Page 13

Chapter 13

Massimo

I groan as I roll over. Every part of my body hurts—my head the worst.

Gabe didn't hold back last night. I suspect he poured every ounce of disapproval of how I was handling shit with Nova into every punch and kick.

I had my own disapproval of how I was handling shit with Nova, which added to my frustration and anger at her, and Gabe finally tapped out before I put him in the hospital.

I hit the bottle after that. I don't remember coming to bed, but I'm here now. Under the warm blanket, while Nova shivers in my basement.

Memories of last night push in—the sight of her perfect, small body. But that is quickly washed away with my disgust and guilt, revulsion and remorse for what I did. My stomach clenches and nearly ejects the poison I drank last night to drown my self-loathing.

I sit up, groaning at the thumping in my head with the sudden movement. Throwing back the comforter, I stumble out of bed and into the ensuite, where I quickly shower and brush my teeth to remove the putrid coating in my mouth. Going into my walk-in closet, I grab a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt rather than my suit. Maybe if Nova sees me more casually—less of the Don—that might be a change in tactic with her.

It's quiet as I move through the upstairs level and down the curving staircase to the main part of the house. Usually, there are people around—staff, guards, my brother, and Zio Marco—but I've banished everyone from the house.

Just like the beast.

What will my reception be when my beauty sees me? More fear? More tears? Have I scarred her for life?

Or will she come at me swinging? Bare her claws to protect herself.

Mancini's sons are just like him; they'll fight you to the death. Nova is Silvestro Mancini's greatest asset—everyone in our world knows that. The beautiful and untouched Mancini Princess. Our world is filled with monsters who want that prize, and Mancini, while not being overly powerful in our world, had landed a crème de la crème deal with the French mafia. So, if Nova is Mancini's greatest chance for more power, he would've coached her, personally taught her his vile views, and poisoned her mind to be just like him.

That's what fathers do; they raise you in their image.

Not every father is like Tommaso Santoro…not every father in this life coaches their offspring to be like them.

Gabe's words push in, creating an opening for others.

One hell to another. One trapped cage to another. One monster to another.

Gemma's words, which she said Nova had spoken on the plane, almost make me stumble down the stairs to the basement. My hand clamps on the rail and sweat breaks out over my skin.

My steps are hurried as I finish descending the stairs and go to the hallway to Nova's cell. I'm reaching into my pocket for the key when I realize the door is wide open.

I'm certain I locked it last night.

What if she escaped?

Dread pushes me quickly into the room, and I halt.

Jerome is kneeling beside her. Touching her.

Possessive rage licks up my spine. Before I move to yank him away from her, my reasoning kicks in, and I realize he's trying to help her sit up.

My jacket still lies on the floor where it landed when I threw it at her.

She'd rather freeze than put my jacket on for a bit of warmth .

The thought makes my guts curdle.

There's another untouched tray of food that Jerome would've brought down earlier. She still hasn't eaten.

She has to be starving by now.

"Miss, if you won't eat, then you at least need to drink something." Jerome's words are tender and concerned. Neither he nor Nova are aware I'm here, and I stay silent. "Drink, Nova."

As soon as the words are out of Jerome's mouth, she takes the bottle and drains in, coughing when she's finished.

She's obviously thirsty but wouldn't drink until Jerome…

Gave her a direct order.

When he did, she willingly drank. She guzzled it like she was dying of thirst, draining the bottle.

Unease creeps through me as I run through every interaction I've had with Nova.

Last night, I didn't tell her to put my jacket on and use it for warmth. When I had brought her water, I only tossed it at her. And I never explicitly told her to eat; I'm not sure if Jerome or Gabe ever did, either.

Because that's usually implied when someone brings you food, even if you're a captive.

I shift as my unease grows into dread and horror that I've been so fucking wrong this whole time.

When I shift, my shoes scuff the stone floor, and the noise makes Nova lift her head. She's so pale. She tries to push away.

No, I realize she's trying to push up, to stand.

Jerome looks at me over his shoulder but grabs her when she nearly falls. "Easy, Miss Nova, just rest."

She shakes her head and her limp hair tangles around her face. "Rather… Feet."

Alarm courses through me. She's been down here for three days without eating. But how long has it been since she ate before?

And she's hardly slept, yet she's strong enough to try to stand with Jerome's help.

Her body shakes, and her eyes are unfocused. "Always face a monster… On…your feet. "

My entire body jerks.

Her soft brown eyes land on me, but I don't think she sees me. She's battling cold, exhaustion, dehydration, and starvation from the looks of it.

If she hasn't eaten for more than three days… With how small she is, the threshold for it severely affecting her would be magnified.

"Nova… Why haven't you eaten anything?" I ask, somehow knowing the answer, but I need to hear it from her.

"You didn't tell me I could." Her eyes shift, becoming more unfocused, like she's seeing something only she can see. She shudders. "Lessons. So many hard-learned lessons." A tear trails down her cheek. "I learned…" Her head swings, looking around. "In a room similar to this." She shakes, and her head falls forward. "It…was…much colder."

Jerome makes a noise of distress as he holds her steady. "Your father?"

"Mancini," she hisses. "The snake that Massimo hates." She looks at Jerome. "Massimo… Hates me, too. Thinks I'm strong… Hiding. I am hiding. But I can't fight."

Her head lolls to me as a another tear trails down her cheek. "Don't fight the monsters, princess. Because the monsters always win."

I catch her as she collapses into unconsciousness.