Stephanie's POV
I tried to make it stop but my hands wouldn't just stop shaking. My heart felt like it was trying to jump out of my chest. The only thought on my mind as I stumbled out of the room was, who was he? What did he want with me? He'd been watching me for years, was he a crazy stalker or something? I couldn't wrap my head around it and it made me sick.
And this stupid house ain't just doing me good. Where the hell is my room? I was so lost in my panic mode that I tired and bumped right into him, almost falling.
Thankfully, he was fast and he steadied me, his hands on my arms. For a while, we just stood frozen but his eyes never left my face like he was trying to read my mind.
"Don't tell me you went back to the trophy room?" he asked, his voice low. "See another lion?"
"No, I didn't" I managed to choke out, looking away.
"Then why do you look like you've just seen a ghost?"
There's no way in hell I was going to tell him. I had no idea who he was and what he's capable of. What if he decides I know too much and kills me. "I just...well, I got lost again," I lied, my voice trembling. "This house is just so big. It's overwhelming."
He didn't say anything immediately. He just stared at me for a few seconds but it felt like an eternity. But his gaze felt like he knew something. Did he suspect? Could he tell? Finally, he gently took my hand. Without a word, he led me down the hall and stopped in front of a door.
"This is your room," he said. He then reaches into his pocket and pulled a small, folded piece of paper and handed it to me. It was a hand-drawn map of the house. He pointed to several areas marked with a large 'X'. "These areas are out of bounds for you. Don't go there."
I forced a smile, my lips feeling stiff. "Thanks."
The moment he left, I swung into action. I am not staying in this house for a second longer. I didn't care where I went but as long as it's not with a man who's be stalking me fore years, I'll take it.
Quickly , I took off his shirt and changed into my own clothes. I didn't need to carry much else, I'd give myself away. I just grabbed my purse and phone. I wanted to take the car he gave me but that could easily be traced. I took the map and followed it toward the main gate.
Good. So far no one has thought it strange, no one questioned me. I made sure to smile at the few workers I came across. I was almost there, my freedom is just a few steps away but sudden, a guard stopped me.
"I'm so sorry ma'am but it's a direct order from the boss that you shouldn't leave the premises alone." He said, stepping out of the booth.
My heart sank immediately. I stood there quietly looking at him. This wouldn't do. I have to leave and I have to leave now.
Even though he was a huge man, he did have a kind face. Could I convince him or...my yes quickly fell on the ring in his finger. A plan quickly formed.
I put on my best sad face and let my shoulders drop. "Please? I just had a huge fight with him and it's so annoying being around him or anything he owns. Surely you can relate to that." I said, gesturing towards his finger.
For a second, I thought he wouldn't bit but then his expression changed and he sighed. "Tell me about it. I have not been home in three days because my wife doesn't....
I wasn't even listening, I just nodded and played along.
"I'll let you go," he finally said. "But don't go too far, okay? I'm sure he'll worry."
I forces out my most grateful smile. "I'm just going to go shopping. Shopping always makes women feel better. You should try that with your wife."
He chuckled and waved me through. I didn't look back. I practically ran to the main road and hailed the first taxi I saw.
"The airport, please," I told the driver, sliding into the back seat.
As the car pulled away, I finally let myself breathe. I was out. I started thinking, trying to plan. Where could I go that was far away? Another country, maybe. I needed to disappear.
"Miss?" the driver's voice cut through my thoughts. "Are you with someone?"
I frowned. "What kind of question is that? You can see I'm alone."
"I'm sorry," he said, glancing in his rearview mirror. "It's just… I noticed a black SUV. It's been tailing us since I picked you up."
My blood ran cold. I turned and looked out the back window. He was right. A dark, bulky car was sticking close behind us. Cane's men. He'd found me already.
"Can you lose them?" I asked, my voice tight with panic.
"I can try."
He took a turn, the SUV did too. He swerved into side streets, sped up and slowed down but the SUV did too. Of course they would match his every move. They worked for cane and he wouldn't hire just anyone, these were professional, and we could not choke them off.
After awhile, when we reached an isolated street, the SUV overtook us and blocked the road. My driver slammed on the brakes.
The doors of the SUV flew open and two large men stepped out. They weren't holding guns, but one of them had a baseball bat. A cold dread washed over me. These didn't look like Cane's polished, suit-wearing guards. These men looked rough, like street thugs.
Before I could even process what was happening, one of them yanked open the driver's door and hit my driver on the head with the bat. He slumped over, unconscious.
I screamed at the top of my voice in fear. The other man opened my door and reached for me. I shifted away, kicking and screaming. I was afraid but I knew i didn't want to die, not now, not like this. I clawed at his face and bit his arm. He shouted in pain and let go for a second. I took advantage of that moment, I saw the baseball bat and lunged for it. My hands closed around the rough wood. The second man came at me again. I swung without thinking. It hit his head and he went down, falling limply. One down.
When the second one saw what happened, he charged. He hit me hard in the side, and I cried out, but I swung the bat again. And again. I didn't stop until both men were lying still on the ground.
I didn't waste another second. What if they had back up. I was covered in blood and trembling but I had to get out of there. There was nowhere else to go but back to the one place I was running from.
I stumbled back into the living room, bloodied, bruised, and completely broken.
And he was sitting right there, probably waiting for me.
"You survived," he said, his voice devoid of any emotion. "I'm impressed."
The shock of his words cut through my haze. "It was you?"
"No," he said, disgust in his eyes. "Hiding behind hired men is a coward's game. That's not my style." He uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. "So. You wanted to run away from me?"
"I saw everything! The pictures! The wall! Who are you? What do you want from me?" I screamed.
He just gave me an evil smirk. "That is of no importance right now. But If you want to leave, you can. The door is still open." He paused, letting his words sink in. "I just want to remind you, using what just happened, that you are only safe with me. As long as you are outside, without my protection, you will be in constant danger."
He picked up a remote and clicked it. The large TV on the wall came to life. It was a video, clearly taken from a hidden camera. It showed Myron in a bar. He was handing a thick envelope to the two men I had just killed. "Make it look like a robbery. I don't want to see her again."
The rage that filled me was hotter and more powerful than any fear I had ever felt. How dare he? After everything I did for him? I loved him. I cared for him. I sacrificed for him. And for wealth, for a chance at the Dario fortune, he would have me killed? My love and sacrifices meant nothing?
I was done. Done playing the victim. Done being scared. I was going to make him pay. I would make him grovel at my feet. I would destroy him.
Cane's voice cut through my burning thoughts. "So, what's your decision, Stephanie? Will you try to run away again and face more of Myron's pets? Or will you stay under my cover and get your revenge?"
I went quiet. He was a monster. I knew that now. But he was right about one thing. Out there, I was a target. In here, with him, I had a shield. And a weapon. I would use him. I would use his resources and his protection until my enemies were gone. And then, when I was strong enough, I would deal with him.
I turned to face him, my eyes dry now, my voice steady.
"I choose revenge."
He smiled, a truly evil, triumphant smile. "Good girl."