Breathe

Vanessa's POV

“Breathe,” came Dante’s calm voice, pulling me back from the brink of panic.

I fell on the floor and took a quick glance at the food. My instincts told me it was filled with peanut which I was allergic to!

 He stood before me, his presence both commanding and unnerving. In his hand, he held an EpiPen, the sight of it making my heart race. “You’re going to need this.”

“Please!” I begged, the words barely escaping my dry throat.

“Your allergy medication,” he replied, his eyes narrowing. “You’re allergic to peanuts, aren’t you?”

I stared at him, disbelief mingling with confusion. How did he know that? The truth was that I hadn’t shared anything about myself, let alone my vulnerabilities.

 “ Fucking help me! Does it matter if you ask the question?” I snapped, even as fear gripped me.

“It matters because I don’t want you dead just yet,” he said, stepping closer. “You’ll have to earn your keep around here. Now, hold still.”

“Why would I trust you?” I retorted but he ignored me.

“Because you don’t have a choice,” he said, and with that, he pressed the EpiPen against my thigh.

 I flinched at the sudden jab, and the sharp sting sent a wave of warmth spreading through my body. Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived as I remembered that I was still in here with a monster.

“Now, call your father,” Dante commanded, his tone turning serious.

My stomach twisted at the thought. “I can’t. We had a fight” I blurted, the truth slipping out before I could think better of it.

Dante’s brow furrowed, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “ Awwn...had a fight? Interesting father and daughter relationship.”

“I have nothing to say to him,” I insisted, my voice gaining strength as anger surged within me. “I don’t owe him anything.”

He leaned in closer, his eyes searching mine. “You need to reconsider. Your father might be the only way out of this mess. He's a rich man! ”

“I’m not calling him. I’d rather die,” I snapped defiantly.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “That’s a dangerous attitude, especially in this world. I have to respect your foolishness ”

“Respect? You don’t know the meaning of the word,” I spat.

“Perhaps not. But I know enough to keep you alive.” He stepped back, signaling for someone to enter the room.

A maid walked in, her expression blank as she observed me. “Take her away,” he ordered, his gaze still fixed on me.

I was led out, dread swirling in my stomach. I had no idea what Dante intended, but something told me this was far from over.

As we moved through the dimly lit halls, I tried to absorb every detail, hoping to find a way to escape. I couldn’t afford to let my guard down, even for a moment. 

Eventually, we arrived at a smaller room, and the maid left me alone. I scanned the space, my heart pounding in my chest. My mind raced with thoughts of escape, but the ominous feeling of being trapped was suffocating.

Suddenly, the door swung open again, and someone entered. The same one who had slapped me earlier. My pulse quickened as she stepped closer, a twisted grin spreading across her face.

“Look who it is,” she sneered. “The little rat thinks she can just wander around here.”

I swallowed hard, trying to back away, but I was already pressed against the wall. “Get away from me,” I pleaded, desperation creeping into my voice.

“Why should I?” she taunted, lunging forward and grabbing my wrist. “You’re a piece of property now.”

Before I could react, she pulled out a small knife, its blade gleaming under the dim light. I gasped, instinctively drawing back, but she held me firm. “Let’s see how tough you really are.”

“Please, don’t!” I cried, fear coursing through me.

But she pressed the knife against my skin, the sharp edge biting into my flesh. “What’s wrong? Afraid of a little pain?” 

“I won’t tell anyone! Just let me go!” I begged, my voice shaking.

“Too late for that,” she sneered, dragging the blade across my palm. Pain shot through me as blood oozed from the cut, and I whimpered, horrified by her cruelty.

“Look at that,” she said, lifting the knife to show me the blood pooling on the blade.

 “Now you’re part of this family. You’ll bleed for us.”

He dropped the knife, leaving me trembling as he went out, relishing in my fear. I pressed my palm against the wall, trying to stem the flow of blood. 

But then, a faint sound caught my attention—voices filtering through the walls. I strained to listen, my heart racing as I overheard Dante speaking to someone.

“... There's no way he brought 50 unarmed men to take that girl. She's a gem! ” he said, his tone low and serious.

“Are you sure she’s trustworthy?” a second voice replied. “What if she’s playing you?”

“Trust is a luxury we can’t afford, but she might be our best chance to get close to his base. If she can deliver, we’ll have the upper hand,” Dante answered, his voice filled with determination.

The conversation sent a chill down my spine. I needed to escape, to find a way out of this nightmare before it consumed me. 

Summoning every ounce of strength, I quietly moved toward the door, my heart pounding in my chest. I turned the knob slowly, praying it would be unlocked. 

Just as I pushed it open, I heard footsteps approaching. I froze in shock.

“Hey!” a voice called out, and I turned to see the woman who cut me rushing toward me. Panic surged as I stumbled back, my feet slipping on the blood that dripped from my hand.

“Get back here!” she yelled, lunging forward, but I dashed down the hallway, adrenaline propelling me forward. 

I raced through the unfamiliar corridors, desperate to find a way out. But the weight of my bloodied hand slowed me down, and I could hear her closing in behind me.

As I turned a corner, I spotted a window at the end of the hall, the faint light of the outside world calling to me like a lifeline. I ran toward it, my heart hammering in my chest.

But just as I reached the window, Dante stepped in front of me, blocking my escape. “You think you can run from me?” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

I backed away, terror flooding my senses. “Let me go!”

He stepped closer, his expression unreadable. “Not until you understand the game we’re playing.”

Before I could respond, the woman caught up to me, and she grabbed my arm, pulling me back. “You think you can escape us?” she spat. 

I fought against her grip, the blood still dripping from my hand, but the weight of despair threatened to crush me.

“Enough!” Dante shouted, his voice echoing in the hall. “Let her go.”

I looked at him, bewildered. “What?”

“Let her go,” he repeated, his tone firm.

 “She needs to learn that there are consequences for trying to escape.”

She released me, and I stumbled back, breathless. The realization hit me like a slap—I was trapped in a web of danger and deceit, with no clear way out.

Dante turned away, his expression unreadable. “You’ll stay with me for now. But remember, you’re only alive because I allow it. Bella, tie her up!”

As he walked away, I sank to the floor, the weight of my reality crashing down around me. In this world, I was nothing more than a pawn with no one to trust.