I got up and charged him.
I wasn’t thinking. I knew he was dangerous, but it was my father. I wanted to hit him, scream at him, make him let me go. But as soon as I got close enough to strike out, he shoved me back, knocking me to the ground.
“Don’t get up,” he warned. The door shut behind him.
I tried to get up.
He kicked me in the side, and pain flashed through my body. I tumbled back to the ground.
“Kaley,” he warned. “I take no pleasure in this. Do not get back up.”
I tried to get up again, my eyes flashing fierce anger. “Fuck you. Where’s my son?”
He kicked me again, sending me sprawling. I coughed as pain blinded me for a moment.
“He’s safe,” my father said.
“Give him to me, you bastard,” I said.
I tried to get up again. I wanted to hurt him so badly.
“Kaley,” he warned.
“Fuck you.”
He kicked me again and again until I began to cry from the pain.
He backed off finally, sighing. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
I got myself together after a minute, the pain rushing through me. I wanted to get up and hit him, but I couldn’t move. Everything hurt; everything was broken.
“Give me my son back,” I said.
“Kaley, none of this would have happened if you hadn’t run off to those fucking swine Italians,” he said. “You know that, right? I’m your father.”
“I’m your daughter and Alexei is your grandson,” I spat.
“That baby is not my grandson,” he said. “That baby is part Italian. That baby is a fucking stain on your family.”
“You’re a stain,” I whispered. “You disgust me.”
He nodded. “I understand you feel that way right now, Kaley, but in time you will see that this was for the best.”
“No. Never. I hope they kill you.”
“Maybe,” he mused. “Maybe they will. But I very much doubt it.”
He leaned up against the wall across from me and looked down at me.
“What do you want?” I asked.
“I want to know their weaknesses, Kaley,” he said. “For every piece of information you give me, I will bring you back one luxury. First up will be the right to use the bathroom.”
“Go to hell,” I said. “I’d rather starve than help you.”
“We can do that too if you want,” he said, smiling. “Come on, Kaley, help your family. How many men work for the Italians?”
“I don’t know.”
“Where is their security weakest?”
“I don’t know. Go to hell.”
My father sighed, shaking his head. “Kaley, please. Don’t make me hurt you more than I have to.”
“Listen to me,” I said. “You are a vile piece of garbage, and I genuinely hope you die a violent, horrific death. Do you understand that?”
He nodded, frowning. “It’s okay. You’ll come around.” He stood up straight and headed toward the door.
“Wait,” I said. “Please. Alexei.”
He smiled back at me. “Tell me what their weaknesses are, and I’ll let you see the boy.”
“He’s here?” I asked softly.
“He’s here. How many men are in the compound at any given time? When are they most vulnerable?”
I stared at him, my mind running circles. Alexei was safe and sound as far as I could tell.
But if I talked, told him what I thought was right, Vince might get hurt.
I didn’t want to betray Vince, didn’t want to hurt him.
And maybe I could do both. Maybe if I kept my father happy for long enough, I could figure out a way to escape. All I needed to do was tell him plausible lies. I just needed a few days to think.
“Noon,” I lied. “They change guards at noon. I think there are less around then.”
He looked at me and nodded. “Good. That’s good. How many men are on the compound normally?”
“A lot,” I said. “I don’t know. Hundreds I think.”
He frowned. “Can’t be hundreds.”
“I never counted,” I said.
“Don’t lie to me, girl.” He took a step toward me. “Lying will be worse.”
“I really don’t know,” I said. “Please, let me see Alexei.”
He looked at me in silence for a moment and then shook his head. “No. Maybe next time. Think of something good to give me. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
“No!” I screamed, but he was already walking away.
“Open up,” he called out.
“No!” I screamed again, getting up. My whole body hurt, but I hurled myself at him anyway. “Let me see my son!”
He whirled and punched me in the jaw, knocking me to the ground. I sprawled out, my head buzzing with stars.
“Think of something good, Kaley,” he said, and then he was gone.
The door shut and locked behind him.
I curled into a ball, dizzy and aching, my whole body in pain. I tried not to cry, couldn’t let them get to me, but I couldn’t help it. I cried as quietly as I could, but I was crying for Alexei.