CHAPTER SEVEN— MAYHEM

If Matt suspected anything about me constantly visiting his grandmother he didn't say anything or show it. That didn't surprise me though. I'd always visited when I was much younger. His grandmother was like one I never had and so it didn't come as surprise.

Today was the D–day to finalize my escape plans. His grandmother had already sorted everything out and all that was left was me making the move. I'd told Georgina and begged her not to tell anyone no matter how much they'd questioned her. She'd promised, but I was still wary of her ability to effortlessly lie and so I'd not told her where exactly I was headed to.

Philadelphia.

I'd always wanted to visit that city my entire life and now it seemed like this was my opportunity to. I was finally going to live a carefree life— drink, club, experience love, get married to a man I loved someday and start a family with him, finish my education and get a good job. I wasn't going to be the Ariadne Moretti who was the good girl and was bound to her family's twisted tradition.

Life was going well, everything was easy— too easy, and that's why I was shocked when I walked into the living room the day before my escape plan to find Georgina, my parents and Luca seated on the sofa. I'd been too trapped in my own thoughts to even notice his car parked outside.

All eyes turned to me the moment they noticed my presence. My father's was filled with disappointment, my mother's sad, Georgina's apology and Luca's pure anger. Georgina's made me worried and I wondered why she had that look.

“What's going on?”

Before I could fully say the words, Luca had already sprung to his feet and it took three angry strides for his long legs to reach me. He grabbed my arm forcefully, the action almost making me fall to his broad chest. Luckily, I caught myself early.

I glared at him. “What the hell is your problem?”

“Ariadne!” My father reprimanded.

“If there's anyone who has a fucking problem, it is obviously you dear wife. I have tried to make things easier for you and all I get are your stupid tantrums and disrespectful remarks.”

Still didn't answer my question but…

“And just when I think you couldn't top the list of things to surprise me, you decide to run away?”

It took two seconds for his words to sink in and when they finally did, my eyes immediately moved to Georgina who bowed her head, avoiding eye contact with me. Oh, so that explained the apologetic look. I wanted to hit her, or better yet strangle her, but Luca's grip on my arm proved pointless to do so.

“Oh, surprised your friend ratted you out to me, wife?” He sneered. “Makes you wonder just how much your worse decisions are.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, in a bid to look intimidating, but who was I kidding. This was a six foot four man for the love of God. “Let me go.” I tried jerking my arm. “Now!”

A sadistic smile made its way to his face. “Make me.”

We shared a glare, neither of us wanting to give up the battle by looking away, not even when Father cleared his throat behind us.

“Ariadne, your mother and I have come to an agreement that in order to prevent you from bringing shame and disgrace to this family, it's better for Luca to take you under his… wings.”

My eyes snapped to him. “Wait… what?” I glanced at Luca who released his hold on my arm and then back to my Father. “You can't do that to me. I'm your daughter. Your only child!”

“You should have thought of that before attempting to pull what you just did.” He boomed, rising to his feet. “If Georgina hadn't informed us, you would have made a stupid move. Your lucky I have much bigger fish to fry or you would have told me who helped you carry out your stupid plans.”

I crossed a hand over my chest in defiance. “What? You think I'm not smart enough to come up with such plans?” There was no way I was ratting Matt's grandmother out. I wasn't like some people. I glanced at Georgina with a glare.

Father scoffed. “You never were smart to begin with, now were you?”

I gaped at him shock. No way my Father said that about me. He wasn't the best Father, but he'd never outright insulted me before.

“Enough!” Luca commanded, making me startle. I looked up at him to see his eyes fixed angrily at Father. “I will not have you insult my fiancèe, Mr. Moretti.”

I looked up at him in surprise. Did he just defend me in front of my father? Maybe I heard wrong.

“She is my daughter and it's my responsibility to make her not to put shame into my name. I would advise you did the same. Ariadne might look like a Lamb, but she's as deadly as a Tigress.”

“I can handle my own fiancèe, don't you think?”

My Father kept shut, and when Luca saw that he was going to say nothing more, he turned away from him to me. “Your mother will arrange your things and will be brought later to my place. You, on the other hand, are coming with me.”

“Like hell I would!” I answered angrily.

“Oh, you will,” he assured me and before I knew it, he bent, throwing me over his shoulder. Despite my protest, he ignored me and started heading for the front door.

“Put me down, you bastard!” I kept hitting his back. “Mother! Father! You're going to let him do this to me?”

“It's for the best, Ariadne,” Father had the guts to say.

I gasped in shock, tears streaming down my cheeks before I could control it. All the fight left me as my tormentor carried me outside the house and into his car. I think he expected me to fight because he lingered for a few seconds and after one last look at me, he shut the door and turned to the other side of the car and got in.

Nothing was said as he ordered the driver to move, and soon the engine ignited and we started driving out of the compound. It was official. Life as I knew it was finally over. These walls ensured my privacy and safety, and now I was leaving them and moving to a prison.

I'd seen Luca Russo's anger and I wasn't kidding myself to believe he would hesitate to hit me if I went against him. That was the whole point of making me move with him— to teach me a lesson. This wasn't going to be a marriage, this was a life sentence and Georgina— the girl I'd taken as a sister had happily delivered me to my enemy.

I wondered what she had to say for herself. I wondered what her excuse was, but even as I wondered, it wasn't well enough to want to hear them from her. She was officially dead to me and nothing could bring her back to life.

“I'm doing this for you, Ariadne. I hope one day, you're going to see that.” Luca said after moments of slithering silence.

I chose to ignore him and instead conserve my energy for more important things as I lay back on the seat and shut my eyes. Maybe if I ignored him, he'll live me alone.

Thankfully, he let out a deep sigh and then said nothing else.