12

WE drove to the main entrance of the club. Marco, our driver for the night, wasn't too pleased with this stop, but we promised to only stay for an hour. No doubt he had already texted the capo to tell on us, but I didn't care. The bass hit my chest as soon as I got out of the car. Yes, I needed that distraction.

Ignoring the long line out front, Giulio shook hands with the man at the door and then we entered. The sound here was louder, with bright lights flashing above a wide dance floor. Bodies were everywhere, young, beautiful Italians who weren't being forced into a marriage they didn't want. I longed to lose myself in them, even if it was just for an hour.

- Would you like a drink? — Giulio asked over the loud music.

— No, I prefer to dance.

— Come, then.

Taking my hand, he led me to the dance floor. I had only been to one other club, a secret outing with a high school boyfriend. Except I spent the entire night looking over my shoulder, worried that my father's men would appear at