“I always made more money than any of your other managers. I’ll work for free for as long as you want me to. I’ll make it up to you, I swear.”

“You’ll make it up to me?” Falcone repeated. “You betrayed me. You stole from me and gave my money to the filthy Russians. My enemies. How are you going to make it up to me?”

“I’ll do anything,” Father said.

Falcone touched his chin in contemplation. It looked as if he’d practiced the move countless times in front of the mirror. “There is something you can do for me.”

Father nodded eagerly, but I wasn’t as optimistic. The look in Falcone’s eyes promised nothing good. Falcone pulled a gun out of a holster under his jacket and held it against Father’s head. “You can die.”

He pulled the trigger.

I cried out, taking a step forward to help my father, and so did Mother, but two men stepped in our way. Talia screamed, a high-pitched sound that made the hairs at the back of my neck stand up. I peered toward Father, expecting the worst, but he didn’t topple over. He was unharmed. I shook, horror being replaced by relief.

Father closed his eyes, his lips moving in silent prayer before he glanced up at Falcone. There was definitely relief in his gaze, but also trepidation.

Falcone smirked. “But first we need to know everything you know about the Russians and everything else that might harm my business, don’t you agree?”

Falcone didn’t wait for Father’s reply. Instead, he pointed at Growl. “Talk to him. And make it quick. I have better things to do.” Growl didn’t hesitate. He grabbed Father by the arm, hoisted him up and dragged him into the adjoining dining room.

Mother, Talia and I were ushered into a corner and had to wait while listening to Father’s muffled cries and moans. Talia pressed her palms against her ears and squeezed her eyes shut. Mother tightened her hold on both of us. I wanted to close my ears off to the sounds of Father’s torture, but if he had to bear the pain, I could at least bear this. I kneaded my hands nervously, wondering if Father would give up secrets that would make things even worse. Did it even matter?

It grew quiet in the adjoining room. I stared at the closed door, willing it to open and Father to step through. What if the silence meant that Father had lost his consciousness? Or worse.

The door creaked open. Mother stiffened. Father was led inside by Growl. Without the other man’s steely grip, Father would have toppled over.

Falcone rose from his chair. “All done?”

Growl gave a nod. He led Father into the center of the room, then let go of him. Father dropped to his knees. Growl blended back into the background as Falcone stepped in front of Father. “You disappointed me greatly, Brando. It’s a pity, really. You should have considered your family before you decided to screw me over.”

Father coughed, then rasped, “Don’t…don’t punish them for my…”

Falcone didn’t give him the chance to finish the sentence. He turned his back to my father. “Growl,” he said.

Growl came forward, waiting for orders. He was going to kill my father; there was no other option.

“You did good, Growl.” Falcone’s lips pulled wide, revealing too many teeth. “That’s why I have a gift for you.”

Growl stood still, dripping with blood and sweat, eyes cold and empty, as if there was nothing behind them, a dark emptiness that consumed anything around. I shivered. I didn’t remember his gaze being this horrific at the party. Killing and maiming must have brought the monster to the surface.

Father shook his head. “You can’t!”

I startled.

Growl barely glanced his way, but then his eyes found me, and they didn’t move on. God in Heaven, have mercy.

CHAPTER FIVE

Cara

“I can and I will.” Falcone nodded toward one of his men, a silent order. The man stepped forward and punched Father in the stomach, making him sputter and cough. Blood dripped down Father’s chin as he raised his eyes to me.

I didn’t understand what this meant.

Falcone opened his arms. “You’ve been a good soldier, and you deserve a reward.” He pointed a single finger at me, and my world came crashing down. I could see my life crumbling right before my eyes, and then everything turned so much worse. Falcone’s finger moved on from me to my sister. Growl’s eyes darted toward her. “One of them. It’s your choice.”

“No,” I cried out, tearing away from my mother and past the man barring my way. My newfound freedom was short-lived, however, as the man grabbed me by the arms, bruising me. I winced from the pain shooting through my body.

Talia was frozen in fear and shock beside our mother.

“Please,” Father said, his hands linked in a begging gesture. “They are innocent. Punish me but don’t hurt them.”

Falcone barely glanced his way. “Oh, I will punish you, don’t worry. But it won’t be that easy.” It was obvious he was enjoying himself tremendously. This room was filled with plenty of monsters, but I had a feeling he was the worst of them.

“It’s your choice, Growl. Take whoever you want. I’m sure you’ll enjoy either of them,” Falcone said with a nasty smile. I wanted nothing more than to wipe it off him, to take the heavy marble sculpture of a naked Greek god my mother loved so much and smash it against Falcone’s ugly face. I didn’t know where those brutal notions came from. I’d never been the violent type, but I supposed that anyone could be driven to the worst in a situation like this.

Growl’s eyes rested on my face. I’d have thought he would check out my body, but his gaze never strayed away from my face. I almost wished it were different. His eyes were like amber lakes of nothingness. I didn’t want to find out the horrible secrets they harbored in their depths.

“Oh, I think the choice is made,” Falcone said with a laugh.

Growl gave a small nod. “Her,” he rumbled, eyes still glued to me.

Horror, fear, despair crashed down on me. There should have been relief as well. Relief because Talia had been spared. I didn’t want my sister in my stead, but I couldn’t feel relief when my own life was falling apart.

“Very well then,” Falcone said in a patronizing manner, waving a hand. “She’s yours.”

She’s yours.

He was talking about me.

I was Growl’s.

“You can’t do that,” Father roared. I hadn’t expected that much power left in him. I was empty, no fight, nothing. All gone.

“Take me. She’s just a child,” Mother pleaded.

Falcone laughed again, a menacing sound. “Who’d want an old prune when they can have a juicy peach?”

“Now watch your mouth,” Father hissed. Maybe I would have admired his sudden bravery more if he wasn’t the reason for our demise. “I won’t stand by while you insult my wife and give my daughter to that…” He glared at Growl with disgust. “That monster.”

Falcone nodded. “You’re right. You shouldn’t have to watch this.” He pointed his gun at Father, and my mouth opened for a scream, but before a sound escaped, Falcone pulled the trigger. This time it wasn’t for show. The bullet tore through Father’s temple. His head whipped back violently, eyes widened in shock. His body toppled backwards, his legs getting stuck under his back in an awkward angle.