Page 13 of Pretty Plaything

He kept punching the boy in the face, and blood was spraying everywhere. A few drops even ended up on my favorite dress.

Alessandro’s father showed up, and when he saw what was going on, he laughed. Once the boy’s father pulled his son away, Alessandro was grinning, his hands coated in blood.

Alessandro’s father clapped him on the back. “Good job, son.”

The whole family terrified me so much, and I was glad when my mom took my hand and tugged me away from there.

I didn’t want to meet Alessandro and his family or be forced to talk to them.

And I sure as hell don’t want to marry him now.

Even though I know I shouldn’t, I push the door open.

“I won’t marry Alessandro,” I say.

My father presses his lips into a tight line, his displeasure evident on his face. “What are you doing here, Sienna?”

“Don’t interrupt us, sis,” Santiago says. “Go to your room.”

“You promised I’d have a say in who I marry,” I say to my father, giving him a pleading look. “And I don’t want Alessandro.”

“That’s not up for discussion,” my father says. “My decision is final. You will marry Alessandro. Your marriage will mean a whole lot to our family. You will be doing us a huge favor. It’s a great honor to be able to do something like that for your family.”

“But—”

“Sienna.” My father shoots me a warning look.

“Santi, please tell him I can’t—” I turn to my brother.

Santiago remains quiet, looking away from me.

“Leave us,” my father says.

I burst out of the room, tears forming in the corners of my eyes. Just like that, my future has been decided, and there’s absolutely nothing I can do about it.

“Honey, are you okay?” my mom asks when she runs into me in the hallway. “What happened?”

“Dad wants to marry me off to Alessandro Bellini!”

“Oh honey. Don’t be upset. Your father knows what’s best.”

Before she can touch me, I brush past her and run to my room. She’ll never be on my side.

Once I’m in my room, I throw myself on the bed and grab my phone.

Most stuff on my phone has been blocked, supposedly for my protection, and I don’t have access to a lot of things, but I can call Emilia.

“Sienna? What’s up?” she asks as soon as she answers.

“My dad wants me to marry Alessandro Bellini!”

“Oh, my god!” she squeals.

“No, that’s not a good thing!”

“It’s not?” Confusion fills her voice. “Isn’t Alessandro like super hot? I think I saw a pic of him somewhere. He’s got those super intense blue eyes and perfectly messy black hair. Like he’s some model or an actor.”

“Then you marry him!” I snap.