"Why can't I fucking hit you?" Thomas yells, smacking the belt close to her feet. "Why," he smacks it on the door above her head. "Why, fucking why" to the right and left sides of her body. Melina trembles against the door with her eyes closed and head tucked between her knees. She jumps, sniffing Thomas' cologne, and tries to hide more. He's probably bending down. "I want to hurt you, Melina, but I fucking can't. Tell me why I fucking can't. Tell me why," she bites her lips to muffle her sobs as she fears they will exacerbate her situation. "Fucking look at me when I am talking to you," Thomas says, grabbing her hair and pulling her head up. "I am- so-r-r-r-y," she says as she turns to face him with her tear-stained face and bloodshot eyes. "Did you think it would work? Did you actually think you could get me arrested and then flee? Are you that dumb, Melina?" he tightens his grip on her hair, and it starts to hurt. Melina can't believe this is what he thinks. How will she prove that it was never her intention to have him arrested? ******** Melina Davis was born with the face and body of a goddess. Her heart was as beautiful as her, but it never did her any good. Melina was the most unlucky woman in this world when it came to love. Her first love was an abusive con artist who made sure to exploit Melina's kindness. The second one who Melina felt was genuinely worthy of owing her heart was far more dangerous than her first. His name is Thomas Costanzo. He is the second in command of the Costanzo mafia. He was highly feared in the mafia world. Some even feared him more than the don of the Costanzo mafia. Melina didn't know she shouldn't cross him, and she did. She broke the heart of one of the most feared men on this earth, and now, he is out searching for her. Once he finds her, Melina will wish she never crossed paths with him.
Hello guys,
Thank you for choosing to read this book. Before you begin, I want to give a big warning. This book is dark; it's messed up and explicit. Don't say I didn't warn you because I am doing it now.
This Story Contains
- Physical and Sexual Abuse
- Violence
- Mature Themes
- Sexual Content
- Strong Language
please leave if you are uncomfortable with any of the mentioned. I will repeat if you are not comfortable with the explicit contents I have mentioned. Leave. Thank you to those who decide to continue.
Enjoy reading the book
*******
Melina adjusts her bag on her shoulder and pulls open the restaurant's back door. She walks inside to the employee changing room. The place is painted gray with blue lockers. Putting in the code for her locker, she pulls it open, takes out her apron, and ties it around her waist over her uniform. She's wearing a white button-up shirt and a black skirt. Pulling her beautiful blonde hair into a tight ponytail, she walks out to the kitchen. A sigh escapes her lips as she remembers what time she'd be clocking out that night.
The sweet aroma of Italian food hits her as she enters the kitchen. She says hi to her co-workers as she approaches the door that leads to inside the restaurant. Someone beats her to open the door and steps into the kitchen.
"Hi Melina," Jane says, smiling. Jane is a lovely twenty-one-year-old with brunette hair and brown eyes. She's the same age as Melina, and they work together.
"How're you doing today, Jane?" Melina smiles back at her.
"I'm good. How're you?"
"I'm good."
"Get any sleep last night?"
"Yeah, why?"
"You have some pretty serious bags under your eyes."
"Really?" Melina puts her hand in her apron and fetches a hand mirror. She was positive the bags under her eyes weren't visible when she left the house. She checks the mirror to see if that's still the case. Her face didn't look bad, but she could still see them.
"Had a nightmare last night?"
"Yeah, I couldn't go back to sleep."
Melina and Jane had grown close working together for the six months since Melina moved to Portland from LA.
"Sorry to hear that; how long have you been up?"
"Since three a.m." It's now five p.m.
"Wow, you must be exhausted."
"I'm used to it," Melina says. She hardly gets enough sleep anymore because of her recurring nightmares. It'd been six months, but she still dreamt about the accident every night.
"I heard talking about it helps," Jane prompts. She's tried to get Melina to talk to her about the nightmares since the first day Melina told her.
"I know. Hopefully, one day, I'll be open enough to talk about it." Melina feels too ashamed to tell Jane what happened. Melina also avoids talking about it because it brings back a lot of pain she's managed to heal from.
"I hope so. If you feel too ashamed or guilty to talk to me, there're professionals who can help."
"I know." Melina smiles softly at Jane, grateful to have a friend like her. She really cares about Melina and it's hard to find good friends like that..
"That's good. I wanted to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"My mom is flying in today and needs me to pick her up from the airport. Could you cover for me at the bar and lock up afterward?"
"Sure."
"I knew I could count on you, thank you." She pecks Melina's cheeks.
"You're welcome." Melina smiles.
***
Melina rests her chin in her palm, waiting for the last customer to finish his drink. She leans across the bar, looking at the man. What troubles him? He drank a whole bottle of Jack Daniels and cried silently in the chair. Was he heartbroken? She can sympathize with him as she's still healing from hers.
She lets out a breath of relief as the man stands up. Melina pushes off the counter, smiling because she finally can go home. She waits for him to walk out before heading to the locker room to get her bag and phone. She can't wait to go home and call it a night.
Melina walks back into the restaurant to find all the lights switched off. Her brows pull together in confusion. She doesn't remember switching the lights off. She shrugs her shoulders, thinking maybe she forgot, and walks to the door to be on her way. She freezes as she's about to turn the doorknob when she hears a voice. Suddenly,the lights in the room come back on.
"It's not time to go home yet, principessa." Her eyes widen as her brain instantly recognizes the voice. "I'm thirsty; get me something to drink."
Melina's heart starts to pound as she begins to tremble. She looks down at her shaking hands, unable to hold the doorknob anymore.
"There's no need to be scared, principessa. I'm just here to get what's mine." Even with her back to the man, she could still picture the evil smirk on his face.
"Tho-m-m-as," she stutters. Tears fill her eyes as an ache settles in her heart from saying his name.
"Turn around," he commands.
"I can't."
"You can, and you will. Turn around and look at me!" he yells.
"I'm sorry," she says, trying to apologize for what happened six months ago. It comes out as a whisper as tears escape her eyes.
"I said fucking turn around, Melina," Thomas bangs his fist on a table.
Startled, Melina jumps in her spot as more tears fall down her face. She slowly turns, fearing the worst will happen if she doesn't turn. Her heart sinks and her knees weaken. sShe falls to the floor, staring at him as he sits on one of the restaurant chairs with his legs crossed. Two scary-looking men stand beside him. She recognizes one of them as Thomas's bodyguard, Leo.
She locks eyes with him, and a knot forms in her stomach. His beautiful ocean blue eyes once only held love for her. But now, they're burning with rage.
"Come closer." He puts his hand into his breast pocket, removing a cigarette. His associate reaches over with a lighter and helps him light it. He takes a drag and waits for Melina to move.
She shakes her head no. Thomas raises his eyebrows, throws his cigarette to the ground and stamps it out.
"I don't know what made you think you fucking have a choice. Fucking get here now," he growls.
"I'm sorry, I swear I didn't want to do it. I didn't have a choice. James forced me," I cried out.
"Really? You didn't fucking have a choice?" he says sarcastically.
"Yes, I swear."
"That's odd considering you're his fucking wife. Get your goddamn ass over here now."
Melina does the opposite, and tries to get away from him. Standing , she turns to open the door behind her. Unexpectedly, the door is locked. Melina shakes the handle, trying to open it. She panics as she hears footsteps approaching. Turning, she sees Leo walking toward her. She screams as someone grips her by the hair. He drags her away from the door and throws her in front of Thomas.
"Did that kill you?" Thomas asks, sarcastically. "You still look the same as when I met you." he lifts his hands and traces his fingers down her beautiful face. He touches her pointed nose and high cheekbones. His hands linger on her trembling lips as her cheeks become slippery with her tears. He stares into her green eyes and pulls his finger away.
She shuts her eyes and waits for him to smack her, but the blow never comes. Fluttering her eyes open, she finds him staring at her.
"Where's my money?"
"I don't have it."
"Do I look like I have time to waste, Melina? Tell me where my money is, and I'll make your death less painful."
"I swear I don't have it. James took everything."
"It seems we have to do this the hard way then."
"What do you mean?" Melina asks, eyes widening.
"Leo, grab her, and take her to the car. Get Kimberly on the phone. Tell her I have a gift for her," Thomas smirks as he stands. He buttons his suit and moves to the back of the restaurant.
Melina starts crawling toward the front door, forgetting it's locked. Leo picks her up before she reaches it. She's screaming and kicking as he throws her over his shoulder, walking them into the kitchen.
"Shut the fuck up," Thomas shouts in Melina's face.
"Please let me go, I swear to you, Thomas. I don't know where the money is. James has it. Please believe me."
He doesn't say anything and walks out the back door. They step outside, and two vehicles pull up beside them. Thomas gets into a car while Leo puts her into a van. Melina opens her mouth to scream for help, but her words get choked as she feels something poke her. A second later, her eyes feel heavy. She sees a syringe in Leo's hand, but her head starts to spin before she can comprehend what's happening. Her body gives out, pulling her into darkness.
Chapter 1 ONE
25/08/2022
Chapter 2 TWO
25/08/2022
Chapter 3 THREE
25/08/2022
Chapter 4 FOUR
26/08/2022
Chapter 5 FIVE
30/08/2022
Chapter 6 SIX
07/09/2022
Chapter 7 SEVEN
12/09/2022
Chapter 8 EIGHT
13/09/2022
Chapter 9 NINE
23/09/2022
Chapter 10 TEN
26/09/2022
Chapter 11 ELEVEN
30/09/2022
Chapter 12 TWELVE
08/10/2022
Chapter 13 THIRTEEN
14/10/2022
Chapter 14 FOURTEEN
15/10/2022
Chapter 15 FIFTEEN
20/10/2022
Chapter 16 SIXTEEN
23/10/2022
Chapter 17 SEVENTEEN
23/10/2022
Chapter 18 EIGHTEEN
23/10/2022
Chapter 19 NINETEEN
25/10/2022
Chapter 20 TWENTY
25/10/2022
Chapter 21 TWENTY-ONE
25/10/2022
Chapter 22 TWENTY-TWO
25/10/2022
Chapter 23 TWENTY-THREE
25/10/2022
Chapter 24 TWENTY-FOUR
25/10/2022
Chapter 25 TWENTY-FIVE
28/10/2022
Chapter 26 TWENTY-SIX
31/10/2022
Chapter 27 TWENTY-SEVEN
04/11/2022
Chapter 28 TWENTY-EIGHT
05/11/2022
Chapter 29 TWENTY-NINE
05/11/2022
Chapter 30 THIRTY
07/11/2022
Chapter 31 THIRTY-ONE
09/11/2022
Chapter 32 THIRTY-TWO
13/11/2022
Chapter 33 THIRTY-THREE
15/11/2022
Chapter 34 THIRTY-FOUR
17/11/2022
Chapter 35 THIRTY-FIVE
19/11/2022
Chapter 36 THIRTY-SIX
21/11/2022
Chapter 37 THIRTY-SEVEN
23/11/2022
Chapter 38 THIRTY-EIGHT
23/11/2022
Chapter 39 THIRTY-NINE
23/11/2022
Chapter 40 FORTY
23/11/2022
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