Tormented Angel: A Dark Mafia Romance (The Umarova Crime Family Series Book 4)

Chapter Four

I’ve never met this man before. Not once. I’ve met a lot of people Duarte’s done business with in the past, usually in these dinner-type settings or on the rare occurrence where he’ll take me out. He’s never taken me out into the city, though. Why not? Because many don’t even know about my existence. The only people who really know about me are in Duarte’s ranks or are one of his business associates. They’ve only seen me here at the estate or if I go to a sale with him. On occasion, Duarte would take me to auctions where he’ll purchase one-of-a-kind artwork, animals to hang on the walls, and sometimes even underground human auctions where he’ll buy other women.

In my time with Duarte, I never ever thought he’d ever offer me up to someone, yet he did with this stranger. With this man named Nazyr. Have I done something that’s pissed Duarte off? I’m starting to think so… but why would he discard me like an old toy, especially when he usually shows me just how badly I’ve pissed him off in a physical manner.

Is Duarte serious about giving me to this guy? He might just be scaring me. I keep going back and forth on whether or not Duarte is serious, especially as we eat dinner. It’s delicious, just like it always is, but between each bite, a fear I haven’t felt in ages begins to rise up in my body. A fear I haven’t felt since the night I was drugged in that restaurant.

Would this man condemn me to something worse than Duarte has, or would he be more human and grant me my freedom?

Fuck, what would I even do with my freedom? I don’t remember what it’s like to be free. As I eat my dinner, I try to keep my hands from shaking, but I’m petrified. The conversation Duarte and Nazyr are having is muffled by the intense beating of my heart in my chest. I don’t know what to do right now, but I know I can’t show any emotional reaction. It will only piss Duarte off, and if I end up staying here with him, then I don’t want to deal with the repercussions of that later.

Why am I even thinking like going with Nazyr would be better? There is no one that is better to deal with. Duarte and his associates are all vile men. They’re all heavily involved in the criminal world, and it just shows that they’re the type of men who will do anything they want, even if they know it’s wrong.

But there’s a bigger issue here: my daughters. If I’m forced to leave, I know Duarte won’t let me take them with me. He’ll instead keep them here, having nannies raise them for the rest of their lives. Even though he’s their father, I often wonder if one day he’ll get physical and beat them the way he’s done to me. I try to push the thought out of the forefront of my mind, but I know what he’s capable of. I’ve witnessed his cruelty firsthand many, many times.

If I leave, I’ll likely never be able to see them ever again. Suddenly, keeping my emotions hidden away becomes harder to do. Still, I’m doing my best because I don’t want to be attacked right now. I don’t want Duarte to even sense I’m becoming upset.

“Ma’am?” a man’s deep voice calls my attention from my internal thoughts, and he offers me a glass of champagne which I gladly accept.

“Thank you,” I tell him with a forced smile and then look over at Duarte, who’s too busy speaking to Nazyr. However, Nazyr has his eyes glued on me. What is he thinking? What in the world is running through that mind of his? I wonder if he’s debating taking me with him or is he thinking about how he’ll string me up and slice me up like a serial killer. God, the anxiety coursing through my veins right now is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. At least since I’ve been with Duarte, I know what to expect from him, but I don’t know what to expect from the man who’s staring at me, his eyes not revealing any of his thoughts.

I don’t know a damn thing about him except that he must be powerful and his family is important. I only know those last two things because of the way Duarte is speaking to him. I might not seem like I pay a lot of attention to what they’re saying, but I’m always listening.

“I noticed you have quite the art collection,” Nazyr speaks up.

“Ah, I do. It’s a passion my mother instilled in me. Come, I’ll show you more of it.” Duarte rises, and Nazyr quickly follows.

Duarte takes a few steps and then turns back to look at me. “Come on, Mona.”

“My sister is an artist, but for some reason, I’m sure you know that already.”

Duarte smirks at Nazyr’s comment. “I do. One day I hope to visit her gallery. I’m always looking to add more pieces to my home.”

Duarte does research into everyone, which kind of makes me think he knew exactly who I was when I was here in my first days. I think he had his people look into me, and when he saw I was a well-educated woman, he decided to keep me. I think if I had been some boring girl, I would’ve been killed or sold to someone else.

“You’re welcome to. She has some beautiful pieces.”

“Noted. Have you given any thought to my walking artwork? I doubt she will disappoint you, Nazyr,” Duarte goes on, then looks back at me.

Nazyr turns his head and scans his eyes up and down my body. “I haven’t made up my mind.”

I inhale sharply, growing more terrified as the night goes on. If he leaves me here, I think I’m going to end up dead.

“Go and touch her.”