“Dane.” I heard a voice whisper, its authority unmistakable even in its distorted state.
“Yes, boss.” Came the submissive reply, the voices drifting in from outside the window, down the street.I was sleeping in an uncomfortable position. Something was biting away at my wrists but I couldn’t open my eyes and investigate. The bliss of uninterrupted sleep beckoned, a rare luxury without Katie’s pil—candies.Just as I began to slip back into unconsciousness, a deluge of icy water cascaded over my head. I jolted upright, gasping for air. For a moment, I believed I was drowning, submerged in a body of water. In my panic, I tried to leap from the bed, only to find my legs and hands bound by chains, rendering me immobile.Confusion clouded my mind as I struggled to comprehend the situation. What was happening?My disorientation persisted, but then like a crashing wave, my memories came flooding back. I had been abducted. That was the last thing I remembered. Casting my gaze around I realized that I hadn’t been sleeping in the comfort of my bed as I had initially believed. Instead, I found myself sprawled on the dirty, blood-stained ground.I found myself bound up by thick chains, their unyielding grip preventing any hope of escape. Standing a few feet away was a tall burly man, clutching a metal bucket in his hands—the very vessel responsible for drenching me with cold water.And there, directly before me stood David Marchetti himself. His piercing gaze bore into me, sending an icy shiver down my spine that surpassed even the chilling sensation of water that still clung to my skin.It was not surprised that he was the one who had abducted me. The same thing had happened two years ago, and after our unfortunate encounter earlier that day, I had a sinking feeling that this moment was inevitable."Seems like you were expecting to see me here." David remarked, his voice dripping with a toxic blend of arrogance and menace.“Indeed I was, after all, kidnapping women is your forte, isn’t it?” I retorted, unable to hold back the bitterness in my tone. If this was to be my final moment alive, I refused to go down without a fight.His jaw clenched in irritation, and he shot a commanding glance at the burly man standing by his side. "Leave!" he barked, his voice filled with authority. Without hesitation, the man disappeared into the shadows, leaving us alone in the dimly lit room."What do you plan to do with me?" I asked, my voice devoid of my true emotion—fear. "Are you going to kill me, just like you did to my parents, you filthy bastard?!"There was no point in holding back anymore. I was defenseless, trapped with no means of escape. I had decided to voice the words I had been too scared to say earlier that day. If this was going to be my end, I would be damned before making it easier for him by keeping my mouth shut.In an instant, he stood before me, his grip on my face so tight that my cheeks throbbed with pain."That damn mouth of yours is gonna get you in trouble if you don't learn to keep your mouth shut." He threatened, his intense gaze sending shivers down my spine. I met his stare with a mix of anger and hatred, refusing to back down."The worst you can do is kill me. Well, guess what? I've got nothing left to lose. You took everything from me. So you might as well do your worst now!" I seethed, fury burning in my eyes."You're wrong. The worst I can do," he interrupted, his hand leaving my face to wrap around my throat, forcefully pulling me closer until our faces were mere inches apart. "Is not to kill you. I'm damn good at making people suffer, to the point where they'll beg for death.""And that's what fulfills you, huh? Boasting about torture," I scoffed, laughing in his face, mocking him. "Must be a disappointment to your mother, knowing what you've become after carrying you for nine months—" Before I could finish my sentence, he shoved me backward, slamming me into the wall with such force that I feared for a moment my skull had split in two."Don't you dare speak of my mother!" he growled through clenched teeth, his strong hands now wrapped tightly around my neck, squeezing with a bone-crushing grip.I found myself completely defenseless, unable to break free from his vice-like grip. No matter how hard I struggled, it was clear that David possessed far greater strength than me. But at that moment, a spark of defiance ignited within me, and I knew I had to fight back.I resorted to a desperate act. With all my might, I spat in his face, watching as my thick saliva trickled down his cheek. Enraged, he slammed me against the wall once again, his anger heightening. Gasping for breath, I crumpled to the floor, my body feeling lifeless and weak."Dane," he roared, his voice filled with fury, as he reached for a napkin to wipe his face clean. The mere mention of Dane's name sent shivers down my spine, knowing that he was about to carry out David's silent orders. Three other men, built like Dane with their towering frames and intimidating presence, walked into the room, their eyes filled with a chilling determination.Before I could fully comprehend what was happening, I was lifted off the ground by two of the men, their grip unyielding and unbreakable. Panic surged through me as I screamed, desperately trying to wriggle free from their hold, but it was a futile struggle.Dane pushed forward a large, round wooden board, its surface stained with dried blood and marked with countless knife scars. It was only then that the purpose of the board became horrifyingly clear."What are you doing? Let me go!" I cried out, my voice filled with fear and desperation, as they began to chain me against the board. I fought with every ounce of strength I had left, but the chains held me firmly in place, rendering me completely immobilized.David calmly settled into a chair just a few feet away, crossing his left leg over his right, a sinister smile playing on his lips. The anticipation in the room was tangible, and I could feel the weight of impending doom hanging over me."What is this? What evil game are you planning to play?" I gasped, my breath heavy from screaming and exertion.David cast a cold glance at Dane, who instantly understood his silent command. With a flick of a switch, the board slowly began to rotate, my body pressed against it. Panic surged through me as the rotation gradually picked up speed, and I let out a piercing scream.“We’re playing a game called darts.” He said just as the first knife came flying at me.David’s POVThe first knife I flung at her with precision, finding its mark between her legs, grazing past her left thigh by a mere inch. The second knife, landed on the crown of her head, narrowly avoiding a direct hit.Everyone in that room knew damn well how fucking skilled I was at throwing knives. It didn't matter if the target was near or far, big or small—I never missed. But with her, it was different. I didn't want to cause her harm; I just wanted to strike fear into her heart before moving on to my next move.Yet, she remained unafraid. Her once-piercing screams of terror vanished in an instant. Her eyes locked onto mine, a defiant glare that pierced through my very soul each time the spinning board forced her back into an upright position. It was as if she saw right through me, saw the intentions behind my actions. And that pissed me off. I needed her to fear me, to beg for her life. There was an immense satisfaction that swelled my ego when people screamed and pleaded for m
Rihanna’s POV"Why don't you come in?" David's words echoed in my mind, accompanied by a repugnant smirk on his cruel face.What exactly was I supposed to do if I entered? Join the woman pleasuring him and perhaps chew off his dick?My body throbbed with agony because of him. The twisted game he played with my life left me barely able to move, waves of pain coursing through me.I stood defiantly at the entrance of the room, my eyes locked onto his, seething with anger and the deep-seated hatred I felt.Heaven forbid I step into that room while he was exposed. Who knew what twisted ideas lurked in his mind? If he could hurt me with knives, he was capable of far worse, even rape."Leave us," He commanded the lady after a moment. In an instant, she hastily departed, passing by me outside the room.He shamelessly rose from the bed, and I averted my gaze from his indecency, hearing a low chuckle escape him. I dared not look up until I was assured he was decent again."Sign this," he demand
David’s POVThe look in Rihanna’s eyes shifted from despise to surprise. Not shock or fright, as if she had finally caught on to something. Did she finally remember me from that night or was it something else? I hated that look in her eyes, it felt as if she could see right through my facade and knew I couldn’t harm her, no matter what."I don't have all day!" I snapped, taking another step closer, my imposing figure towering over her in an intimidating manner."I want to read the contract. You asked me to read it." She said, taking a fearful step back, yet a scornful glint remained in her eyes as she held my gaze.It frustrated me that I couldn't fully understand her. She seemed so easy to read, yet at the same time, so difficult to comprehend. One moment she appeared terrified of me, and the next, she looked at me confidently, filled with derision."You lost that chance the moment you defied me." I growled, pulling the gun from Dane's back and cocking it, aiming it at her forehead
Rihanna’s POV“First of all, you’re quitting your job at the cafe.” David announced after a brief pause. And although I’d already quit my job, “Why do I need to do that?” I challenged, trying to get under David's skin. I knew he was dangerous, but I wasn’t about to make things easy for him. It wasn't about being fearless, but rather about frustrating him enough to let me go. Although I knew the chances of that happening were slim to none."Don't question my decisions." He growled, his emerald eyes shooting daggers at me. Those daggers felt sharper and more sinister than the knives he had thrown at me earlier. "From now on, you work exclusively for me."A heavy silence hung in the air as I watched his anger radiate off him. I had never met someone so easy to provoke as David. Maybe I could find a bit of amusement in this hellhole."Alright, but you going to pay me? Like wages or something." I questioned, locking eyes with him in the frigid, spacious room that barely resembled a livin
David's POVI was sitting in a comfortable chair, positioned across the table where Rihanna lay. Absentmindedly, I lightly brushed my index finger against the top of my lips as I patiently waited for her to wake up. It had been well over an hour since Allen had completed his work on her, yet she remained in a deep slumber. I glanced at my wristwatch once more, the seconds ticking away, and almost instantaneously, she began to stir in her sleep.A soft groan escaped her lips as she gradually shifted into a sitting position."Where am I?" Her voice croaked, and she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. In a sudden surge of energy, she leaped off the table, her eyes widening with alarm, her hands frantically searching her body as if desperately searching for something."Ah! So you finally recall where you are." I responded, my voice maintaining a cool and composed demeanor."What have you done to me? Am I on the other side? Is this hell?" She questioned, her voice filled with fear a
Rihanna’s POVI had to take a moment to process what David was saying. "Hold up, you're asking me to steal someone's identity? You do realize that's illegal, right?" I glanced down at the photograph I had found in the folder. The woman in the picture looked completely different from me, and now I was supposed to pretend to be her.David replied dismissively, "Sweets, that term only applies to regular folks like you. It doesn't exists for someone like me."I shook my head in disbelief. "No way. I can't do this." The idea of abandoning my own identity and fully embracing someone else's was absurd to me.But David was adamant. "You can and you will. There's no negotiation here. Remember, you have no say in this. You need to work at S&Co, and this is the only way to do it without Nicholas figuring out my involvement."I couldn't help but worry. "What if they find out? What about the woman? Where is she? Did you have her locked up somewhere? And what if I get into trouble?"“They won’t beca
Rihanna's POVMy heart started pounding hard as Dave and the man he was chatting with approached me. I stood rooted to the spot, unable to move as fear of my fake identity being busted consumed me.I waited for him to yell my name, smile at me, or try to talk to me, but it never came. I was confused for a moment, but then it hit me.Dave hasn't seen me yet. He was too engrossed in his conversation to notice me, and he wasn't approaching me like I thought. Instead, he was walking towards the elevator that I was standing right in front of.In an instant, I turned to the right corner and walked there, hiding with my back turned to him until I was sure he had left. I didn't know why Dave was there, but I silently prayed that he didn't work in that company. The thought of having to hide from him every time we ran into each other was unbearable."I'll call you and let you know how it turns out," I heard Dave's voice say, but I didn't dare to look back."Alright, Davis, I'll be expecting," c
Rihanna's POVIt was my second week at S&Co, and the days seemed to fly by quickly. I hoped that the week would be as stress-free as the last, except for my first day, of course.Today, I arrived a bit earlier, partly because I was starting to enjoy my work here, which involved sitting in the office all day and binge-watching my favorite movies, and partly because I wanted to avoid staying in the same space as David as much as possible.As the elevator doors opened on the thirteenth floor, I glanced at my wristwatch. It was quarter to eight, and I realized I was fifteen minutes early."Good morning, Elena," I greeted her as I passed by her desk.Elena was the only one on that floor at that time. She was usually the first person to arrive. "Emma, you're early today." She said with a genuine smile. We quickly became friends and bonded over our shared love for K-pop. I had discovered that she was just as obsessed with SEVENTEEN's music as I was."Yeah, I woke up earlier today." I replie