Her body felt unbearably heavy, every vein in her head throbbing with pain. She couldn't move—her hands and feet were bound tight.
Tied? Mikaela's thoughts snapped into focus. Her breath hitched as pain shot through her arm and stomach. She struggled to recall what had happened… and why she was here.
Her eyes swept the dim surroundings, and her chest tightened. Fear prickled her skin. Her lips trembled as she whispered the names of the four unconscious women before her—each bound hand and foot.
Does this mean… we were caught? The thought made her stomach churn.
One of them stirred. "Ouch…" The woman's weak moan echoed in the room. She blinked, scanned her surroundings, and then locked eyes with Mikaela—her surprise evident.
"Ellese?" Ericka's voice was barely a whisper.
The sound roused another. She immediately glanced around, searching desperately for Jenny and Chesca. Relief came when she spotted one of them lying beside her, still unconscious but unharmed.
Then she felt a gaze on her. She turned, finding Jenny awake, looking at her with quiet reassurance.
"Mikaela… It's good you're okay," Jenny murmured, wincing from an injury sustained during their escape from the mansion.
"Jenny!" came another voice—Thalia's. Jenny's eyes widened in surprise. She tried to move, but her restraints held her tight.
"Sister Mikaela?" Chesca's voice faltered.
Were we all caught? How did it come to this? Mikaela's mind churned with unanswered questions.
"Oh, I see you're all awake now." The mocking voice belonged to Giovane, who stepped forward with a smirk. He approached Mikaela and Chesca.
"Welcome home… dear sisters," he drawled.
Mikaela's eyes hardened, but he only grinned wider.
"My, my… Don't look at me like that, sis. We've just reunited."
She stayed silent. The fear that had gripped her moments ago now burned into pure anger.
Giovane cupped her face, his voice soft but venomous. "Don't worry. Dad will be here soon."
"Get away from Mikaela!" Chesca's voice cut through the tension, sharp with hatred.
Giovane's smirk deepened as he looked each captive over. "Well… why don't we talk a little? I've got questions. Especially for these two." His gaze lingered on Jenny and Chesca.
"Do you know the history of Fuego and Blanco… and my stepsister here, Fuego-Roman Chesca?" His tone was almost playful.
Mikaela's voice cracked with fury. "I still can't believe you side with Dad after everything! You let Mom die at his hands—you made her suffer again and again! You're pathetic!"
Giovane's eyes darkened. "Enough noise, Mikaela. No one's coming to save you. The people you relied on… are dead."
He snapped his fingers. Staff members entered, carrying bodies. Mikaela's world shattered.
No…
Her breath came in short bursts. The walls seemed to close in.
Bullet wounds. Blood. Familiar faces. Jake, Vince, Zenne, William, Charles… and Thalia's age-mate, a young man she recognized.
Her scream tore out before her voice failed completely. Tears blurred her vision. Where's Felix? Please… let him still be alive.
Giovane chuckled, then burst into cruel laughter. "Oh, that face… I love that expression."
He unrolled a map. "I'll even be generous. Here—this map leads straight to their deaths."
Jenny glared at him. "You've taken everything. You killed my cousin. What more do you want?"
He leaned closer. "I like that fire in your eyes… I'd love to crush it."
Mikaela steadied her voice. "Then kill me now—in exchange for their lives."
"You're getting brave, Mikaela? Let's see how brave you are when Dad gets here." He yanked her hair, making tears stream down her cheeks.
Chesca's voice cut like a blade. "Just like when Mom was murdered, brother? You did nothing for your sisters or your mother—you just watched. Because you're a coward!"
The sharp crack of a slap echoed. Mikaela gasped, "Chesca!" Blood dripped from her sister's face.
Giovane sighed. "I'd better calm down… Or maybe not. Dad's on his way. I'll be in my office."
He glanced back. "Because I'm generous, I'll leave you in the care of my three men. Wouldn't want you rotting next to those corpses… yet."
With a final laugh, he left.
Mikaela steadied her breathing. "Are you okay?" she asked softly.
"We'll get out of here," Jenny said firmly.
Mikaela wanted nothing more than to hug her. Even bound, Jenny was still unshaken.