In his den

OLIVIA.

I forced my eyes open. It was painful trying to even open them. My head was spinning, and the sharp pain I felt on my arm threw me back to the cold floor.

The room was dark. Not entirely dark, because I could see a little light from the window peering in. I forced myself to sit upright, noticing that my hands were tied to my back.

Tears began to form in my eyes, again. I remembered everything that had happened. The strong grip on me, the needle that had pierced into my skin, the gun that had been held in my face. I remembered everything.

I had only come to find Isabella. To inform her about our mother’s life hanging on a deathbed. But here I was, tied in a dark, empty room with no sight of my only sister anywhere.

I heard a gentle knock on the door and pushed myself backwards, feeling my back touch the wall. They were back. What were they going to do to me now? Was I going to get killed?

I didn’t say anything. Even went as far as controlling my heavy breath. I needed to get out of here— alive.

The door knob turned open and I shut my eyes tightly, waiting for the worst to happen. Maybe they were here to end my life. A gun to my head with the trigger pulled would send a bullet through my skull. Ending my life in the most painful yet easy way.

Who were these people? And what was Isabella doing with them? The more important question I had in mind was; What had they done to Isabella? Was she still alive?

I heard footsteps walk in, heavy yet slow. I didn’t open my eyes, not even when I could feel a presence right in front of me.

“Open your eyes, Kitty.”

It was him. The man who had ordered them to take me. I recognized his husky, authoritative voice. I gritted my teeth, my anger arising then dropping. What was he doing here? Was he the one who was going to end my life?

I slowly opened my eyes. And the first thing that hit them was the bright light from the chandelier he had turned on. I squinted for a few seconds then glanced around, noticing the room was dusty and empty. Only a wooden table stood next to the window.

“Look at me,”

He stood tall, his figure hovering over mine where I sat, my hands still tied behind my back. My lips quivered as I met his gaze, struggling to spill out the right words. I tried to find a weapon in his hands, but found none. I took a little breath of relief, but with fear still hanging.

“Please…” was the only thing I could force out. I needed to beg for my life, “Just— just let me go.”

He didn’t say anything. I watched him squat right in front of me, his gaze piercing. I noticed the first two buttons of his sleeves were unbuttoned, exposing his hairy chest and a tattoo I couldn’t see clearly. He raised his left hand, placing it on my head, his fingers running through my hair.

I held my breath. Fear was gripping me tightly. This man was touching me, and I didn’t like it. Didn’t want it.

“You’re mine, now.” A hint of possessiveness danced in his tone, making me shudder slightly. I shook my head, his hands still in my hair, trying to deny those words.

I released my breath, inhaling his scent— a mixture of cedar and sandalwood. “I… I need my sister.”

He chuckled, “I also need your sister.”

Confusion grew with me, making my forehead crease with worry. What did he mean? What did he need her for? Wasn’t Isabella with him?

He saw my confusion. The curiosity in my eyes, and he pulled back, his gaze intensifying.

“My men are on the search for your sister.”

My heart raced. His men? That sounded dangerous. Too dangerous. What had Isabella done to get chased by armed men? They had to be armed— I didn’t need a soothsayer to tell me the obvious.

“What did she do?” The fear on my face found a way to creep into my voice. My wrists were starting to hurt from the tight rope, but my heart sank at the realization of the danger my sister had gotten into.

“Isabella took something that belonged to me.” I saw the flash of annoyance in his eyes, noticing the change in his tone as he returned his gaze to me, eyes narrowed, “She broke the omertà. And now, you’ll have to pay.”

My heart fell at that moment. The omertà? What was that? And why was I the one to pay for the sins of my sister?

“I—I don’t understand anything.” I cried out, struggling to break free from the tight grip of the ropes, it was hurting, “Are you going to kill me now that you can’t find my sister?”

His jaw tightened. “You’re not going to die, at least not yet.”

That didn’t give me any relief at all. It only grew my fear even more.

“My mother’s dying.” A tear escaped my eyes as the thoughts of my mother losing both daughters flashed through my mind, “I came here to find Isabella, to tell her. I need to go back to my mother. There’s no one left to care for her. She needs me.”

If I’d known this was what I’d be getting into. I’d never have left Willow creek to New Orleans.

The thought of my mother, still lying unconsciously on the hospital bed, alone and unaware of everything that was happening, broke my spirits. I might never see her again. Might never have the chance to touch her smooth skin while feeding the chickens on the farm.

He walked closer to me. I didn’t see any change in his countenance. Even though I had expected him to feel sorry for me and change his mind. I wasn’t sure if he even had a heart.

“I don’t fucking care what’s happening to your mother. Or your entire family.” His tone was fierce and scary, but eyes were scarier. I didn’t wish my enemies to cross paths with this man, not to talk about my sister. He was dangerous.

I sobbed. Knowing that was the only thing I could do. I was trapped. I had trapped myself by walking unknowingly into the lion’s den.

What happens to me now?

“You belong here now.” He said to me, as if reading my mind, “Until your sister is found, you’re never going to leave. Be prepared to please me. I own you now, and every part of you is mine.”

He was asserting his rights over me. I was being used as a pawn, a tool. And it was all because of the mistake my sister had made. My life was ruined.

I sniffled my nostrils. This man was going to have me, in every way that he wanted. It bothered me. Because all my life, I’d done nothing but keep myself for the right man. Only to end up with a heartless stranger I knew nothing about.

I heard him snap his fingers, and my heart thumped in my chest. He was alerting them… they were coming to take me away again.

“My hands are hurting.” I cried, feeling my eyes already puffy. His eyes went directly to my wrists, still held firmly in place. And for a moment, I thought I saw a flash of anger in his eyes.

A woman walked in. She was middle-aged, around fifty, if I could guess correctly. She looked exactly like my mother, and I felt my heart call out to her.

“Rosalie, I’m putting her in your care.” He uttered, beckoning at her, “You know what to do. Give her a bath and get her cleaned up for tonight.”

The woman bowed slightly, acknowledging his instructions. She walked closer to me, her eyes staring lovingly at mine. I couldn’t control my tears, or the pain I felt at the whole situation.

My life was being dictated right in front of me. I no longer had control over it. What could be worse than what I was currently experiencing?

Rosalie took off the ropes that held my wrists bound. I winced out in pain. Everything was awfully painful. My heart, my life, my whole body.

This was it— the end for me.

My peaceful, old life had ended.

I was now dining with the devil, and the first thing he took in return was my happiness.