Ruin Her

“That’s how Antonio and I met. I had lost a couple of jobs as they didn’t need me anymore, and so I was drowning my sorrows.” She smiled, glancing at Antonio. “I had no idea what was to come.”

He leaned forward and kissed her head. To Ellie, she would have believed it was a kiss. Some tender affection, but to Romeo and the men at the table, it was a clear indication of what he was going to do.

Ellie was his.

He didn’t have to wait for a marriage to be forced on him. He wasn’t blood to the Giavanni.

The woman he chose was Ellie, and she would belong to him.

He intended to put a ring on her finger and a baby in her stomach. He didn’t care which order it was, just so long as he got his wish.

Chapter Nine

“Do not even think to send me away!” Ellie said, stepping into her friend’s apartment. After the dinner with Romeo Giavanni, there’d been no choice but for her notice to be handed in. Antonio had explained the situation to her. Now that she was claimed as his, it made her vulnerable, and anyone who had been spying may decide to take her to use her as leverage. It was why she now had a guard on her at all times. There was no way she could leave his apartment without his permission.

Within a matter of days, her life had become archaic.

Okay, strong words, and it wasn’t that bad. She wasn’t used to having to ask permission to do simple things like visit her friend.

Casey closed the door behind her with Ellie’s new little guard on the same side as them. He stood by the door, arms at his sides, staring straight ahead. She didn’t even know his name, but he was there all the time, only being changed at night if Antonio wasn’t around.

They no longer shared their apartment, she now lived in his.

“What’s going on, Ellie?” Casey asked, moving to the sofa. She had some nail polish out and was working on her nails.

“What’s going on? Let’s start with the basics. You knew who Antonio was, didn’t you?” Ellie asked, taking the bottle of polish and resting Casey’s foot on her leg. She was in designer jeans.

All of her wardrobe had been changed. None of her stuff was her own anymore. Most of it having been tossed out to replace it with what Antonio felt was acceptable. She couldn’t even dress herself anymore. Just thinking about it made her mad, but again, she had to keep her thoughts to herself.

Casey sighed. “You found out the truth, and I’d say you couldn’t run away, could you?”

“No, I’m in too deep now for me to even think of running.” She didn’t know if she really wanted to. “You didn’t warn me. You didn’t tell me anything.”

“What could I have said? How could I have even said it? Come on, Ellie, you’ve got to give me some credit here. There’s not a lot I could’ve said without getting into trouble. Antonio came to me, you know. He liked that you didn’t know who he was, and he wanted to keep it that way. They’re dangerous people, Ellie, I wasn’t going to get in his way. My family owes the Giavannis a lot of favors. I’ve got to do as I’m told when they ask. It’s what I’m ordered.” Casey shrugged. “I didn’t know it was him at the bar, Ellie. If I had, I would have told you to run far from him.”

“I can’t run anymore. My time for leaving and skipping town has passed.” She finished painting Casey’s toenails. “All I can do now is hope Antonio won’t get bored with me.”

“He won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

“You’ve been dating for a couple of months now. Antonio isn’t known for keeping a woman around. You’re safe.”

“Only for as long as I keep him entertained.” She moved from the coffee table to sit beside Casey. “I can’t leave him.”

“Here is a question though: do you even want to?”

“What do you mean?”

“I know this is all new for you. I get it. It’s not an easy world to be part of, but are you happy? Does Antonio make you feel happy?”

“He does.”

“Then does it even matter who he is?” she asked.

Ellie looked at her best friend, and in her mind, she saw Antonio. The way he held her. The kisses to her forehead. The roses she’d wake up to on the pillow, or even in the kitchen. The way he’d smile at her when she dressed like a slob or ate ice cream straight from the tub because she felt miserable or was in pain. Not once had he tried to change her.

Then she thought about losing him. Not seeing him every single day or watching him.