Chapter 51

51

Olivia

The pain at the back of my eyeballs cuts through my sleep. It feels like someone is hammering the inside of my head. I open my eyes, and the light slices straight to my brain. I swallow and my tongue feels like it's too swollen to fill my mouth.

I move my arms and legs, and realize I'm slumped forward in a chair. At least I'm not tied up or anything. My forehead throbs. I touch my fingers to it, and they come away wet. I glance at my hand and see blood, then wince. It could've been worse; they could've shot me. A shiver grips me. But I'm fine, and except for the wound on my forehead, no other part of me seems to be hurt. I groan, then press the heels of my palms into my eyes.

I stay like that for a few seconds, until the drumming in my head seems to decrease in intensity. I lower my arms and glance around the room. It's empty, save for another chair opposite me. The bay windows let in enough light to illuminate the corners of the room. I rise to my feet, pleased to see my legs are steady, then walk over to the window and peer out. I'm on the ground floor, facing a rolling lawn, at the edge of which are big evergreens. Everything looks peaceful, like a postcard of a classic British countryside.

How long have I been out? Half an hour, maybe? My head throbs again. I wince. Hopefully the wound will heal without leaving a mark to compete with the scar on my cheek. Asshole hit me with his gun. I lower my arm to my side.

Goddamn, how could I have been so stupid? I never should have left the house this morning and given my security the slip. I can't even imagine how pissed Massimo must be with me. He called me ‘baby' over the phone… It was probably only his concern speaking, but it felt so good. He cares; he really does. I mean, I knew that, of course, but haven't wanted to acknowledge it. Nothing like being taken away from everything you hold dear to put things in perspective, eh?

The door behind me opens, and I spin around to find a man silhouetted in the doorway. He walks over to stand behind the chair facing me. Dark hair, swarthy features, lifeless eyes, it's the same guy who threatened me at the restaurant. It's Alvaro. He has a bandage across his forehead, and another wrapped around his left palm, which is now missing his forefinger. Massimo should have shot him dead when he had the chance.

"What do you want?" I set my jaw.

"Why don't you have a seat?" he says in an affable voice. A voice I don't trust. Not one bit.

When I don't move, he blows out a breath, then uses his uninjured arm to turn the chair around. He straddles it. "Please, I'm not going to hurt you."

"Why did you bring me here?"

"Have a seat first, and I'll answer your questions."

I hesitate, then walk over to sink into the chair. I keep my spine erect, and shove away the pain that drums at my temples. "Massimo agreed to pay you already."

"Indeed. And he's going to pay even more to see you safe."

"You've been in touch with him?" I lean forward in my seat.

"If I'm not mistaken, he'll be here very soon."

Thank God! A spurt of satisfaction fills my chest. "You needn't have brought me here. You could have called him up and struck a bargain with him on the phone."

"Maybe." He raises his shoulder. "But you're my leverage, and I'm a business man. I saw an opportunity to make even more money from the transaction, and I took it."

He drags his gaze down my body, and my flesh crawls.

"Of course, considering I lost a finger in the process, I should keep you for myself as compensation for what you put me through," he muses.

My heart jumps into my throat, and my ribcage contracts. I tip up my chin, and force myself to stay calm. "But you're not going to do that. You don't want to make enemies of the Cosa Nostra, do you?" I fold my hands in my lap.

"Smart, as well as good-looking; except for that scar." He touches his cheek.

I stiffen.

"How did it feel taking the hit for your friend? She got to live her happily ever after and become the star of a musical. A role which should have been yours."

"It was never meant to be mine. I was always the understudy."

"You got elevated to the part of the lead. The director believed in you."

I scowl. "How do you know all of this?"

"I have my sources." He kicks out his legs. "With the scar, your roles are very limited. You must be aware of that."

"I'll take my chances." I firm my lips.

"The good thing about Hollywood is, it provides a great channel to funnel my money into."

I tilt my head. "I have no idea what you mean."

"You're a smart woman; you know how it works. Movies need money, a lot of money, to get made. And the kinds of films that make it to the wide screen in today's world need double that, in some cases."

"So?" I shuffle my feet. "What's that got to do with me?"

"Come with me, and I'll make you the lead in the latest movie from a very prominent studio, with a three-time Oscar-winning director at the helm. It also costars a Golden Globe and BAFTA-nominated lead, who is the next big thing in Hollywood. The script had a bidding war before the studio acquired it. All indications are, it's the next franchise-spawning blockbuster."

"Let me get this right. If I come with you of my own free will, you'll make me a star?"

"Your face will be on billboards in all of the biggest movie watching countries in the world. You may be scarred, but your reputation is that of a solid actress. Do your job, and you'll be the one who walks away with the awards."

"And in return, I'll be your slave, I suppose?"

"Among other things. You'll be the investment that earns me many times the money I put in."

"You're crazy." I glance away.

"Is it because you feel something for your husband? Is that what's stopping you from taking me up on this offer?"

I open my mouth to answer, and he holds up his hand.

"Think carefully before you turn me down. This is your chance to achieve the dream you've always wanted."

"You don't know what my dreams are," I snap.

"Don't I? Your husband shot your brother, and you didn't do anything about it."

"My brother was a misguided man who was hell-bent on selling me to you. My husband saved me."

"And the only reason you married him was to ensure the safety of your family."

I peer into his face. "What? How do you know all this?"

"News travels fast within the organized crime community. Much like Hollywood, we, too, have the gossips who carry news from one clan to the other." Alvaro chuckles.

"You're kidding me, right?"

"Ask your husband."

"And if I refuse you?"

"I might take what I want from you anyway. Especially since your husband is now in my grasp."

"What?" I jump up so quickly my chair overturns. "What are you talking about?"

He snaps his fingers, and the door opens. Massimo walks in. He has his hands raised. Behind him, are two more men with their guns pointed at him.