Zeno: #8 (Luna Lodge) Read Online Free PDF Page B

was surprised to find Antonio was already there waiting for her, the cool expression on his face a mask for his true feelings.
    He nodded to the chair across the table from him and sat in his own chair.
    “I’m glad you wore the red dress tonight,” he said and smiled coolly.
    Ava resisted the urge to roll her eyes. There hadn’t been many options seeing as it was the only dress she had for the day.
    Two younger women came out with the dishes for the night. Her heart kicked up when she noticed Anita wasn’t there with them. Having both Piero and Anita gone wasn’t something she’d ever seen, and all the explanations she could come up with weren’t good. Her stomach knotted.
    She slowly nibbled on her food, trying not to look at the man across the table as he silently watched her.
    After pushing things around her plate, eating only a few bites, the meal was finally over. Antonio leaned back and stretched in his chair. She watched him from under her lashes.
    “I have some entertainment for after dinner,” he said.
    She blinked. Delight entered his eyes. A cruel smile followed.
    “Entertainment?” she said.
    He nodded and waved a hand at one of the men. The man opened the door as another man shoved Piero through. His lip bled freely, and he limped.
    “Piero,” Ava said and jumped to her feet.
    “Sit,” Antonio said, his voice icy.
    She glared over at him but sat back in her seat. The last thing she wanted was to do was get Piero hurt more.
    He stared at her from where he stood. Sorrow filled his eyes, and she wanted to say she was the one who should be sorry. She’d pushed for his help and now she had gotten him into something that wasn’t his problem.
    “You know,” Antonio said and stood and walked over to where she sat. He looked down at her and smiled. “I nearly believed you hadn’t sent for help until one of the men said the two of you had been very close recently.”
    Ava shook her head. The situation was worsening by the second.
    Antonio reached out and gripped her chin hard, holding her head in place.
    “I know he sent out the letters to your sister,” Antonio ground out. “You called for help. You’ve forced my hand. Now look what you’ve made me do.”
    In a flash, he whirled around. His gun exploded in the room, making her ears ring from the sound. Piero cried out in pain and fell to the ground. A few seconds later, bright red stained the arm of the blue shirt he wore.
    Ava leapt to her feet.
    Blinding pain slammed into her as the back of Antonio’s hand connected with her cheek. Unable to stand against the blow, she slumped to the chair under her.
    “You are mine,” he ground out, his face so close to hers that she could see the rage down to his very soul. “I will never let you leave me. Never. I, and I only, decide when I’m done with the things I own, and I own you.”
    She trembled and leaned away from him. Ava closed her eyes, trying to shut out the very sight of him.
    “Please,” she whispered. “Please save him. It’s all my fault. Not his. Please. I’m begging you.”
    Antonio laughed. The harsh sound was almost as bad as his shouting.
    “He’ll live,” Antonio said and stepped back from her. “It was in the arm. Your big friend won’t be so lucky when he comes back. You disrespected me, and he disrespected me. And now he’ll pay the price.”
    Ava shook her head. He would kill Zeno. There was no question in her mind that he would. How many people had to suffer because of her stupid mistakes?
    “Now go to your room and get cleaned up,” he said with a smile. “You’ll have company tonight, and I want you looking presentable.”
    She froze. The implications were clear and sent a chill down her spine.
    The two other guards forced her to her feet. Her legs quivered. She looked over to where Piero lay on the floor with a pool of blood under him. She wondered if he was already dead. Maybe they both would be if she didn’t act quickly.
    The guards marched her down the