The Mafia Princess’s Revenge Chapter 02
My mind went blank with a roar.
“That’s impossible. She’s dead.” My voice was trembling.
“She’s alive. She’s always believed you died in that attack too.” The man stepped calmly into the room, his tone certain:
“Sicily.”
“She’s waiting for you.”
Tears spilled down my face instantly. “Does she know that I—”
I looked down at my scarred hands. The rest of the sentence wouldn’t come.
Does she know what I’ve become?
The man took a card from his pocket.
“Tonight at midnight. The old cargo tunnel on the west side of the complex. Our people will be waiting.”
I scrambled off the bed immediately. I took nothing. At 11:40, I heard the shift change in the corridor outside.
The west exit.
Mama’s people would be there.
My steps quickened—but the instant my hand touched the stairwell door handle, a hand clamped around my wrist from behind.
My entire body jolted. I thrashed, trying to break free, only to find myself pinned by that grip.
Almost by instinct, I dropped into a crouch, shielding my head with my other arm.
“Don’t hit me!”
The words fell.
Sudden silence behind me.
The hand gripping me went noticeably rigid.
I gasped for breath, slowly raising my head—and saw the familiar face.
Nicola Orsini stood over me.
I hadn’t seen him in three years.
“Papa Nicola…”
Nicola’s brow immediately creased. “Don’t call me that.” His voice went cold. “I made it perfectly clear three years ago—you no longer deserve to call me that.”
I lowered my head. “I’m sorry.”
I felt his gaze travel over me—the threadbare clothes, my wrists covered in scars of varying depth, the right side of my face half-hidden behind my hair.
I stole a glance at his watch.
11:52.
Eight minutes left.
I had to go.
The next second, his grip tightened.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
I said nothing. He let out a cold laugh:
“The people here tell me you’ve been well-behaved lately. I thought three years had finally taught you some manners. Clearly not.”
I lifted my head. “I just want to leave.”
“Leave?” Another cold laugh. “The lengths you’ll go to for attention, Elisa.”
“Today is Marta’s twenty-first birthday. Giulio prepared an entire gala for her. She personally interceded on your behalf—said as long as you’re willing to apologize, she’ll forgive you.”
He looked at me, the contempt in his eyes unconcealed.
“Look at her. Then look at yourself. After everything you did to her, she still has the grace to consider others. And you? Three years, and all you’ve done is be jealous of her and make trouble for everyone else..”
He paused. “No wonder we all chose Marta in the end.”
I froze.
“We’ve decided to give you one chance. Come back with me.”
“Apologize to her face.”
The clock at the end of the corridor ticked forward one notch.
11:58.
Two minutes until Mama’s people would come for me.
I clutched the Ricci ring in my palm.