Chapter 009

CHAPTER 9

“Leave me alone,” I shrieked as his figure loomed over me. My back was pressed against the wall as he closed the gap between us. He had a sardonic smile on his face as his hands trespassed, resting on my waist.

“Isn’t this supposed to be our wedding night, Mrs. Castillo?” He questioned, his breath fanning my neck. The stench of alcohol accompanied every of his words.

My breath hitched in my throat as I sucked in a sharp breath. “No. No. I only agreed to be your wife in paper and nothing more. Leave me alone!”

Disgust swirled in my stomach as his bloody hands caressed my face.

A smirk played on his lips. “You didn’t read the papers correctly then. It particularly stated that we would be a real couple, mi querida.” His stained fingers caressed my lips. “Besides, I need my heir as soon as possible.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. He was filthy. He was a criminal. I would never join myself with a monster. I didn’t give a damn what the papers said.

“That’s your problem,” I argued, shoving him but he was like a wall that could not be moved.

His eyes darkened as he glared at me. “Perdon?” (Excuse me?)

I could not be moved by his glare. “I’d die first before I sleep with you, Luca. Isn’t that blood on your hands? You’re nothing but a bloody beast who doesn’t deserve to be reproduced. Your lineage should end with you, you monster. Kill me instead!” I dared, my eyes glaring into his dark ones.

His eyes turned black. I let out a gasp as his has large palm wrapped around my neck. I struggled to breath as his grip grew tighter and tighter. My fingers clawed at his palms but he didn’t seem the least affected by it.

My heart raced, my throat constricted and my frame compressed by his large one. Tears clouded my eyes at the unbearable pain.

“Listen here, don’t think that you’re any special just because I did not kill you back at the warehouse. It costs me nothing to kill you like you never existed and get my heir elsewhere,” he spat. “I’ll let this slide by but you might not be lucky next time.”

I only managed to nod as his grip remained tight. I slowly felt my body give up by the intensity of his hold.

“And since you’ve decided to call me a beast, you will watch me be the worst beast you’ve ever seen,” he continued, his mouth close to my ears as he whispered. “And watch yourself carry a little beast in your pathetic womb!”

I was barely hanging by a thread now when he shoved me on my bed. I coughed repeatedly; my vision blurred as I gasped like a fish out of water. My throat hurt and my head ached.

I opened my eye slowly to see my room empty like he was never here. I held onto neck, still feeling the choking sensation.

Tears rolled down my eyes on their own accord.

I did not plan for this. I could endure being married to the criminal for the mission. Heck, I could even endure being torture till he killed me but carrying his heir? That was a freaking abomination!

My tears stained my pillow and eventually dried on my cheeks as I drifted into sleep.

*

I woke up to a knock from Sophia, inviting me for breakfast.

Completely drained and reluctantly, I trudged to the bathroom to take my bath and get dressed. Motivation to dig out every possible clue against Luca and turn him flowed through my veins like blood.

I opted for a turtleneck dress from the numerous outfits in the closet to hide the bruise he had given me the previous day. At the moment, I wanted anything else than to se him. Hatred for him swirled in the pit of my stomach.

Breakfast was lavish as usual but nothing interested me. The presence of Luca at the table made all the meals repulsive.

“Mrs. Castillo, as my wife, you are expected to be down early in the morning,” he started, dropping his cutlery to stare directly at me. I stared into his eyes in defiance. “You can’t just be idle and lazy. Everything I acquire has its purpose.”

“I’m not a ‘thing’, Mr. Castillo. I’m my own person and I have a right to do what I please,” I cut in before I could stop myself.

His face remained neutral. “Not here. If you will survive here, you will live by my rules. The firs rule is that you remain silent until I speak to you. I don’t want you talking to me or my staff.”

I swallowed hard, stabbing the vegetable in my plate, imagining it to be his face.

“You’ll learn the rest along the way,” he concluded, rising to his feet. He stopped by my side to add, “Also, I trust you’ve learnt your lesson.” He signaled to the bruise hidden by my top before walking off.

My insides twisted in rage. The bastard wasn’t even repentant!

I stared into space, barely conscious of the maids and servants passing. Soon, I was left to myself. A piece of paper on my lap caught my attention suddenly. I looked but there was no one around.

I briefly scanned it with the corner of my eyes. It was another message from Trevor. I wondered where he might be in the mansion and how he was surviving. How was he even finding these clues?

The message of the letter was brief: Find the basement. ‘Evidence of gruesome murders.’ There was a tiny device attached to the letter. It was a recording device. This was a very risky task. How did he expect me to escape the sight of the guards who would probably be guarding the door?

I scratched my head for a second. I guessed I would just have to assess the environment before making any move. Stealthily, I snuck the letter and device into the sleeve of my top before rising to my feet.

The basement. I had no idea where that was and I couldn’t ask just anyone. I had not seen Sophia since earlier that morning.

I decided to find it out. I clearly the words of Sophia. The basement where he tortured people. It had to be somewhere below the house. The size of the mansion posed a threat though. I slowly crept towards the end of the hallway, not too far from the dining area.

The basement had to be somewhere around. I kept a clueless face as I walked around, appearing to be innocently looking around.

I got to the end of the hallway which had lesser lighting than the one in the living room. My attention however was piqued when I spotted what looked like a door at the end of the hallway.

My brows scrunched in curiosity but my mind told me to turn around and leave.  A feeling of déjà vu hit me suddenly as I felt eyes on me.

I spun around sharply, following my instincts only to be grabbed by a huge man..