CHAPTER 4: THE DEVIL'S CARESS

CAITLIN

Standing in front of the mirror, the reflection staring back at me seemed like a different person. I looked beautiful– felt beautiful. For once I didn't worry about my weight. The dress hugged my curves beautifully, not too tight but not loose. It revealed so much boob that I wanted to ask for a shawl.

“Caitlin!” my captor called impatiently, barging into the room.

His face softened. 

“Lovely. You look stunning, Caitlin.” Turning to the makeup artist, he stared at her for a brief moment,  “I told you, less is more.”

A strange feeling of warmth washed over me. I was literally captured and threatened into all of this but somehow, there I was smiling over his compliment. Still, without him, I would probably be on the streets of Los Angeles. Here I was in Sinaloa miles away from LA receiving princess treatment– not without a price though.

“Wear this.”

He handed me a blue box. Stunned, I took it then opened the lid to find a beautiful diamond necklace. The delicate teardrop design, the carefully carved silver… It was beautiful. Probably more expensive than anything I ever owned— everything combined.

“This is lovely. I–” I wanted to reject it but then I remembered our deal.  

He isn’t doing this for you, silly.

“Thank you, sir.” I breathed softly.

“Don’t thank me, do your part. Please, call me Caspian.” He stared at me long and hard, a satisfied grin on his face. “Come on, we have a party to attend.”

Extending his folded arm to me, I linked mine in his. Together, we walked to the car parked right outside. It all still felt like a dream. I had two hundred thousand dollars sitting pretty in my account and I was riding in a luxury car. Then came the real task.  

The drive to the Don’s casa was mostly quiet with Caspian reminding me to keep calm no matter what, smile and try to get the Don’s attention. Except, I had no idea of what Don looked like. I wondered if he looked like every bit of the monster he was or if he was actually not hard to look at.

My ringtone snapped me out of my head. My friend Vivian's name displayed on the screen. I tapped the answer icon.

“Caity, where the fuck are you? I just got back a few hours ago, I tried calling but your line wouldn’t go through.” She exhaled, a shaky breath. “I went to your apartment, Caitlin… Mrs. Darcey told me everything.” Her voice had reduced to a low, sad tone. 

It hurt to hear her this worried and because of me. “Viv, I—”

“Why didn’t you say anything? I swear I could have tried to help— we always find a way.” she trailed off. Then I heard her sniff.

The last thing I wanted to do was cry and ruin my make-up. Only God knows how much testing Caspian’s patience could withstand.

“You’ve already done so much, Viv, I–”

“Nonsense! You know, I tried reaching Colton and when I couldn't get to him, I went over to his place… Oh, Cait… how are you? Where are you?” Vivian broke into a sob.

My sweet, emotional best friend.

“Sinaloa.” I replied, ignoring the first question.

“What?” 

Her voice buzzed through the speaker, loud and clear. She made my ear ring.

“Like, Mexico?” she asked in disbelief.

“Yes, talk later.” I hung up, knowing fully well I couldn't tell her the truth.

 I breathed a sigh of relief, placing my hand on my chest.

“You wouldn’t want to share our little secret.” 

It wasn’t just a statement, it was a warning. I wasn’t about to involve Vivian in this mess.

“Yes, sir– Caspian.” I agreed, forcing a smile.

“Put on your mask.” He ordered. 

Carefully, he put on his mask. The severity of my situation was beginning to hit me all at once. A chill ran down my spine, making me shiver. Cold sweat broke out in my palm and feet. I tried to distract myself with better thoughts and somehow kept making it worse.

A warm hand closed over mine.

“Everything would work out perfectly, trust me.” 

Caspian patted my hand a bit and withdrew his hand.

Trust? Trust, really? Need I remind you, you kidnapped me! There’s nothing trusting about that.

Despite my conflicting thoughts, I nodded. The car came to a halt at a beautiful white mansion. We got out of the car. He held out his arm for me again.

“No matter what you do, don’t let your eyes show guilt.” Caspian murmured as he led me to the huge doors of the mansion.

“ID?” the scary looking door man asked. 

If this was the doorman, how the hell did the diablo thugs look? His frown was intense. I swallowed the growing lump in my throat. Caspian provided his ID, nudging me to do the same. When he saw my ID, his frown intensified. How’s that even possible?

There was something in his eyes when he looked at me, something I couldn’t quite grasp. He then signaled for us to go in. The moment we walked in, I sighed, feeling like I had just escaped death— probably. We were led to a huge hall. Everyone wore a mask. Nobody unimportant knew his face. Even most of those who mattered had no clue what he looked like, not that no one had tried, they just didn’t make it to the point where they succeeded.

The hall was illuminated with bright lights. The smell of expensive perfumes clung to the air. The decorations were colourful, not dark. Most faces seemed happy, not terrifying like I had expected. Violins played softly.

Who would have thought the Devil liked music– violin?

Sweeping my gaze across the room, I caught sight of a couple lost in each other’s eyes, dancing to the soft music. Just one look and you know it’s love. My heart ached as I watched them. I forced myself to look away. I wasn’t there to long for something I couldn't have.

“Which one’s Diablo?” I whispered softly to Caspian.

“Easy, beautiful. When the Diablo arrives, you feel it. You wouldn’t have to look to find him.”

I nodded. He was probably a monster– a beast. If one enters the hall, I'll definitely notice. My eyes wandered back to the couple in the center of the hall. With a better look, I could tell he was much older than she was but the way she smiled up at him, the way he looked at her like she was all that mattered. Caspian seemed to be looking at the couple in wonder.

“Who are they?” The question was out before I could stop myself.

“I don’t know.”

There was a hint of surprise in his voice like he couldn’t quite grasp the fact he didn’t know. It was probably the mask. Turns out, we weren’t the only ones watching the couple. A tall, dark haired fellow seemed focused on them. His gaze turned slowly, our eyes locked in an awkward stare. But god, he was handsome! There was something dark about him, yet captivating. I smiled softly at him, trying to reduce how awkward it was.

His frown deepened, his excuse of a mask hid little. He looked away like he hadn’t even seen me. If that was his reaction, how on earth was I supposed to ‘seduce’ Diablo? Caspian probably had a fetish for leading women to their death.  

“Good, you found him.” Caspian’s voice snapped me back to reality.  

My spine straightened in shock. No! No, no, no. I am so dead.

The man Caspian had said had a thing for thick blondes had looked at me with disgust! How the fuck was i supposed to seduce who couldn’t stand looking at me. I just closed my eyes and wished for a quick death. Caspian held my hand and led me towards Diablo. I forgot how to walk. 

“Breathe, Caitlin.” Caspian whispered.

I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding in. We stopped right behind him. The aura he exuded was frightening. I wondered if Caspian felt intimidated. The quiet bob of his Adams apple, the pulse of his temples were enough to answer. As if collecting himself, he shook his head and cleared his throat.

“I take you to be a man of spirits, preferably whiskey.” Caspian said, his head slightly bowed.

Maybe I was imagining things but there was a way he said spirit that made me feel he wasn’t just talking about alcohol. Or was it my fear speaking?

“You seemed to be knowledgeable.” Diablo said, his back still turned to us.

Even his voice screamed authority. Do not look scared. Breathe. I kept chanting the words in my head until all I could think of was how even my breathing was and much fear was visible on my face.

Diablo turned slowly, a smile that didn’t reach his eyes touched his lips. It didn’t feel like an encouragement to continue, it was a warning.

“I believe you also know I hate being interrupted, hate people speaking behind me, let alone sneaking up on me.”

We are so fucking dead. He is going to kill us, right here, right now.

“My apologies, Don. The thing is, I have something for you. It’s something I know you would be interested in…”

If only he knew. I couldn’t hear anything but the sound of my heartbeat. Next thing I knew, we were being led somewhere away from the crowd. Of course, he wasn’t going to murder us in front of so many people– not that that’s impossible. 

A man in a dark suit joined us. He said nothing, almost as intimidating as his boss– not nearly but intimidating nonetheless. So, he was going to have his lap dog do the killing? The man moved a bit more swiftly, opening the door to a room for Diablo.

The room appeared to be a waiting room. He either didn’t trust Caspian or was suspicious. Mafia Dons don’t discuss business in waiting rooms, right? Taking a seat, he waved his hand towards us.

“Speak.”

In his eyes was a warning, say something stupid and you’re dead. Diablo looked pointedly at Caspian and then at me. I couldn’t stop myself from reacting. I unconsciously squeezed  Caspian’s arm, biting my tongue to keep myself from pleading for mercy or worse, crying. 

“Your lady doesn’t look very comfortable, Zuri.” Diablo’s voice cut through my fear, forcing me to sit still.

It seemed my discomfort amused him. He smiled, this time it actually reached his eyes– beautiful grey orbs of mystery. Demon eyes, definitely.

“Relax, I don’t bite.”

His eyes lowered to my chest for a brief– very brief moment but I caught it. His words and the hope of actually catching his eye made me calm a bit.

“But I murder— bullet, blade, depends on my mood.” He chuckled softly, his eyes grew serious.

The monster was enjoying torturing me. My heart pounded in my ears, my fears shut me out of reality for a moment. Then I heard Caspian say, “She’s the gift, Don.”

It took Diablo the amount of time it took to blink to point a gun right at Caspian’s head. This was it, the end. 

“Don, please, don’t shoot! At least, look at her.” with his hands raised in surrender, he turned to me, “take off the damn mask!”

What difference was that supposed to make? Still, I'd try anything to stay alive– anything. I lifted my hand and pulled the mask, the elastic pulled at my hair but that didn’t matter. The pain was nothing compared to a bullet in the head.

The moment the mask was off, Diablo sprang off his chair. His eyes widened, mouth agape. There was a look of recognition, surprise, disbelief and pain. He dropped the gun and rushed over to me— not to kill or strangle me. He held my face in his hand delicately, his expression unreadable.

“Laura?” he choked.

Okay, what the hell was going on and who the fuck was Laura?