Page 45 of A Madness of Crows

Ilook for Stefano the next morning.

My night was filled with nightmares. I saw them; saw Dante, Gio, Dom, Luc – all of them turning away from me, fading out of sight. I saw Bea and Pepe, fighting with dark figures to protect my daughter only to curl up in the flames that rushed over them both, consuming them.

I saw Alessia.

I can still smell smoke when I jerk awake, breathing heavily as my eyes dart around the room, searching.

But it’s Cecile who strolls in and releases me from the restraints, a little smile on her lips that makes my eyes narrow as she pushes me towards the bathroom. “I’m getting you ready today.”

My gut clenches. “Where’s Stefano?”

She laughs, the bracelets on her arm tinkling. “His world doesn’t revolve around you. Get in the shower.”

I walk around her, waiting for the last second to lunge as if I’ll wrap my hands around her neck. Cecile’s frightened shriek actually tugs my lips up into a smirk as I slam the bathroom door in her face.

There’s no lock to keep her out, but it still makes me feel better.

The small entertainment doesn’t last for long.

My blue dress is short, indecently so, and I glare at Cecile. “Underwear?”

She shrugs, but her eyes glimmer with malice. “I forgot it.”

Bitch.

Cecile pushes me into the breakfast room but doesn’t follow me. Salvatore sits there, the bowl of yogurt and fruit waiting.

Of all the things. It had to beyogurt.

My steps are slow as I sweep my eyes over the tall, thin man sitting across from my usual seat. He watches me in return, his eyes scanning me as he sips at a black coffee. The assessment is almost clinical, but something lingers in his expression that makes my body tense as I slide into the seat.

Salvatore clicks his tongue, and I swallow my irritation as I place my arms into the straps. He buckles them more tightly than Stefan, the leather digging into my skin.

The stranger watches with interest.

Salvatore doesn’t bother introducing us. My cheeks flush in humiliation as he holds up the spoon, forcing me to reach forward for it.

He tips up my chin when I’m finished, twisting it from side to side. “Good. Isn’t she lovely, Reed?”

Reed smiles at me. It turns my stomach. “She is.”

I glance around, searching for any sign of Stefano.

“He’s busy,” Salvatore says softly, and my eyes slide to him. “He does not have time for you today, wife. So, we’re going to spend a little quality time together instead.”

There’s an odd note in his tone as he pushes his chair back. My stomach churns as I look between him and Reed. Salvatore undoes my straps, lifting me out of my chair. “I believe you know the way, Reed.”

“Naturally.”

I’m pulled along with them, stomach flipping as Reed pulls open the door that leads to the dungeon. The guards on duty let him through without question. “What’s going on?”

Reed disappears down the stairs as Salvatore turns me to face him, his hands gripping my upper arms tight enough to bruise. He smiles, but there’s no amusement in it. “Just a little health check, Caterina.”

The oxygen vanishes from my lungs as he slides his hand down to my wrist. Salvatore picks it up and presses his dry lips against my suddenly pounding pulse. “In preparation for the next step in our marriage.”

Nausea surges, sudden and violent, and I rip my wrist from his hand, turning to run. But the guards are there, grabbing me.

My nails scrape at their skin, their faces, but they slowly drag me through the door. Salvatore unpeels my fingers from around the door frame. He only sighs. “This will be easier for you if you relax, Caterina.”