Bark For The Don Who’s Been Hunting Me For Ten Years Chapter 02
Then my father drags me out of the car by the arm.
At the gates of the estate, a man in a black suit is waiting. Enzo. The Consigliere. Behind him, a line of guards in black. All of them looking down at us like we’re roaches.
“The Don’s out of the dark room in thirty minutes.”
Enzo’s eyes drag over me. Cold as a blade.
“He had an episode tonight. Trashed his study. Whoever pisses him off dies.”
“House rules. Once you’re through that gate, you’re a person or a dog. His call. Not yours.”
My father starts shaking. Then he spins around and kicks me hard in the back.
I hit the ground face down. Gravel biting into my palms.
I look up and watch him grovel at Enzo’s feet like a stray.
“Enzo. Look at her face. That face is gonna get the Don going, I swear. And once he’s happy, that billion—”
Enzo doesn’t blink. Doesn’t move a muscle.
My father grabs me by the hair. Yanks my head back so hard I feel my scalp tearing.
“On your knees. Now. Kiss his fucking shoes. Bark for him. Let him hear that pretty little throat. Let him decide if you’re worth the Don’s time.”
Enzo lets out a slow breath. Wipes something red off his knuckles with a handkerchief.
“Aldo. Your daughter’s not exactly warming my heart. This is supposed to be a happy occasion. Where’s her smile?”
“You really think a dead-eyed doll like this pleases anyone?”
He steps in close. His voice drops to a whisper that crawls up my spine.
“One more thing. The Don doesn’t like being looked at. Not in the eye. Not from below. Not from anywhere. You people keep your heads down in there. You upset him? I feed your whole family to the dogs up in the hills.”
My father and Camilla suck in air at the same time. Nodding like bobbleheads.
“Enzo, I promise. She looks quiet but trust me, she knows how to work a man.”
“The Don can do whatever he wants with her. Break her. We don’t care.”
I can’t help it. A little laugh slips out.
The Don doesn’t like being looked at?
Ten years ago, who was on his knees at my feet every night? Like a beaten stray. Looking up at me with red eyes. Begging me. Just to look at him. Just one more time.
These bootlickers have no idea who they’re serving.
Camilla sees me smiling and digs her nails into my arm.
“Are you out of your mind? What are you smiling at? Wipe that goddamn attitude off your face. You serve him tonight. You hear me?”
My father’s hand flies up. Ready to slap me.
“You little bitch. You upset the Don and drag this family down with you, I’m killing you myself.”
“You die tonight if that’s what it takes. But not before you make him happy.”
Enzo cuts in. Walks down the steps. Circles me slowly. Something dark lights up behind his eyes.
“Interesting. Never seen one that isn’t scared. She’s got fire. Might actually survive the night.”
My father exhales like a man who just dodged a bullet. Greed flooding right back into his face.
Bianca leans into his ear, giggling.
“Dad. Look. His guy actually likes the wild ones. Maybe that’s the Don’s type.”
My father buys it in a heartbeat. Straightens up. Puffs out his chest. Steps forward like he owns the place.
“Enzo. My daughter. What are her odds, you think? And out of curiosity. Why does the Don need a replacement anyway? This dead woman of his. Was there something—”
“Shut your mouth.”
Enzo’s face goes stone cold. His gun is out and pressed to my father’s forehead before anyone can breathe.
“You think a piece of shit like you gets to speculate about her?”
“She is not spoken of in this house. Say her name one more time and I paint this driveway with your brains.”
My father’s knees give out. He hits the ground begging.
Enzo snorts. Holsters the gun. Turns and walks to the keypad on the main door.
My father doesn’t dare make a sound. But he turns and dumps every ounce of terror right back onto me.
He digs his fingers into my arm. Voice low. Poisonous.
“You hear me? You go in there and you please that man. You piss him off, I swear to God, I’ll piss on your mother’s grave myself.”
I don’t even hear him.
I’m staring at the massive carved doors of the main house. They’re starting to open.
I know exactly why Cassian De Luca has been losing his mind for ten years. Why he’s been hunting for a woman who looks like me.
Ten years ago, I took the bullet meant for his heart. My body broke apart into light in his arms.
That wild, murderous boy dropped to his knees in the blood. Cracked his skull open on the pavement.
He was dying. He thought I was dying too.
I told him I was an angel sent from heaven to save him. Told him we’d see each other again.
He was sobbing. He grabbed my hand.
“Just come back to me. Come back and I’ll be your dog. This life. The next one. Every one after that. I’ll be your dog forever.”
He’s not looking for a replacement.
He’s never been looking for a replacement.
He’s just been looking for me. In every face that came close.
The doors swing all the way open. Something heavy rolls out with the cold air. Power. The kind that makes your knees want to buckle on their own.
I lift my chin into the wind. And I smile.
Cassian. I’m home, baby.
I really want to see what you look like now.
The most powerful dog in New York, back on his knees at my feet. Begging.