The car pulls around to the back of Kent’s mansion and enters a garage. When I get out of the car, Kent is standing at the entrance to the house, his arms crossed.
The guards move to the trunk to remove my dad.
“Why did you do this,” I ask, glaring at the mafia boss.
He looks me in the eye. “Because I knew that if I let you say goodbye, you’d tell the driver your address and lead us right there.’”
I gape, realizing, of course, that I did precisely that.
“Whereas,” he continues, “if I told you that we wanted to take your dad for leverage, you’d have clammed up and given him a chance to run. Honestly, Fay,” he says. “You’ve got to become a little more canny if you’re going to survive in this world.”
I hang my head, suddenly ashamed and exhausted. He’s right, I’m too naïve.
The guard takes my arm and moves me into the house.
“Take him to the chamber,” Kent says to the guards who carry my dad. Dad wriggles in their arms, but it’s half-hearted.
I twist as the guards take him away, but I’m held tight. “The chamber?!” I call. “What is -“
“He will be fine, Fay,” Kent says to me, holding my gaze. “You have my word on it. And I don’t give my word lightly.”
I bite my lip. “Please,” I say, begging now. “Tell me what’s happening.”
“I am merely gathering all the players in one place, Fay,” Kent says. “We have word that Dean still has control of your sister.”
I gasp, tears springing to my eyes. “Is she okay? Is she –“
“She’s fine,” he says, his face stone.
“Please,” I breathe, “can you get her away from him? She owes him money –he’ll make her pay for it –“
“Why should I, Fay?” He snaps, interrupting me. “What can Fay Thompson give to me,” he says, “to make it worth my time?”
“Nothing,” I whisper. “I have nothing. But…” My whole body starts to tremble. “I’ll do anything you want.”
“Fay Thompson has nothing I want,” he says, careful. “Fay Alden, though…”
His words drift off and his plan snaps together in my mind. My dad’s freedom, my sister’s, in exchange…
I stand up straight. “Do I have your word, on your son’s life, that if I agree to this…you’ll let them go? Make sure they’re safe?”
He nods slowly, smiling now. “My word, on my family. Your dad and sister will have my explicit protection.”
I close my eyes and look away, dread filling me as I make this devil’s deal. “Fine.” I say. “I’ll do it.”
Lippert snaps his fingers in front of my face, making my eyes fly open. “Fay,” he says, “your father and sister? They have to believe it. Do you understand?”
I hold his gaze and slowly nod, agreeing.
“Take her upstairs,” Lippert says. “To the guestroom. Get some rest, Fay. I will have your sister brought here and tonight we will all have a chat.”
The guard takes me upstairs and leads me to a beautifully appointed bedroom. I hear the lock click behind me and sink onto the bed. I know I should be trying to come up with a plan…
But Lippert is right. I’m an amateur. He’s three steps ahead of me at every turn.
And I’m so, so tired…
Quicker than I would have thought possible, I fall back into a troubled sleep.
A few hours later, I’m awoken by the sound of the key in the lock. I blink away my sleep and see a woman peeking in my door. “Hello?” she says. “May I come in?”
I huff a little laugh. “Do I have a choice?”
“No, dearie,” the older woman says, not unkindly, closing the door behind her.
“A shower for you, quickly,” she says, gesturing towards the bathroom.
I obediently oblige, not seeing the point in arguing. When I come back, she seats me at a little vanity and quietly does my makeup, pins my hair up in elaborate curls, and dresses me in a far-too-gorgeous red gown that falls to my ankles.
I study myself in the mirror. The dress is not girly, but neither is it scandalous or provocative. Instead, when I study myself in the mirror I look…
Well. I look every inch the mafia princess. Rich, poised, a little dangerous.
Soon, there’s a knock at the door. “Off you go, my dear,” the woman says, giving me a little push in the right direction.
I nod my thanks to her – I didn’t even get her name - as a guard comes to take me downstairs.
When we reaching the landing a floor below, he quietly opens the double doors of a sitting room.
I am the last to arrive.
“Fay,” Janeen gasps, and my head snaps directly to her. She’s seated on a plush couch, her clothing torn and her face smeared with makeup.
I take a few steps towards her but Kent, standing by the fireplace, clears his throat. I hold myself back, knowing I have a part to play.
I look between Janeen and my dad, seated next to her.
“Fay,” my dad gasps, taking in my gorgeous dress, my polished countenance. “Are you…”
“I’m fine.” I say, setting my shoulders back.
“Please,” my father says, turning his attention to Kent. “Let them go – take me – I’ll take whatever punishment –“
“No,” Kent cuts in, not even looking at him, just staring at me. “You’re worthless to me.”
“David,” I say, internally cringing to use his real name. “I can’t forgive you for your betrayal.”
His mouth falls open.
Janeen, next to him, is baffled. “Fay, what are you talking about?”
I turn my attention to her. “Didn’t you hear? Dad’s been keeping me away from my real life. I’m the daughter of a mob boss, someone who can give me everything I deserve. While we’ve been scraping by, I could have had yachts, private planes, diamonds. Everything a girl wants.”
Everything in me shouts no! against this, but Kent’s gaze sits heavy on my shoulders. This, I know, is the only way. I can only hope my lies convince them.
Janeen’s mouth falls open in shock and disgust.
"Please, Fay,” my dad says, devastated. “We can call the police! Fay — don't give in."
My heart breaks, but I have to do this.
I paint a sneer on my face. “I just want to go back to my real family. What’s it going to take to leave me alone? Fifty grand? A hundred? Whatever you want, I’m sure it can be arranged.”
I suddenly realize that Daniel made me a similar offer only a few days ago. I know exactly the disgust that my dad and Janeen must feel.
Janeen shakes her head at me. “Fay, this isn’t you.”
I turn on her and say the cruelest thing I can think of. “Why would I want to come live in that shack with you, a stripper and a deadbeat,” I hiss. “When I could have all this?” I raise my arms to indicate everything that Kent’s house represents.
Then, the nail in the coffin, I slowly cross the room and stand next to Kent. “By the way, have you met my father-in-law?”
My family’s faces go pale.
“He’s Daniel’s father. Did I forget to mention that Daniel and I are engaged?”
Kent, emotionless, puts an arm around my shoulders, claiming me as part of his family now. “We’re finished here,” he says.
My dad and my sister stand up. Hesitant, my dad takes a few steps towards me. No one stops him, so he takes my face in his hands and then pulls me close in a hug that brings tears to my eyes.
“You’re my daughter,” he whispers in my ear. “Nothing will ever change that.”
He gives me one last look and heads for the door.
Janeen comes forward next. I raise my arms for a hug but she snaps her hand up, slapping me across the face as hard as she can. I gasp.
“How dare you,” she growls. “That slap is not enough. But it’s the last thing I’ll ever give you.”
Then, pride written in the straight line of her back, she follows my father out.
As soon as the door closes behind them, I collapse at Kent’s feet, sobs wracking my body.
He stands patiently by me for a moment and then moves to the door.
“You did the right thing, Fay,” he says, before walking out.
But, alone in the room, I know I’ve lost everything that has ever mattered to me.