Marcello stared at me with an amused expression on his face.
As if he was amused at my bravery.
Amused that I had the guts to run away.
I couldn't understand or come to terms with this.
I was so close to running away.
So damn close…
And it was slipping away through my hands like water.
I genuinely believed that I was finally going to get away…
But Marcello had caught up with me, just like he'd vowed to me.
Vowed to me that there was no escape.
But I'd been so sure that my nightmare was going to come to an end.
I'd been so sure that I would be going back to England.
That this cop was going to save me.
What the hell was going on?
"You know, Zara, you amuse me," Marcello chuckled, the corners of his mouth curling upwards into a smirk. "Your defiance, your courage… It's sexy. It really turns me on." His eyes flashed, darkening with desire. "You really like to go against me, to try and have your own way. And guess what, baby girl? It makes me want you that much more. The more you try to fight me… The more and more I want you."
He let out a low growl, and I could feel myself convulse in my seat, trembling and sweating profusely, tears sliding down my cheeks.
Feeling the light at the end of the tunnel extinguish.
Seeing a pit of darkness for my future…
As Marcello crushed all of the hope that I had left.
"H – How did you find me?" I trembled. "I t – thought I would be safe…"
Marcello roared with manic laughter, before walking over to the cop, folding some money into his hands. The cop's eyes lit up with satisfaction.
"Baby, I'm the kingpin of the Camorra. I warned you that there would be no point in trying to run away," Marcello shrugged. "I own the entire force in the area. Cops work for us, keep us out of jail. They don't help people who are involved with us."
He let out a low laugh. I could feel myself quivering, as I slowly moved my head to face the cop.
Cops were supposed to be the people we trusted…
The people who were supposed to save us from thugs like this.
But in reality, cops were the real criminals themselves.
I stared at him with a hurt, betrayed expression on my face.
I couldn't believe I'd put my trust into this man.
I couldn't believe that I genuinely thought he would save me.
But Marcello was Mafia…
I should have known better.
"As soon as you mentioned Marcello, you thought I wouldn't return you to him?" the cop chuckled. "I can't allow you to destroy the man who pays me more than the pittance I'm given dedicating my life to the force. The man who ensures I'm taken care of. Ensures my family is provided for. I'm sorry."
He turned to Marcello, nodding at him, as I continued to convulse, and feel my world come crashing down on me from millions of different directions at once.
Feeling like the walls were closing in on me.
Like I was suffocating…
And I couldn't breathe.
I couldn't fucking breathe.
"Have fun with her, Boss," the cop grinned, and then made his way out of the room.
Marcello stared at me.
The lust in his eyes was now replaced with something different.
With rage.
With fury.
With anger.
And staring into his eyes…
Was like staring into his black soul.
It terrified me.
The look in his eyes fucking terrified me.
"You bitch…" he murmured, cocking his head to the side. "If you ever pull a stunt like that again… Just watch how I deal with you."
He brought his hand up to strike me on the face, causing me to cry out in pain.
He struck my face again, repeatedly, one time after the other, in a repetitive motion, causing my face to sear in pain, my cheek stinging, as warm tears streamed down my face.
One time…
Two times…
Three times…
My cries getting weaker with every blow.
He punched me, hard, knocking me down to the ground.
"I've been patient with you…" he growled, his voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "I haven't asked for anything from you but your compliance. Learning to love me."
"I could never love a monster like you!" I cried out desperately, quivering, as I rocked my head backwards and forwards, wishing that the pain would stop.
"You whore," he snarled, punching me again, this time in the ribs, causing me to clutch my body in agony. "This will teach you who the boss is."
He unbuckled the belt of his jeans furiously, before grabbing hold of my neck with one hand, squeezing it for all he was worth, causing me to struggle for air, as I choked against his harsh grip, whilst he struck my ass with his belt with his free hand.
"Stupid-"
Strike.
"Fucking-"
Strike.
"Whore."
Strike.
He let go of my neck, as I coughed and sobbed, my body numb from the pain. I could hear him unzip his jeans, and could feel my lungs constrict in terror. My eyes flashed with horror as I turned around to watch him stroke his cock up and down, readying himself for me, and I could feel my entire life flash before my eyes. This couldn't be happening.
This couldn't be fucking happening.
"I think it's time to claim you early," he whispered, cocking his head to the side, as he groaned, staring at me with a predatory regard.
"No!" I cried out. "No… Please…"
He lowered himself onto my body, causing me to let out a terrified scream, screaming bloody murder. He tore at my dress to leave my bare ass exposed to him, and I bit down on my lip, hard, wishing that he wouldn't enter me.
Wishing that he wouldn't take my virginity.
"Fuck…" he moaned, rubbing my ass. "I can't wait to fuck you. You're so sexy, la mia principessa araba. So fucking sexy…"
I let out a cry, knowing that the worst was yet to come.
Please don't fuck me.
Please don't fuck me…
I continued to scream to myself internally.
"My cock is ready for you, baby girl…" he whispered.
No…
No…
No…
Suddenly, I felt him lift his weight off of my body, and he let out an exasperated growl, as he shoved his jeans back on.
"I completely forgot that I have a meeting at the casino tonight," he spat bitterly. "I will spare you this once. But get ready to fuck me soon, baby girl. Real soon."
I let out a sigh of relief, my heart hammering against my chest so hard that it felt like I was going to explode.
I'd got lucky by the skin of my teeth.
I may not have been lucky in escaping back to England…
But at least I got lucky with Marcello not fucking me tonight.
Quivering, I got back up on my feet, willing myself to stay calm, and get myself together.
I wiped my tears, before pulling my dress back down.
"I'm sorry, princess. I don't mean to hurt you. You just make me angry. I wish you could see that I just want to love you," he whispered, bringing his hand up to stroke my face.
I shuddered at his touch. I bit down on my lip, hard.
Maybe staying on his good side would be the only way for him to stop hitting me…
And delay him burying his cock inside of me.
I gave him a feeble nod, swallowing down a lump in my throat.
"I'm going to take you home now, for a change of clothes, and you can freshen up and re-do your make-up," he said flatly. "You're coming to the casino with me. Are you still sore, princess?"
I shook my head, telling him what he wanted to hear.
"No. I'm fine," I lied, even though my body was still stinging from where he'd hit me.
"Good. Now let's get you home so that you can look pretty for my meeting."
He grabbed hold of my hand, and led me outside of the building.
***