Melinda
I was a nervous wreck by the time Antonio pulled up in front of the house. The driveway was full of cars, and I frowned.
“I didn’t know Daddy was having a party tonight,” I said, smoothing my hands over my dress. My hair was a tangled mess from the intense sex I’d had with Antonio, and my makeup was smeared over half of my face. I would have washed it back at Antonio’s, but he didn’t have soap I was willing to put on my face. I wasn’t going to risk getting a breakout just so Daddy wouldn’t get suspicious of where I’d been.
“You sure you want to go in?” Antonio glanced up at the house.
Even I had to stare for a moment. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen the house so festive. Every window was lit and the sounds of talking and laughter carried all the way across the huge emerald lawn.
“Yeah,” I said. Inside, though, my confidence was faltering. “I mean, I don’t really have a choice. I have to go inside, if only to get some of my stuff.”
Antonio grabbed my hands and held them tightly in his lap. “Melinda, come away with me,” he said suddenly. “Come with me, tonight.”
“Antonio,” I said, trying to pull free from his grip. He held firm. “I can’t, honey,” I said, looking down at my dress. “I don’t even have my cell charger with me. And you said yourself, you can’t use Dad’s card without him knowing. Where would we live? What would we eat?”
Antonio shook his head impatiently. “That shit doesn’t matter,” he growled. “What matters is your safety. I don’t want you going in there, Melinda.”
I burst out laughing. “God, relax!” I said. “Antonio, I’ve lived in that house for my whole life. What’s going to change now? It’s not like Daddy wants to marry me off right this second. He didn’t say when this is supposed to happen, did he?”
Antonio reluctantly shook his head. “I don’t know,” he growled. “But I know Rodrigo wants this taken care of as soon as possible.”
I sighed. “Well, it’s not going to happen tonight.”
Antonio was gripping my hands so tightly that my fingers were starting to go numb. I winced in pain, and he immediately released me. A guilty look spread over his face.
“Melinda, I know it sounds like I’m being paranoid,” Antonio said heavily. “But you have to trust me. I have a bad feeling – a really bad feeling about this. I don’t want you in that house with those men.”
“Come with me,” I offered. “That way you can watch over me and know I’ll be safe.”
Antonio shook his head. “You know I can’t do that,” he said. “Your father would get too suspicious.”
I sighed. “And, furthermore, how would we get money if I came with you? I assume you don’t have another job lined up already.”
“That doesn’t matter,” Antonio said urgently. “I don’t care – I’ll find work as a guard, or anything. Melinda, I know it’s not what you’re used to. I can’t lie, I won’t be able to give you that kind of life for a long time. But please, trust me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Baby, just relax,” I said. “This is one night, okay? I’ll be fine.”
I leaned over and pressed my lips to Antonio’s, kissing him deeply. The kiss went on longer than I intended and my pulse started to race as Antonio’s tongue slipped in my mouth.
I pulled away, wiping my mouth and swallowing before throwing a nervous glance towards the house. No one could see me making out with Antonio – I knew that would ruin everything. “Okay,” I said, smiling. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”
Antonio nodded. I could tell he was angry that I’d refused to leave with him, but I knew I was making the right decision. After all, I needed some time to get my ducks in a row…and my favorite clothes and possessions tucked in a bag.
Antonio’s car had been hot and humid, and the cold air outside hit my lungs like a knife when I climbed out of it. I wrapped my thin jacket around me as I walked on unsteady feet up the driveway. There were so many cars parked there, I couldn’t remember ever having seen our house this crowded. Marty’s car was parked towards the front of the pack.
I groaned as I opened the door. The foyer was full of men, all clad in dark suits and sipping flutes of champagne. Debra, wearing a more formal uniform than usual, bustled through the crowd holding a tray with glasses and tiny snacks.
“Wow,” I said under my breath. “Dad’s really having a blowout.”
As soon as my heels tapped across the foyer, men rushed in. Daddy and Marty were at the head of the pack. Dad’s eyes looked happy – he was glowing and he looked more relaxed than I’d seen in months.
I knew I had to be extra careful, especially with my smeared face and messy hair.
“Hi, Daddy,” I said, stepping on the bottom stair. “I’m gonna go to sleep now. I’m exhausted – I fell asleep in the back of Antonio’s car on the way home from the club.”
Dad and Marty traded unpleasant smiles, and a tiny wave of anxiety flared in my belly.
“Melinda, I want to talk to you,” Dad said.
The hair on the back of my neck stood up. I took another step up the stairs. Dad, Marty, and two big men I didn’t recognize came closer.
“Melinda, baby, come on,” Dad wheedled. “Just a little talk in my office. You can do that for me, can’t you?”
I feigned another yawn. “I’m really tired,” I said, flashing my biggest smile to the room full of men. “And as you can see, I look like hell. So, please, may I go upstairs? Daddy, we can talk tomorrow.”
Dad snapped his fingers. Suddenly, the two big men shot forward and grabbed my arms. I cried out in pain as they pulled me between them.
“To my office,” Dad said. He tossed a champagne flute over his shoulder, and I heard the tinkling of glass as it shattered on the marble floor.
“Get the hell off me,” I growled, trying to twist my way free.
The bigger of the two guards tightened his grip, yanking me into the air. His hand brushed against the side of my breast. I cried out, but he didn’t take it away.
I felt panicked and utterly humiliated as the men dragged me across the floor, down the hall, and into Dad’s office. Suddenly, my house didn’t really look so homey anymore. It looked menacing, dangerous – like something that could kill me.
Why oh why didn’t I listen to Antonio? I thought sadly as the men dragged me across the carpet and plunked me down in a leather chair in front of my dad’s desk. Why did I have to be so stupid and prideful?
To my horror, I saw James and Alexander Rex standing inside Dad’s office. They were drinking champagne, and Alexander grinned when he saw me. It was a nasty grin that made my stomach sink to the floor.
“Hello, darling wife,” Alexander sneered sarcastically. “You look like a real slut. Rodrigo, can we get a doctor in here? I wanna make sure I’m getting my money’s worth!”
I cried out and buried my face in my hands.
“Alexander, shut up,” James said – but he wasn’t angry. He was smiling at me as he said it, and I got the feeling that he was enjoying this drama almost as much as his son.
The room fell silent when Dad walked inside. The silence had a feel to it – thick and heavy as velvet. Dad walked across the carpet and slowly lowered himself into his big executive chair before turning to face me.
“Melinda,” Dad said slowly. “I have something to tell you.”
Something snapped inside of my chest and I leaped out of the chair, pointing my finger at my father. “I know already!” I said loudly. I glared at him. “I know. You want me to marry Alexander.”
Dad nodded. The bigger guard stepped forward and put his hands on my shoulders, forcing me back down into the chair. I cried out in pain as my ass slammed against the leather.
“Please, lower your voice, Melinda,” Dad said solemnly. He took a long swallow of champagne. “This is a party. We’re celebrating. This is happy news.”
“Well, fuck that,” I said, leaning back in the chair and crossing my arms over my chest. My dress had slipped down and the lacy top of my bra was showing, but I didn’t care. The only thing I could feel was hot, pure anger. It was tearing through my body like wildfire, and I balled my hands into tiny fists, ready to strike.
“Melinda, do not use that tone with me,” Dad said. He took a cigar from the tiny humidor on his desk and lit it, puffing until the air was filled with sour blue smoke.
“I don’t care,” I said defiantly. The guard’s hands were still clapped down on my shoulders, but I didn’t have to be soft for long.
“This is how this business works,” Dad said slowly. He puffed on the cigar, blowing smoke towards my face. “This is how Wilmington runs, my dear daughter.”
I laughed humorlessly. “Well, too bad,” I said. “I’m not doing it.” Turning in my chair, I glared at Alexander’s smug face. “I hate you,” I said loudly. “And I’d rather be alone for the rest of my life than marry you.”
Dad’s face was ashen. “Melinda, don’t speak to your future husband that way.”
“I’ll speak to that piece of shit however the fuck I want!” I yelled.
The guard’s slap hit me like a ton of bricks. My vision went blurry, and I cried out in pain as I felt my tongue slice open on my bottom row of teeth.
“Shut up,” Dad said. He smiled unpleasantly. “This is not your choice. The plans have been set. James and I worked out these details a long time ago, and you don’t have a say in the matter.”
I glared at my father. “Well, I won’t say yes,” I yelled. “I’m going to refuse. The priest can’t force me to marry if I say no!”
Dad shook his head. “Melinda, Melinda,” he said. “I wish you wouldn’t be like this. There isn’t going to be a priest – there’s no need for one. The paperwork has already been filed, and the marriage license has been forged.”
Dad held up a leather portfolio and flipped it open, showing a marriage certificate. The sight of my name and Alexander’s, linked together in ornate black font, made me want to vomit.
“I hate you,” I cried loudly. The guard was still holding me down in the chair, but I kicked and thrashed around as much as I could. “I hate you so much!” My eyes were filled with tears and my face was flushed, but I didn’t care. I knew I looked like a wild animal.
Dad snapped his fingers and the guard slapped me again and again until I couldn’t resist any more. The pain radiated through my body, and I melted against the leather chair, sobbing hoarsely.
“Melinda, this is your duty as a daughter of the Cantonneli family,” Dad said slowly. “This is what you were raised to do. Don’t you want to fulfill your duty to me, and make your ancestors proud?”
“I hate you,” I said dully. My cheeks ached from the force of the guard’s slaps and my throat was sore from crying. “I hate you so much. I wish I’d never been born.”
“I’m quite glad you were born,” Dad said icily. “You’ve given me the means to restore peace. Your marriage with Alexander will bring a new friendship to the Cantonneli and Rex families, a friendship that never would have happened otherwise. Don’t you understand how important this is, Melinda?”
“I understand,” I snapped. “But I don’t care!”
Dad laughed shortly. “Oh, you do,” he said. “You’ve benefitted from having the Cantonneli name your whole life. And now it’s time you did your duty and repay the family.”
The tears came back and I started crying again, rocking back and forth until I was dizzy.
“She makes a lot of noise,” Alexander whined. “Can’t you make her shut up?”
James snickered. “She’s a live wire, son,” he said. “You sure you can handle her?”
Alexander stared lewdly at me, licking his lips and smacking them in a way that made me nauseous. “Oh,” he said. “I can handle her. Trust me, Dad. I’m gonna make Melinda a real good husband.”
His words made me shudder, and a fresh wave of sobs broke over me.
“You’re going to spend tonight at home,” Dad said. “In your room. Alone. And tomorrow, you’ll be Alexander’s wife. You will have his children. You will be obedient. You will be beautiful and gracious and host parties for our colleagues. You will lick his boots if that’s what he asks of you. Do you understand?”
“That’s a good idea,” Alexander said nastily. “I like that. Yeah, Melinda, get ready to lick my boots.”
I shivered.
“You may go,” Dad said. “There are some final details I need to finish arranging with James. You are to stay in your room.”
A flicker of hope welled up in my chest; was he going to leave me alone? Would I have a chance to sneak out?
The guards grabbed my arms and started frog-marching me up the stairs. The flicker of hope died like a single flame blown out in a tornado.
I knew then my life was over for good.