Chapter 6~ Shut Down

Chapter 6

Stacy

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I couldn’t tear my eyes away from it—the sharp blade gleamed ominously in the dim light. The knife was supposed to scare me, with the way his eyes followed my face closely, I could tell he was expecting I’d be shaking like a leaf by now.

“I see you like to talk,” he remarked dryly.

I squinted my eyes to meet his. “And I see you like to make a dramatic entrance.” I relaxed in the seat, more out of tiredness than defiance. “Actually, I agree with you. Let’s get this hideous meeting over and done with. We could start with you telling me who you are.”

The man chuckled, a low, sinister sound. “You don’t need to know who I am,” he said, his voice dripping with malice. “All you need to know is that you’ve pissed off the wrong people.”

He stepped closer, the tip of the knife grazing the skin on my arm. I didn’t flinch. The fear was paralyzing, but I couldn’t let it show. “What do you want from me?” I asked coolly. “And quit the performance; I’m not easily scared.”

“You think I mean to scare you?”

I crossed my legs and arms, settling deeper into the chair. “You’re not Vincenzo, so you won’t kill me. Besides, the bastard’s ego is so fucking big, he’d find this method of torturing me a bit boring for him, don’t you agree?” He frowned, and I sighed. “What do you want?”

He leaned down, his breath hot against my ear. “I want you to suffer,” he whispered. “I want to make you regret every decision that led you to this moment.”

I swallowed dramatically. “That was so fucking hot! You know, there are many ways you can make me suffer,” my eyes raked over his lanky frame, “like screaming-wild-with-that-beard-tickling-just-between-my-legs suffer.”

He pulled back instantly, his eyes boring into mine. “So it’s true what they say.”

I lifted a brow. “That I love a good dick?”

His response was a violent yank on my hair, his big hand pulling painfully, and his voice roared in my ears, “Vincenzo may have long-term plans for you, but I have my own, and it requires just a flick of my wrists.”

“Around my throat?” I smirked. “Oh, you’re dirty.”

His expression hardened, indecision flickering in his eyes before he growled. “We’ll see about that.” He raised the knife, the blade catching the light as it hovered over my skin.

“Well, I had better ideas when you said that, but I guess a little pain could hurt no fly.” My breath caught in my throat as I braced myself for the pain, but I gave him a nervous chuckle, “I mean, I’ve handled a few masochists.”

Just as the blade was about to make contact, the door burst open, and a familiar voice filled the room. “That’s enough.”

I looked up, my heart skipping a beat as Aurelio strode into the room, his eyes blazing with tiredness and something dangerous. He crossed the room in three quick strides, his hands tucked in his pants pockets.

I leaned back in the chair, crossing my arms over my chest as I watched Aurelio circle me like a predator. His eyes were sharp, filled with that particular brand of disdain that made it clear he’d rather be anywhere else but here, talking to me.

But that was fine. The feeling was mutual.

“We’re going to have a little conversation. I suggest you keep your bitchy remarks to yourself, or I won’t be responsible for where your tongue would land by the time we finish.”

I rolled my eyes, keeping my expression as nonchalant as possible. “Oh, is that right? And here I thought you were just here to compliment my charming personality.”

Aurelio’s lips tightened, but he didn’t rise to the bait. “Cut the crap. I want information.”

I gasped in mock surprise, “Really? The big, good angels want something from the devil!”

“Shut the fuck up!” Aurelio hissed. “I have a single question, and I need an honest answer—”

“And I want a fucking five-star meal and a hot bath,” I shot back, letting my gaze wander around the room, anything to avoid meeting his eyes. “But I guess we can’t always get what we want, can we?”

He stepped closer, his patience clearly thinning. “Do you have any other family? Anyone else who might cause us trouble in an attempt to look for you?”

I scoffed at the ridiculousness of that question. But I kept my expression plain. “What makes you think I’d tell you even if I did?”

“Because if you don’t,” he said, leaning down so we were eye level, “this will get a lot worse for you. And trust me, Vincenzo is not in the mood for games right now.”

“So he sent you?” I shook my head, “The coward!” I met his glare with one of my own, refusing to flinch. “You know what? I’m really not in the mood to talk to you, Aurelio. How about that?”

His jaw clenched, the muscles ticking with barely restrained anger. “This isn’t a negotiation.”

“No,” I agreed, “it’s not. So, how about you go get Vincenzo, and then we’ll talk?” When they exchanged glances, I added, “Alone.”

Aurelio’s eyes narrowed, and for a second, I thought he might lose it. But then he straightened, taking a deep breath as he stepped back. “You’re playing a dangerous game.”

I gave him a slow, mocking smile. “I like to think of it as keeping things interesting.”

He didn’t respond, just turned on his heel and stormed out of the room. The door slammed shut behind him, leaving me alone with the lanky dude whose glare could melt ice. I couldn’t help but smirk.

If I was going down, I’d do it on my own terms.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and leaned back in the chair, taking a moment to gather myself. The adrenaline that had been fueling my defiance began to wane, leaving a cold, creeping fear in its place, and the glaring reminder that I was fucking hungry.

I could finish a live cow right now.

The door opened again, and I tensed, expecting Aurelio or the lanky man to return. But instead, a woman stepped inside, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. She was dressed in all black, her hair pulled back in a severe bun, and her expression was one of complete disinterest.

“Vincenzo sent me to check on you,” she said, her voice flat and emotionless. She crossed the room and stopped in front of me, looking me over as if I were a particularly dull piece of art.

“Great,” I muttered under my breath. “Another babysitter.”

The woman ignored my comment and reached into her coat, pulling out a small syringe. “Hold out your arm.”

I hesitated, eyeing the syringe warily. “What the hell is that?”

“A precaution,” she replied curtly. “Vincenzo wants to make sure you’re not stressing yourself too much. So give your arm, Miss.”

I scowled, “Like hell he does!! That’s fucking Lorazepam, isn’t it? I see you guys don't play fair around here.”

With a resigned sigh, the lady signaled to the lanky dude and he charged towards me. Then he gripped my arms, pinning me to the seat. I kicked and squirmed but it was fruitless. I was too fucking weak against their brute strength combined.I watched helplessly as she swiftly and efficiently administered the injection.

The needle pricked my skin, and a cold sensation spread through my veins. I clenched my teeth, refusing to wince.

“There,” she said, stepping back and tucking the syringe away, the idiot side released me now, I swear I’ll carve out his balls at the first chance I get. “You’ll feel a bit lightheaded, but it won’t last long.”

“Wonderful,” I muttered, rubbing my arm where the needle had punctured. “Anything else? Or can I go back to being your prisoner now?”

The woman gave me a cold smile. “You won’t be going anywhere until Vincenzo says so. I suggest you get comfortable.”

She talks like a fucking programmed robot with limited vocabulary.

With that, she turned on her heel and left the room, leaving me glaring at her back with disgust. Then my last companion whose name I still didn’t know, stood up and went after her. I stared after them, then I got up from the chair, feeling a slight dizziness wash over me.

I gripped the back of the chair for support, taking slow, deep breaths until the sensation passed. When I felt steady enough, I began to pace the room, my mind working furiously, just a minute before my brain shut down.

Vincenzo wanted something from me, that much was clear. But what?

Information? Leverage? Revenge? The possibilities were endless, and each one was more dangerous than the last. He knows damn well that I have no family left, so what was this latest stunt?

His brother practically froze all my family assets, my accounts, killed off practically all my father’s men, the ones he didn’t kill will never smell freedom again,unless I do something to change that.

I’ll be damned if I don’t.

The door creaked open again, and I whipped around, half expecting another surprise. Instead, it was just the lanky man, his expression still cold and unyielding. He stepped inside and closed the door behind him, locking it with a soft click while I rolled my eyes.

“Vincenzo’s orders,” he said in a way of explanation, his voice devoid of emotion. “You’re to stay here until he’s ready to see you.”

I narrowed my eyes on him. “And when will that be?”

He shrugged, as if he couldn’t care less. “When he decides it’s time.”

I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall, “Are you all like robots? Because it sounds like you all have limited vocabulary and—“ Suddenly the words floated from my lips and my brain simply became too fuzzy to add piece words together that would actually make sense.

The lanky idiot smirked, “That must be the precaution taking effect.“

“You mean the fucking drugs you practically forced into my system?”

He grinned, “Shh— save your strength, princess. Go to sleep now. By the time you wake you, everything will be all sunshine and rainbows.”

As if obeying him, my brain shut down completely.