Chapter 010

CHAPTER 10

I barely had the chance or space to protest as he bundled me like a criminal towards the very door I was peering at. I Squired in his arms, scratching and kicking but his skin felt like it was mad of solid iron. I even broke a nail.

“Let me go,” I squealed but my voice came out muffled under his muscular arm gagging me.

He remained silent, leading me to the room I had heard so much about and my eyes widened. Blood pumped in my chest as my heart raced furiously. Was I about to suffer the fate of the countless others rumored to have been last seen here?

The door led to fling of stone stairs dimly lit by torches. I stared around curiously. There was nothing fancy there. As we moved further in, I felt my body weaken at the sour smell that hit my nostrils. Dried blood. Decayed flesh.

We walked past a gate and my eyes widened. This place was some kind chamber. It was expansive. Chains, hook and various implements of pain lined the stone wells. I barfed mentally.

Low groans sounded bounced off the walls in echoes, torturing my mind. This was an object of my greatest nightmare. A groan stood out and to my horror, the huge man pushed me in that direction.

We finally got to the room where the sound was coming from and my eyes nearly popped out of my sockets.

Seated in the middle of the room, was a man who was barely recognizable. His body was stained with his blood. His eyes sockets were empty and the skin on the back of his neck was red, obviously from some form of torture.

I turned to the guard who had brought me here as he released me. I recalled him to be the guards from the warehouse who had poured the cold water on me and the one who had almost electrocuted me to death.

I scuffled away from him; my irritation visible.

“Welcome, wife,” Luca’s voice floated into my ears.

I spun around in shock, nearly breaking my neck, to see him standing in a corner of the room, under the shadows. His sharp eyes pierced mine as he stepped out, holding a dreadful object.

A smirk played on his lips as he stared at me with dark eyes.

“What are you doing, Luca?” I questioned, moving backwards even though he wasn’t moving towards me. “Why am I here? What are you doing to this man?”

His smirk deepened and he walked towards me. “What were you doing spying down the hallway after breakfast, mi amor?” He asked me suddenly, his eyes gleaming with something dark.

My heart skipped a beat. How did he know? Did he suspect something? I mentally slapped myself. Of course, he had cameras everywhere in the mansion.

“I-I just wanted to look around,” I tried to keep my voice steady. His eyes held mystery that haunted me. I desperately wished to be in his mind at that moment.

He chuckled humorlessly. “Or you were curious to see how much of a beast I am.” He stated matter-of-factly.

I could feel blood pumping in my ears as I wondered what he meant. He stared hard at me, like he was peering at my soul but I managed to hold my innocent façade.

Then he backed away, heading to the man tied up. A scream escaped my lips when he sliced off three fingers of the man simultaneously with a sharp knife that seemed to magically appear in his hands.

The man groaned in pain, tears rolling down his empty sockets. “Please. I’m sorry. Kill me already. Please!”

I backed away speedily, heading out of the room. My heart seemed to fail at the dreadful sight.

“Hugo!”

I had barely taken three strides when the huge man grabbed me and forced me into a chair opposite the mortifying scene, strapping me in place with a strong belt.

I wriggled in pain. “Leave me alone, you monster. I want to get out of here. I don’t want to be involved in your crimes. You’re obviously sick!” I screamed at Luca.

His eyes grew even darker as he walked towards me. My skin crawled in dread and irritation. I wanted to be as far away from him as possible. Squirming got me nowhere with the stupid belt holding me in place.

He grabbed my chin forcefully. “You called me a beast, mi amor. Now, you’re going to watch me be one.”

Tears rolled on my cheeks as he dismembered the unfortunate man in front of me, making sure I watched the scene. Every time I shut my eyes, I got a bowl of cold water dumped over my head.

By the time he was done, I couldn’t tell if the liquid soaking me was just the cold water from Hugo or my tears.

Luca glared at me as he leant to my level on the chair and muttered. “Did you enjoy the show?” He asked, caressing my face softly. “I’m not entertainer but I’ll gladly be yours, mi querida. All you have to do is remind me that I’m a beast and watch me transform into one.”

With that, he disappeared from the basement, leaving me sobbing as Hugo untied me.

*

As I sat on my bed, I sobbed. The image of Luca’s cruelty refused to leave my mind. I buried my face in my pillow to muffle my scream of frustration.

I should have waited to be sure he was not home before sneaking around to carry out my mission.

My eyes flew wide suddenly. The task. The letter. The recording device! I let out a loud gasp as I searched my sleeves for them but the device was gone.

Oh no!

“Damnit!” I groaned in frustration as panic took over me. I was as good as dead if Luca or his stupid guards found that device and trailed it to me.

Jumping from my bed, I dashed to the door but it was locked as usual to my horror. I ran a shaky hand through my hair. I had to get back to that dreadful basement. My bets were that the device had either fallen down when Hugo was dragging me to the basement or even before I went to the basement.

As I stood lost in my thoughts, the door flew open, brushing my face slightly.

My steps reversed unconsciously as Luca walked into the room. The mocking smirk was still plastered on his face.

I watched motionlessly as he went to the bathroom probably to was off the blood on him. I gritted my teeth. A part of me thought he probably licked himself clean.

I considered running outside to search for the device but my feet were stuck to the room. Who knew what Luca would do if I ran around like a suspect?

He stepped out of the bathroom much cleaner and turned to me.

“Get ready. We are attending a ball in the next two hours. Sophia will get you set.”

I was about to nod when I recalled his instructions. “Yes.”

With that, he disappeared from my room, leaving me a panicking mess.