~Elsie's POV
"Dante," he said again, louder this time, like he wanted it to sit inside our fear properly. "That is my name and the meaning is no mercy. And I will kill you if you scream again."
Gianna flinched so hard she almost fell into me. I held her tighter without thinking.
My throat was dry, and my hand was still pressed over my stomach like it could somehow shield my baby from everything happening around us.
Dante looked at both of us like we were already things he owned in some way. Then he turned slightly, gesturing to the sea around us.
"Look," he said.
Nobody moved at first. Then one of his men shoved us forward slightly.
Gianna's breath hitched.
"Look at what?" she asked, her voice breaking.
Dante smiled faintly, but it did not reach his eyes.
"All of this water," he said. "All of this space, it means one thing, and that is no one is coming for you."
I felt my stomach drop while Gianna shook her head quickly.
