6

Chapter 6

My eyes flutter open, but the lights cause me to shut them back. Without thinking, I raise my head only to be met with a banging headache.

What the hell happened?

I try to focus my vision causing me to slowly pry my lids open. I look around, only for my eyes to meet those cold gazes.

Dermos is lounging on the soft couch in front of my bed, eyes calculating as he rests his jaw on his palm with his elbows pressing on his thighs.

God, he looks so handsome. A strand of his hair falls forward. I don't know if it's a mistake or on purpose, but it still looks so damned good.

He is dressed in a pair of joggers and a simple top that contracts his muscles in this position.

Holy hell, he looks exactly like sin.

“When you are done gawking, let me know so you can explain why my men found you outside bleeding.” His sharp voice snaps me out of my daydreaming.

Damnit! I can't look at him like that. He belongs to Ariella.

“Umm.” Words fail me as I try to rack my brain for what to say.

I can't say Luciana hit me because I don't even have proof. I didn't see her hit me, but she had to be the one, right?

There was no one else there with us except the girls, and the girls weren't even that close.

“Cat got your tongue?” He barks, flexing his hands as he presses his back into the couch, his eyes not leaving my pale form for once.

I raise my hand, pressing it to the back of my head to check the injury. It feels rough, but the patch is also small, which means it isn't a major injury.

“I don't have the patience, nor do I have all day to sit here and watch you jog your memories. So I will ask one last time, what the hell happened?” he snaps, his voice filled with venom as his eyes darken.

I move uncomfortably, trying to get the words out yet all I could come up with was, “I fell. Sorry, I got you worried.”

“You fell? How the hell did you fall that hard and have an injury at the back of your head when you fell on your face?” He questions, his eyelids slowly closing to squint at me.

Damn, he is a work of art. Focus Ariel.

“I was taking a tour and didn't see the stone there, which caused me to trip, and when I fell, I hit my head on a stone too. I turned in order to feel where the pain was coming from, and then I passed out.” I grit my teeth, letting the lies tumble out smoothly

I pray he believes me, heavens please let him believe me.

I press my back to the bed, wanting nothing more than to sink inside, but then he will know something is up, so I have to be brave.

Even though I just want to piss myself, I keep my eyes on him until he nods before gracefully rising to his feet.

“Well, I am glad that you are fine. I have to go now. Rest, and don't wander about again.” He warns, causing me to nod like a five-year-old.

Satisfied with my response, he turns and walks out. Immediately, I let out the breath I was holding.

Oh Lord, I pray I don't have a heart attack by next month. All this acting is getting to me.

~~~

“I told you to stay inside, didn't I?” I nod my head, refusing to look up from biting my nails, not wanting to be scolded like a five-year-old.

Yes, he told me to stay inside. Did I? Of course not, I got bored and decided to finish my tour, causing me to get lost in the maze of flowers covering half the front yard.

Why he has a maze is still a mystery to me.

“So why did you leave the room and wander?” He questions, his voice calm and steady.

Yet the way his jaw clenches and his fist tightens tells me he is anything but calm.

“I got bored again, and I couldn't stop thinking about the whore house I found. Wondering why you have that? Do you traffic girls?” I can't help but ask.

Dammit, I said I wouldn't speak about it.

Dermos snaps his head to look at me, his muscles contracting inside his suit.

Guess he just came back from work before I called, crying. I was lost.

“It's part of my business, and I won't have you questioning me.” He growls, taking a step back before turning.

I followed after him, not quite satisfied with his words.

“But you sell them to men, that's ridiculous and cruel. They have a life, they are humans, so why would you do that--”

“Ariella, you are aware of this. Last time we had this conversation, you seemed really fine with it, so why the change of heart?” He halts his steps, turning to look at me.

Again!

My whole face pales as I realize I am once again out of character.

I straighten up, clearing my throat before speaking, “ I am fine with it, it's just--”

“Good for you.” He cuts me off again, and it makes me want to yank his hair out.

My voice and opinions are important too. Why won't he let me speak?

“ Go to bed, Ariella, and mind your business. I don't want to have to punish you.” He warns us before taking a different turn once we are in front of the house's back door.

Urghhh!! I stomp my foot in annoyance. He is so damn rude.

Without thinking, I push open the door and walk in, only to stop once I hear some voices.

I inch closer to the side of the door, making sure I am also out of sight.

They seem to be inside a room. Is that Carlos I hear?

“Luciana, it isn't like that. You are wrong.” Yes, that voice is definitely Carlos.

But why is he in a room with Luciana?

If there is one trait I am known for, it is being a curious cat. As they say, curiosity kills the cat, yet I am not dead.

Hahh.

“You are getting too close to Donna. I don't like it. You know godfa--”

“I don't care. Mind your own damn business, and go sort your girls.” His voice is clipped and sharp, like he is repulsed by her.

Okay, definitely not my business. I cross the room, heading to the kitchen, when I suddenly remember Isabella.

The fear in her eyes, the way her hands trembled. What exactly has she been through within these walls?

I need to find her. Taking a step, my whole body halts when I hear small sobs coming from the room beside the kitchen.

Who is that?

Slowly but surely, I push open the door only to find Isabella crying on a bed.

“Isabella? Are you okay?” I murmur, padding my feet forward towards her bed.

“No, Donna, no one must see you with me. They will kill me, you have to go.” She jolts out of her bed, tears running down her cheeks.

“I don't understand,” I murmur, taking a step back.

“This is a house full of torment. Run while you can. Run, Donna.” She says her voice frantically as she presses her fingernails into my palm.

“Wha--” the words are barely out of my lips when a pounding on the door has me stumbling.

“You wrench, what are you doing?” An unfamiliar voice calls.

Isabella's eyes widen, urging me to hide, but as I turn to make a move, the door slams open.

“What the hell are you doing?” She booms.

Oh crap.