Natalia's POV:

"You... you can't do that!" I spat as my mind raced wildly.

The man's index finger curled around the trigger. "You underestimate me, piccolina." His deep voice was cold and void of any emotion.

My blood ran cold as I broke out in cold sweat. I was glued to a spot.

Torn between wanting to agree and disagree. Just moments ago I could almost taste my freedom and dreams. I worked my butt off for years to be awarded a fully funded scholarship. Everyone else was going off to college in a few weeks. I couldn't possibly follow a stranger across the continent to get married.

War raged inside me at his threat. I can't let this man ruin everything for me. I won't back down. I have to call the cops.

As if dad heard my thoughts. "Na... Natalia..." Dad breathed as tears rolled down his cheeks."Plea... please do as he says. Don Carlo's going to kill me if you don't."

Don Carlo?

My heart squeezed painfully at his plea. He might have been an asshole to me all my life but he was still my father and my family.

I exhaled sharply. "Fine. I will come with you."

Don Carlo dropped his gun at my words. "I've changed my mind. Go get dressed, we leave for Italy now."

"What? No! You can't do that. You just sprung this whole bullshit on me, at least give me time to come to terms with it!" I tried to reason with him.

He took several steps until he was standing toe to toe with me and my blood ran cold. Yes, he was handsome but one look at him and you could tell he was dangerous. "You only have an hour, piccolina."

His tone left no room for argument as his cold eyes bored into me, daring me to try something stupid. But I won't, he was armed and I certainly didn't feel like dying today.

"Fine," I muttered and stormed back into my room.

I almost jumped out of my skin when Ava tapped me. I'd nearly forgotten about her. "Why did you leave the closet?" I hissed.

"I got scared, Natty. Are you okay? Did dad hit you again?" She looked frightened.

My heart sank as I pulled her in for a hug. If I go with those men to Italy, what happens to Ava? Dad can't look after her, hell, he can't even look after himself, he got us into this mess in the first place.

Do I need to go with them? Isn't there a way out?

An idea lights up in my head. I will not be going with them.

I pulled away from her embrace. "Ava, do you trust me?"

She nodded.

"Good. Just stick close to me, okay?"

"Okay."

Satisfied, I pulled out my phone and quickly dialed my best friend's number-she was the one who had helped me secure a place in Michigan where I'd be schooling. It was her cousin's apartment.

On the third ring...

"About damn time," Tanya hissed as soon as the call connected. "I've been texting you, my cousin is here at school waiting for you."

"I won't make it," I said urgently. "I don't have much time but I need you to tell your cousin that I'll head to the bus stop from here instead of meeting her at school."

"What?! Why-"

"There's no time, Tanya!" I snapped. "Dad got into trouble with some really bad guys and now they are here for me. Apparently, I'm supposed to marry the man's son."

"Oh shit. Calm down, you're freaking out. I'll inform her right away," She reassured. "Please, be safe, Natalia."

I exhaled deeply to calm my nerves but it didn't help. "I will, thank you. I'm sorry about the sudden change of plans."

"It's fine, you deserve so much better and this is the only way I could help. Please call me when you arrive. I love you."

"Love you."

She hung up. And I grabbed the bag I'd packed earlier. I listened for any movement that could be coming from the living room and when it was all clear. I picked up our bags and led Ava down to our basement.

No one knew about the hidden window in the basement because I made it. When I was younger, I had thought of running away but never really had the guts to do so.

I held Ava's hands tightly. "You have to be quiet, okay?"

She nodded, eyes wide with fear.

Quickly, I threw our bags out of the window and I lowered Ava next. At the top, I threw my legs over and held on with both hands so I could jump the rest of the way down and join Ava.

Except fingers wrapped around my legs, startling me. They didn't let go. My heart dropped to my stomach like a lead and it felt like I was about to shit myself from fear.

We've been caught!

I kicked-hard. But it did no good. The hands only tightened.

"You think you're so smart."

No, no, no. This couldn't be happening. How had Carlo found me here? It was impossible.

Oh no! Why can't I hear Ava's voice?!

I panicked and my hands slipped, forcing me to let go of the window. I fell into a hard, male chest, arms folding like steel bands around me.

"Get your hands off me!" I thrashed against his hold. "Where's my sister!" Using all my strength, I bucked against him. "Get off!"

Suddenly, he let go and I landed hard on my knees and hands. I jumped to my feet, eyes searching for Ava.

Carlo grabbed my arm as if sensing my thoughts, "My men have the little girl."

I gasped. "You–"

"I don't harm little children," he said stiffly.

I felt my body sag in relief

"... but my men have no problem doing that."

My jaw dropped as my heart skipped a beat. "You're an animal!"

"I've been called worse, bella," he smirked as he pulled my arm, dragging me along to the front of the house.

When we got to the front, dad was already out there, two guards holding him back, roughly. His cheeks were stained with tears, his red-rimmed eyes stared ahead.

I followed his line of sight and–

No, no, no!

"Ava!"

Natalia's POV:

It's all my fault... I caused this...

Why didn't I follow them? Instead, I thought I could outsmart them and I was wrong. So terribly wrong.

Tears blurred my vision as every fight I had in me melted away. I turned to Carlo, the devil in human form. "I'll come with you," I said in a soft plea. "I'll do anything! Please."

My eyes turned back to where Ava stood in front of the black van, tears streaming down her cheeks as her brown gaze locked with mine. A man stood behind her, his left hand closed her mouth, muffling her screams while his right held a dagger against her neck.

How could they do that to a child?!

I yanked my arm from his hold and dropped to my knees, clasping my hands in front of me. "Please, don't do this... please!"

His gray-blue eyes studied me, they were expressionless and I couldn't tell what he was thinking. With each second that passed, my anxiety heightened.

Carlo made eye contact with the man holding Ava and he let her go.

Like lightning, Ava dashed toward me and I hugged her tightly as we both let out broken sobs. My body still trembled from how scared I'd been. I didn't know if I should feel relieved or wary. One thing I knew for sure was that they were taking the both of us to Italy.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered, kissing her all over as I wiped her little cheeks. I could only imagine how she was feeling, I was the older one here, and my mind was still reeling over how drastically our lives changed in one day–

BANG!!! BANG!!!

My heart skipped so fast it physically hurt. Ava clung to me, her sobs grew louder from the shocking sound. It took my brain several seconds to realize that those sounds were from gunshots...

No...no...

Fear crawled up my spine. With trembling hands, I pulled away from Ava's embrace and got to my feet. Bile rose to my throat as I turned around.

"Oh God!" A scream escaped me as I ran blindly to dad's still form on the floor. "No, no, no! Dad... please..." I pushed my hands against his wounds trying to stop the bleeding but it was useless.

"Dad!" Ava called from beside me.

Blood flowed from his mouth and where he'd been shot twice. His eyes seemed to struggle to stay open as if he was hanging on for dear life. "I-I... I'm so-rry..." His head lolled to the side and he went completely still.

"Dad, please wake up," Ava cried out as she tugged on his arm.

Fresh hot tears wet my cheeks. Dad was dead. My chest physically hurts. He'd abused me, starved me, and caused me a lot of trouble but he was still my father, the only parent I knew, the only family I had besides Ava.

And she'd just watched our father die in his pool of blood.

"Have someone take care of this mess." I heard Carlo say and I saw red.

Without thinking, I moved swiftly, grabbing Carlo by his collar. "You monster! I already agreed to come with you, you said you wouldn't kill him if I did!"

"Take her away," Carlo said coldly, staring over my head. His eyes were void of any emotion.

"How could you?" I rasped.

Hands grabbed me roughly, pulling me into the van and I let them. When I woke up today, the last thing I'd thought would happen was meeting the devil, but here I am with the devil himself.

A sharp prick in the back of my neck was followed by a cold rush in my veins.

And the world went black.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dad, wake up!

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I tried to scream but the words couldn't come out. Everything seemed slow like an out-of-body experience. It felt like I was watching from the outside as blood flowed profusely from the holes in his chest. His body felt cold, his lips were blue...

He was dying.

"No!"

I jerked awake, my heart raced wildly like I'd just done a marathon. I wiped at my sweaty forehead as I took in my surroundings.

It was a small room, like those you see in movies where captives are kept.

Slowly, I recalled the horror that had happened the previous day.

Ava... Where was Ava?

On high alert, I jumped to my feet and reached for the door.

Locked.

"Who's out there? Let me out of here!" I banged my fists on the wooden door over and over. Negative thoughts swarmed my head with each passing second.

What if she was sold to someone else?

Left behind?

Worse...killed?

Fear gripped me and I doubled my effort, I banged on the sturdy door until my hands hurt. "If anyone fucking hurts my sister, I swear-"

The door swung open and I almost fell nose flat on the floor but strong arms caught me.

Carlo.

I could recognize his scent and it stirred something in me, making me feel warm. I jerked away from his arms like I'd been burnt, feeling disgusted with myself.

Carlo's cold eyes met mine. "You're being a nuisance, Natalia."

Is he serious right now?

Anger and pain warred inside me. "Why should I give a fuck if I am being a nuisance? You ruined my family, you drugged me. You...you killed my father, asshole." My voice broke and I hated the fact that he could sense my pain and suffering.

"Women don't use foul language around me," he said sternly.

I glared at him and tried to burn holes in his skin with my eyes. "Go to hell! Where's my fucking sister?" My body shook more from fear than anger, I shouldn't rile him up but I needed to see Ava, I needed to know she was safe.

His brows shot up at my defiance. "You both will be separated until you're ready to be obedient."

"You can't do that! She knows no one here, she's just a child, one who you rendered fatherless right before her eyes!"

Carlo's eyes hardened.

"She'll live," he stated simply, his voice lacked sympathy, just cold and hard like his cruel heart.

He turned to live but paused and pinned me with a dark stare that scared me down to my toes. "My son will be introduced to you tonight and until then, don't try anything stupid, I'd hate to put a bullet hole through that pretty head of yours."

The glint in his eyes showed how serious he was and I shrank back in fear, this monster could kill me. If I died what would happen to Ava? My eyes stung with tears. "I...I just want to see my sister," I whispered and I hoped he'd understand.

But Carlo took one last look at me and then he left. The door clicked shut behind him.

A choked sob tore from my throat, and I let it out-everything I had been holding in. I yelled in frustration as I grabbed the nearest thing-my duffel bag-and hurled it across the room. It slammed against the door with a loud thud, its contents spilled out. I tossed the pillows and ripped at the bedsheets, anything to release the hurt and anger clawing at my insides.

Why me?

Why do I always have to struggle for happiness?

Exhausted, I dropped to the floor beside the door and that was when my eyes caught something strange amidst the mess on the floor. Slowly, I picked up the brown envelope that slid out from where my bag landed.

It wasn't mine. I hadn't put an envelope when I packed my bag, at least I didn't remember putting it in there.

My heart rate picked up as every instinct told me not to open the strange envelope. But my fingers moved, tearing the seal off...

I should have listened.

Carlo's POV:

Death had a smell.

Tears, blood, sweat, and fear...

I glanced back at the traitor-Marco's limp body being chained to a chair.

In my world, disloyalty and lies were deadly sins. The only way to punish traitors for such an unforgivable sin was death.

"Wake the stronzo up," I growled.

"Sure thing, Capo," Enzo, my cousin and right-hand man answered as he moved to Marco, striking him hard across the face and he jerked awake.

Marco's left eye was ballooned shut, his lip split, and his cheek already bruising. Marco had been working for me for over ten years, yet he betrayed me. The fucker knew how much I hated traitors and yet.

"You know what happens to men like you, don't you?" I asked, my voice hard and cold.

"Don Carlo, please...please don't do this. I'm sorry. I was desperate, he had my family," he cried as snot dripped down his broken nose.

If he was desperate, he could have come to me for help. But no, the fucker took the easier way out. He stole from me and sold information to the enemy, I just needed to know which of my enemies. I had a lot. "Who is 'he' Marco?"

Marco looked everywhere but at me and he shook his head. "I don-"

Enzo drove his fist into Marco's stomach. "Dare lie to us again and I'll shove this knife up your ass," Enzo barked.

Marco whimpered and cried. "Gianpaolo."

I smirked. Of course, it's him. The pussy knew he couldn't face me head-on. For years he has been trying to avenge the death of his family and take my place, which I respect. But he should at least come out boldly and go to war with me and may the best man win.

Gianpaolo wouldn't do that though, I wasn't called the famous Don Carlo Moretti for nothing.

"Please..." Marco's cries cut through my thoughts.

I pulled out my gun and aimed for Marco's head. His gaze met mine and all I could see in his eyes was fear, his mouth opened, probably to beg once more, but no words could be heard over the bang of the bullet leaving my gun and piercing the air.

My hand snapped back slightly from the recoil, and I steadied once more before lowering it. Marco's head flopped back before rolling forward. Empty eyes looked back at me.

I handed my gun to Enzo. "Clean up this mess."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Natalia fascinated me. I couldn't tell what it was exactly but she stirred something inside me. She was beautiful, glorious even, and if she wasn't marrying Luca...

I shook my head. I can't think that way about her...

She was like a cat. Small but feisty with a lot of energy when upset, but that was okay, I've handled worse.

I could tame her and make her the perfect wife for my son, Luca. I had texted him earlier, letting him know we'd arrived. The two had to meet soon and they both had to accept this marriage whether they liked it or not.

That was how things were run in the Moretti 'ndrina. My father had me married at sixteen and Luca was born a year later. My wife Luca's mother died in a rival gang attack years later making Luca my only son. Luca had just turned eighteen and it was time for him to fulfill his role as my heir. He had to produce his own heir as soon as possible. Without grandsons, our future, and everything I fought and killed for would be at risk.

There were a lot of other girls I could have picked for Luca besides Natalia. Hell, the other mafia families already had their daughters lining up for Luca, but I wasn't stupid, I didn't want a marriage alliance with the other families, and that was a risk too. In this part of the world, no one was to be trusted. No one at all. Natalia was a safe choice, she was my prisoner and I could bend her to my will.

"Mio Dio Carlo," Caterina, my aunt exclaimed as she joined me in my home office.

I sighed knowing what she was going to say next.

"In all these years, I've never interfered because I was born into this life and I know how things are done around here but you have done the unthinkable this time," she said stiffly, looking disappointed.

"I'm not in the mood for this."

She tucked a gray strand behind her ear as she pinned me with a glare. "I passed by that room and I heard her crying her heart out. What did you do?"

I killed her bastard father. I don't say that out loud though, I wasn't in the mood to explain myself. Antonio Bernardi had it coming, either way, I was going to kill him. When he'd offered his oldest daughter in exchange for his life, he reminded me of my father and I knew I had to kill him.

"Carlo!" Caterina hissed.

"What?" I snapped, usually I was calmer with her. She raised me when my mother couldn't and she'd always supported me. I loved her. Not right now though, right now she was interfering in my business. "She became my property the moment her father offered her to me! And I'll do whatever I want with her."

She flinched at my words but I was past caring. "But now her little sister-"

"Not another word!"

"If not for her, think about your son's happiness. Do you think he'd like to be forced into a marriage he doesn't want? Luca is your everything, it is your duty to make him happy," She spat, her chest heaving from anger.

"Luca will be happy, Natalia is the best choice for him. My father chose my wife, it is my right to do so for my son."

Caterina scoffed as she shook her head. "And how did that turn out?"