Page 138 of Fighting With Light

I sigh and give him an emotionless stare.

“That depends.”

I glance at Romeo sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed. He looks at me, and I wish my brothers would stand up for me. They don’t like it because they don’t know who the Ballerini family is, and they know I don’t want to do it. But that’s not how this world works, so they are stuck.

“There’s no debate here, Aelia. You will marry Enzo Ballerini and solidify the relationship between the Costas and the Ballerini families. It’s that simple.”

Romeo’s eyes sadly stare at me and I force myself not to stomp my foot. I look at my father, meeting his eyes, and say, “No.” I don’t argue because it’s a waste of breath, and I don’t plead because he will see that as weakness.

His face turns red and I know I’m pushing him, probably too hard, but I can’t find it in myself to care. “Fine, I’ll sell you to the highest bidder. Maybe I can make some of that money back. You have a choice, Aelia. I sell you like I sell the other women or you marry Enzo,” he says, coming around his desk.

Refusing to take a step back, I hold my ground, and he grabs my arm and pulls me out of his office down the hall to my room, and pushes me into it.

I catch myself and spin on my heel to face him.

“You have a choice to make, and you will stay here until you do,” he says, vibrating with rage.

“I’m not doing either!” I yell.

He slams the door, and I open it to find one of his henchmen standing there. The large man with no neck steps towards me and says, “I was told not to let you out of this room.”

I glare at him and slam the door, locking it behind me.Well, this puts a wrench in things, doesn’t it?The clock says it’s nine in the morning. I have about twenty-four hours to figure out how I’m going to get out of this mess and get home to Liam. Only I don’t think my father will be that patient, meaning I have a lot less time. I will get out of here, only I’m bringing Mom with me. She deserves to see the sun again. I will make sure of it.

***

There is no TV in my room, and I don’t have a phone. So all I have to kill time is a book and forming a plan.

I’m not locked in here. I can open the door, but the henchman is the problem. He’s much larger than me. I don’t have a gun, a knife, or the element of surprise.

Imightbe able to go to Mom’s room and get the iPad. Maybe I’ll get lucky, and the Wi-Fi will be on, and I can get in contact with Liam. It will also give me the chance to pack her up and tell her we’re going to leave. Hopefully, the pills she took have worn off, and she’ll be lucid enough to talk to. That’s all I’ve come up with.

It’s now one in the afternoon and less than twenty hours until Liam is coming. The last thing I want is the love of my life walking into a death trap because I couldn’t find a way out.Think. Aelia, think.

Grabbing my book, I open the door, and a new guard is standing outside of my door. He takes a step forward as I take one out of my room. “You’re not to—”

I hold up my hand, silencing him. “I’m going to see my mother,” I tell him and point to the door across from mine. “He didn’t say anything about not seeing my mom.”

The guard looks between me and the door and takes a step back, letting me pass him and into my mom’s room.

The curtains are drawn, but she’s sitting up in a chair in the sitting area. I toss my book and hurry over to her.

“Mama.” I throw my arms around her and she feels even more frail than she has before. It doesn’t look like she’s eating, either. My heart twists, and anger burns through me at the same time. This is all my father’s fault.

Dropping to my knees in front of her, she looks at me and sighs, placing her palm on my face.

“Stellina,” she whispers.

“It’s me, Mama, I’m really here.”

She smiles and shakes her head. “I know you’re here, little star. I’m just wondering why.”

“What do you mean? I came to see you.” I grab her hand and hold it in mine. It’s so cold, and it makes me want to scream, and cry, and rage. My brothers have done the best they could for her. Sometimes, she just won’t do what she needs to keep living. It’s like she’s given up almost entirely. She’s just waiting to die.

“I know, stellina, but you should be out living life, seeing the world.”

I nod and hold her hand. There’s nothing to say. If she knows what my father is up to, it will only upset her more. I’m afraid that it could be the last straw.

“When is the last time you’ve eaten? We should get you something to eat,” she says.