Dangerous Curiousity

CHAPTER 3: DANGEROUS CURIOSITY 

Sam's POV 

I limped into the cell and collapsed onto the edge of my bunk, my ribs throbbing with every breath. Eli looked up from the corner, immediately setting down the crust of bread he’d been nibbling on.

“Sam,” he said, eyes scanning me. “What the hell happened to you?”

“They pulled me out. Said I should stay away from the master.,” I muttered, wincing as I sat upright. “Then started beating me. No explanation. Just... fists.”

Eli’s jaw clenched. “That wasn’t random.”

I looked up at him. “Then what was it?”

“It’s Delilah,” he said flatly.

I blinked. “Delilah? The lady from The Bidder?”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “She doesn’t like you. That stunt today? Her move.”

“But why would she even care about me?” I scoffed. “I haven’t done anything.”

“You don’t need to,” Eli said. “She’s always been insecure when it comes to Teddy. Especially with new recruits that catch his eye.”

I frowned. “Catch his eye? You think this is because of him?”

Eli gave me a look. “You really didn’t notice how Teddy looked at you during The Bidder?”

I swallowed, remembering the man’s intense stare. “He barely looked at me.”

“Trust me,” Eli said. “That man sees what he wants and makes it known. And Delilah sees it too. She’s paranoid as hell, especially since Teddy doesn’t exactly have a… strict type.”

My stomach turned. “Wait… you’re saying he’s into both men and women?”

Eli gave a slow nod. “Openly. Has been for years.”

I groaned, dropping my head against the wall. “God. Gross. So what,Delilah thinks I’m some kind of competition?”

Eli smirked faintly. “Pretty much. But don’t worry, she does this to anyone who even gets a glance from Teddy. It’ll pass if you keep your head down.”

“Well, she doesn’t have to worry about me,” I muttered. “Teddy’s interest is misplaced. I don’t even think I’m his type. Hell, I don’t think I’m anyone’s type.”

Eli didn’t argue. Instead, he lay back down and pulled his thin blanket over his chest. “Get some rest. Tomorrow’s training. That means no sleep, no breaks, and no water unless they feel generous.”

I nodded, leaning back. My muscles screamed, but exhaustion numbed everything else. My eyelids started to fall, heavy with pain and fear.

Sleep found me quickly.

The next morning came with a bang,literally.

The door flung open with a loud crash and heavy boots pounded against the concrete floor. I barely had time to sit up when a voice barked from the doorway.

“Samuel Preston!”

I sat up straighter, blinking away sleep.

“The Master wants you. Now!”

Eli sat up in his bunk, his face hard. “Go. Don’t keep him waiting.”

I got to my feet slowly, my body aching in protest. “What does he want with me this time?”

Eli didn’t answer. His eyes just told me one thing: don’t ask questions.

I followed the guard out without a word, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest.

___

Teddy's POV 

He was brought in shackled, blood dried at the corner of his mouth, but somehow still walking with that same irritating confidence. Chin slightly lifted. Eyes alert. Defiant.

I leaned back in my chair, swirling the amber liquid in my glass.

“Samuel Preston,” I said slowly, watching him. “You’ve made quite an impression.”

He didn’t answer right away. Just looked around the room,my study. My private space. It wasn’t often anyone was summoned here. The dim lighting, the aged books, the leather walls—it usually made people nervous. But Samuel only smirked.

“Nice place,” he said, ignoring the guards flanking him. “Missing a chandelier and a bottle of holy water, though.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You’re bleeding. That’s bold of you.”

He shrugged. “You invited me here. I figured you weren’t gonna throw another punch.”

I waved a hand and the guards stepped back. Samuel remained where he stood, hands chained in front of him.

I took a slow sip of my drink.

“Tell me, Samuel. Where are you from?”

“Does it matter?” he shot back.

“It does to me.”

He gave a slow smile, the kind that made people underestimate him. “Well, then... let’s pretend I said somewhere fancy. A mansion in Monaco. Palm trees, private tutors, butlers who polish my boots.”

“Funny,” I said flatly.

“Wasn’t trying to be.”

I stood, walking slowly around the desk toward him. He watched every step, like a stray animal sizing up a predator. Except I wasn’t sure which one of us was which.

“I know you're not ordinary,” I said, stepping closer. “You handle pain like you’ve known it too long. You don’t flinch when pushed. You don’t beg. That’s rare here.”

He cocked his head. “And here I thought you just liked my face.”

“I like answers more.”

“Then maybe you should beat them out of me like the others tried.”

I smiled, sharp and slow. “They didn’t try hard enough.”

He didn’t flinch, but his jaw tightened. Good. He wasn’t fearless. Just pretending.

“You’re not just some street rat who got picked up on the wrong side of town,” I said. “What were you before this?”

He shrugged. “Hungry. Angry. Tired. Still am.”

I studied him. Beneath all the sarcasm and spitfire, there was something else. A kind of survival instinct that couldn’t be trained. It was born. People like him,sharp, adaptable, reckless,they either rose or broke.

I wasn’t sure which way he’d lean yet.

I turned back toward my desk. “Remove his chains.”

The guards hesitated, but I repeated, “Now.”

They stepped forward and unshackled him. Samuel rubbed his wrists but didn’t say thank you. Of course not.

“Leave us,” I said, and the guards filed out, closing the door behind them.

Now it was just us.

“You don’t trust people,” I said after a beat.

He scoffed. “Should I?”

“Depends. Trust can get you killed here. But it can also get you fed.”

He folded his arms. “Is that what this is? A recruitment speech?”

“No,” I said simply. “I don’t need more men. I have plenty. But I do keep an eye out for the ones who aren’t easily broken.”

He looked at me like he didn’t know whether to laugh or run.

I leaned on the edge of the desk. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to touch you.”

“Didn’t think you would,” he replied too quickly.

I gave him a slow smile. “But you wondered.”

He looked away.

Interesting.

“You can go,” I said finally.

He looked back, surprised. “That’s it?”

“For now.”

He moved toward the door, hand on the knob before I added, “Oh,and tell the floor manager Samuel Preston now works upper yard. Steel and welding.”

He turned back, brow furrowed. “Why?”

I didn’t answer.

He left.