I give him a look before unveiling the top part of the artwork. Reaching inside my back, I grab the rats I'd brought – New York rats – and I drop them on top of the brains. When they start eating away at the organic matter, I give Vlad a nod, and we take the entire sheet off it.
People from both the Bratva and the Famiglia are inside the warehouse, together with workers and other essential staff. And they are all present to witness.
Greed.
It doesn't even require an introduction, as people stop to stare, some getting ill, others fainting.
The rats make excellent work of the brain matter before reaching the intestines, and then, like Hensel & Gretel, they make their way through the organ maze. Everything is visible from the outside.
"What would you call this?" Vlad suddenly asks.
"This? I don't know. Art?" I joke, but he's not even cracking a smile.
"You know, if I'm Berserker, then you should have your own name too. Let's see..."
"Frankenstein?" I chuckle at the thought.
"No." His expression is serious. "Too man-made. We need something more powerful. Mythical."
"Hmm" I muse, but I don't exactly take him seriously.
"Chimera." He suddenly says.
"Chimera?"
"A creature of amalgamations. Not whole, but not lacking. And most of all – terrifying." Vlad turns to me, awaiting my reply.
"Chimera," I repeat, testing the name. In Greek mythology it was a fire breathing animal hybrid that instilled fear in people.
Not bad... not bad at all.
Because so would I become. A name so feared, almost mythical in reputation.
Chapter Twenty-one
A FEELING OF DREAD ACCUMULATES in my stomach. I shift restlessly in bed, trying to evade what I know is coming. Even in my sleepy state, I can recognize the signs. Sweat drips off my forehead. My fists clench at my side in an effort to prevent this.
Then suddenly I'm there. In that room. Face down, strapped to a table.
My heart is beating loudly. I think I hear voices, but I can't focus on what they're saying. Not when there's pain ripping through my backside. I know I've passed out before, and for a while now I've been in and out of consciousness. But the pain is always there.
I move against my bounds and I moan in agony.
When will this be over?
Then there's someone by my side, stroking my hair and offering me something to drink. I can barely make out a figure, but his eyes have a flick of amber in them. I'm so parched that I drink greedily, even though my position makes it difficult for the liquid to travel down my throat, a lot of it spilling on my face and in my hair.
I let out a harsh breath, almost choking.
I blink twice, my sight getting hazy. It's like everything is moving with me.
What did they give me?
I'm vaguely aware of someone unbinding my restraints and then dragging me half off the table. The dress that I'd been wearing is suddenly lifted over my hips, and someone is touching me there.
I can barely move, my body too sluggish.
I don't even struggle when my body is invaded. Even in my foggy mental state, I can feel the pain of being torn in half. It's sharp, so sharp. My eyes sting with unshed tears, my mouth opens with a scream that won't come out.
Then it stops.
I almost sigh in relief. But it's too soon to hope.
Cold metal hits me under my chin. I try to make out what's happening around me, but the metal keeps on digging into my flesh threateningly.
Am I going to die?
They're going to shoot me. That's it. Inside I'm hyperventilating, but on the outside I can't even move a finger.
The gun stays there, glued to me.
Then the pain resumes.
In and out.
I jump out of bed, breathing harshly, patting myself down to make sure I'm alright.
It was just a nightmare... the same nightmare I've always had since that night. My eyes are misty with tears. I thought I moved past it... I thought I'd finally left that behind.
"Lina?" Marcello asks groggily, sitting up on the bed. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." I shake my head and attempt a placating smile. He frowns, not quite buying my explanation. His hand goes to my neck, feeling the moisture clinging to my skin.
"Lina, what happened?" He tugs me closer to him, his arms wrapping around me.
"I dreamed about that night." I whisper. Marcello stiffens next to me.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He brushes his lips over my forehead.
"I don't remember a lot. Everything is hazy. I have some impressions and... pain." I shudder as I remember that aspect. Marcello doesn't ask further, and I snuggle closer to him, feeling immediately more at ease.
I appreciate that he's never asked me about what happened, or about Claudia's father. Enzo must have told him the short version, and he's been kind enough not to bring it up. He's never once shamed me for it.
"You're safe now. I'll keep you safe, I promise you. " The sincerity in his voice sends a shiver down my spine.
I turn my head and kiss him, wanting to forget everything. He must sense the shift in me because he lays me on my back and covers me with his body.
"Make me yours." I open up for him, urging him on.
"You are Lina." His hand caresses my face, his eyes staring at me with an intensity that almost frightens me. "You will always be mine."
"AND YOU REALLY THINK Sisi will go with it?" I frown and start pacing. Marcello had suddenly gotten a call from Benedicto, who invited himself over.
"I had a brief talk with her and I explained that we need to monitor the Guerras to see if they had anything to do with the nun's murder. She wasn't too against it and said she would be on her best behavior."
"Did you also warn her about their son?"
"I told her to be kind to him." Marcello says and moves over to put on his tie.
"I'm still worried. I don't want Claudia around when they get here."
"Agreed. We'll see if Mrs. Evans can stay for a while longer."
"Signor Lastra, Signor Guerra and his family are here." Amelia knocks to announce.
Marcello gives a tight nod and offers me his arm.
In the drawing room, we greet the guests, and I watch awkwardly as we try to engage in conversation. The topics are very mundane, but I can't help but feel out of my element. The only thing I can think of is the finger I'd found in the soup and the threats... to have these people in my house is a little unsettling to say in the least.
Marcello doesn't seem too enthusiastic about this either, as he listens to Benedicto talk with half an ear.
A short while later, and after some more tedious discourse, Sisi comes down.
"Good afternoon." She says, and Marcello proceeds with the introductions.
"My son, Rafaelo, is a little shy. But I hope you can go along." Cosima chimes in, giving her son a pat on the back. The poor boy seems to shrink away at the contact, focusing his attention on Sisi instead.
"P-p-pleas... pleased t-t-to m... m-meet you." He extends his hand, and Sisi shakes it with a kind smile.
"Lastra, why don't we let the women and the children do their thing and we can discuss some business." Benedicto interjects, raising to his feet.
Marcello reluctantly nods, but he doesn't seem too happy about the notion. He gives me a brief, sad smile before leaving.
"Assisi, what a lovely name you have." Cosima starts, her voice a grating, saccharine tone. She looks Sisi up and down, a little frown marring her features. She quickly schools her expression and continues with pleasantries.
"Thank you." Sisi replies, her pose and manners without reproach. Still, this is not the Sisi I know.
"Now, tell me, what are your thoughts on marriage?" Cosima probes further.
"M—M—mother" Her son interrupts, "s... stop."
"Nonsense, Raf." She waves her hand and turns again to Sisi.
"I haven't thought about it since
I was supposed to take my vows before I left Sacre Coeur." She replies cordially, even though I see she's not pleased with this line of interrogation.
"There's enough time for that, dear." Cosima glibs. "Why don't you two go over there and get to know each other better." She fakes a smile as she points to the other couch at the end of the room.
"But," I'm about to intervene, not liking this. Cosima, though, speaks again.
"Don't worry, Catalina, they will still be within our sight. Nothing improper will happen." She tries to joke, but I'm not amused. Mostly because I don't trust anyone in their family.
I reluctantly agree and Sisi and Rafaelo take a seat in a farther corner.
"Now we can also talk uninterrupted, no?" She smiles knowingly, as if this was what she intended from the very beginning.
"Right." I say, wariness in my tone.
"I have to ask. I've been curious ever since I met you. Why did you marry Marcello? Couldn't you have found yourself someone else? I mean," she studies me. "you're a pretty girl. I'm sure you could have found someone else to disregard," she pauses, as if she's looking for the right words. "whatever they needed to disregard." She smiles awkwardly. Yeah, that is definitely the best euphemism I've heard so far.
"I wanted to marry him." I answer with as much confidence as possible. Truth to be told, I don't know if there were any other options. But the moment Enzo had mentioned Marcello, I'd jumped at the chance. I don't know why I'd wanted him so much, but I think he left a deep impression on me when I'd seen him at Sacre Coeur.
"Really?" She leans back, horrified.
"Yes, why?" Now it's my turn to frown. What would she have against Marcello? Any woman with two good eyes could see what a catch he is.
"Well, aside from his looks, which granted are quite superior, his reputation is one of the most stained I've ever heard of."
"What do you mean?"
"You haven't heard?" She tilts her head, an eyebrow raised.
"I don't know what you mean. I'm aware he's been living outside the famiglia for the last ten years," I start, but she cuts me off.
"Oh dear, I mean before that. Marcello and his father had the worst type of reputations. No self-respecting woman would have been caught having any connection to them."
"Why?" I'm confused. On the one hand, I am curious to hear what she's talking about, but on the other, I don't know whether to believe a word she says.
"Oh my," She raises a hand to her mouth. Then, she quickly looks around, as if what she's about to impart is of utmost secrecy.
"You didn't find this out from me but," she leans in to whisper, "they used to attend brothels and engage in the most despicable acts." She looks towards the door again, before adding, clearly scandalized. "In groups!"
"I don't understand." My brows furrow in confusion.
Cosima looks frustrated at my question.
"They went to orgies. Everyone knew. They were the most debauched events; the things people would say about what went inside those events..." She shakes her head.
Orgies? I don't think I've heard that term before. I'd ask her what it means, but I don't think my question would be received well, so I just nod and let her continue.
"They would have even ten women in a night. Sex, drugs, alcohol. Every debauched thing in the book. Some rumors say they even had animals." Her face is horrified as she recounts this.
I'm a little disturbed at her descriptions that I even tune out some words.
"Sodomy and the likes." She shudders. "I'm extremely surprised your brother accepted the match. He must have known."
My face is blank at this point, and I remember snippets of Enzo's disapproval of Marcello. At the time it made little sense... But what if... No! I shake myself. I can't just trust whatever she's saying.
"I see." I simply reply. She continues chatting away, regaling me with more lurid tales about the Lastra family.
"Why, his mother killed herself. And then there's that third wife. She killed herself too. I wonder if there might be a curse."
I'm so shocked by what she's saying that I just smile and nod.
Finally, she changes the subject.
"Look at them. Don't they look good together?" Cosima gushes about Sisi and Rafaelo.
I turn in their direction, and they seem cozy. They are sitting a little too close together, and Rafaelo's head is tilted towards Sisi intimately. Sisi, too, is smiling and talking animatedly with him.
I'm stunned by this development. Blocking everything Cosima told me out of my mind, I take a moment to focus on the two of them.
They are around the same age, with Rafaelo only two years older at twenty-two. But considering his problems, I wonder if Sisi isn't just being kind to him.
When the visit draws to a close, I take Sisi aside to ask her how it went.
"I like him. He's sweet." She replies and blushes.
"Sweet." I repeat, a little taken aback. "That's great!"
"I'd like to keep seeing him, if that's possible." She seems enthusiastic about this, and I'm happy for her. If she likes Rafaelo and wants to befriend him or more, why shouldn't she?
"Of course! I'll talk to Marcello."
After I assure her I will put in a kind word for them with Marcello, I retire to my room.
ALONE WITH MY COMPUTER, curiosity gets the better of me, so I search the web for orgy. I'm not sure what to expect, but it isn't what I find.
According to one urban dictionary, an orgy is five or more people having sex.
I frown and take a second to comprehend what I'm reading. How does that work?
I search a little more and I enter a different page. A video starts playing, loud moans coming from my speakers. I immediately shut down the laptop, mortified.
What if someone heard that?
Embarrassed at what I stumbled upon, but still a little intrigued, I open the laptop again, muting the volume. The video shows a few people, all engaging in sexual acts together. In a way, it's not unlike what I'd witnessed Allegra doing.
Is this what Marcello likes?
Suddenly I feel insecure. Surely that... just thinking about him doing that makes me feel ill. I don't know if it's because I'm uncomfortable with the acts themselves, or jealous that he was with others before me. Or maybe it's because I'd never be able to do that for him.
I shake my head, noting the dangerous turn my thoughts are taking.
Yeah, I may never do that for him, but surely there are other ways to please him. I continue to browse the web, reading different articles and getting a little more familiar with this intimate business. To my great surprise, there are even tutorials.
Engrossed in this new world, I barely realize when Marcello comes inside my room. I try to look unconcerned as I slowly put down the laptop.
"Done?" I ask with a smile.
He nods absentmindedly. "I'll go take a shower first."
He goes to the bathroom, and I quickly go back to the tutorial I'd been watching, trying to memorize the steps. Once I'm relatively confident, I make my way to the bathroom.
I knock on the door.
"Can I come in?" I ask, hoping he will welcome my interruption.
"Yes." He shouts, and I open the door.
I tentatively step inside. Marcello is in the shower cabin, and the clear glass leaves nothing to the imagination. He seems to surprise to see me.
"Did something happen?" He frowns and makes to step out of the stall.
"No." I answer, my hands fumbling with the zipper of my dress. Damn, I should have undressed before coming here.
His gaze is on me, and he's watching me intently. I get out of my clothes, and I walk towards the shower.
I try to seem as confident as the girl in the video had been, even though my nerves threaten to get the best of me.
The water is on, the steam enveloping my skin the moment I get inside the stall.
"Lina, what are you..." Marcello starts, but I don't let him finish. I raise myself on my tiptoes to kiss him. A deep
groan escapes him when our lips touch, and his hands come around my waist, drawing me into him.
He's already hard. I feel him straining against my stomach, and this makes my plan even easier.
Breaking the kiss, I lower myself to my knees. His eyes darken as he watches me take him in my hand. I touch him like he taught me, up and down. His head falls back, a small sound escaping his lips.
"Lina," his voice is breathy, and the way he reacts under my novice touch makes me gain even more confidence.
I tilt my head and open my mouth, taking him inside. He's soft yet firm, and it's not at all unpleasant. My tongue stretches out to caress the tip and Marcello's hand goes to my hair, suddenly urging him on. I open wider to take all of him inside my mouth, but I'm only halfway when I start gagging.
He must have heard me, because he lets go, taking a step back.
"Lina... what are you doing?" His expression is horrified.
"I want to please you." I look up, confused at his sudden outburst.
"Why would you do this?" He shakes his head. Stopping the water, he makes to exit the stall.
"Did I... did I do something wrong?" I ask, a little unnerved. I'm still on my knees, afraid that if I try to stand up, my legs would turn to mush.
"This isn't you. You don't have to do this... Damn it." He mutters, his hand reaching out for a towel. He wraps it around his waist, his member still visibly aroused.
"But you liked it in the past." Seeing him about to leave, the words are out of my mouth before I can think.
"What do you mean?" He stops, narrowing his eyes at me, and I suddenly feel exposed.
"It doesn't matter." I whisper, a little embarrassed that I'd let Cosima's words poison my mind when Marcello seems to hate this.
"No, please tell me what you meant." He stoops down.
"Cosima told me about your past." I confess. "About the orgies. And I thought..."
"Orgies. " He gives a dry laugh. "And you thought what?" He raises an eyebrow at me.
"That it's what you want." I lower my gaze, shame eating at me. "I can't do that for you... but maybe there are other ways to please you." I explain, but he stops me.
Morally Blasphemous (Morally Questionable Book 2) Page 24