Christo shook his head at me. “I’ve never had someone so eager to be tortured.”
“The sooner I die, the sooner you set Ri … Sophia free.”
“True. I just hope she loves you enough to kill herself. You do have that affect on females.”
I bit my tongue to stop from going ballistic at him. A soldier walked behind me, stealing my attention away from Christo. Grabbing my wrists, he tied the rope around them, stretching my arms towards the ceiling.
Christo resumed talking, “And it’s true about you being the son of your mother’s lover.”
I remained silent, not believing the lie.
He continued, “Thierry told me. He also told me about your real father’s torturous death. Because of it, he didn’t care that Matteo shot your fake father. He thought he was a monster like his real son Alberto.”
“If that’s true, then he wouldn’t have treated me so well. He would’ve thrown me out.”
“He kept you because you embodied everything he wanted in a son, since his other one was such a disappointment.”
“You don’t have the right to talk about my brother!”
“Such loyalty to someone who betrayed you for a piece of ass. Why?”
“Alberto still loved me, and I loved him, no matter what happened between us.”
“He sold you out. That doesn’t show love to me.”
“That means nothing! I loved him, yet I still killed him.”
Christo’s eyebrows shot up. “You killed Alberto?”
“Sì,” I breathed out, what I did forever staining my soul. “I warned him I would if he didn’t leave. Instead, he stayed and brutalized Jagger. Now, kill me, so I can see him again, because I deserve to die.”
“You’ll be having a family reunion soon enough, Frano—with both your fathers, along with your mother and brother. Only two D’Angelos will be left behind once you’re gone.”
“Leave Jagger and Thierry out of this, you have me. That’s enough.”
“I won’t hurt Jagger. I promised my brother I’d let him live the rest of his life in peace, while Thierry’s making my brother’s cock happy.”
“Is Thierry with your brother right now?”
His smile widened. “Sì, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s being used by the Black Russian too. He does like pretty D’Angelos, as he calls you lot.”
“You fucking idiot.”
Anger flashed across his face. “Watch what you say to me!”
“If you’re not an idiot, then why are you standing here with me when Matteo and your twin are being used by the Black Russian?”
“He’s not using them; they’re guests in his house. And how do you know Matteo’s with him?”
“Camila phoned your twin’s number and got the Black Russian instead. The freak told her he owns Matteo and your brother.” I smiled. “Which means your twin’s going to get some fucking karma.”
“You’re lying. Gregor wouldn’t do that to me, he’s a friend.”
“I’d say your friendship died when your famiglia killed his guards and enslaved his lover.”
“You’re speaking nonsense now.”
“Then ring him. And if that prick lies, ring Camila. She was in a panic to get her sister back, even begged me to help her.”
“How do you know about Andriena?” Christo asked, worry now clouding his expression.
“Again, the Black Russian told Camila.”
Christo yanked his phone out of his pocket. A few seconds later, he was yelling into it, “Get me Gregor!” He waited a moment, then resumed yelling, “You lied to me, you fucking bastardo!” He clutched the phone tighter. “I had no knowledge of that, so return my famiglia.” He cursed. “Then watch your back, because once I’m finished with Frano, I’m coming after you. No, I will not swap Frano for Andriena; I don’t give a fuck about her, but I’ll swap him for my brother.”
The Rossos shouted from their chairs.
Christo waved at them to be quiet. “I have to backtrack. How about I give you Frano’s cousin instead?” He nodded rapidly. “Sì, Jagger. You give my brother back, and I guarantee you’ll receive that pretty bastardo wrapped in a bow.” He exhaled loudly. “As soon as Frano’s dead I will… No, you can only have Jagger. Don Rosso has paid for Frano’s death.” He paused, his face frustrated. “I know you would kill Frano for him, but he wants to do it himself, so agree to just Jagger. My brother can verify he’s a good fuck.” His left hand shot up. “Finally! And you better not try to fuck me over again, you cocksucker.” He grunted. “I’ll call you all the names under the sun, because you looked me in the eye and lied to me. No! Don’t you fucking dare blame me for your guards’ deaths. I wouldn’t have entrusted you with my famiglia’s safety if I knew what happened. Fine! I’ll call you back after Frano’s dead.” He hung up and yelled out, his face furious.
Rita jerked awake, looking startled. Her gaze moved to me, her eyes widening a second later. “Frano!” she yelled, her expression horrified.
Christo spun around. “Bene! Now you’re awake we can finally torture your lover.”
“No!” she yelled, yanking at the rope. “This is about me, not him. Let him go. I didn’t agree to this.”
“Of course you didn’t, you’re my schiava. You don’t have free will.”
I cut in, “You promised to free her once I’m dead.”
Rita’s eyes shot to me. “You’re not dying!”
“I don’t think I have a choice.”
“You’re not dying!” she screamed. “I’m not losing you; I finally got you back.”
“Again, it’s not my choice.”
“You shouldn’t have come here.” She started crying. “Why did you come?”
“Because I love you.”
Christo started clapping. “Such heartfelt love. This will only make the show better.”
“You’re sick!” Rita screamed at him. “You only bring death and misery! You ruined my fucking life, you’re stealing Frano’s, and I’ll make you pay for it.”
“Says the person who’s tied up and naked.” Christo picked up the whip, his eyes going to the Rossos. “Who wants to take the first strike?”
The Rosso heir rose to his feet and strode over to Christo. “I will, with pleasure,” Guido said, taking the whip.
Rita started screaming at him to get away from me. Ignoring her, he walked behind me, flicking the whip out, testing it. The fear and anticipation of what was coming made me tense up. A second later, the crack of the whip sounded. The leather sliced across my flesh, sending pain lancing down my back. I yelled out and jerked forward, my arms wrenching into an unnatural position. The next strike made me yell out again. Rita went crazy, yanking and pulling on her rope, screaming blue murder, but all I could think about was the searing pain. I tightened my body as the whip cracked again. A third strike hit my left shoulder blade, finishing at my hip. Guido knew how to handle a whip, each lash digging deep into my flesh. Then he struck again and again, the strikes coming harder and faster, not letting up, the pain excruciating.
“That’s enough!” Christo yelled.
Guido stopped. My head slumped forward, only the rope keeping me from collapsing. Rita sobbed out my name, torturing me even more. I wanted to tell her everything was going to be all right, but knew it was only going to get worse, death now the least of my problems.
Christo grabbed my hair and wrenched my head back, so I was looking directly at Rita. I closed my eyes, not wanting to see the agony my whipping had caused her.
“Look at her, Frano,” Christo said, “or Guido will whip her too.”
I opened my eyes and looked across at her. She was crying, breaking my heart. I felt guilty for even questioning her love for me. Her escape from my house had nothing to do with me, and everything to do with what had happened to her. If I’d been hurt like she had all those years ago, nothing would’ve stopped me from seeking out my abuser and putting a bullet in their head.
“Don’t cry,” I said. “I de
serve this.”
She shook her head. “No, you don’t; you shouldn’t even be here. This is my fight.”
“It’s mine too.”
“Fuck, you two make me sick,” Christo said. “No wonder I threw the troia away. She acts tough, but strike her man and she breaks down. Weak.”
“I’ll show you weak if you untie me, you motherfucker!” she screamed.
“I’m bored with you already.” He looked over at the Rossos. “Don, do you want your piece of flesh?”
“My son will take the strikes for me, he has a stronger hand.”
Christo’s eyes moved to Guido. “Give him a few more lashes, then we’ll move onto something else.”
Rita started screaming at Guido, promising him death if he touched me again. Regardless, the whip licked my back. More strikes followed before Christo gave the order to stop. Ignoring him, Guido continued carving up my back, also carving away at my consciousness. I heard Christo yell at him, then everything went black.
6
RITA
Oh God, Frano looked dead. His body was just hanging there. Blood was dripping off him, pooling on the ground. The Rosso monster had whipped him continuously. I could still hear his shouts of pain in my head, his yells ripping into my soul, causing me to cry out louder than him.
Looking angry, Christo grabbed the whip out of Guido’s hand. “Now we have to wait until he wakes, you fool.”
“He will, if I whip him more,” Guido snapped.
“He’s out cold! If you truly want to punish him, fuck his woman in front of him.”
He grimaced. “I’m not a rapist.”
“Think of something else, then.” He turned to the muscular soldier, barking out, “Fill up a bucket. Hopefully, some cold water will wake him.”
The soldier disappeared outside. A few minutes later, he returned with the bucket, holding it out for Christo to take.
“No,” Christo said stepping back, “give it to Guido.”
Guido took it and walked around Frano, stopping in front of him. Gripping onto the rope I was tied to, I lifted myself up and kicked him in the back, causing him to drop the bucket. He spun around and struck me across the face with the back of his hand, his expression vicious. I spat blood at his nice white shirt. He pulled his fist back.
Christo shouted, “Don’t!”
Guido spun around, turning his anger on Christo. “Why not?! The troia is begging for it.”
“She’s begging to get knocked out. You do that and she can’t watch Frano get tortured. She knows I want her to watch. You’ll end up dragging this out for days, and I don’t have the time or patience for that.”
I cut in, “He’s only saying that because he thinks you’re too much of a pussy to punch me. Maybe he should give you to the Black Russian instead of Jagger. I bet you’d bend over for the Ruskie’s fat cock since your man cunt is so loose from Christo fucking it.”
Christo shoved Guido back as he went for me. “Ignore her! She’s goading you, and you’re falling for it.”
“Then maybe I should show her how fat my cock is,” Guido snapped, unzipping his pants. “I want to see how loose her cunt is.”
“Guido!” the Rosso Don yelled, pushing to his feet. “You will not defile a woman, no matter what she says. This is not you. Don’t stoop to the Donatelli way of thinking.”
Christo grimaced, but didn’t say a word, although I knew he was angry at the Don’s remark.
“He just insulted you,” I said. “Are you just going to stand there and take it? Or are you his schiavo instead of a master?”
“I already know what people think of my famiglia,” Christo said, “so there’s no use in trying to bait me, schiava. And I am a rapist, so be careful what you say, because I might do what Guido can’t.”
“Bull-fucking-shit. You can’t get it up—like last night. That’s why you yelled when you were behind me. That’s also why you took off so fast. You can’t get hard anymore because you’re dying. I just wish you’d die faster.” I turned my attention to the Rosso Don. “By the way, Christo’s playing you. I heard what he did to the Landi sisters and how he set up your family to take the fall.”
Don Rosso’s gaze moved to Christo.
“She’s lying,” Christo said, before he could speak. “You know that wasn’t my fault. I warned you that the Landi were coming for you.”
“Then why didn’t you kill the oldest daughter? She identified my famiglia.”
“Have you seen the girl?”
“No.”
“And do you want to know why you haven’t seen her?”
“She’s in the Landi compound, being watched over.”
“No, because she’s dead. I slit her throat like her sisters. The Landi are lying so they can use any excuse to attack your famiglia.”
“We were their allies, why would they have done that to us?”
“You weren’t their allies, you just pretended to be.”
“They didn’t know that.”
“Of course they did. I’ve already told you they have spies in every fucking house. They found out you were playing for both sides. It had nothing to do with me. My source discovered this.”
“He’s lying, Don Rosso,” I cut in. “See how he clenches his hands every time he bullshits you.”
“I’m not clenching them because I’m lying,” Christo snapped. “I’m clenching them because I’m angry he’s questioning me.”
“You’re angry now yet you’ve stopped clenching them.”
“Stai zitta!” he yelled, telling me to shut up. “I’m sick of listening to your garbage.”
“Well, I’m sick of looking at someone who should be thrown out with the garbage.”
“What is wrong with you? I’m your master. I have the power to hurt you.”
“Regardless of what you do, you’re still not my master, because I will never give into you. And even if you have me lying through my teeth to save Frano, I would be seething inside, plotting your death. And I hope the Black Russian cuts your brother’s cock off and sticks it up his evil ass!”
The strike came, knocking me out.
***
I woke up to throbbing pain. My face hurt the most, then my arms started trying to compete, the rope stretching them to the breaking point. It felt like they were trying to escape from their sockets. Willing myself to ignore the pain, I gritted my teeth and looked around the barn, needing to know where everyone was. It was empty, except for me and Frano. My eyes went to him. His chin was resting on his chest, while his muscular body was hanging from the rope. I willed all thought that he could be dead out of my mind, knowing I had to work fast to get free. I uncurled my right hand, relieved to find the blade still stuck to my palm. I was grateful I’d used strong tape. Its brownish color also made it look like a Band Aid, which was probably why they hadn’t noticed it, plus I had my hand curled most of the time so they wouldn’t see it. I also didn’t want to drop the blade, since it was my only means of escape.
Using my left pinkie finger, I pushed at the tape, loosening it. Being careful not to drop the small blade, I inched it up my right palm, grabbing it between my thumb and two of my fingers. I wrapped my left hand around my right one to give it extra support, then started slicing the rope holding my arms up, the tape hindering my progress. My heart started pounding faster at the sound of laughter outside. I kept my eyes on the door, praying to God to keep them out of the barn.
After several minutes, the rope finally snapped, releasing me from it. I transferred the blade to my mouth and started sawing at the rope around my wrists, the process even slower. Not only was the tape hindering my progress, the blade was small and now blunt. Regardless, after what felt like forever, the rope finally fell away. Without wasting any more time, I went to cut Frano down, even though I knew I shouldn’t. There was no way I could get the both of us out without being noticed, but I couldn’t make myself leave him.
I peeled the tape off the blade and started hacking at his rope. The voices
outside grew louder, making me backtrack. Knowing I was running out of time, I quickly picked up my slashed restraints off the ground and threw them under the tractor, then grabbed the hanging rope. I wrapped it around my wrists, making it look like I was still hanging there. I dropped my head, pretending to be unconscious, hoping they didn’t notice I was on my tiptoes. Less than a minute later, water splashed against me, making me yell out. I lifted my head, barely stopping from letting go of the rope, the water freezing. I blinked my eyes, seeing Christo grinning at me.
“Time for some fun,” he said, his pale blue eyes twinkling.
Guido threw a bucket of water at Frano’s back. Frano jerked into consciousness, his gasp loud.
Christo’s grin widened. “Guido drove all the way to the beach to get some salt water for Frano. I can only imagine how much that would sting with his wounds.”
I forced my eyes away from Frano, who looked in agony. I started assessing our capturers’ weapons. Christo had a holstered gun and a knife in his belt, while Guido, his father, and the muscular soldier all had a gun each.
“What are you looking at?” Christo asked.
I moved my gaze back to him. “Your weapons. I’m assessing how to take you all out.”
He burst out laughing along with the other bastards.
Christo turned to Frano. “Your woman has a good sense of humor, though I wonder whether she’ll still be making wisecracks after Guido’s finished with her.”
Guido walked around Frano with a smile, heading behind me. I heard his zipper go down. Both his father and Frano hollered at him to stop, Frano the loudest. He was also yanking on his rope like a crazy man, his face panicked. My eyes went to it, the cut I made noticeable. He continued to yank on it, making me think it would snap.
“I thought you wanted Frano to suffer?” Guido said to his father.
“I already told you, not like this,” Don Rosso replied. “Again, we are Rossos, not Donatelli. Think, figlio, use something else to punish Frano with.”
My Masters' Nightmare, Season 1 / Episode 14 Page 5
