5

LILIANA

The moment the sadist exits, his goons fall in line, gagging and confining me. I'm left alone with the haunting presence of the corpse. My mind begins to conjure gruesome images which amplifies my fear.

Being locked in with a corpse isn't something I have gone through like I do a walk in the park.

Seconds bleed into minutes and hours until I hear the door creak open once more. The men walk in and my restraints are removed.

Simultaneously, my heart leaps into my throat when their boss's threats come back to haunt me.

He would be in for a surprise if he thought I'd let these men have sex with me without one of them losing an organ at least.

Again, my eyes flit over to where the dead man lies with a hole in his head and blood that forms a halo around his head. A shiver racks through my spine and I tear my gaze away.

How did I end up in the lair of such a dangerous man? If he could kill one of his own without remorse, there is no telling what he could do to me.

One of the men grunts, his hands tightening around my arm to pull - yank me to my feet. They are a bit wobbly as I rise but I force myself to straighten.

Steel, baby, steel, I chant loudly in my head over again.

Flanked by two burly men and their iron grip on my arms, I'm escorted out of the room as my mind races with futile escape plans.

Think, Lily. Think!

The endless corridor stretches before us, likely leading to the depths of their lair. We reach our destination and before I can react, I'm bound to another unforgiving chair. The ropes dig into my skin, promising to leave a dark-purple reminder of my captivity.

I wince in pain but not a sound slips out of my mouth. It would be better to slit my own throat than let these fools know their actions are getting to me.

The room's darkness is almost suffocating, except for a small window high above - a subtle reminder that night has fallen.

I sit frozen, waiting for the silence to confirm I'm alone. But before I can process grim reality, a torrent of freezing water assaults me.

“The fuck!” The muffled words slip out before I think to clench my teeth together. The water sinks its iciness into my bones like an iron thong hammered into the earth.

“Shut up!” One of them barks at me before they all exit one after the other.

The silence is now filled with sounds of my chattering despite all my efforts to not make any. Tears drip down my face hidden by the wetness as I think about how my life has taken a brutal twist.

One moment, I was mourning my husband; the next, I was kidnapped and brought to the lair of a madman with forgiveness issues.

If only I had just let Eric come with as he pleaded. Not only have I brought trouble upon, I have succeeded in dragging into the consequences of my recklessness.

You've gone and done it, Liliana. Brilliant, I think to myself in my broken despair.

I close my eyes and let the tears flow. After a while, I feel a sense of relief wash over me but I know it's short-lived. I need to stay strong to fight back against these monsters.

The hours drag on and exhaustion starts to creep in. There is deafening silence punctuated by the sound of water dripping to the cemented floor from my wet clothes.

I fight against the exhaustion as it comes in full swing to pull my eyelids close and lure me to unconsciousness. Instead, I stay determined to be awake and prepared for whatever comes next.

Sleep would be a vulnerability I can't afford.

At long last when the first light of dawn creeps into the dungeon casting eerie shadows on the walls, I straighten my aching spine, bracing myself for the inevitable return of my tormentors.

Thankfully, the men hadn't stepped in here at night to do the unthinkable. I shudder lightly.

The door creaks open and Damian walks in with a smirk twisting his face. His mismatched blue and brown orbs pierce into my soul as he takes a long look at me.

If he wasn't such a bastard at the moment, I would look his way more than twice.

“Good morning.” He coos in that stupid baritone voice. “Did you have a refreshing night?”

I meet his gaze as my voice laces with sarcasm. “Oh, it was fabulous. The five-star accommodation and excellent customer service made my stay truly unforgettable.”

He chuckles, the gravelly sound unsettling as it travels throughout my body to pool low in the pit of my stomach.

What the hell?

He meanders so close to me, the upper part of his face partially hidden by the growing shadows. I see the bruise I'd given him earlier and my smile widens. I gave him something to nurse after all.

His eyes glint in the darkness.

“I’m glad you appreciate our hospitality. Now, shall we continue our conversation?”

Defiance burns through me and I snort, “Conversation? Do you mean the part where you try to break me and I refused to crack? Your men haven't told you how failed you are for a boss, have they?”

His jaw ticks in anger even though his face says something different. “I see you didn't lose that smart mouth.”

“Lose it? Oh no, it's a treasure for bastards of your kind.” I retort in anger.

“This bastard has a lot of better use he would like to put that mouth to.” A corner of his lips lifts to punctuate the meaning of his words.

A shiver travels throughout my entire body and I wonder why it's not from the wet clothes clinging onto my skin.

His smile widens and I begin to wonder just how cuckoo in the head he is. “You're quite the spitfire, Liliana. I admire that.”

Before I can stop it, my face freezes at the mention of my name. “Don't bother trying to charm me. Your fake smiles and empty words won't get you anywhere.” I snap, my tone venomous.

He studies me for a split second before giving an unperturbed roll of his broad shoulders. “We'll see about that.”

He gestures to his henchmen who move to restrain me as if I wasn't already tied to a stifling immobility. I struggle against their grip, but they're too strong.

“Let's get started properly, shall we?” He says, his voice dripping with malice. Gone was the friendly steward and in his place was the unfeeling monster who was holding me captive.

The one I'm used to.

My heart races. I steel myself for the ordeal ahead. I know I won't go down without a fight.

Damian's anger is palpable and his eyes come to burn with intensity. He turns to me.

“You think you're doing yourself any good by keeping the secret of your husband's whereabouts away from me? Thinking you can outsmart me?” His voice is low and menacing.

I meet his glare, refusing to back down. “You're desperate to pin something on me, but you have nothing. I already told you I have nothing to say but you're too thickheaded to listen.”

His smile is calculated and too cold. Another shiver has my teeth chattering for a second. “You're going to regret underestimating me, Liliana.”

I hate the way each syllable rolls off his tongue when he calls my name like that. I just want to bash his head in with a piece of wood again and again until I'm drenched in his blood.

He paces around the room like a caged tiger bidding its time, his agitation fueling. “You know, I've broken tougher people than you. You're just a –”

“Window dressing?” I suggest in a sweet tone. “A mere prop in your twisted game? Perhaps, the doorknob as it is easily replaceable?”

He's in front of my face in seconds. His eyes flash with anger that oddly gives me satisfaction. “Shut up!”

I shrug, unfazed. “Or what? You'll torture me? Kill me?” I lean forward in my seat even though the restraints only allow me so little room. “I'm already living in hell, dumbo. You can't do worse than I have been through.”

I make sure to lean as close as I'm allowed to his face, our breaths mingling together. I don't mind that mine is filthy at the moment. That's his cross to bear.

His nostrils flare in anger, his eyes coming to life in the shadows. For a moment, I think he'll lose control and strike me. But he reins himself in, his expression smoothing into a calculated calm.

“Let's take a break,” he says, surprising me. “I'll let you think about your cooperation.”

He exits the room, leaving me shaken. Determination fuelling me as well. As I sit there in the dim light of dawn, I realize that he's losing control. If I push a little more, he'll crack.

Suddenly, I hear footsteps. Lighter, more hesitant than his. The door opens and a new player enters.