CHAPTER THREE

—Bella—

 

I began telling Papa what’d happened. “Sam was at Galleys. I was there with my girlfriends.” I cleared my dry throat.

Sal handed Papa the drink he'd poured and then draped his arms across the top of Papa's chair as he listened.

My eyes reached Papa’s again. “I had been drinking.”

Narrowed eyes stared back at me. I knew what he was thinking. He’s told me a million times how important it was that I keep my wits about me in public. But clearly, I didn’t always listen. “Go on,” he said when I’d stopped mid-sentence.

“I don’t know what happened.” My eyes fell as I shook my head. “I was really tipsy, and he offered to take me home.” My eyes found Papa’s again. “But he didn’t take me home.” I sucked in a deep breath.

“Did he hurt you?” Papa’s hands squeezed the arms of the chair. My eyes widened while I watched his knuckles turn white. I’d made a lot of stupid mistakes in my life that’ve caused him pain, but that was when I was a kid. I had since grown up, and should act like it. “Isabella,” he growled. I bowed my head. I'd never lied to him. I’d always been honest with him. I loved my father, and I knew that he only wanted the best for me. “What did he do?” His eyes closed, waiting for a horrible truth.

“He smacked me a few times. When I spit in his face, he had someone duct tape my mouth.” I had to be honest with him no matter how horrible the truth was. “He pushed himself onto me.”

His eyes opened and his head turned towards Sal, my father’s most trusted right hand. I’d grown up with Sal. He was no one to mess with. Papa trusted him implicitly, and so did I. Mostly I trusted that his loyalty would keep Papa alive in a business that could kill him any moment. He didn’t speak because he didn’t have to. Anything he wanted Sal to know had been silently communicated between the two of them. His eyes met mine again. “Did he?” Papa shook his head unable to complete his question.

A tear fell from my eye and slid down my cheek. “Yes,”

Papa’s eyes closed tight—so tight. His jaw tightened as he growled from his teeth. “How did you get away?”

I held back the rest of the tears as I answered. “Eventually, he left the room, and I took off out the window. I jumped from a one story, landing in the grass and ran through the woods. I knew that we’d come in on the highway, I remembered that, so I just ran till I found it. That’s when Jax found me. Of course, I didn’t know his name then, but he helped me and brought me here.” My heart skipped a beat when his name slipped from my lips. I knew how it made me feel, even if I didn't understand why.

“And now he knows where we are,” Tony responded.

“Mhmm.” My father nodded while pressing his lips together. His jaw remained tight and his face red.

“Is that bad?” I whispered turning my attention towards Tony. He didn’t answer before looking towards Papa.

“Isabella, why do you constantly insist on interrupting men talk.” It wasn’t a question and his harsh tone set my heart was thumping against my chest. Men talk? He meant mafia business. I wasn't an idiot.

“And what did he say? What were Salvatore's intentions?” Papa asked.

I felt it pretty obvious what his intentions were when he took me against my will. “He said you were an old man who needed to be put to sleep.” I leaned forward resting my hand on Papa’s. “It scared me. He wants to take over and he’s going to try to kill you to do it.” I dropped my head. “All because I refused to marry him. He only wants the title as boss.” Guilt washed over me.

“That’s what he said?”

I nodded then raised my head.

“I see.” Papa’s eyes moved towards the fire.

“What will you do?”

“He’ll do the same thing he always does. He’ll deal with it,” Sal responded. Papa waved him away with annoyance.

Sal lifted his hands and backed away heading into the direction of the bar.

“Isabella, what did he want from you?” He shook his head. “Did he hurt you?”

“I’m okay,” I lowered my head hiding another tear. “He wants what he always wants. Me. I’m his blah-blah-blah. It’s ridiculous, can’t you do something?” I pleaded.

“You gonna tell her?” Tony chimed in. I found him on the other side of the room as he leaned against the wall, crossing his huge arms against his chest.

“What… tell me what?”

“Sam called.” Papa’s eyes were firm. “He had a story of his own just a few moments after you called.”

My mouth gaped open and my eyes widened. I couldn’t believe he had the balls. “And?” I didn’t even want to know. But I listened regardless, waiting for whatever he’d said.

Papa’s eyes followed to Sal.

“He said that you were drunk and out of your mind. He said he tried to take you home, and you were all over him.”

“He thinks that you were drugged at Galleys by Dino.”

Dino? What? I shook my head “Papa, Dino wasn’t there.”

Sal nodded. “He was there. We got sources agreeing to what he said.”

“No! It was me, Jessica, and Emily. He wasn’t there.” I shook my head.

“Bell, how could you be sure if you were so drunk?”

Drunk? I—I was tipsy, but I wasn’t that drunk. Was I? I wasn’t. I don’t think.

“Sam said he was only trying to help when you ran away half naked through the woods.” I saw that Papa didn’t believe me. Guilt washed over me. He looked at me as though I couldn't be trusted—like I was a liar.

“He smacked me. He put duct tape over my mouth.” Tears filled the corners of my eyes. “He…” I wanted to continue but I just couldn’t do it.

“Sam said all of those things, Bell, but he said you became volatile towards him and his staff. He said that he’d tried to call us to come and get you. After your father went through his phone he found the call Sam said he made.” He shrugged.

“So I’m crazy.” I didn’t make this up. I cupped my face into the palm of my hands.

“Isabella, we’ll stay here tonight and tomorrow I’ll take you home.”

I raised my head from my hands and looked at my father. “I’m so sorry, Papa.” I was only sorry for telling him. I was sorry I didn’t kill Sam myself.

I stood to walk towards the stairs once my father’s face fell flat with undeniable disappointment painted in the lines around his eyes.

“You’ll call Salvatore and apologize, immediately.”

I gave a swift and deliberate bow, turning my face from him. “I can’t take back something I didn’t do,” Another tear fell.

“And Isabella?” he said grimly, clearing his throat.

I spun my head seeing him behind me in the white armchair.

“Thank him for his kindness.” The unsympathetic tone brought alarm to my already hyper aware body. Papa was undeniably dour. “Just once Isabella do as you’re told!” His tone was filled with disappointment and uncontrolled for the first time in my life.

I bowed my head again tucking my arms against my chest. “Yes, Papa.” I felt an inch tall. I breathed deeply as I released my hand to slip an unbound strand of hair behind my ear. I turned, taking the walk of dishonor to my room. I knew…deep down I should’ve kept my mouth shut. I felt so ashamed and alone.

I didn’t have my cell phone or my bag, but I did have a burner phone in my bag that sat in the closet. I reached into it, retrieved the phone, and sat on the bed.

I discerned that I was unable to call him because I didn’t know his number. “Gah.” I jumped from my bed sauntering towards the window. I didn't want to call that piece of shit. I hated Salvatore Casconi. But Papa insisted, and I never wanted to let him down even if he was wrong.

“Oh Momma, what do I do?” I wished she were here as I wiped a falling tear from my eye.

I grabbed the blanket from the chair, wrapped myself into its warmth, crawled onto the window nook, and closed my eyes. I fell asleep the minute my eyes closed.

I’d deal with everything else tomorrow. I’d apologize and make this right, or maybe stab him in his neck with a butcher knife.