Chapter 18: 16

Pain lanced through Cassie’s wrists as she struggled against the binds, the coarse rope digging into her already raw skin. The skin around her wrists burned, blood seeping into the fibers, but she gritted her teeth, forcing herself to push past the agony. Fear coiled in her stomach, a suffocating weight pressing against her ribs, but she refused to let it control her. If she didn’t get out now, she wasn’t sure she ever would.

With one final wrench, the rope gave way, sending her tumbling forward onto the cold wooden floor. She gasped, sucking in lungfuls of air as she cradled her wrists to her chest. The freedom sent a rush of adrenaline through her, but there was no time to bask in it. She had to move.

Cassie’s legs trembled as she pushed herself up, glancing around the dimly lit office. It was large, lined with dark wood shelves filled with leather-bound books. A glass decanter of amber liquid sat atop a mahogany desk, the scent of cigar smoke lingering in the air. Everything in the room screamed power, control, and something far more sinister.

The reality of her situation slammed into her like a freight train. She had been kidnapped. Again. But this time, there was no telling what awaited her.

A muffled voice carried through the walls, sharp and laced with irritation. Cassie’s breath hitched as she recognized it. Nicco. And Aleks.

She darted toward the door, pressing her ear against it. Their voices were muffled, but she could make out the tension in their words.

“You think I don’t know who you are, Valentino?” Nicco’s voice was low, dangerous.

A chuckle. Smooth. Unbothered.

“You wound me, Niccolò,” Valentino replied, his voice thick with amusement. “What exactly are you accusing me of?”

“Cut the bullshit,” Aleks snapped. “Cassie was taken. We tracked her here.”

A pause.

“Cassie, Cassie…” Valentino drawled, as if testing her name on his tongue. “Afraid I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

Rage boiled in Cassie’s chest. She clenched her fists, ignoring the sting of her torn skin. He was lying to their faces. She had to get to them.

She turned the knob slowly, wincing as it creaked. Just as she took a step forward, something cold and sharp pressed against the small of her back.

Her body went rigid.

“Where do you think you’re going?” a voice murmured, sickly sweet in her ear.

Cassie’s breath stuttered, her pulse hammering. A lackey. She hadn’t even heard him approach. She swallowed hard, the weight of the blade against her spine grounding her in sheer terror.

“Don’t make a sound,” he warned, pressing the knife deeper. “We wouldn’t want this pretty little reunion to turn into a tragedy, would we?”

Cassie bit her lip to keep from gasping as the steel bit into her skin. Her mind raced, searching for a way out. She had come so close.

“Move.”

Her legs obeyed before her mind could process, each step feeling heavier than the last. The hallway stretched before her, dimly lit, lined with doors she had no hope of escaping through. Her heart pounded in her ears, a steady drum of dread.

She knew what awaited her. Valentino. And if the rumors were true, he was even worse than Lorenzo.

Her throat tightened at the memory of what he had done earlier—the way he had licked the blood from his knife with dark amusement, how his hazel eyes had burned with something sick and untamed. She had no doubt he enjoyed playing with his food before he finished it off.

The voices grew louder as they neared the room. Nicco and Aleks were still pressing Valentino for answers, their frustration evident. Her body tensed as the lackey tightened his grip on her arm, forcing her forward.

The doors burst open.

“Ah,” Valentino’s voice oozed satisfaction. “Look who decided to join us.”

Cassie stumbled forward as the lackey shoved her into the room. Her gaze darted to Nicco and Aleks, their eyes widening with fury the moment they saw her.

Nicco took a menacing step forward, his entire body rigid. “You son of a—”

Valentino tsked, raising a hand. “Now, now, let’s not be hasty.”

Aleks’ jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “Let her go.”

“Let her go?” Valentino echoed, feigning surprise. “But she’s just arrived.” He turned to Cassie, a smirk playing at his lips. “You really should be more careful, little mouse. You have a bad habit of running straight into the wolf’s den.”

Cassie swallowed back the lump in her throat. “Let me guess. You’re the wolf?”

Valentino chuckled, his hazel eyes gleaming. “Oh, sweetheart. I’m far worse.”

The room crackled with tension, thick and suffocating. Nicco’s hands twitched at his sides, barely restrained violence coiled beneath his skin. Aleks was calculating, his cold gaze never leaving Valentino’s form.

“You have no idea who you’re fucking with,” Nicco growled.

Valentino tilted his head, feigning thoughtfulness. “Oh, but I do. Cassie Moore. The woman who single-handedly turned the Roussi family upside down.” He stepped closer, dragging the blade of his knife along his palm absentmindedly. “It’s quite the story. My dear cousin Lorenzo, taken out by none other than you.”

Cassie stiffened.

“But what I find most fascinating,” Valentino continued, his voice dipping lower, “is that you’re still breathing.”

“Valentino.” Aleks’ voice was a warning.

Valentino smirked. “Relax, gentlemen. I’m merely entertaining our guest.” He turned his gaze back to Cassie, his expression unreadable. “You’re quite the enigma, Miss Moore. Pretty, cunning, and reckless.”

He lifted his knife again, twirling it between his fingers. “But tell me, dear. Was killing Lorenzo worth it?”

Cassie’s breath caught. The weight of the question pressed against her chest. Was it? Did it matter? The second she stabbed  him she knew there was no turning back.

Valentino watched her intently, as if he could pluck the answer straight from her soul.

“She’s leaving with us,” Nicco snarled, his patience snapping.

Valentino sighed dramatically. “If you insist.” He flicked his wrist, and the lackey behind Cassie stepped away.

She exhaled sharply, resisting the urge to collapse.

“But,” Valentino’s eyes gleamed, “this is far from over.”

Cassie felt a chill crawl up her spine.

***

Sorry it was late 😅