My eyes water at the memory of my brother. I can't forget Vitto killed him like that, in cold fucking blood. How am I supposed to move on from what he did? He's a fucking monster and I can never forgive him for killing so many people that meant the world to me.
I'm really an orphan now. I have no one left. I realize I've never felt more alone.
"Talk," Vitto demands next. "Don't be quiet like a church mouse. Talk to me."
He went out today, locking me in my room. I tried to escape but there is no way out of this horrible house. I am stuck with Vitto unless Adrian finds me... before my husband-to-be kills me in a fit of fucking rage.
"I hope y-you had a nice day today," I manage to get out. "The food is good."
"Can't you put a little more effort in?" Vitto demands.
"I'm afraid."
He laughs out loud. "I'm not going to hurt you unless you give me a reason."
Adrian's reasons were because I loved it. Vitto's are because he hates me.
"Tomorrow we're going down to the chapel and we're going to be married," Vitto announces. "I brought you a wedding dress from a store in town. It's waiting for you inside."
I feel dread sinking in as those words leave his lips. I've found myself praying this would never happen, and now, in a sick twist of fate ? I'm exactly where I started months ago ? back at the beginning.
I want to argue with Vitto. I'm desperate to tell him to go fuck himself because I'm never going to say I do. But I'm also more aware than ever of the gun tucked behind his back and the other one in his boots. What's stopping him from killing me? He's past the point of caring now, and it would be the ultimate revenge to steal me from Adrian once and for all.
"Aren't you going to say something?" Vitto demands.
I refuse to meet his eyes. Refuse to give him the attention he so desperately craves. Instead, I stare forward, shrugging.
It is obvious he doesn't like this, as he slams a fist against the table glaring at me with an enraged expression. "You should be happier about marrying the love of your life, Marzia," he hisses at me, the silent warning hanging heavily in the air between us.
It's not worth it to argue with him, not when I know this is a fight I won't be able to win. Instead, I just avert my gaze. I've lost my appetite. The food on my plate remains untouched. "May I please be excused?" I find myself saying.
This only sends Vitto into another frenzy. "No, you may not," he grunts. "You'll be excused when I'm done with you."
Abruptly, I push my chair away from the table. I've had enough and I feel sick to my stomach again. If I stay here another moment I'm going to throw up. I can't believe my life has turned out this way. That Vitto is really doing this to me, ruining everything I've ever wanted.
"You know what," he snaps. "I think it's about time I finally took what I've wanted this whole time. Or are you going to insist on running away from me, Marzia?"
My blood runs cold at the sound of those words. Does he mean what I think he means? Is he going to hurt me? I jump up.
He does the same, a menacing look in his eyes as he hungrily devours me with his gaze. "Oh yes, I'm going to sink my fucking teeth in tonight."
I don't wait for him to go on… I take off running. He's lightning fast on his feet after me, chasing me down the hallway, as I struggle not to trip over my own feet. I know if he gets his hands on me—things won't end well. He's told me before he's barely keeping the lust he feels for me at bay and I know I'm only making things worse by making him chase me.
But I'd rather be damned than become Vitto's victim. He's never going to take what he wants, not from me, not if I have anything to do with it.
I stumble up the stairs, with him only a few steps behind me. My heart pounds in anticipation of what's going to happen next. Somehow, I still have the upper hand, and I run to my bedroom, slamming the door closed. Luckily, there's a key in the door, but even as I turn it, I know it won't keep me safe from Vitto, especially given how enraged he is right now.
Shivering, I move some furniture in front of the door. Two chairs, and then I start moving a dresser, working hard and groaning while Vitto threatens to smash the door down. My heart is fucking pounding. If I thought I was afraid of Adrian, this is a thousand times worse.