a long drive

FRANCESCA

“FRANCESCA, I NEED you to get Alessia enrolled in school and show her around the city. Make sure she knows the rules and don’t bring up anything about the Family,” Antonio instructs, pulling on a crisp white shirt and navy blue slacks and blazer.

I watch him, wondering where he’s off to now.

He catches my gaze in the mirror. My cheeks are still warm from our earlier encounter. He sprays on his cologne, his eyes never leaving mine. I can’t look away either.

“Get dressed,” he suddenly commands, slipping on his navy blazer.

~What? Why?~

I don’t question him. I’ve never been comfortable with nudity, but I have to walk past him to reach the closet.

Once there, I select a floor-length white summer dress with long sleeves. It’s chilly at night here, and I know Antonio will approve of my choice. I pair it with nude heels.

Why am I dressing up so late? It’s past midnight. But then again, I’m his trophy wife, always expected to look my best.

I grab a towel and head to the bathroom. I need to be quick. I wet the towel and clean up between my legs.

The water is cold, but it’s better than leaving it. Sex might be satisfying, but cleaning up afterward is a chore, especially when it’s only me doing it.

I toss the towel into the laundry pile and get dressed. I hate wearing heels, especially after the accident. They hurt and make me dizzy, but I don’t have any flats.

I make sure to cover the bruise on my forehead, but I leave the marks Antonio made visible. I know he likes it when I show them off. Luckily, the dress only reveals a hint of them.

I look at myself in the mirror, fiddling with my wedding ring. My light brown hair is losing its shine and needs attention. My eyes reflect my exhaustion.

My body, though still healthy, is thinner than before. I sigh as I apply some makeup before leaving the bathroom.

I’ve never been a fan of makeup, preferring natural beauty. But in the Mafia, I need to maintain my status.

In this world, a man provides his woman with money and a lavish lifestyle, and in return, she displays his worth with her beauty. The more beautiful the woman, the higher-ranking the man.

My beauty is a testament to Antonio’s power. But if he were to die or go to jail, then dressing up would be a sin. If I did, I’d be seen as looking for sex, something an honorable woman in the Family would never do.

I glance at the clock. It’s two in the morning. Antonio gives me a quick look before leaving the room. I follow him, wondering where we’re going at this hour.

Is he planning to share me with his friends? Why else would he bring me along?

As he strides down the stairs, I struggle to keep up. He’s tall and I’m not short, but I’m wearing heels. Can’t he slow down?

The house is dark, everyone presumably asleep. The last time I saw them was an hour ago when we picked up their sister.

There’s just enough light for me to make out the outlines of things.

We hurry out of the house. A couple of SUVs are waiting for us. Antonio must have called them while I was changing. I don’t ask where we’re going. If he wanted me to know, he’d tell me.

This time, Antonio doesn’t initiate any physical contact. A bodyguard opens the doors for us and we slide in. The driver quickly gets in.

I glance at Antonio, who’s staring out the window. His arm rests on the door, his other on the middle seat. I don’t know why, but I place my hand next to his.

My pinky brushes against his, and I wait for him to pull away. He doesn’t, and a small smile forms on my face. I look out my window, watching the trees pass by.

The moon is bright tonight, the sky devoid of stars. It’s simple but beautiful. As we drive along familiar roads, I see a family barbecuing and celebrating. I long for that.

A normal family. A husband who I know will come home every night.

~I should be happy with what I have, right? I live a lavish lifestyle. I can have anything I want, right? Not really.~

Everything is chosen for me—from my clothes to my daily activities. It’s all planned out. At seventeen, my father put a ring on my finger and told me my fate was sealed, that I was lucky.

I believed him until I realized nothing was going to change. But at least I was hit less. Antonio wanted me as pure as possible. Of course he did.

A woman can only get married if she’s still a virgin.

My eyes widen as we approach a familiar compound. “Antonio, why are we here?” I can’t help but ask.

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he pulls his hand away from mine and places it on his thigh. It doesn’t bother me much. I know he doesn’t owe me an explanation. He’s my superior, my boss in a way.

I look back as the gates open once the bodyguards recognize Antonio’s car. The villa is as glamorous as ever, surrounded by beautiful plants my mother tends to regularly.

Dim yellow lights illuminate the night, making the area bright. To me, it looks like a beautiful prison. The place is just as I remember, and I don’t want to be here anymore.

I don’t want to see my father, especially since he usually has guests over. I don’t like his guests. They could be anyone, but I know they’re all toxic.

The car stops in front of the mahogany doors. The only things keeping me from running away are fear and the desire to see my mother and sister again.

I need to know they’re okay. Antonio must have some business with my father, but why would he bring me?

We step out of the car, and I don’t wait for the driver to come around to my side. The car’s interior had been suffocating, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell Antonio.

It’s not like I had other options for travel. I’m lucky to have survived the attack at all.

Antonio takes my hand, pulling me toward my father’s mansion. Bodyguards are everywhere, as usual. I recognize many of them.

Most are terrible men, and I don’t miss the way they look at me, as if I’m not a woman at all. But the moment they see Antonio, their gazes shift away.

I also don’t miss the large trucks and cars tucked away in the shadows of the trees and bushes. My heart sinks.

Fear and disgust wash over me. I glance at Antonio, who’s walking ahead of me. His bodyguards form a protective rectangle around us. I can’t help but miss Silvio.

He always made me feel safe. I had come to trust his judgment, and now he’s gone. I can’t even grieve for him without raising suspicion, and I refuse to tarnish Silvio’s memory.

I lift my dress slightly as I ascend the porch steps. One of my father’s bodyguards pushes open the door.

Two more bodyguards, always in their black suits, sweep the house before giving Antonio the all-clear. Of course it’s safe. My father wouldn’t be foolish enough to kill Antonio.

After all, my marriage to Antonio only strengthens my father’s position. I swallow hard as we enter the house, knowing I’m not going to like what’s coming.

If I had known what was waiting for me, I would have begged to stay in the car.