Page 98 of Angel

His fingers close around my throat and he growls, “If I have to beat you into submission, it would be my pleasure. Now, shall we start again? Put on the fucking ring.”

I have no choice. He’s mad. I see it in his eyes, and my finger shakes as he pushes the ring down hard on it and jerks his head toward a huge bed.

The trouble is, the bed has no sheets, no covers or pillows. It only has a plastic cover on top of it and he laughs softly. “We will enjoy a pleasant weekend together while I bring you around to my way of thinking. Nobody can get into this room, so it’s only us. You may as well lie back and enjoy the ride, baby girl, because by the end of it you will be in no doubt of who owns you now.”

It’s as if all hope has deserted me. There really is no way out and as the boat powers on into the ocean, I guess my destination is up shit creek without a paddle.

The gun is still pointing at my head, and he says in a firm tone, “Sit on the bed, Sophie.”

I have no choice but to stall for time and do as he says, trying to work out my escape.

“You are a successful actress and have me to thank for that.”

“I don’t see how.”

“Sam owed me a favor. I asked him to cast you in the movie. You’re welcome.”

“I don’t believe you.”

He is goading me, tearing me down to batter my confidence. I know he is lying because Sam wasn’t even producing the movie at the beginning.

“I don’t expect you to believe me.” He shrugs. “I merely expect you to do what I say. I will train you never to question me. You will be my wife, and your sole purpose will be to look good beside me in public, perform for me in private, and bear me six sons.”

“You can’t order children. Nature has a way of deciding.”

He shrugs. “Then we will keep going until I have six sons. Do what you want with the daughters.”

“I won’t marry you. Why on earth would I?”

“Because I currently have your parents tied up in a warehouse. Their lives depend on your answer.”

“You’re lying.”

I try so hard not to react and he laughs out loud.

Then he holds up his phone, and I almost pass out when I see the short video he has of my parents. I am sick to my stomach. This can’t be happening.

Mom is crying, her hands and feet tied to a chair, her face bloodied and bruised. My father is also tied up, a man standing beside him with a gun to his head. He looks destroyed. Broken, defeated already.

“Their lives are in your hands, Sophie.”

Emilio cuts the picture and replaces his phone. Then he removes a syringe from his pocket and grins.

“If you don’t agree, then I will help you relax. It’s funny how addictive drugs can be and heroin is more addictive than most. When you become dependent on it, you will depend on me to provide it. It’s not something I want to happen because I need you in good health to breed with.” He pockets the syringe.

“So, what is your answer now, Sophie? Will you marry me in three days’ time in Miami and give up your career to become the wife you were always destined to be?”

I say nothing. I have no words because forming the ones he wants to hear will be over my dead body. The trouble is, it will be over my parent’s dead bodies too and I won’t let that happen.

“On one condition.”

I fix him with a steely glare and he grins.

“There she is. My wife.”

“I want you to release them. Now, this minute. Call your men and only when I see them at home and safe will I consider your offer.”

“Okay.”