Page 101 of Ripple Effect

I’ve thought a lot about Nonna, both in the last few months and since I was dragged up here last night. I can’t escape the tremor that racks through my body knowing I’ll be with her soon. All those moments with her from learning how to cook and listening to her stories about falling in love flash through my mind. Memories of words of wisdom about being a gracious woman as well as a tiger of a business owner while sipping cocoa, then wine by her fireplace, warming a body racked with chills. And learning from her that only love would cause the ripples in my life to alter its course.

“You might not have thought of this situation,” I whisper quietly enough, I’m sure I can’t be heard.

But I’m wrong.

Dark boots stop in front of me. “What did you say, signora?” Alessio sneers.

I rub my lips together in an attempt to bring moisture them. They’re so dry and cracked from the lack of fluid. “I was talking to my grandmother.”

Alessio grips my face hard. I can’t control the sound that escapes. “Unh!” My cheek is swollen and tender from…was it just yesterday?

“Your grandmother? Is she here?” Jerking my head back and forth, my neck is whipping every which way. I don’t answer. “No? Then what must we do to shut this pretty little mouth of yours?”

I bite my inner cheek.

Jerking my head forward and back, he screams, “Answer me, damn you!”

“I’ll…I’ll be good. I swear.”

With a cruel smile, he stands. Hauling me to feet which have no feeling, I stumble against him. “If you want to live, you’ll be better than good.” Shoving me backward, I fall awkwardly on my arms. Shooting pain rips up both shoulders.

But it’s nothing like the pain that causes me to curl into myself when I feel his boot land right below my ribs.

“Before, you didn’t want me to touch you. Now, if it means your death, will you beg for me to touch you, Signora Sullivan?”

Twisting my head, my eyes are staring right into the sun. Tears leak out the sides. I whisper, “No.”

I feel a different boot in my back as Alessio crouches down. “Oh, I think you will. Diego, show our guest what happens to women who misbehave, would you? We haven’t made an example of one yet.”

My mind’s in too much shock to register the lash of the leather. At first there’s a sharp pain, but then the burn. I scream, “No! Stop!” I try to curl my legs up to protect my baby—Cal’s baby—but other hands hold my legs down.

“Again,” Alessio demands.

This time, my mind hears the hiss before the lash. My bare legs jolt.

“Libby!” Linc weakly calls out.

“Ah, is that your name? Libby? So precious,” Alessio murmurs just as his foot kicks me in the side.

And I turn my head and retch.

72

Calhoun

Year Six - Five Years Ago from Present Day October 23 1730 Hours GMT

My hands are trembling as I rip the headphones off my ears. Listening to Libby’s cry of pain sent me from fearful to murderous. “God help her,” I whisper aloud.

“Cal, are you going to be able…” Pete starts to ask me again. One of my own crew? I’m out of my chair, my hands wrapped around his throat before he can even finish his sentence.

“Ask me again if I should be here when it’s my fault she’s even over there.” Exerting the slightest pressure, I enjoy the way his face reddens before I let him go. Sam lays his hand on my shoulder, but I shake it off. “I’m fine,” I snap.

“You’re about as fine as she is,” he tells me. “Lock it down, Cal. Libby needs you more than ever, and she doesn’t even know it.” Along with the encouragement, I hear the undertone in his voice. “The ship’s captain, Thorn, neither will think twice about throwing you in the brig.” I get it. We’re here because they need the help only Alliance can provide. But I’m quite possibly the largest liability next to the hijackers themselves; I’m a man with too much to lose if we fail. Because if we do, I’ll never forgive myself.

They might as well bury me alongside Libby.

“It’s locked,” I bite out as I return to my station. I slap on the headset just in time to hear Libby grunt before what sounds like her body hits the floor.