Page 5 of The Last Hope

A groan escaped me as he yanked violently on my freshly styled hair, “but it seems your makeup is a bit light, or perhaps…” he muttered, tightening his grip as his lips brushed my bruised cheek, “you did it on purpose, leaving some traces, huh?”

I shook my head, clenching my teeth, barely restraining the urge to spit in his face. I pressed my lips together and stood on tiptoe to ease the pain.

“LeaveMammaalone !” cried a small voice behind me, Antonio glanced past me, a smile curling his lips.

“Rafael, son, were you there ?” he asked. At last, he released me, stroking my hair one last time before stepping around me toward my son.

“You’re so handsome, just like me,” he laughed, bending down to scoop the boy into his arms—but Rafael dodged him and snuggled against my legs.

“Mamma…”

I lifted my eyes toward the monster who haunted us, straightened my chin, and pulled my son close.

Antonio stared at us, a slow, smug smile spreading across his lips. He slid his hands into the pockets of his tailored trousers and approached us with calculated, deliberate steps.

I did not lower my gaze. I did not bow my head. On the contrary—I stood tall despite the pain in my back, the fear that constricted my breath, the tremble in my limbs. I stood tall.

And I knew—it irked him. I knew it annoyed him that I refused to cower, that I would not grovel.

He leaned forward, lowering himself to my level with that damn smile I longed to rip from his face.

“Hurry and finish your makeup,Cara mia. The guests have started arriving. Being late when you’re the host is not acceptable for a Rasili.”

“I’m not a Rasili,” I spat, without hesitation, my voice as sharp as the cold fury boiling inside me. He chuckled and straightened, never taking his eyes off me.

“It won’t be long,mia dolce. It won’t be long,” he murmured, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear with a deceptively gentle gesture.

He kissed my cheek—right over the bruise—making me whimper in pain despite myself, then strolled out of the room whistling.

I stood frozen until the door closed behind him, carrying his darkness with it. I leaned against the frame and sighed, gently wiping my cheek with a trembling hand.

“Mamma ?”

I looked down at my son, who stared up at me with glistening eyes—eyes that shone in a way I despised. I crouched beside him and smiled, stroking his dark hair.

“It’s okay,Angelomio. It’s okay,” I whispered. “Come on, go fetch your jacket and wait for me in your room. I’ll come get you, okay?”

He hesitated for a moment, watching me with those green eyes so much like my own, then nodded and ran off.

I stood up, leaning against the wall as I tried to steady my cotton legs, pressing myself to the marble and groaning in pain.

It would be all right. It had to be all right—for my son.

I picked up the brush again and resumed covering the marks my nightmare had left on my skin—even if it could do nothing for the ones he had left on my soul.

I gripped my son’s little hand as we sat in the back of the black sedan. I watched the city of Rome pass by beneath my eyes—for only the second time in eight years. The first had been when I arrived in Roma, when I had been forced to come, and I had seen the city through a window, just like today, before finding myself locked away in that gilded cage.

The car eventually stopped in front of the grand five-star hotel where the Rasili insignia shone brilliantly. I felt my son snuggle closer to me, gripping my wrist twice—I am afraid.

I kissed his hair and gently massaged his neck.It will be all right. Antonio’s door opened, letting in a draft, I shivered despite the mild Rome air and jumped when mine opened.

I gazed at the towering building, people streaming inside, and I began to feel the stress creeping in. It had been eight years since I had last gone out in public, eight years since I had been trapped in the monster’s lair.

A shadow appeared above my door, forcing me to slowly lift my eyes and I met the gaze of that very monster. Antonio extended his hand, urging me to come down. “Come on,Cara mia.”

I clenched my jaw, restraining myself from biting his damn hand, and simply ignored him as I descended on my own. I stood up straight, smoothed my rose satin dress with trembling hands, and helped Rafael out as well, taking his hand in mine and turning toward the hotel entrance—but a firm grip stopped me.

“Don’t do anything stupid, Selina. Don’t make me regret this decision. Don’t you dare disappear from my side, understood,mia dolce ?” he murmured, his lips brushing against my ear, making me shudder with disgust.