My husband’s billionaire brother

AMELIA

Tonight was the night I escaped from my husband.

Marrying him was the biggest mistake I ever made. Not like I even had a choice in the first place when my father sold me to him to pay a debt.

It had been three years of hell and I was finally making my escape.

I walked gently from the guest bedroom where he had dumped me after using my body last night, wincing from the pain his session had left all over my body. A small bag which I had been carefully filling with little things no one would notice was missing, was hung over my shoulder.

He had guards patrolling everywhere so running would be a mistake.

I paused outside our bedroom and listened.

Most nights after a long session, Ermanno slept like a man who had nothing to fear, which was true. He was the don to the largest mafia in Italy and America, the Rosso family.

All I heard was his deep breathing which was a go sign. I hurried down the main corridor, took a left then back down the staircase which I had memorized a long time ago, dreaming for the day I'd be free from this monster.

The guards had a short three minute window which I needed to use. I pushed open the side door, taking a deep breath as tears welled up in my eyes.

I’d soon be free.

But as I took one step towards freedom, somewhere deep in the house someone yelled, “she has escaped!”

Shit!

Now was no longer the time to be cautious so I ran as more yells erupted behind me but I didn't dare look.

“Find her!”

“Tell the boss!”

“She must not leave!”

“God, please. No” I whispered in tears, the cold biting my skin as I ran to the wall in the garden where I had carved a hole behind the rose bushes.

If he catches me, I'd never escape.

Like the devil he was, his voice surrounded me like I had summoned him with my thoughts. “You will never escape me, Amelia.”

I froze for a moment, fear flooding my veins as I listened to his voice through the speakers.

“Your father gave you to me. You are my property, my wife and my fuck toy.” He spat, not caring that everyone could hear. “Running is the biggest mistake you'll ever make.”

Shut up… please.

I resumed running, spotting guards pouring into the courtyard.

“You have no idea what you have just done.” His voice dropped. “Turn back right now or I will make sure you regret it.”

For a moment, I considered turning back and begging him to forgive me for my mistake. But that would mean all my efforts were in vain. I could feel his hold on me, the voice in my head telling me to go back.

“I can’t.” I whispered, tasting the tears running down my face.

The spot light came on, blinding me for a moment. Everyone could see where I was and they were all hot on my heels.

My lungs burned as I pumped my legs.

“You can’t outrun the devil, darling.”

The hole was in view now.

“Stop!” The guards yelled as they came closer but I didn't.

My hands reached out, grabbing the thorny bush I had carefully prepared to slow them down. I moved it aside, crawled through the hole before covering it.

I heard them cuss as they tried to make sense of the tangled mess while I placed more outside the wall.

Casting one last glance at the home which had been my prison for three years, I turned and ran.

Ermanno was a man of his word, it was only a matter of time before he found me but I wasn't going to give up so easily.

I don't know how long I ran but I did until I couldn't. The road was in view but I hid in the trees whenever a car passed, scared it might be them.

Finally, I summoned the courage to stand on the road. I probably looked insane but I had no choice.

The little voice in my head said, “if a car doesn't come in four minutes, go back inside and never try this again.”

Headlights appeared, making me cover my eyes, heart racing that it might be them but thankfully, I wasn't. It was an old truck which slowed down, the windows rolled down and inside was a man in his fifties with tired eyes.

“You alright, darlin’?”

No.

“Yes.” I nodded quickly, I couldn't tell him who I was running from or he'd take me back. “I'm sorry to bother you bu-but my phone died and I've been walking for ages. It's cold, it’s dark and I'm scared. I just need to get to the nearest gas station, I have family I can call from there — I'm so sorry, I know it’s late—”

He leaned over and pushed the passenger door open. "Get in. There's one about six miles up."

I climbed in, put my bag in my lap and didn't dare look back before I'd do something stupid.

"Visiting someone out here?" he asked as he pulled back onto the road.

"Something like that."

He didn't push. Truck drivers at two in the morning had seen enough of the world not to push.

I watched my marriage disappear in the side mirror and I thought about how long I had been waiting for that exact image — the gates getting smaller, the stone walls shrinking, the lights of that house reducing to nothing — and I felt absolutely nothing at all.

Which told me everything about what those three years had done to me

He dropped me off and was kind enough to give me forty dollars. Walking in, I had no clue what I was going to do because I had no one to turn to.

The man at the counter looked at me then said, “Need a phone?”

“No.” With a forced smile. “I'm good. Thank you.”

I needed to figure out a plan before Ermannos’ men found me.

I hurriedly walked into the bathroom, my hands beginning to shake from exhaustion and fear. Inside, I looked in the mirror and saw that the bruise on my jaw from his last session was starting to turn yellow.

A shiver ran down my spine as I remembered the plea–

No. Focus.

I needed a plan. If I used my name to buy the ticket it'd only be a matter of time until he finds me. Unless…

I shook that thought away. I wasn't going to allow HIM to turn me into a criminal. But I was running out of options.

Looking in the mirror I said, “It's okay. This will be the first and the last time.”

With that, I walked out and back to the guy at the counter whose name tag read, “Alex Grey.”

“Hey,” he looked up. “I saw a pool of blood in the bat–bathroom. I'm not so good with blood—I don't know— it’s just—”

“Shit! Not again.” He stormed past me to the bathroom. Once he was in I locked the door and broke off the lock.

“Hey!” he pounded on the door.

“I'm so sorry.” I whispered.

“What the fuck?! You crazy bitch–”

I turned away, hurrying to the counter where I found his wallet which contained his ID. All I needed was his name to buy a ticket and be free.

I quickly did that and thankfully, the bus pulled up. He was banging at the door but he was safe. Someone would find him soon enough.

Grabbing a few snacks, a jacket and a hat, I spared the bathroom one last look before walking away.

Amelia Rosso no longer existed.

For now, I am Alex Grey.