[Adam’s POV]
The past few days blur together in a haze of pain and violation. My body isn’t mine anymore. It’s just sothing they use whenever they want. I’ve lost track of how many tis they’ve forced themselves on . The only constant is Mia, always watching, always reclaiming afterward like I’m her favorite toy that she reluctantly shares.
I’m lying on the filthy mattress, drifting in and out of consciousness, when unfamiliar voices pull back to my nightmare reality. My eyes flutter open, vision blurry and unfocused.
Two new figures stand at the foot of the mattress, staring down at . As my sight clears, I recognize Isabella Moretti, her silver-streaked dark hair perfectly styled despite the warehouse’s gri. Beside her stands Tony, his shoulders hunched, eyes downcast, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else.
Behind them, Luna leans against the wall, that Hawaiian shirt as garish as ever. Mia hovers nearby, her muscular fra tense, dark eyes darting between Isabella and with barely concealed anxiety.
“When I heard Caterina took on a lover, I was surprised. But he seems so ordinary,” Isabella says, her jade-green eyes scanning my naked, battered body with clinical detachnt. “Caterina always did have unconventional taste.”
I try to curl into myself, to hide from her assessing gaze, but my muscles won’t cooperate. My wrists are raw and bloody from the restraints they put on between sessions sotis.
Mia steps forward, positioning herself slightly between and Isabella. Her posture screams possession, like a dog guarding a bone it’s not done with.
“We’ve been keeping him entertained,” Luna says with that terrible smile. “Haven’t we, Adam?”
I don’t respond. Can’t respond. My throat is too raw from screaming, and my missing front tooth makes my mouth throb with every heartbeat.
Isabella turns to Luna and Mia, her voice cool and commanding. “Do you mind if we have a minute alone with him?”
Mia’s face darkens imdiately. Her hands clench into fists at her sides as she glances between Isabella and .
“I don’t think…” she starts, but Luna cuts her off.
“No problem at all,” Luna says cheerfully, grabbing Mia’s arm. “Co on, Mia. Let’s give them so privacy.”
Mia hesitates, her dark eyes lingering on with that possessive intensity that’s beco terrifyingly familiar. I can read the reluctance in every line of her body.
“He’s not going anywhere,” Luna adds, her grip tightening on Mia’s arm. “And neither is Isabella.”
Finally, Mia allows herself to be pulled away, though she keeps looking over her shoulder until the warehouse door slams shut behind them.
The sudden quiet feels almost as oppressive as Luna’s constant threats.
Tony approaches slowly, his eyes darting nervously over my exposed body. He winces at the bruises covering my skin, the dried blood around my mouth where my tooth was extracted. His gaze lingers on my damaged hands.
“Mother, this is too far for soone roped into Caterina’s life by force,” he says quietly, his voice shaking slightly. “He didn’t choose this.”
Isabella steps closer, bending down to grab my face. Her green eyes bore into mine, searching for sothing I don’t understand
“Yes, this is just sad,” she murmurs, her Southern accent thickening with what almost sounds like genuine sympathy.
“Help ,” I croak, the words scraping against my raw throat. It’s the first ti I’ve spoken in days that wasn’t a scream or a sob.
Tony sighs, his frown deepening as he turns to Isabella. “Mother, if Luna so easily did sothing like this to get revenge on Caterina, think what she could do to in the future when you’re not around to protect . Even if it’s half as bad as this it’d still be a fate worse than death.”
Isabella releases my face, straightening up with a thoughtful expression. “I was already thinking about that, Tony. Luna’s becoming a liability.”
Tony glances at , then back to his mother. “Maybe we can offer Luna to Caterina.”
“Caterina won’t play ball,” Isabella replies sharply. “And plus, she killed your sister.”
Tony speaks, his voice suddenly stronger than before. “Mother, Angelica stepped out of line on her own.”
Isabella’s jade eyes flash dangerously. “Still, to ship her back to in pieces was unforgivable.”
Tony steps closer to his mother, glancing at with sothing almost like compassion. “Mother,” he says softly, “don’t do it for Caterina. Do it for .”
Isabella stares at her son for a long mont, then shakes her head with a sigh. “Fine. I’ll make the call later. But if she doesn’t want to give up her operation for his location, it’s war.”
Tony nods. “Fine.”
He turns to , his thin shoulders no longer quite so hunched. “Hang in there, buddy,” he says quietly.
I stare at him in disbelief. “You were nice all along?”
He shrugs, looking uncomfortable. “I didn’t ask to be born into the mafia.”
Despite everything, curiosity bubbles up through my haze of pain. “Why were you so afraid of Caterina then? When you were married?”
Tony’s face contorts in a grimace. “She looks scary.”
I scoff and rest my head back down on the filthy mattress. Even now, battered and broken, the absurdity isn’t lost on .
“At least she’s scary in the good way.” I correct him.
*****
[Claire’s POV]
‘My head hurts. God, it hurts so much.’
I peel my eyes open, wincing as harsh fluorescent light sends daggers through my skull. The concrete floor beneath is cold and damp, seeping through my clothes. I try to sit up and imdiately regret it as nausea rolls through in waves.
“Where...?” I mumble, my voice sounding strange to my own ears.
As my vision clears, I realize I’m in so sort of cell. tal bars surround on three sides, with a concrete wall at my back. My fingers probe gently at my temple, coming away sticky with blood.
Movent draws my attention to the cell adjacent to mine. I blink in confusion.
Money. Stacks and stacks of cash piled high in neat columns. Must be millions of dollars. The bills are arranged thodically, deep in the cell and tantalizingly unreachable unless soone unlocks the door.
The sound of footsteps echoes through the space. I try to push myself up straighter, ignoring the throbbing in my head.
A tall, muscular woman approaches my cell. Recognition flashes through . She’s the one who hit with the wrench. Her scarred knuckles flex as she regards , her expression unreadable.
“Oh good, you’re finally awake,” she says, her voice carrying an unexpected gentleness. “I was worried I killed you with the wrench.”
I don’t say anything. Just stare at her as she unlocks my cell door and steps inside. She crouches down to my level, studying with those dark, intense eyes.
“I’m Mia,” she says simply.
I swallow hard, my mouth dry as sandpaper. “Okay, Mia. Why didn’t you kill ?”
A small smile plays across her lips. “I found out you’re the reason I ended up with Adam, so I felt a little grateful. And the won you got killed were honestly no good anyways.”
My head spins, trying to make sense of her words. “I don’t understand.”
Mia reaches out, tucking a strand of blood-matted hair behind my ear with surprising gentleness. “You sold Adam to Caterina. Then you made a deal with Luna to get Adam back, right? Your information helped us take him from Caterina.” She shrugs. “Now I have him.”
“Where is he?” I ask, my voice cracking. The mory of Adam’s broken body on that filthy mattress flashes through my mind.
“Safe,” Mia says, her eyes hardening slightly. “He’s mine now.”
Mia studies for a mont, her dark eyes calculating. Her voice drops to a whisper. “Look, once Caterina is dead, I’ll let you go, alright? Boss will hate it and if you say shit, you’ll end up dead.”
I consider my options, which seem nonexistent at this point. My head throbs with each heartbeat, blood still sticky on my temple. Adam is broken beyond recognition. I’m locked in a cell. And this terrifying woman is offering a lifeline, however slim.
I think to myself how badly I want to live. To walk away from this nightmare and never look back.
“Okay,” I whisper, the word feeling like surrender.
Mia nods, a small smile playing at her lips. “Good. I’m glad we understand each other.”
She stands, towering over like a colossus. “Luna’s plan is moving forward soon.”
“What about Adam?” I ask, my voice small and pathetic, even to my own ears.
Mia’s expression darkens. “He stays with . That wasn’t part of our deal.”
“He needs dical attention,” I protest weakly. “His tooth, his hands...”
“I’ll take care of him,” she snaps, suddenly defensive. “I’ve been taking care of him all along.”
I bite back a retort about her version of “care” that would likely get killed. Instead, I nod ekly, eyes downcast.
“Hey, brighten up!” Mia exclaims, slapping my back with such force I nearly topple over. The aggressive friendliness of it makes flinch. “You get to live another day, right? That’s a big deal.”
I steady myself against the cell wall, trying not to show how much her friendly pat hurt my already-aching body.
“Anyways,” she continues cheerfully, “thanks for bringing your husband. I really think he’s the one for .”
The smile she gives is warm, genuine, and absolutely terrifying. There’s sothing deeply unsettling about the way her eyes light up when she talks about Adam, like he’s a prized possession she’s been hunting for years.
She backs out of the cell, closing the door with a tallic clang that echoes through the warehouse. The lock clicks into place with chilling finality.
I sigh, sliding down the wall until I’m sitting on the cold concrete floor. My head throbs where she hit with the wrench, and hopelessness washes over in waves.
‘What have I done? I’ve traded Adam from one monster to another, and now we’re both trapped.’
“I’m sorry, Adam. I don’t think I’ll be able to save you.”
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