On the way to the casino, Angelo took a deep breath.
"I know. You remember our past life, too."
I glanced at him, a silent acknowledgment. After a moment, I spoke. "And what if I do? Are you still going to take her side?"
"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
The absurdity of it all made me shake my head. "Angelo, after dying once, is 'sorry' the only word you know?"
The next second, he lunged across the seat, pinning me and crushing his lips against mine.
"Seraphina," he gasped, pulling back an inch, his forehead resting against mine. "I swear to God, this is the last time I let anyone hurt you."
"We're just putting on a show to get your sister back. I'll keep you safe."
"This time, I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you."
I wiped the ghost of his kiss from my lips. A cold smile formed. "Angelo, just one question. Are you really so blind you can't see this is all an act?"
Angelo hesitated, his gaze shifting away. "I… I'm not sure."
Not sure, or just telling himself another convenient lie?
What a joke.
They both knew her games, yet here they were again, pushing me to the front lines.
Stepping into the VIP room of the underground casino was like entering another world.
The air was thick with the stench of stale whiskey and old blood.
A pile of blood-stained IOUs sat on a rough iron table.
Cassandra was chained to a wall, a pathetic, wretched sight.
Her skin was chafed raw from the cuffs, her makeup streaked with tears, her eyes wide with terror.
Marco rushed towards her. "Cassandra, where are they hurting you?!"
"Back off. Who said you could touch the merchandise?"
The casino boss sneered, snapping his fingers.
Several thugs stepped forward, pressing the flat of their knives to Marco's chest.
"Cut the crap. Pay up, or this little Principessa goes on the auction block."
Angelo's eyes were bloodshot. He growled, "How much?"
"Ten million dollars. Not a penny less." The boss tapped the IOUs, a cruel smile on his face.
Marco sucked in a sharp breath. "That much?"
Even if they emptied their family coffers, they couldn't raise that kind of money on such short notice.
In that instant, the last shred of reason fled from Marco's eyes.
He stared at the IOU, then turned to me, his face a mask of malice.
"Seraphina has Rinaldi blood too! Let her stay in Cassandra's place!"
I froze. Every bloodthirsty gaze in the room swung to me.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Angelo's roar was deafening, the full authority of a Don behind it.
But Marco just sneered. "If Seraphina hadn't tried to steal the restorer's title, deliberately humiliating Cassandra, she never would have come to this godforsaken place! Cassandra is the victim here. It's only right that Seraphina cleans up her own mess!"
The casino boss threw his head back and laughed.
"Interesting. Since they're both Don Giovanni's daughters, a swap is acceptable."
"But this young man is too merciful. We'll sell her to a sheik in the Middle East. I hear they have a particular taste for Italian women."
"Or, we could always part her out. There's good money for organs on the black market."
Rage contorted Angelo's face. "I will never agree to this!"
But a piercing scream from Cassandra cut through the room.
"Angelo, save me! The shackles are silver, they're burning my skin! Please, take me away from here…"
Angelo's resolve wavered. His fists were clenched so tight his nails drew blood.
Finally, he turned to me.
His eyes held a struggling, pathetic plea.
"Seraphina, you don't want to see your sister suffer like this, do you?"
"You'll stay here. Just for a little while. I swear on my life, I will find a way to come back for you."
"Besides, you're a genius restorer. They wouldn't dare really hurt you."
A cold dread seeped into my bones. I looked up at him, a bitter smile on my lips. "Angelo, are you serious? You're leaving me here for her?"
Conflict raged in his eyes.
Guilt, desperation, and a bottomless well of indecision.
"Seraphina," he said, his voice low, "I will come back. I promise."
Marco's brow was furrowed with impatience. "What's the big deal? Just wait here while we get the money. Cassandra endured it. Why can't you?"
Cassandra had men who would die for her. I had only betrayal.
As the thugs grabbed my shoulders, I clung to Angelo's arm.
"Angelo! Are you really going to watch me be sacrificed again?!"
His whole body shuddered. He jerked his hand up, as if to push them away.
But Cassandra threw herself into his arms, prying my fingers from his sleeve.
"Angelo, I'm so scared! Those brutes nearly killed me! Let's go home, please, I can't stand another second in this place!"
At her cries, the last flicker of struggle in Angelo's eyes died.
He turned and held her trembling body.
"I know this isn't fair to you, but nothing can happen to Cassandra. She is the family's Principessa."
I burst out laughing. "So you sacrifice me? You'll just watch as they sell me off or dismember me?"
"You won't be harmed!" he said hastily, though I couldn't tell if he was reassuring me or himself. "The moment you're out, I'll let the whole world know you are my fiancée!"
The heavy iron door slammed shut, and the room fell silent.
The IOU on the table was swept to the floor, replaced by two glasses of whiskey.
The same thugs who had manhandled me moments ago dropped to one knee, their heads bowed.
The mask of misery fell from my face, replaced by a look of cold resolve.
"Proceed as planned," I commanded.
I pulled a document from my dress and tossed it on the table. It was a formal declaration, renouncing the Rinaldi name and all ties to the family.
Soon, the news would spread throughout the mafia world.
The man who had been posing as the casino owner peeled off his disguise. A knowing smile played on his lips as he raised his glass to me.
"I look forward to our partnership, my dear restorer."
The moment that door slammed shut, I was no longer a victim. I was an avenger. And I was here to take back what was mine.
