Episode 45

Sophia

I scream and fight with all my strength. My whole body is in pain, but what hurts most is my heart. Gabriel offered me to Leandro's men as if I were a whore.

I despise him.

I swear that if I get out of here, he's going to pay for all the harm he's doing to Mia and me, but most of all to my little one. She deserves a better father.

"Enough," Leandro says, and the giant steps away from me, exiting the room.

I shrink back against the wall as soon as I am alone with Leandro.

"Do not fear, sweet Sophia. You have already helped me enough. Mia can live another day."

I stand up and hit him with all my might.

"Idiot, I thought that man was going to abuse me," I hiss.

"Settle down, sweet Sophia," he says, taking my hands and forcing me to lie back on the bed. "If I had told you, then your performance wouldn't have been so convincing."

"You're sick," I retort.

"We all are, some more than others."

He forces me to my feet.

"Don't touch me," I spit when he caresses my face.

"You remind me of a girlfriend I had before I started as a mafia man. She was a beautiful, untamed creature, just like you. Gabriel must be suffering right now," he adds with delight.

I shake my head. No matter how hard I try, I can't stop my eyes from filling with tears as I attempt to cover my chest with what little remains of my blouse.

"He's not. I don't think there's anything that could hurt him. And believe me, I'd love to hurt him right now."

"Saviano is a lucky man," he whispers before smiling. "He found you first."

"I want to see Mia," I request.

He sighs and opens the door. I follow him, wondering what chance I have of escaping from this place. I haven't seen a window anywhere. No natural light coming in. Nothing.

"Where are we?"

He laughs. "I'm not going to tell you that, sweet Sophia, just know that even if you try to escape, you won't be able to. You'd die before finding the exit. I'd get lost myself if I didn't have the directions on my phone."

"Are we in a labyrinth?"

"Something like that…