Kendra
They said Il Diavolo had no heart, but seeing how he just fired that maid got me thinking. Wasn't he supposed to be cruel? Why punish a maid who was rude to his prisoner?
I should've been grateful. Instead, I watched him walk out of the room while wondering what kind of devil defends his captive's dignity.
I was still thinking about it when I overheard his voice from outside the room, ordering Matteo to deal with my brother however he saw fit.
"What?" I gasped when I realized that my brother was really here. "What the fuck, Killian?" I hissed, glancing around the room as I thought of what to do. He had been nothing but trouble since he re-entered my life. "Why do I have to worry about him when I'm in here?"
I suddenly remembered that I still had my phone. I had shoved it into my underwear before I got caught at the convent.
Without thinking, I pulled the phone out and with trembling fingers, I turned it on. The screen lit up and I was relieved that it still had some battery left. I dialed Killian's number and he picked up right away.
"Killian?" I whispered when he answered.
"Oh, thank God! You're still alive!" He sounded breathless and his voice was almost shaking. "I thought he'd have killed you by now."
"What the hell are you doing here, Killian?" I cut him off.
"I came to rescue you," he replied. "Someone said they saw you with Alessandro's men at the dorks. I figured he was bringing you here, so…"
"So you brought yourself and others to die here with me?" I asked him, my eyes darting to the door. "Listen, there's nothing you can do for me here. I want you to turn around and leave."
"I'm not leaving without you," he argued, and I could already picture the stubborn look in his eyes. "I'm getting you out."
"Are you out of your mind?" I hissed. "This isn't some street fight, Killian. This is Il Diavolo's house. He has ordered his men to do whatever they wish with you and trust me, you won't be alive to see the sun go down tonight. So go home! Now!"
"I can't just leave you," he snapped. "It's my fault you got involved with him…"
A loud gunshot exploded through the line and my body went still as I waited to hear Killian's voice.
"Killian?" I called softly, clutching the phone tighter. "Oh God. Killian!"
"I'm here," his voice came through and I managed to breathe, sniffing away the tears in my eyes. "They're shooting at us."
"Are you hit?" I didn't wait for an answer before adding, "As long as your hands are still working, I want you to drive away and never come back here. You understand me?"
There was shouting in the background but Killian's silence was unbearable.
"Damn it! Are you there?" I yelled.
"Okay," his voice came. "I'm leaving now."
"Good," I exhaled shakily, tears stinging my eyes. I hung up the phone and immediately dialled the emergency number.
Calling the police on the man who lowkey ruled the city was laughable, but I had to do something. I had to get out of here, else Killian wouldn't stop doing stupid things to rescue me.
The operator answered on the third ring. "Emergency services, what's your location?"
"Please, there's gunfire at Alessandro De Santis's villa and I'm being held inside against my will," I reported. "People are shooting and my brother's outside. Please, send help."
There was an impossible silence on the other end of the line and I had to glance at my phone screen to be sure the call was still connected.
"Hello? Are you there?"
"Y-yeah," the woman answered. "Can you repeat the address slowly?"
"Alessandro De Santis's villa," I said again. "I was abducted…"
"Ma'am, look," the woman sighed rudely. "This is Sicily. I don't know if you're a stranger here, but I'd advise you to put the phone down."
"The fuck?" I blurted. I didn't even know if I was more shocked than angry. She wasn't even going to pretend she hadn't heard me? "Is Alessandro really above the law?" I asked in a small voice.
"He is the law," she said and the line went dead.
I stared at the black screen, those final words echoing in my head. My head was aching and my throat felt tight. I thought I was going to throw up but then the door burst open, making me flinch.
I turned to see Matteo standing in the doorway with a hard frown. I instinctively hid the phone but he already knew I had it.
He walked over and I straightened when he stretched out his hand. "Give me the phone."
I had no plans of doing that. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Before I knew it, he spun me around and snatched the phone out of my grip.
"I think the boss gives you too much credit," he said as he turned the phone off. "You're not half as clever as he thinks you are. I don't know which is dumber… calling the police or pretending to be a nun."
I said nothing to that. "What have you done with my brother?" I demanded and his blue eyes searched mine.
"He's alive," he answered casually. "For now. He'd be fine, as long as he doesn't come back, trying to play hero."
"I've been on my best behavior since I got here, but I won't sit still if any harm comes to Killian," I warned, holding his gaze. "Go tell that to your boss."
"How about you tell him yourself?" He asked with a smile. "He invited you for dinner. I'm supposed to escort you downstairs."
I would've loved to decline, but I didn't think I was being given a choice.
I followed Matteo out of the room, my eyes counting every turn. I knew I was going to escape this hellhole one way or another.
"Wow," I caught myself staring at the portraits on the walls. I recognized some and they definitely cost a fortune. This place reeked of old money but it lacked the warmth and vibrancy that color brought to a home.
I thought we were heading to a dining hall or something. Turns out I was wrong.
Matteo led me outside to what looked like a patio… except it was huge. There was a long table right in the middle, clearly set for dinner, and at the head of it sat Il Diavolo himself. He was eating a slice of apple, scrolling through his phone like he didn't have a care in the world.
The lighting was dim, shadows everywhere, and in that black outfit of his, he really did look like the devil.
"Have a seat," he said, not even bothering to look up.
I didn't move right away. I just stood there, staring at him, wondering how a man like him could sit there so calmly after everything he'd done. Matteo had already walked off, so it was just the two of us now.
He finally looked up, and even though it was getting dark, the light caught his eyes in a way that made my skin prickle.
"I don't like repeating myself," he said.
"But you just did," I shot back.
That clearly struck a nerve because he suddenly pushed his chair back and stood up.
My eyes darted to the fork on the table. Before I could think twice, I grabbed it and aimed for his neck.
He was quick. He caught my wrist midair and then spun me around, his arm sliding around my throat.
I shuddered, feeling his hot breath against my neck as he stood close behind me. I could feel his solid body against mine and when I turned, my lips were just inches away from his.
I couldn't remember the last time I'd stood so close to a man. A sharp throb pulsed between my thighs and a rush of heat spread through me before I could stop it.
I quickly moved away from him, biting my lips and hating how easily my body betrayed me.
Alessandro must have noticed as there was a wry smirk on his lips.
"Well," he drawled in amusement, "how many sins have you committed in one day, Sister Maria?"
I said nothing.
"It seems our little nun isn't as holy as she pretends to be."
"Fuck you." The words slipped out before I could stop them and the look on his face only made me angrier.
He took no offense. His smirk deepened as he stepped closer, the fork in his hand tracing a cold line along my jaw.
"This devil," he murmured, wrapping his hand lightly around my throat, "is going to enjoy breaking you, Sister."