Relentless Sinner

Chapter 6

Chapter Six

Gabriella

I grip the edge of the bed, digging my nails into the silky sheet.

With my heart feeling like it’s pounding in my throat, I glance at the clock on the wall for the millionth time.

It’s ten now.

Dad will be here in fifteen minutes.

I’m still experiencing that juxtaposition where I wish he weren’t coming to see me while part of me wants to see him.

I haven’t been able to balance myself. What’s also strange is that I never saw Jaxon last night. Although I stayed up late anticipating his presence, I can’t complain because not having him in the bed next to me meant I could sleep better. Of course that tension was still clinging to the air in the room and the house still feels like a cage.

My head is being ripped apart and my heart is breaking because I’m stuck with everything. When I think of having to go through the same painstaking motions as yesterday I want to tear the skin off my body.

Today will be so much worse because it’s not like I can redo some of the things that helped pass the time. Things like the tour of the manor.

Eve showed me around after Jaxon left. Despite my reservations, it was a welcome break because the house is truly stunning. It has that Gothic style I always admire.

Dad’s house is more contemporary. This house captures that old Victorian vibe that inspires art and transports you to another time.

The house has twelve large bedrooms, some of which are inhabited by live-in staff. Each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom and there are three separate bathrooms at the end of every floor.

The grounds are vast with woods as the backdrop, a lake, and a moor with gorgeous flowers like the countryside homes in England and Italy.

I was able to get lost in my surroundings for a little while until the tour came to an end and Eve introduced me to the wedding planner.

I was aware we were going to meet her but the moment the women started talking about the wedding I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience, watching somebody else in my body play out my life.

It just didn’t feel real. Yet I’m reminded that it is every time I look at Jaxon’s ring on my finger. His mark of ownership.

The meeting with the wedding planner was a fucking shitshow and I was a mindless automaton nodding my agreement to everything the prissy woman suggested.

Bless Eve . She tried her best to look after me and engage me with the ideas that were put forward, but my heart just wasn’t into it.

I almost told her to plan the damn wedding without me. Surely it would have been better for Jaxon to let his people sort it out and exclude me. Being involved makes me feel even more trapped.

If he thinks that contract is what’s keeping me here he has it all wrong. I don’t care about the contract. If I did I wouldn’t have run from my father or tried to make my big break the first night I came here.

I’m only here still because I can’t get away.

There is no damn way for me to escape until I see an opening I can take and after that…

Well, after all that’s happened I don’t know how I’d stay hidden.

I keep thinking about Dad and the men who took me. It was like they were waiting for me, the lost little lamb, to fall in their trap.

If I run from Jaxon there’s no telling what could happen to me. He and his men were able to kill all those men at the compound and wipe them out as if they were nothing.

I don’t think he would kill me. I’m more valuable to him alive. That doesn’t mean he won’t punish me. The manner in which I live may not matter to him.

I’m sure there are some stipulations somewhere about how long our marriage needs to last to qualify for the entire inheritance, but he hasn’t said anything about that. And I don’t know what it is. When the damn contract was presented to me I didn’t have the brain space or cells left to read the fine print.

The only good thing that saved me yesterday was talking to Cora. She’s coming to see me on Friday. Thank God.

Waiting until Friday seems like forever but at least I have something to look forward to. Cora would be here sooner but she’s traveling back from Milan. She was covering Fashion Week and doing an article with some of the designers there.

Friday will be a little over three weeks since I last saw her. When I told her all that had happened to me she burst into tears.

She had no knowledge of what was going on because Dad kept my kidnapping quiet.

The last time we spoke I told her about Dad forcing me to marry Jaxon. She didn’t know that my escape plan was already in motion. She was the last person I spoke to before I was taken.

We call each other all the time but when she’s away for work—especially in another country—we’re more mindful of things like the time difference, so we don’t get to talk as much. That was perfect for my kidnappers because Cora never raised any concerns until she hadn’t heard from me almost a week later. Then, when she checked in with Dad, he lied and said my phone was broken. He also told her I was okay. What an asshole. I can’t believe I’m thinking of him in such a way. It’s like I have two versions of my father—the one before Mom’s death and the demon after.

I couldn’t have the heart-to-heart I wanted with Cora because I’m aware that my calls are being monitored. The uncanny idea jarred me, so I kept the conversation brief. That infuriated me even more because I really needed to talk to her.

It’s hard to go from one control freak to another.

Control freak?

Is that the right word for Jaxon Bortsov? He’s so much more than a mere control freak and he scares me just as much as he mesmerizes me.

The latter worries me because I don’t want to be fascinated with him.

I’ve never met anyone so brutish. Or who could openly speak their mind the way he does. Then he switches so effortlessly between serious mafia boss and playful normal guy.

It makes me wonder if his playful side is a trick to lure me in so he can trap me in my emotions the way he did yesterday.

One moment I was enraged at him and the situation, only thinking of fighting for my freedom. The next I was so aroused I had to squeeze my thighs and rid my mind of the sinful things he conjured there with his crass words.

What sort of madness is that? Especially coming from me, the level-headed girl. I’ve never allowed a man to make me lose my head before.

I’m the opposite of Natasha and Cora, who were always guy hungry.

But I think even they would have better sense than me, despite how gorgeous Jaxon Bortsov is.

Then again, they’d probably be the first to point out all the things that make him gorgeous and the uncanny similarity he has to Jason Momoa when he played one of the fearsome leaders in Game of Thrones .

Yes, Universe, it hasn’t escaped me that I thought up that reference all by myself without anyone’s influence or help.

My phone buzzes with a text and the sound makes me jump. I pick it up and look at the home screen. It’s Dad.

I’m here .

The simple message with those two words sends a shiver through my soul. Instantly my throat goes dry and my body feels heavy like someone pumped lead into my veins.

I look at the clock again and yes… it’s time. Time to see my father.

Pulling in a deep, deep breath, I stand and summon the courage I know I’m going to need. I just have to remember that he can’t control me now.

This situation I’m in is because of him but at least I know Jaxon will deal with him if he gets out of line. At least I hope so.

When I head out the door and make my way down the stairs I think of the way my father used to be.

There was a time when he was actually loving. Like a real father. That was before Mom died. It was like he’d worn a mask of goodness just for her.

I know she would never have married him if she’d known he was going to turn out to be the monster he is now.

He changed after she died. Every year that passed since her death saw him getting worse and worse. Then he became abusive and violent. Vicious and reckless. Deranged and fucked up.

I spot Eve at the bottom of the stairs. She gives me a little smile.

“Your father is in the living room with Jaxon,” she says. “I’ve just taken in some cookies and a pot of tea. Let me know if you need anything else.”

“Thank you. I will.”

I make my way past her and head to the living room where I find Jaxon and Dad standing by the sofa, talking.

Both of them are dressed in full black but Dad has a suit on, looking like he’s ready for one of his boardroom meetings. Jaxon is wearing a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up his thick forearms and slacks.

I don’t miss the way his gaze fixates on me when I walk into the room but I’m more concerned with the sternness I read on my father’s face.

It’s the same look he had when he pulled his gun on me. The horrid memory and the sight of him intensify my trepidation a hundredfold.

Please, God, don’t let him hurt me today. Please. My heart can’t take it.

“Morning,” Jaxon says, drawing my focus back to him.

“Good morning.” I hold his gaze, part of me wishing he would stay.

I’ve had time to think since I’ve been here and I know that Dad is afraid of him.

“I’ll leave you two to talk.”

“Thank you,” Dad replies in that stiff tone I loathe.

“I’ll be nearby if you need me.” Jaxon looks at me and I take note of the promise in his tone.

“Okay.”

Jaxon leaves us and I look back at Dad. His eyes are already glued to me.

For a moment all he does is stare at me, waiting until we no longer hear Jaxon’s footsteps. The moment we can’t, his face becomes stonier.

“You foolish, foolish girl.” His gravelly voice sends a tremor through me. “Look at the situation you’ve gotten yourself into.”

“Me, Dad? The way I heard it you made a deal with the devil.”

“Is that what he told you?” His brows knit.

“Does it matter? I’m here now.”

“After getting yourself fucking kidnapped. Why the fuck did you run? You know I have enemies left and right just waiting to swoop in and take you. You’re lucky nothing worse happened.”

“I made a mistake.”

“You can certainly say that again. Now we’re both in a fucking hole.”

The way he’s talking doesn’t give me the impression that he’s getting what he needs like Jaxon said. Dad sounds enraged. Like he’s mad about something more than me getting myself kidnapped and nearly messing up his plans with Jaxon.

“What is really going on? Did something else happen?”

“At least you’re clever.” He sneers and comes closer, then he glances over his shoulder, checking that no one is near the door. “I had other plans that got messed up. Other plans for you .” His voice drops to a whisper.

“What other plans?” I whisper, too.

“Never mind about that. Because of you I get nothing . I get to keep my fucking life, which will mean fuck all if I don’t fix my situation.”

He gets to keep his life? I was right. Dad did something to Jaxon and I’m being punished for his sins. Usually when things don’t make sense it’s because they don’t. Everything about this screamed weird. Now I know why.

“What situation are you in?”

“That is none of your concern.” He narrows his eyes and shakes his head at me.

“I think I should know if I’m already being affected by it.”

“Shut the fuck up, you little bitch.” His harsh tone pierces through me, making my skin crawl and my lungs lock. “You nearly wrecked everything for me. So you get to know nothing . Running away fucked us both over in ways I can’t describe without strangling you.”

Tears sting the back of my eyes. “I’m sorry.” I feel like a fool for apologizing but it’s a cycle I can’t break.

“Save your sorrys. It’s your whore of a sister who will be sorry when I find her. When I’m done with her, I’ll kill her. Her, the bastard baby she’s carrying, and Alessandro, that motherfucker.”

“Dad—"

“If you know where they are and you’re hiding them, you’re dead, too.”

Jesus . He means it. He’s serious.

“Do you know where Natasha is?” he demands, waving a fist in front of my face.

He’s asked me that question no end of times since Natasha left. My answer today will be no different than any other day. “No. I don’t know where she is. Do you think she’d tell me, knowing the risks?”

He gets right up in my face and I flinch. “I don’t know anything anymore, mia cara .”

I hate when he calls me that. I used to love being his darling when I was little. Now the endearment feels as gross and nauseating as a worm slithering around my insides.

“What I do know is that if you’re lying I will cut out your tongue and chop off those hands of yours.”

I tremble from deep within and my breath freezes in my lungs, burning inside me even though his words are hard and cold. “How could you be so cruel to me? That’s my dream. I’ve always wanted to be a doctor. Mom was?—”

He raises his hand and slaps me hard across my face. I flinch and stumble backward, grabbing my face. “Don’t you dare talk about your mother. You are not her. You will never be her . Just make sure you don’t fuck this up by running away again. I need you to stay put. Do you hear me?”

He comes at me again with his hand raised.

He’s about to deliver another blow when someone grabs him.

No. Not just someone . It’s Jaxon.

Jaxon grabs Dad and flips him around, then he looks at my face and sees that I’m holding it.

The area stings but I’m pale skinned so anyone would be able to see that I’ve been hit.

“Did you seriously hit her?” Jaxon yells at Dad and lands a solid punch in his face.

“You motherfucker. She’s my daughter. I can do whatever?—”

Jaxon serves him another punch then grabs him by the neck and shoves him hard up against the wall. The next thing I know, he pulls his gun out and places it at Dad’s temple. My mouth hits the floor and my stomach plummets.

Jaxon cocks the hammer on the gun and gives Dad a psychotic smile, tapping the butt of the gun on his cheek. “Go ahead, De Costa. Try to fight me in front of your daughter so I can slaughter you.”

“Let go…” Dad sputters, trying to catch his breath.

“Not gonna fight? Okay, then how about you apologize to Gabriella?”

Oh my God . What is he doing? My father apologize? To me?

I watch in horror as Jaxon squeezes Dad’s neck harder. Dad looks pale and like he might pass out. Or die.

“Jaxon, stop.” I grab his arm and tug but he doesn’t look at me. “Jaxon.”

“Your father needs to apologize. Now.”

“I’m … sorry,” Dad coughs, his voice barely audible.

Jaxon releases him and Dad drops to the ground, spluttering and coughing.

“Get the fuck up.” Jaxon kicks his leg and waves the gun in front of his face, showing the threat of death is still there.

Dad gets up, swaying, then he casts me a hateful look.

“Get out of here,” Jaxon growls. “ YA ub'yu tebya i skormlyu sobakam .”

I don’t know what the hell that means but it sounds scary. Jaxon continues shouting at Dad in Russian and sneering. Dad seems to understand what Jaxon is saying because his skin turns even paler than before. I didn’t think it was possible.

“Get out.” Jaxon points at the door.

Dad casts another loathing look at me before he sets his shoulders back and walks out.

I stare at him, watching him leave. I’m shaking and I feel like shit, inside and out.

My face stings and my insides are hollow, as if some part of my essence has been drained away and replaced with a void. At the same time I realize that today my father finally met his match.

In the past no one would dare challenge him. They always feared what he might do to them. Jaxon was not like that. He would have killed Dad without a second thought.

Eve appears at the door and gasps when she looks at my face. “What happened?”

“Eve get some ice,” Jaxon replies and turns back to look at me.

When a wayward tear runs down my cheek I look away, not wanting him to see me cry.

Eve goes off to get the ice and Jaxon marches toward me.

He touches my face. I try to pull away but he holds me in place.

“I’m fine,” I tell him, trying to move away again.

“You’re not fucking fine. Why didn’t you call me?” He holds my arm.

“What for? The two of you are using me for the same damn thing. Aren’t you?” I know I’m out of line but it’s true. “Why would I call you?”

Guilt flashes in his eyes but it’s quickly replaced by that hard look that reminds me he’s the boss. “You call me because you’re mine.”

My lips part in surprise. I don’t know what I expected to hear but it wasn’t that. I’ve never belonged to anybody before. I’ve hardly belonged to myself.

“Your father is not coming back here to see you,” he adds. “And next time he gets out of line do not stop me.”

Another tear trickles down my cheek. Eve returns with an ice pack and Jaxon places it on my face, keeping his gaze fixed on me the whole time.

Once again I feel like I’m in a state of flux but I’d rather play devil’s advocate and side with the beast.

Dad said he needed me to stay put. I think he’s still planning whatever it is he was planning. And it’s not good, nor does it include Jaxon.

Whatever it is, I want no part of it.

I just want my life back.