Chapter 5

VERA'S POV 

Pain.

I thought I had finally escaped but it turns out I was living in a fantasy.

A delusion.

When my father arrived at Richard's house to drag me to the meeting with the others I wanted to believe I could make them let me go, I just wanted out of this life they still denied me that even after Richard's death.

The drive home was silent, my father was quiet, he didn't touch me after Luan's warning and I know what he did to my father was the reason he's silent, secretly boiling in rage. 

The creepy bastard shot him and acted as if it was normal, not that I care I would be relieved if he had killed him right there. 

The knots in my stomach had climbed up to my throat, tightening and suffocating.

I will be married to him.

He's more heartless than Richard, he will definitely kill me for sure.

Not if I kill him first.

The small voice in my head suggested, and I considered it for a while. Maybe I should accept and play the dutiful wife as usual then wait for an opportunity to get rid of him, the only problem is I would be given to another.

Even if Luan is the devil himself I'm glad I didn't end up with Don Alfredo like my father planned. The old jerk was red in anger when we left. My father didn't pay any attention to him as he argued that they had a deal.

"The reclaiming would be happening in two days, prepare for it" Father's voice boomed inside the car and my eyes widened.

That's too soon!

"But I-"

"No excuses, the sooner we do this the better. Richard left nothing behind for you, his extended family will be back soon to take over. I'm only looking out for you, Nica, and your defiance is irritating" He grunted, my eyes strayed down to his bandaged hand.

He's in pain.

Good.

The car halted in front of the mansion and I hopped down headed inside without a glance back, he should go to hell for all I care.

Vince came to me looking agitated.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Uh, the... Don is here" He replied looking flustered and I noticed the other men outside, what the hell is Don Alfredo doing-

My blood froze as my confident footsteps faltered, coming to a screeching halt.

Luan sits comfortably in one of the couches with his right-hand man behind him, he is still dressed in a black shirt and black jeans.

The TV was on and his eyes were glued to the news anchor who was talking about a homicide case that had been going on for weeks now.

"Another warehouse was set ablaze with sixteen men inside, all burnt to death. The authorities are still investigating and they believe this is the work of the crime lords in this city" The young man reported.

"You're back" He voiced out and lifted his gaze, I bowed slightly and avoided his disturbing dead eyes.

"Don Valdrin, It's a pleasure to have you here, I can make tea-"

"Sit" He ordered and I was forced to look at him, he furrowed his brows and tilted his head.

I walked towards the couch that was the furthest from him and sat down, he ordered his men and Vince to get out.

My heart threatened to burst out of my ribcage, I can't be alone with this man.

"Now let's talk about the reclaiming ceremony, I hope you don't have plans to run away before then I will have my men drag you back in chains" He threatened coldly.

I nodded hating how my body just froze under his gaze, I can't be scared of him like I was with Richard.

Richard acted tough but he's dead now, I killed him and Luan won't be a challenge I will play my cards right and kill him, this time I will find a way to steal his money and leave the country after he's dead, hopefully he isn't selfish like Richard I can't believe he left nothing for me.

If I could I would kill him all over again.

"Your little stunt with Richard could have fooled me if you didn't kill the girl before anyone could question her," He remarked.

It took me a minute to comprehend his words, my eyes widened but I quickly schooled my expression.

He doesn't know shit.

He's just trying to rattle me.

And it's working.

"What do you mean? I killed her because she poisoned him, I cooked for him every day and she was the one with him when he started choking" I rasped trying not to sound defensive but I failed.

Luan raised one dark brow at me and chuckled.

"You must think I'm a fool like your father and the other old scums, you forget I was here before, I know you hated him because of how he treats you so you plotted and waited for the opportunity to execute it. Brilliant but risky, you didn't care because you knew your pretense to love him would pay off" He said as a matter of factly and my heart sank to the pit of my stomach.

"What- what- are you insinuating? I don't understand" I understand perfectly well.

I'm so screwed.

He's going to kill me.

"You killed Richard, used apple seeds because of his heart condition, how did you get that idea? It's simple but effective" He commented, sweat broke out on my forehead and my palms.

"That's a serious accusation, Don Valdrin" I managed to say and his eyes darkened.

"Lie to me again and I will not only have you punished, you'll be half dead before the reclaiming" He warned sternly.

I gulped, unable to escape now.

Fuck this, fuck all of them. 

Why can't they just leave me the hell alone? 

I took a deep breath and relaxed on the couch.

"Well, what are you going to do about it? Kill me?" I questioned and the corner of his lips tugged into an irritatingly handsome smirk.

"There she is, and no. I won't be telling anyone it will be our little secret" He replied nonchalantly.

What?!

I didn't show any reaction.

"And? There must be something you want" I probed.

"Nothing for now, just don't try to poison me with apple seeds it won't work" He stood up.

"I will make no promises," I retorted. He closed the distance between us and stretched one gloved hand.

I blinked confused.

Now that I think of it, I have never seen his hands without gloves.

"I'm not going to shoot your hand if that's what you're scared of," He said and I placed my left hand on his watching as he pulled a small box out of his pocket with the other hand.

My jaw dropped when he opened the box.

A diamond ring designed in the shape of two serpents coiled together sparkled in the light.

He took the ring out and slipped it on my middle finger, a foreign feeling washed over me as he pressed his soft lips on my knuckles before releasing his grip on my hand.

"See you at the ceremony, Moll" He purred and left. I was still trying to gather my thoughts then I heard a gunshot outside. 

Luan's car was already driving out of the manor when I rushed out in panic and found Vince's lifeless body at the steps, eyes wide and empty, blood gushing out of a bullet hole on his head.

The others just stood there watching as crimson pooled around his dead body, bile rose up to my throat at the sight.

He's insane!

Why will he do this?

What have I gotten myself into?