Chapter 9

Miranda's Point of View

My hands were shaking as I massaged Lorenzo. I kept having a nagging feeling that something would go wrong and we'd be caught.

My eyes wouldn't move away from my phone as I waited for Vincenzo's victorious text.

"Hmmm," Lorenzo moaned in satisfaction each time my fingers touched a joint. "You know exactly where you're useful," he said.

Of course, he can't be any more obvious that he's using me. Fuck! I was foolish for so long.

A phone ringing broke my thoughts. My heart stopped when I realized it was Lorenzo's, and two possibilities crossed my mind: either Vincenzo had succeeded, or he had failed and was caught by Lorenzo's guards.

"Get me my phone, darling," he said.

With shaky hands, I reached for his phone and handed it to him.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Oh no! I guess I was too obvious. I shouldn't panic.

I quickly wore a weak smile. "I'm feeling nauseous," I lied.

"Go relieve yourself in the bathroom, then. Don't vomit on me."

There was disgust in his voice.

He turned away from me as he answered the phone that was still ringing.

"Hey, Maurice," he said.

My brows furrowed in confusion. Maurice? Why is Maurice calling? Is this part of the plan? Does this mean Vincenzo has succeeded?

"What?!" Lorenzo growled as he jumped to his feet with a deep, angry frown. "I'll be right there!" he said as he hung up.

He angrily threw his phone on the bed and dashed into the closet to change from his towel.

I followed him, pretending to care.

"What is wrong, darling?" I asked.

"Some bastards broke into a cell and rescued an important prisoner!"

Prisoner... What a heartless beast, addressing his father as a prisoner.

"What?" I exclaimed quickly, feigning shock. "Who would be bold enough to break a prisoner out? That's a crime that would cost them their life."

He didn't respond to me; he was simply rampaging through his clothes, wearing whatever he could get his hands on.

"Do I know this prisoner?" I asked again.

"No," he answered curtly.

He headed for the door but paused and suddenly whipped his head towards me.

"You're coming with me," his tone held finality, and he stormed out.

I looked down at myself. I'm still in my pajamas.

Unfortunately, it's a see-through material, and I can't go out in it.

"I'll join you shortly," I called after him, rushing to the closet.

While I was searching for what to wear, I dialed Vincenzo's number, and luckily, he picked up after two rings.

"Hey, Lorenzo is heading to the cell now. Are you sure we're safe? Nothing is going to implicate us, right?" I asked in one breath.

"Breathe, Miranda," he chuckled. "I already promised you that I'll protect you, and trust me, everything is under control."

"That's good, that's good."

I paused and took a deep breath.

"Where are you now?"

"In my home," he replied.

"Huh?"

"As you already know Lorenzo, I'm surely going to be his prime suspect, and he will come accuse me after checking the cell. I need to be at home and act all natural to disperse his suspicion," he explained.

"Hmm. You're such a master planner."

Hopefully, I've made the best decision allying with him.

"I'm not a master planner. Lorenzo is smart, so I must outsmart him."

I realized I'd wasted too much time talking to Vincenzo, and I might end up becoming Lorenzo's prime suspect if I don't join him now.

I quickly hung up and changed into whatever I laid my hands on.

> > > > > > > 

A deafening silence spread throughout the cell when I arrived.

Lorenzo was pacing back and forth, clenching and unclenching his fists, while Maurice was trying to wake the guards up — they'd been knocked out by Lorenzo's men.

"They're awake," Maurice informed Lorenzo when he was done waking them up.

The guards looked around in a haze, but instantly fell on their faces when they saw Lorenzo.

"Alpha," they greeted him in unison.

Lorenzo ignored their greeting as he went straight to the reason he was here.

"Where is the prisoner?" he asked.

There was no response; the guards were only muttering, "We're sorry, Alpha," and "Have mercy, Alpha," and it angered Lorenzo greatly.

He reached for one of the chains on the floor and lashed it on one of the guards, who released a pained grunt.

I winced on behalf of the guard, emotionally feeling his pain.

"I'll ask for the last time. Where is the prisoner?"

The guards exchanged looks, as if they were silently debating who would step forward and speak for them.

"Forgive us, Alpha," one of them finally spoke. "We were taken unaware and didn't see their faces before we passed out."

"What do you mean you didn't see their faces?" Lorenzo growled.

"They all wore face masks and outnumbered us. Even though we were outnumbered, we tried to fight them, but someone among them released a knockout gas, and we passed out," another guard explained.

On cue, Maurice faced Lorenzo and said, "It's true, Alpha. Look around, it's obvious there was a battle here."

Lorenzo looked like he cared less about Maurice's explanation; he was deeply in thought.

"Alpha, nobody knows your fath—" Maurice swallowed his words when Lorenzo shot him a warning look.

I pretended as if I didn't notice it, but Lorenzo's eyes briefly glanced at me.

"He's a prisoner!" he snapped at Maurice.

I guess he doesn't want me to know he had his father imprisoned.

Maybe he's scared I'll find out about the prophecy if I know about his father's imprisonment — what a shame, we're all playing him.

"Like I was saying," Maurice continued, "apart from the two of us, nobody else knows there is a prisoner here. Oh, wait, your brother..."

He trailed off, as if purposely giving Lorenzo a hint.

Hold on, why is he hinting at Vincenzo? Is this part of the plan too?

If this is an act, then I'm impressed, because I'm seriously starting to think he's snitching on us.

"Vincenzo!" Lorenzo growled lowly, taking Maurice's hint.

"Where is Vincenzo? Has he come to visit today?"

The guards shook their heads.

"Get some guards together and put the pack on lockdown. No one should leave or come in until the prisoner is found!" he ordered a guard.

"Yes, Alpha," the guard bowed

and hurriedly left.

"The rest of you, come with me!"

With that, he stormed off.

Maurice and I exchanged looks but rushed after him.