Ruthless Prince (Dark Syndicate 1)

t to one of our enforcers, I wouldn’t put it past Riccardo to start his retaliation sooner than we anticipated.

Fucker.

Chapter Six

Emelia

I knew I was going to feel like shit from the minute the sun came up.

I’m on the floor again. This time, I’m right by the window. In the gap where it meets the door to the ensuite bathroom.

I’ve been trying to distract myself with the scenery before me, the waves clashing against the shoreline of the golden beach. The scene has been my one companion. Either stare at it or go insane.

Stare at it or allow myself to slip away into misery at how fucked up this all is.

There’s no clock in here, but I can tell it must be late morning.

The flight I would have been on to Florence has long left without me.

It’s funny. When I imagined myself going, I could see myself at the Academia, but I couldn’t see myself getting on the plane. It wasn’t part of the vision. It was missing. Maybe it’s foolish to think of things like that, but it happened, right?

I never got on the plane. I’m here, and as the realization that that plane took off this morning without me onboard hit, I truly accepted that this nightmare was going to be my new hell.

I keep going over everything in my mind and wondering if Dad never saw something like this coming. How could he owe so much money? What the hell happened? How did it happen?

Then there was last night. I couldn’t be more embarrassed at the way I behaved while Massimo touched me. I came. I came on his fingers, and I found my self savoring his tongue licking my clit. Although I did nothing with him, I felt like a slut. I couldn’t even deny that I enjoyed it. The evidence was there in my moans, and the devil lapped up my flow and my dignity.

Shit. It’s all fucking shit. And what will happen later?

He promised next time.

I glance at the little tray of food that sat there on the table when I woke up. I assumed he brought it in. I haven’t touched it. I don’t want anything. I can’t eat until I come up with a sound plan of how I’m going to leave this place. The beach is close, but I won’t be able to get to it from here. There’s a window, but surprise, surprise… it’s locked, and there’s nothing heavy enough in here that I can use to smash it. Besides, smashing it would alert people. I don’t want that.

I’d rather not escape by sea either because I can’t swim very well. When I was ten, a boy from my elementary school drowned. I’ve been wary of the water since.

But… I’ll swim if that’s the way out. Judging from the lack of people on the beach, and the perfect weather, I’d say the beach I’m looking at is private. I think it belongs to the house. There is a lot of land around, like where I live with Dad. So, I’m guessing there will be guards too.

I won’t know my surroundings properly until Massimo decides to show me around. If he does. I don’t know if he intends to keep me locked up in here, or what the hell it is he’s going to do with me.

The key rattles in the door. My heart squeezes. Unlike last night, I stand up, rising to my feet, and get ready for him.

When the door opens, the tension in my shoulders leaves when I see a guard and two maids in uniform. One is carrying a bag from Neiman Marcus, and the other a tray of sandwiches.

They’re both Italian. One looks to be a little older than me, while the other looks like she might be in her mid- to late fifties. They enter the room, but the guard stays outside. A safety measure to make sure if I try to run away, he’ll stop me. God, this is a nightmare.

“Good morning, signora,” the younger one says with a smile. “I’m Candace, and this is Pricilla.” She points to the older lady.

“Buongiorno,” Priscilla says, speaking with a hint of an accent.

“Hi,” I answer, deciding they seem harmless. At least I hope so.

Candace looks at the untouched food.

“You weren’t hungry?” she asks.

“No,” I lie. I’m starving, but I think I might vomit and never stop if I eat anything. “You brought the food for me?”

She nods. “Yes. You should try and eat something.”