Page 1 of In Ruins
PROLOGUE
ARIA
The drone of my teacher’s voice carries from where she’s standing at the front of the class, as I stare into space with a hand propped under my chin. I haven’t really been paying attention today, and when I look around, it’s the same with everyone else.
My mind has been occupied with other things, and honestly, I’m just done with today. I constantly think about my life and how much I kind of hate it. The thoughts taking up space inside my head are always focused on the fantasy of running away from home and finally being free. I know what you’re thinking… Why would anyone want to run away from home? Well, if you lived my life, you’d want to run away too.
As much as I wish it were possible to run, the logical part of my brain knows that it isn’t. My father would send his men to hunt me down, and I’d be dead before I could even plan my next move. That is, if he didn’t already have something much worse planned for me.
Father’s been getting worse with each day that passes, which is why I’m in fantasy land right now, with thoughts of running. He was his usual unbearable self again last night, and the only thing I could do was sit there and take his insultswithout uttering a single word. He’s trained me so well. I’m never to make a peep. No arguing, just take whatever it is he decides to dish out my way, or things would get even more unpleasant.
He’s not just cruel with his words. He's also cruel with his fists. I can’t even defend myself because he’ll see it as disobedience. He also treats me as though I’m stupid, but I just let him think whatever the hell he wants. I know the words of a monster will never define who I am as a person, even if I have to keep it all locked away for the sake of self-preservation. I learned a long time ago that if I wanted to survive in his house, it’s best for me not to be heard.
My brother, Luca, wasn’t home last night, which is why Father decided to have one of his—what I like to call—tantrums. I’m usually safe and free from the hate and violence he spews, so long as my brother is around, but when he isn’t, all bets are off.
I’ve learned to hide the bruises so my brother doesn’t see them. I’m scared of what would happen if he ever found out. An all-out war between the two of them would be my guess, and I can’t stand the thought of anything happening to Luca. My brother has always been my protector, while my father has always been my tormentor.
I’ve spent years longing for the day I could be free. Wishing for a day when I don’t have to cower in front of my father to escape a beating. I dream of living my life the way I want to, doing the things that make me happy, not my father. I don’t know if that will ever happen, but a girl can hope and dream, can’t she?
As I sit through class, waiting for it to end, time seems to move slowly. I’m torn between wanting it to move faster and wishing it wouldn’t. I hate going home because it feels more likea prison than anything else. A cage, if you will… and I’m the pretty bird that always gets locked away inside it.
After the events of last night, my mood wasn’t good at all today, and it literally felt like the day just dragged on. Right now, though, I just want to lie in my bed and sleep away the headache that’s forming, with the hope that my father will leave me alone when I get home. Tormenting me seems to be his favorite pastime.
On days like today, I wonder why the hell I attend school anyway, since I know I won’t need any of this in the future.
I’ve been told by my father what my place in this life is going to be. Even though he hates me, he still has my life planned out for me. My sole purpose on this earth will be to marry whichever asshole he picks out for me.
The world I’m living in, the one I was born into, is not a normal one. Nope, this one is filled with war and constant bloodshed. There is always an enemy out there, ready… just waiting to strike so they can steal your territory from you. Hell, sometimes, even someone you consider a friend would betray you in this world. The heads of the families are all just idiots with antiquated views who think they know everything, my father included. Well, to be fair, the only head I’m acquainted with is Salvatore, and that man gives me the creeps. He and my father expect women not to have a brain or a voice.
They want a meek little wife they can parade around in front of the others like they’re just show ponies or something.
I’ve already started lessons for that shit, though I hope I have a few more years to avoid that fate. According to my tutors—the ones my father hired to teach me how to be the perfect Mafia wife someday— we’re expected to be seen and not heard, to listen and never answer back or disagree, to do everything we’re told like good little minions, and to produceheirs like a broodmare. Just the thought of all that makes me want to commit murder.
In essence, be mindless twits to these assholes who want to uphold certain traditions, but are so fucking vile that they can’t be true to their vows or keep their dicks in their pants. How the fuck is that fair to anyone?
I hate, hate, hate what it means to be a woman living in the Mafia world with these sexist pigs. Don’t get me wrong, some of them are decent, but for the most part, the rest of them are nothing but bullies and monsters. I’ve seen the effects firsthand since it happened to some of the girls I know. Young women who were once beautiful and vibrant are now nothing but shells of themselves after only being married a short while to these assholes.
The bell finally rings, and I instantly grab my stuff and pack it away in my bag, before getting up from my chair and heading out the classroom doors without a backward glance. I don’t even say bye to my friends, since I just want to get the hell out of here.
I make my way out the front doors and head toward the sidewalk, where my driver, Paul, is waiting. He opens my door for me, and I quickly get in. A moment later, he’s back in the car, and we’re pulling out into the street.
We’re about halfway home when chaos erupts in the form of gunfire. Paul slams his foot down on the gas, and I grab the door handle to steady myself. I look back through the rear windshield and see three cars following us. A sliver of fear engulfs me because this could end in so many ways. Thankfully, none of the bullets broke the glass since Luca made sure shatter-resistant glass was installed in all of our vehicles.
This is one of the main reasons why I hate being a part of this life. You could be alive one minute and dead the next. Iconstantly live in fear that someone is going to hurt me because they hate my father.
“Get down on the floor!” Paul yells as he continues driving fast. I do as I’m told, but a moment later, I quickly lift my head an inch to glance back at the cars. They aren’t far behind us, and I pray that Paul can keep the little distance between them and us.
More gunshots ring out, and I dive back down onto the floor, pulling my phone from my backpack and quickly dialing the only person who can help us out of this shitshow. He answers on the first ring, like he usually does, whenever I call.
“Hey, sis?—”
“Luca!” I yell into the phone, cutting him off before he can say anything else. “I need help! We’re being chased by three cars. They’re shooting at us. I have no idea who they are! I think they’re also trying to run us off the road, but Paul has managed to avoid getting hit by them so far!”
“Fuck!” Luca curses. “I’ve got your location pulled up. Try to stay calm for me. Paul knows what he’s doing. I’m on my way!” I hear him barking out orders, and can tell from the sound of things that he’s already on the move. Who the hell tells someone to be calm while they’re being attacked anyway?
“Hurry, please!” I beg. This is so scary. I’ve never been attacked like this before.
“I’m already on the way, sunshine. You’re doing so well right now. I want you to continue being brave for me, okay?”
