was leaning in, waiting for my submission.

I opened my mouth.

He thought I was going to agree. He leaned closer.

I bit his ear as hard as I possibly could.