Page 53 of Reaper’s Wrath

Relief swells in my lungs and makes my head spin.

The Greek continues, his expression severe. “What is your decision? Will you pay the ransom?”

“Look, I’m not paying that. It’s outrageous.”

I can hardly believe my ears.

How could it be? Why won’t he save me? I thought my parents would do anything under the sun to get me back, but this is twice now he’s refused. Twice.

I had told myself the last time was a misunderstanding, but there is no other way to reconcile this. Dad has refused.

“You realize you will never see your son again.”

“He’s an adult. Not my problem,” Dad says in an eerily calm tone.

I’m going to be sick.

I bolt for the bathroom and vomit up my lunch. It hurts so fucking bad, but the pain in my throat is nothing compared to the shredding of my heart. I heave over and over until there’s nothing but bile and devastation.

When I move to the sink, shaking and sweating, I stare at my haunted reflection in the mirror. Blood seeps from my bandage while hope drains from my vacant eyes.

I’ve been discarded. Rejected like so much garbage.

My own family decided I wasn’t worth the trouble of getting me back.

I don’t understand it. Is it because I have a twin? They have DiAngelo, so I’m unnecessary? It sounds utterly absurd, yet I don’t know how else to explain what I just heard.

“You’re bleeding,” says the Greek from behind me. “Come, have a drink to clear your throat and sit. The world has not yet ended for you.”

I follow his instructions because I need to cling to something. Some sort of direction and reassurance.

My eyes well with tears as I sip from the cup he’s given me. “I don’t understand,” I whisper between sips.

“Would you not have gone out on your own anyway in another year?”

“Yes, but they’re my family.” My anchor. My home.

I take a bigger gulp of the sweet drink and feel my head spin.

“Family can be found in all sorts of places. You’ll see. For you, this is only the beginning.”

CHAPTER 27

ISA

Disappointment. It’s the very last emotion I ever thought I’d feel to wake up alone and find my kidnapper gone. Even though I tend to be a light sleeper, Elio slipped away without waking me.

What does that say about me?

What does that say about my feelings for him?

I should have been appalled and terrified after watching him cut off a man’s finger, if the fact that he’s been keeping me captive wasn’t enough to do the job. Why doesn’t any of it seem to matter?

I let him finger me, instead.

No. I didn’t just let him.

I wanted it.