Chapter 4

The air was quiet and I didn't know what to do. Nico wouldn't let me leave. There was no guard here and Nico probably thought it would be stupid to leave without anyone to watch me. So I stood with folded hands and watched Nico's actions, hating him with every second that went by.

I took a step back from the pool of blood flowing out of the guard's busted head. It was a horrible sight but I knew I needed to get used to it because from what it seemed, I and Nico would be doing a lot of harmful things.

I hadn't thought of Elle since I woke. I was beginning to feel bad for putting her in this mess and worried about where she was, but then I relaxed a bit when I remembered no one had hurt her the other day. I hoped she was fine anyway, these people are not to be trusted. Salvatore probably left her unharmed so she could warm up his bed while I paid for our sins.

I hear the door open and close and my eyes drift up to the stairs to see who it is. Nico on the other hand didn't bother and kept a close watch on me. I was expecting the guard who had left to drink but instead, Salvatore showed his face with four of his guards. One of which was Marco, whom I had hit with a broken vase. His head was bandaged and he looked at me like he wanted to harm me right this moment, but Salvatore was the only one stopping him.

Now, that I think of it, that guard isn't back, while the other is dead. Yup, he's definitely in trouble. There's no two sides to it. He wouldn't get to explain before they puff out his brain. I doubt he has one though, just saying.

"His Royal Majesty." My mind said while my eyes daggered at Salvatore as he walked to stand before me. He studied the dead guard on the floor with a bored look before looking at me.

"You look fine." He looks down at me with a fake smile then looks back at my face with a serious look. "Why isn't she tied up?"

I look at Nico, expecting him to speak but he doesn't look like he planned on opening his mouth any time soon. I open my mouth to spit words at Salvatore but a loud bang of the door is heard and all eyes look behind at the guard who had left. He was breathing hard. He looked tensed and a bit wasted but tried composing himself under everyone's scrutiny.

"Are you the guard in charge?" Salvatore asked in a tone that could make him pee on his uniform.

"Sir, I... a... an important issue came up."

Salvatore says nothing but stares at the guard. I thought he was going to ignore his lie just like Nico did but he doesn't. He takes Marco's gun from his hand and shoots three bullets into his head. He fell to the floor dead then Salvatore handed the gun back to Marco before focusing his attention back on me.

There has to be something with these three bullets like it was the only way to kill them. On the last day, I'll ensure to bury five bullets and above into Salvatore's skull.

"Do you now regret your actions?"

I stared at him. I wanted to scoff but I decided against it. "You haven't given much reasons to regret what I did, Salvatore."

In one swift move, his hand was on my face. I kept my head at the side and brought my palm up to meet my aching cheek. My throat throbbed but I fought against every tear that planned on betraying me before this monster.

It hurt so much; my cheek and the fact I had come into this man's life. I didn't know how but what mattered now was being here, different from the weak woman two months ago. I was now strong and ready to take down this man and the empire he cherished so much.

I snap my head back up to look at his blazing eyes. Mine was no different. "Is that all you got? Oh, come on Salvatore, I've handled worse in your red room."

"No. I don't think so." He looked to the steel drum at the right end of the room and smirked devilishly at it before looking back at me. "You'll either tell me why you tried killing my son or I'll make you."

"Do. Your. Worst." I emphasized every word with hate. I hope he could read it in my eyes.

He took a step closer to me. "I'll ask you for the last time. You know better than to test me."

"I know better than to trust you," I reply, unmoving.

"Fine then. Bring in the gallons." He ordered his guards. My eyes widened as I watched the guards walk out of the basement.

I opened my mouth to say something, anything but then it shut closed. I look over at Nico who stands there watching with a blank expression. He was probably bored and needed more action. I might for the first time see him smile when I get killed by his father or one of his guards.

Not long after, the four guards walked in with the gallons, each holding one in their two hands. "Boss," Marco called, a small smirk on his face as he looked at me. He was enjoying this.

Salvatore said nothing but pointed to the drum. They followed orders and I watched them scared for my life. I hope I wasn't showing it.

I look away from the guards at Salvatore, who is watching me like he is deriving pleasure from my looks. "I can't believe you're ready to stoop so low just to get words out of my mouth." My words waved but I tried to compose myself. My phobia wasn't helping. I looked to my right several times to watch the guards full the drum to the top.

"You're an ungrateful bitch. You need to be punished."

"Ungrateful?" Now I scoffed. "You are a monster. You kill and derive pleasure from girls who aren't even half your age. I pray your dick betrays you and fold till you die."

He grabs my hair and pulls my face to his. "You call me a monster after years of raising you under my care?" I said nothing but tried pushing his hands off my hair. They were so tight, unlike the other day, and it felt like he was uprooting my brain. "Why can't you just learn from Elle and be an obedient bitch, huh?" I blinked at him at the sound of Elle, could it be...?

No. No. I choose not to trust a word he says about Elle. She wouldn't betray me. Right?

"I am different from Elle." I protest. Unlike Elle, I was thrilled by my revenge on this man. I desperately wanted his downfall.

"I know. That's why I like you. You make do things I've never done to a lady."

"That would be awful 'cause I don't reciprocate your heartfelt feelings for me."

"You would when I bring you to your senses." He smirked and dragged me to the drum which was filled to the brim with water. The water was barely clean and dried blood from the drum floated in it.

I couldn't hide my fear anymore. I shivered, my breathing became heavy and my throat tightened. The water was awful but I was more concerned with the depth of the water. I couldn't believe he was using my weakness against me.

Damn me for having such a phobia. I was never born this way. I knew it. I was never meant to be scared of the pool or deep waters but it suddenly became a part of me after that night. I was a child but I could never forget what had happened that night.

"Done admiring it?" Salvatore asked. His hand still had a tight hold on my hair before he moved it down to hold my neck. My eyes widened as it downed on me what he was going to do but before I could react he dipped my head into the water.

I panicked and struggled for breath, but all that went into me was water and all that came out was bubbles. It was dark but I could feel the depth of the water cause I knew the length of the drum.

Salvatore raised my head to look at him. He was smiling but I was panicking to comprehend words. "Aaah. Aah." I struggled for all the oxygen I could get before my head dipped into the water again. I struggled. This time, I tried pushing the drum with my hands but it was too heavy so I raised my hands to find Salvatore's face and scratch. I was quick before he could act. I hear him wince and I hear footsteps before I feel a tight hold on my hands. The guards I think.

Salvatore pulls my head out of the water again.

I breathe heavily. My breath was unsteady as I watched him. "Would you tell me what you have against my son or do you prefer to begin with why you don't like me so much." He smiled. "Don't bother with the second one. I don't care. So tell me."

"I thought you were a monster but I was wrong. You are an ogre beast." I spat at his face, still struggling for breath.

He clenched his jaw. He doesn't clean his face but looks down at it like he could see my spit. His eyes move up to meet mine, boring into mine like he could pluck out my eyeballs. They were so scary and deadly. I could fall to his feet right now and die, but I rather kill myself than let him have that honor.

"We can do this all day long." I knew what was coming next. I quickly held my breath as he dipped my head into the water again. I counted for ten seconds, the previous ones didn't seem longer than that.

7...8...9...10... He didn't take me out. I wanted to hold my breath a bit longer but I couldn't do it. My eyes slowly closed under the water before he took me out. I struggled for air but it wasn't working. The symptoms of my panic attack were finally taking over the little strength my body could manage.

I said nothing, my eyes slowly closing. My eyes drifted to Nico who stood watching us. What surprised me was his face. I couldn't place an emotion I read but it wasn't blank or a boring expression.

I smirked and he furrowed his brows at me. He was slowly becoming a human. I knew it would all disappear tomorrow. But knowing he had emotions gave me hope that I could use them against him.

"Father." He called, his eyes not leaving mine and I saw it. Concern. Maybe he was cold-hearted to people but not to me, not to women.

He wasn't that bad, but just like everyone here, I didn't care. My eyes finally closed. The last thing I heard Salvatore say was "Don't interfere." before my body collapsed on one of the guards who quickly left my hand to keep me from falling.