Chapter 9: Tied Up

SEVASTIAN

A dull, throbbing pain radiated through my skull as I slowly open my eyes. My vision blurred for a moment, the dim light overhead casting a faint, uneven glow around the room. 

I groaned, my head pounding with every slight movement.

Blinking to focus, I shifted and immediately felt the bite of ropes against my wrists. My hands were tied behind me, the rough fibers digging into my skin. 

Glancing down, I realized I was seated in a sturdy wooden chair, the legs bolted to the floor.

The situation snapped into focus, and my jaw clenched as the memories flooded back. 

The whiskey. The kiss. Her lips.

Celestina…

I tested the ropes subtly, shifting my wrists against the coarse fibers binding them. However, it didn’t budge, not even a fraction. 

Whoever had tied me knew what they were doing. Each knot was expertly crafted, tight enough to hold me without cutting off circulation.

This wasn’t the work of an amateur. It is the work of someone who is always used to this set-up, a pro.

I bit back a curse, forcing myself to stay calm.

Suddenly, a faint creak from across the room caught my attention, and I lifted my gaze.

There she was, my wife Celestina.

She was leaning casually against the doorframe, a glass of whiskey in her hand and that damn smirk on her lips.

Her eyes sparkled with amusement as they swept over me, clearly pleased with her handiwork.

“Well, well,” she said, her voice honeyed and mocking as she took a slow sip of the whiskey. “Look who’s finally awake.”

I glared at her, my voice low and rough. “Untie me, now.”

She chuckled softly, sauntering closer with the confidence of someone who knew they held all the cards. “And miss this delightful moment? I don’t think so.”

“What’s your plan, Celestina? Tie me up and tease me until I snap?” I growled, my frustration simmering.

“Tempting,” she admitted with a playful tilt of her head. “But no. I just wanted to... level the playing field.”

Her words were light, but there was a steel edge to them.

She set the glass down on the nearby table and crouched slightly, bringing her face closer to mine.

“You think you’re so untouchable, don’t you?” she whispered, her breath warm against my cheek. “So in control. But look at you now, Sevastian.”

I smirked despite the ropes sting into my skin. “You think this changes anything? I’ll untie myself, and when I do—”

“Oh, spare me,” she cut in sharply, straightening up. “You’ll come running after me, threaten me, maybe even punish me? How predictable.”

My eyes followed her as she circled the chair, her tone shifting to one of mock contemplation. “You’re not mad because I drugged you,” she said. “You’re mad because, for once, someone beat you at your own game.”

I twisted my wrists again, this time testing her reaction. Her smile didn’t falter.

“If you wanted my attention, sweetheart, you didn’t have to go to all this trouble,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

She laughed lightly, the sound infuriatingly sweet. “Oh, Sevastian. I always have your attention. But now... I have your respect too.”

“You think this earns you respect?” I shot back, my voice rough. “It earns you trouble.”

She leaned in close again, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. “Oh, I’m counting on it.”

Celestina stepped back, her smirk widening as she reached for her glass of whiskey. 

She swirled the amber liquid lazily, the faint clink of ice against glass echoing in the tense silence. 

I followed her every movement, my anger simmering under the surface as she carried herself with infuriating confidence.

“You know, Sevastian,” she began, taking a slow sip. “This is quite the look for you. Helpless, bound and powerless.” Her tone dripped with mockery, her gaze flicking to the ropes binding my hands before meeting my eyes again.

I clenched my jaw, the ropes digging into my wrists as I tried to twist it. But it still didn’t even lose. 

And of course, she noticed that I’m trying to lose the rope, nothing escaped her sharp gaze.

“You really think this little stunt changes anything?” I growled, my voice low and full of warning.

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. “What stunt? I’m simply taking precautions. You have a bit of a temper, and I didn’t want to risk you doing something… impulsive.”

I laughed darkly, the sound reverberating in the room. “You think tying me to a chair makes you safe? You should’ve thought this through, my dear.”

She stepped closer, her heels clicking softly against the floor. 

The faint scent of her perfume teased my senses, a maddening mix of sweetness and spice. 

She crouched in front of me, her face inches from mine, her eyes glinting with mischief.

“Oh, I did think it through,” she murmured, her voice low and intimate. “And let me tell you, dear, I’m thoroughly enjoying myself.”

I leaned forward as much as the ropes would allow, my eyes narrowing. “Untie me, or I swear—”

“You swear what?” she interrupted, her tone sharp and teasing. “You’ll kill me? Hurt me? Come on, Ortega, be original.”

She straightened, stepping behind me, and I felt her fingers trail along the back of the chair. 

“You’re so used to people bowing to your every demand. You think your threats scare me?” She leaned down, her breath warm against my ear. “They don’t. If anything, they amuse me.”

Her boldness stoked the fire of my anger, but damn it if I wasn’t also intrigued. She had guts more than anyone I’d ever encountered.

“Are you done playing games?” I bit out, my voice laced with irritation.

She walked back around to face me, her smirk softening into a sly smile. “Not even close.”

Her fingers brushed the edge of my collar, and I tensed.

She leaned down again, her lips hovering just above mine, her breath fanning against my skin.

“You think you’re untouchable, mio caro?,” she whispered. “But here’s the truth, you’re not. And the sooner you realize that the easier this marriage will be for both of us, if you allow me to take control of half of the Ortega’s operation.”

She pulled back, sipping her whiskey, her eyes never leaving mine. “Now, let’s make a deal. I’ll untie you… if you promise to behave.”

I barked out a laugh, shaking my head. “You’ve got it all figured out, don’t you?”

“I do,” she said simply, setting her glass down. “But let me warn you, Sevastian. Keep underestimating me, and you’ll regret it.”

Her confidence lit a fire inside me not just of anger, but of something far more dangerous. 

And as much as I hated to admit it, I couldn’t wait to see what she’d do next, because she made me for the first time in my life feel the excitement to kill someone.