DANCE WITH THE ENEMY

CHAPTER TEN

ZARIYAH

I woke up before dawn, my mind already racing with resentment, and headed to the gym for a grueling two-hour workout. The adrenaline coursing through my veins did little to quell my simmering anger. Returning to my room, I freshened up for breakfast, obeying Lorenzo's command.

Entering the grand dining hall, I was enveloped by the cacophony of Italian conversations and clattering utensils. The room was packed with men, their unfamiliar faces scrutinizing me. My anger flared as I spotted the only women present – staff in revealing uniforms, their gazes casting disdainful glances that lingered on my skin.

I searched for a seat, my frustration growing with each passing moment. The atmosphere shifted with Lorenzo's arrival, the sudden silence confirming my intuition. "Boss," the room echoed in unison.

I remained still, avoiding eye contact, my presence seemingly insignificant. But a nearby man's whispered insult, "Stupida puttana..." (Stupid whore), cut through the silence, fueling my ire. His venomous tone made my skin crawl.

Ignoring him, I focused on my meal, struggling to contain my temper. However, he persisted, "You eat after the boss, idiota del cazzo!" (Fucking idiot), slapping the fork from my hand.

Lorenzo's booming voice intervened, "Enough!" The room fell silent.

Lorenzo commanded, "Come sit over here, Bambina." His intense gaze locked onto mine, igniting my defiance. "Now!" I reluctantly obeyed, my feet dragging, anger boiling within.

He pointed to the seat on his
left. "Henceforth, you sit there." He added, meeting my unwavering glare with one of his own. He was putting me in a spot I didn't like, especially since I seemed to be on the bad side of most of his men, if not all. But when my gaze flickered across the room to catch their not-so-subtle shocked reactions, I knew I would gladly oblige.

Silence consumed the room, broken only by spoons clattering against plates. I was the first to leave, my appetite weakened by the tense atmosphere. Feeling a hundred stares boring into my back, I disregarded them.

Seeking solitude, I retreated to the training room, finding fleeting satisfaction in pounding my fist against the punching bag. My solitude was short-lived, as the men began filing in.

Ignoring them was my goal, until that same troublesome asshole from earlier decided to continue his harassment. He mumbled under his breath as he walked past me. "You know what! You've got something to say to me, huh? Then bloody well spit it out."

I fumed, done with his stupid antics, my glare murderous. He chuckled like a reckless fool before opening his mouth and spewing vile insult. "I said come suck my cock, bitch. At least you'll be good for something."

His words ignited a fire within me. Pushed off my hinges, I leaped for him, jamming my fist into his face. The crunch of bone on bone echoed through the room. He stumbled back, but I didn't give him time to recover. I launched a kick at his head, sending him crashing to the ground with a thud.

Men roared their annoyance, but none intervened, respecting the fact that it was his fight and mine. "Get the fuck up!" I roared in his face, peeved beyond control.

The room erupted into chaos. "Combattimento!!!" (Fight!) they chanted, their voices fueling my rage.

He sprang for me, but I dodged and kneed him in the gut, ready to unleash another kick. Before I could, I was caught up in the air and lifted away. "Let me go!" I yelled, thrashing in the arms of my captor.

Lorenzo intervened, his voice firm. "Smettila, bambina!" (Stop it!)

"Tornare al lavoro!" (Get back to work!)He roared at his men, who immediately dispersed.

Lorenzo's grip on me loosened, but his eyes flashed warning. "Get back to work, Bambina, or I'll be forced to kick you off my property."

My frustration boiled over. "Is it fair that your men mock me, belittle me and talk down to me at every opportunity, but the moment I stand up for myself, I'm suddenly in the wrong?" I yelled, tears of frustration clouding my eyes.

"That's unfair! You're unfair!" My voice cracked, emotions spiraling out of control.

Lorenzo attempted to reason with me. "Listen to me, Bambina—"

I cut him off, defiance blazing. "Don't call me that! Don't use that stupid name!" I yelled, my arms flailing wildly.

Lorenzo's expression darkened, his accent grated through every word. "Shut the fuck up!" His large palms clamped firmly onto my neck, pinning me to the wall.

"This will be the last time you address me in that tone, got it?" he growled, eyes flashing dangerously. "When I say get back to training that lazy ass of yours and quit whining like a fucking cat every second, that's what you'll do."

My gaze flickered between his eyes, searching for a glimmer of empathy. I placed my hand around his fingers, attempting to ease his grip on my neck.

"Fuck you!" I spat in his face, sliding past him as my nerves shook with anger and frustration.

Rushing to my room, I felt tears battling to be set free. The moment I shut the door behind me, I broke down into a quiet, torturous sob.