I wanted him to see a submissive, broken daughter. I wanted him to see me at my lowest. Dirty, disgusting. Filthy from living in a locked room for days. Scared and cowed.
I’d be the broken, pathetic, perfect daughter he wanted—on the outside.
While on the inside, I’d figure out how to end him.
“Are you ready to get out of here, Capri?”
I nodded once. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Are you ready to listen and follow orders?”
“Yes, Daddy. I’m ready.”
He let out a sigh and walked over. He sat down next to me and the mattress sunk down from his weight. I tried not to shift closer to him and kept myself as rigid as I could.
He put a hand on my thigh. I knew what came next, and I didn’t want it.
“You know I hate this, sweetie,” he said, voice honey-sweet. “I hate doing this to you, but you have to learn. It’s for your own good.”
“I know, Daddy.”
“Come here, sweet girl. Give me a hug. We’re going to get through this together, okay?”
I let him put an arm around my shoulders. I leaned into him, doing the best I could not to betray my revulsion. It always went this way: after the worst of the beatings, he’d come to me and apologize, pretend to be the good father, the reluctant disciplinarian, like it was my fault he lost control and broke my nose or snapped my fingers or kicked me until I puked up blood.
It worked when I was little. I was so happy when Daddy came and showed remorse. I thought he really cared, and I forgave him, over and over, until one day I didn’t. I said the words and smile and hugged him, but the hole in my heart was permanent, and it’d never healed over.
It never would. Not while he was alive.
“Now, honey, we need to get you out of here, okay? You can shower and go back to your normal room. I’ll even give you some privileges back, if you promise not to abuse them.”
“Yes, Daddy. I won’t break the rules anymore.”
“Good girl.” He patted my leg and stood. He walked over toward the door and turned to gaze at me with his arms crossed over his chest. “Now, honey, I have something to tell you.”
I met his gaze and leaned closer like I was eager for any scrap he was willing to feed me. “Yes, Daddy, what is it?”
“I’ve been speaking with a powerful and important business associate. He runs a group like ours out in Dallas, and he’s interested in making an alliance.”
A chill crept down my spine. I’d heard a version of this conversation before, a long, long time ago. I’d never forget the day Dad told me I was to marry Carmine. So many emotions rushed through me: excitement, terror, denial. I wanted it and I didn’t want it. I’d gone along mostly because I was too afraid to fight, and besides, I was friends with Carmine at that point. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.
This was different. Carmine was dead.
Dad cleared his throat, like he was actually embarrassed. The fucking bastard. He didn’t care, and pretending like he did only made it worse.
“We’ve decided that you will marry his son.” Dad stared at me with those fierce, hungry eyes, looking for any sign of disobedience. “His name is Maxim. He’s twenty-four, so around your age. His father says he’s ready to settle down and have a family, and I believe you two will be a good match. He’s well connected, and I’m told he’d a good man. Are you excited, sweetie? You can finally move on from what happened to—” He stopped himself, shaking his head. “Well, you know.”
“Yes, Daddy. I’m very excited. Maxim, you said?”
“Maxim. I don’t know if he goes by Max or not. I suppose you’ll find out.” He laughed, seemingly delighted that I wasn’t fighting. “We’ll go to meet him in a few days. There’s a party at the Hotel Emma and his family will be in attendance. I want you to rest, get yourself in a good mindset, and prepare. It may be the most important gathering of your young life.” He grinned at me and slapped the doorframe. I jumped, startled. “I’m very excited for you, very excited. I think this is going to be good for the family, and you’re taking it so well. I’m proud of you, Capri.”
“Thank you, Daddy. I’m excited. I’m ready to move on.”
“Good, good. Oh, honey. I should’ve done this a long time ago.” He beamed and nodded to himself. “Now, I’ll send Rolando down to bring you home. How does that sound?”
“It sounds good. Thank you.”
He grinned again, looked at me with a massive smile, and left. I sat alone on the bed and stared at my hands, my body buzzing and numb as my mind raced.