————
Serena
I stand there lost in thought but the cold and humiliation linger. I wrap myself in my towel, shivering from the cold and extreme humiliation I just went through. I have to pray for forgiveness. I made him sin.
"Forgive me, oh God," I mutter to myself.
Hades doesn't move. He doesn't speak. He just watches. Every muscle in my body screams to fight, escape, and run to God. He's the only one who can save me. But I'm tied, cornered, and at the mercy of the devil talked about in the Bible.
————
Hades
I watch her every step. I watch as she doubts herself, as she seems scared of everything. I can tell she's scared of me, but I don't want it to be so. I seek obedience from her rather than fear.
My mind is filled with thoughts of her when my phone buzzes. I pick it up.
"Save me, please save me," the person on the line says. I quickly recognize the voice of Kulture. It's her—the girl who has been missing from my shelter for three months now.
"Where are you, Kulture?" The line ends.
I quickly call my men.
"Sir?" the man on the line says.
"Trace the number that just called me. Make sure you get every detail, every little thing."
"Yes, sir," he responds.
I end the call. I quickly walk to Serena's room. I open her door to find her sitting on the floor.
"Little Roseflower," I say to her, and she doesn't respond. "When I call you, you respond to me."
She turns to face me, and I see that she's crying. Her eyes look swollen and red from crying.
"Explain why you're like this," I say, feeling agitated as I look into her eyes. "Get up."
"Please leave me alone," she says, her voice broken.
Her tears weaken me.
"You don't talk to me like that. Stand up."
She quickly gets up to face me.
"You have absolutely no reason to cry, Serena. No reason. The next time I see you cry, I'll give you a reason," I say while cleaning her tears. "The life you knew was over the night I claimed you. You're mine now, Serena."
I pull her into my arms and force her to give me a hug. I feel her softening beneath me.
"Don't cry, Little Roseflower. I'll take care of you."
After a while, I hear her snore beneath me—snores I don't expect from someone this little. She's perfect.
My phone buzzes again.
"Sir, we've got the location—East House," Lyle says.
"Okay, get ready. We're moving tonight."
I quickly place Serena on her bed and cover her. I lock her door and move toward the exit of the house.
"Polly," I call out.
"Yes, sir?"
"I won't be here tomorrow. Make sure to feed Serena and run her baths."
"Yes, sir," she says, and I nod.
The sprinter is outside on time. I quickly get in, and we move to the East House.
"Boss, we just lost track of the cell's location," Lyle says.
"Let's keep moving there. We may find some information."
We reach the warehouse shortly after.
"Let's move."
We go out in our numbers, fully armed and ready to strike. Someone seems to be walking toward us. We only see a shadow.
"It's Kulture," one of my men says.
He is about to go for her when I yell, "Stop, it's a trap."
We stay there for a few minutes, just staring. Then a man comes out of the warehouse holding a knife to Kulture's neck. He forces her to move closer. She looks weak, pale, and overly used.
"What do you want?" I ask him.
I see his mouth turn behind the mask.
"I want you."
Before I can register what's happening, gunshots fly everywhere. His men shoot, and my men do the same. I try to keep track of Kulture, but she vanishes when a shot touches my shoulder.
"Fuck," I say in anger, and I shoot at them fiercely. I can tell my shot hits the man who had Kulture. She runs from his hold.
My men help me in, and we rush out.
"Take me to the Saints," I tell my driver. "Call the doctor," I add.
I'm bleeding profusely, and I feel dizzy.
We get to my home, and I rush to my room.
"Take care of Kulture. Make sure she gets herself back," I tell one of my men, and he nods.
I rush to my room and set a drip on myself. The doctor comes in not long after and starts the surgery on me. Soon, I don't feel anything when the bullet is being removed from my shoulder.
———
Three days later
Where could he have gone? It's been three days now since I last saw him. I don't know why I am panicking. Two days ago, I heard someone say Hades has been injured while going to help someone. I can't help but wonder who the f*ck that is. I can't lie—I can't stop myself from worrying. Every shadow and every knock makes me think Hades is back.
Knock knock.
The caretaker comes in.
"Ma'am, what would you like to eat today?"
"I am not hungry, and my name is Leigh," I respond.
"Please, ma'am, I'm sorry, but those are the rules I was given to work with you here. Please, I have people I take care of. I don't want to get fired."
Her words make me remember Zenobia, when she used to complain of working 9–10 every day in her village to pay for my grandmother's medical bills.
"I'll eat pasta and steak, please. And you're taking care of me, ma'am—you won't get fired if I don't complain about you, so call me Serena, mother."
She nods and walks out.
———
Hades
I've been in this fucking house for three days. The doctor comes in and says, "I heard you've not rested well like I asked you to." he says, smiling.
I just stare at him and shake my head.
"Well, your results are ready, and you are good to go. Just take good care of your wounds and, most importantly, relax."
"Thank you," I say, and he leaves.
My phone rings, and I pick it up.
"Sir, she tried to run."
I recognize the voice as one of my guards.
"Where is she now?"
"I tied her to her bed in the room," the guy says.
I end the call.
"Little Roseflower, I think it's time I truly claim you as mine so you'd know your place," I mutter to myself as I fasten my jacket.