Cherished By the Devil

POPPY

Chicago. Six Months Earlier.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, surveying the recent damage. It was worse than the last time, but perhaps I should have been grateful that my nose and teeth were intact. A small consolation.

My trembling fingers gingerly checked the swollen spot beneath my left eye, and I inwardly winced. This would surely turn into an ugly bruise; that much I knew from experience. The darkening spot on my jaw looked even worse—a mark left by Ardian's signet. It hurt like hell, but I knew I was lucky. I was alive. I had survived another beating. And tonight, I would make sure that this was the last one.

The banging on the bathroom door made me flinch. “Angel, our guests arrived. Hurry up and join us downstairs,” Ardian called out, his voice coated with a usual layer of sweetness, as if he had already forgotten he had just beaten the shit out of me.

My mask fell into place as I answered, “Um… I will need a moment. I need to do a little heavier makeup, and—”

The lock clicked, and he opened the door. I barely suppressed a shudder as he stepped into the bathroom and met my gaze in the mirror. Adrian Cavalieri, the man I had once loved and who had turned my life into a nightmare, looked absolutely stunning in his navy blue Brioni Vanquish suit. His amber eyes shone with the same glow that had knocked me off my feet three years ago. His dark-chocolate hair was combed up, forming a perfect mass of silky strands that most women would love to touch. I used to be one of them. I used to adore his looks. I thought they were made for the sweetest kind of seduction… until I learned that all of it was just a façade, a pretty cover to hide the hideous monster within.

“Oh, angel,” he purred, stepping toward me and clicking his tongue. “Look what you've made me do. You know how I hate to punish you, but this was necessary for you to learn. I hope you know that.”

“I do,” I whispered because agreeing with everything he said was the only way to avoid more punches and kicks.

He grabbed my hand and whirled me toward him. His eyes carefully examined my face, his lips curving in disgust. Finally, he stepped back and sighed. “Fine. I'll tell them you're unwell and need more time.”

Bitter laughter bubbled in my throat, but I stopped it from erupting. Maybe he realized that not much of my angelic looks remained. My now-dull blue eyes and platinum blonde hair weren't enough for others to ignore the bruises and the cut lip tainting my face. He stroked my cheek with the back of his knuckles, and it took everything within me not to cringe at his touch. “You may skip the dinner, but join us for the dessert, OK?”

I nodded, struggling to ignore the pain as my lips formed a gentle smile. “I'll get down as soon as I finish,” I said softly.

“Good girl.” He kissed my forehead, then chuckled. “The painkillers are in the right drawer, as usual.”

“I know,” I breathed, watching him whirl around and stride out of the room. I stayed still until he closed the door behind him. Only then did I know I was safe… for now.

Ardian's men wouldn't dare to enter our bedroom without his permission, which meant that I had roughly thirty minutes, and I had to make them count.

I glanced at the clock; it was almost nine. “Shit,” I hissed, hurriedly pulling out a few correctors, foundations, and powders from the cabinet.

Thankfully, I had a few years of practice in camouflaging my bruises and wounds, and now I could do it in less than five minutes. Any other day, I would take my time, but not tonight. I even smiled slightly as I put on layer after layer of makeup because this time, I wasn't doing it for him. I couldn't draw too much attention during my escape.

I finished in record time and rushed to the bedroom. My heart hammered as I rolled up the fluffy rag, exposing the wooden floor. My hands trembled as I lifted one of the loose boards and pulled out the forged documents and cash I had hidden underneath.

I glanced at the clock; it was five past nine. Fuck. The time was running too fast. Muttering a curse, I changed into a black set of sneakers, leggings, and a hoodie. Finally, I rushed to the cabinet in the corner where Ardian kept his guns. Holding my breath, I used the hairpin to unlock the top drawer…

“God, I did it… I truly did it,” I whispered, opening it and grabbing the Beretta.

I looked at the clock again; twelve past nine. I ran to the balcony, ducking low as I stepped outside. I stepped by the stone balusters and looked down. Several guards patrolled the courtyard below. Now all I needed to do was wait…

“Please, please, please…” I clasped my trembling hands together, praying that the virus I'd uploaded into the security network would do the job. Seconds passed… and all the lights went off, activating the alarms.

My heart thundered as I watched the hell break loose. Armed sentinels ran to secure the front and the back of the mansion, just like I knew they would. “Don't be a coward,” I hissed to myself as I tied a rope to the balusters and stepped out of the balcony.

I had to hurry. It wouldn't be long before the guards realized it was a false alarm. My muscles stretched as I used my hands and feet to slowly lower myself from the second floor. The bruises on the sides of my ribs were certainly not helping.

“Hey! Who's there?!” I saw two guards running in my direction.

Shit. I let go of the rope and rolled on the ground, crying in pain. The sound of several stomping feet echoed through the courtyard. They were getting closer. Panic twisted my guts, but this was my only chance. It was now or never. Grinding my teeth, I leaped to my feet and started running toward the fence.

“Stop right there!” In my peripheral vision, I saw them pulling out their guns.

My eyes fixed on the trees ahead, and I ran faster than I had ever run before. The bullets swished, but I kept running. I knew they would have stopped had they known who I was. Their boss's girlfriend was not to be harmed by them. But I would rather die here than return to that psychopath.

I reached the trees and all but cried seeing the tall fence in front of me. I was less than a few yards away from it when my hood fell, exposing my bright hair—

“That's Penelope! Don't fucking shoot!” More guards gathered, all running in my direction. “We need to get her alive!”

I swallowed a curse. I could bet that Ardian already knew and would soon join his sentinels. I lurched at the fence, climbing up fast despite the overwhelming pain. Someone grabbed my foot, but I kicked him as hard as I could and kept climbing.

God, my freedom was closer than ever before. Tears shimmered in my eyes as I jumped down from the top of the fence, rolling on the ground and crying in pain. “Get up, Poppy. Get up!” I gritted out, pushing myself back to my feet.

Thankfully, the lights were still out, and my black clothes made me less visible as I stormed through the alley, heading to the small passage between the buildings.

I could no longer hear footsteps behind me, but I knew I wasn't safe. Not yet. “Get a grip,” I strained through my teeth, pushing through the pain and exhaustion. But I knew I had to keep moving. My freedom had never been closer.

Finally, I passed the dark alley, running to a small harbor where a car waited for me. My eyes locked on the gray Chevrolet parked by a warehouse, and I darted in that direction. My heart began to thunder. I was almost there. Just a few more steps and—

“I guess you still haven't learned your lesson, Poppy.” Ardian's voice sounded behind me, and my stomach turned to lead. “Although I admit, you were so close this time. I'm almost impressed.”

Slowly, I turned around, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Please, let me go,” I choked out.

He prowled toward me, still wearing his impeccable suit, only missing a tie. “Oh, Poppy,” he crooned. “Don't you know that I can't live without you? And now, you're breaking my heart…”

I stepped back, my back hitting the car door. “Please… Ardian, I'm begging you…”

“Angel, I told you that there's no way out of the Mafia world.” A cruel smile twisted his lips. “You will always belong to me.” He took a step toward me, his hand slowly moving beneath his jacket, where his holster was.

I breathed in sharply and pulled out the gun from the pocket of my hoodie. “Don't come any closer!” I snarled, squeezing Beretta in my hands.

Ardian's hand froze, his eyes widening in shock. “You wouldn't dare shoot me. You don't even know how—”

I pulled the safety off and placed my finger on the trigger. He tilted his head to one side, amused by my attempts and maybe even aroused. Sick bastard. “I will shoot you. You can either let me go, or I will shoot!” I snarled.

He snorted. “Fine, maybe I shouldn't have kicked you in the stomach or punched your pretty face. I'm sorry. I will even forget about everything that happened tonight, but you have to give me back my gun.” He extended his hand, his lips curving into a cold smile.

“No,” I gritted out, correcting my stance.

“Give me the fucking gun!” he roared, lunging at me.

I pulled the trigger. The shot echoed through the empty harbor, and for a moment, everything froze. I wasn't sure I was breathing as I watched Ardian press his hand to the right side of his chest, right below his shoulder.

“You bitch!” he growled before falling to his knees.

I sucked in a quick breath, taking control over my shivering body. I didn't think the wound was fatal, but it was enough. I wasn't a killer, and I wouldn't turn into one because of him. “It's over, Ardian,” I said shakily as I opened the car and sat behind the wheel. “I'm leaving.”

Then I started the engine, letting the tires squeal as I stepped on the gas. I didn't know where I was going. I only knew I had to get as far as possible from the man who hurt me and from the world where he ruled.