Chapter 5

"Let me make one thing clear: I'm not washing your mistress's underwear, and I'm not marrying you."

Vincent's face went cold instantly.

"Who told you to disrespect Gina in front of the whole crew yesterday? This is the debt you owe her, and you'll pay it!"

"Drop the act. How much do you even make, inking memorial cards and teaching penmanship to old widows all day? I promised you the name. Mrs. Russo. Don't bite the hand that feeds you!"

"This is the anniversary gift Gina wants most, and I'm going to give it to her!"

As he spoke, he pulled an ebony-handled calligraphy pen from his breast pocket and sneered.

"Serafina, I believe this means a lot to you. Am I right?"

"If you don't want me to snap it in half right now, you'll do exactly as I say."

My fists clenched instantly.

That pen wasn't worth much money, but it was the last birthday gift my father ever gave me.

He'd made it with his own hands.

Shortly after that, he died in a car accident.

I took a breath before answering.

"Fine. I'll wash them."

Then I bent down and picked up the plastic basin they'd prepared, my expression blank.

"Can I go to the bathroom to fill this up now?"

Only then did Vincent curl his lips in satisfaction.

"Good girl. Keep Gina happy, and you get it back."

He posted two of his soldiers at the door, broad backs blocking the frame, to make sure I couldn't run.

I set the basin beneath the washroom faucet and turned on the water to cover my voice.

I pressed the recessed emergency button on the side of my watch. In the café, drugged and panicking, I'd thought only of my phone. Now I remembered the other way I could reach help.

Dante had given me the watch before I left Port Sirena, insisting I keep it even if I wanted nothing else from him.

The watch connected through its own cellular line. After two rings, Dante Castellano answered.

"I thought you'd thrown that watch away. What's this about? Finally decided I'm not so bad after all?"

"If this is about the wedding, I already know. Are you all right?"

My voice came out steady.

"There isn't going to be a wedding. He's had me brought to the Sovereign Grand. His men took my phone. He wants me to wash his mistress's underwear in front of his crew."

"I need your help, Dante."

The other end went silent for half a second.

When Dante spoke again, the teasing was gone.

"The Sovereign Grand. Are you hurt?"

"Not badly. He has the pen my father made. He's threatened to break it if I don't obey."

"Stay where you are. I'm coming."

I was brought back to Gina under escort, a soldier's hand clamped on my arm.

Vincent had his arm around her waist, his tone tender.

"Gina, today, as long as you don't say stop, Serafina will keep washing until you're satisfied."

"How do you like your present?"

"Oh my God, I love it! You're always so good to me, Mr. Russo!"

The two of them locked lips in a long, shameless kiss, as if no one else existed, while his men raised their glasses and whistled.

Gina sauntered over to me with a beaming smile.

"So it turns out you didn't like barking like a dog, but you prefer doing this kind of thing? Wow. You're even trashier than I thought."

"You should've just said so. I've got plenty more at home. But wait, you're not planning to wash them standing up, are you?"

The moment the words left her mouth, Vincent flicked his wrist in a signal.

Rocco stepped behind me and drove his foot into the back of my knee, forcing me to the ground.

Mocking laughter erupted from every direction, echoing off the crystal chandeliers.

"There we go. That's the proper position for getting things clean."

I pulled the basket closer and lowered the underwear into the water. My fingers shook as I reached for the soap.

Gina picked up a bottle of imported grappa with an elegant sweep of her hand, blinking innocently.

"The thing is, I'm a bit of a germaphobe. Someone as filthy as you really grosses me out. You won't mind if I use a little alcohol to disinfect you first, right?"

I didn't look at her. My gaze went past her, straight to the man behind her. My hands went still against the cold floor. My voice was level.

"Vincent. Liquor makes me break out in hives. You know that."

"I'm only going to ask you once. Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

Something flickered across Vincent's face. Hesitation. His fingers drifted up to the knot of his tie and tugged.

Before he could answer, Gina began to cry.

"Mr. Russo, don't tell me you feel sorry for her. You promised you'd help me get my dignity back today."