BETWEEN LOVE AND RUIN

018

(Maria's POV)

The walk to Gerald Von Grimm’s study felt like a march to the gallows. My heart pounded in my chest, each step echoing ominously through the cold, sterile halls of the mansion. Alexander walked silently beside me, his jaw clenched, his hands balled into fists at his sides. He hadn’t said a word since we left the training room, and I didn’t dare break the silence. The tension between us was palpable, a heavy weight pressing down on my shoulders.

When we reached the study, Alexander knocked once before pushing the door open. Gerald Von Grimm sat behind his massive desk, his sharp blue eyes fixed on me as soon as I entered. The room was as imposing as ever, the walls lined with shelves of ancient tomes and the faint scent of cigar smoke lingering in the air. I hated how small I felt in his presence, how his gaze seemed to strip away every layer of defense I had.

“Maria,” he said, his voice low and commanding. “Sit.”

I didn’t argue. I took the seat across from him, my hands resting on my knees. Alexander lingered by the door, his expression unreadable, but I could feel the tension radiating off him.

Gerald leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. “I trust your training is progressing well?”

I nodded, my voice steady despite the unease coiling in my stomach. “Yes, sir.”

“Good,” he said, his tone clipped. “Because I have a mission for you.”

My breath caught, and I stared at him, my mind racing. A mission? What kind of mission could he possibly have for me? I wasn’t ready for this. I wasn’t ready for any of this.

“What kind of mission?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Gerald’s lips curved into a faint smirk, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “There’s a party tomorrow night. A high-profile event hosted by one of our… associates. I need you to infiltrate it.”

I frowned, my brow furrowing. “Infiltrate it? Why?”

His expression darkened, and he leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk. “There’s a rumor that a slave trade will be taking place. I need you to gather information, to confirm whether or not it’s true.”

My stomach churned, and I shook my head, disbelief and anger warring inside me. “A slave trade? That’s… that’s impossible. That doesn’t happen anymore.”

Gerald’s smirk widened, and he leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving mine. “Oh, Maria. You have so much to learn. Slave trade is still very much alive, though it’s usually done in secret. And it’s not always for labor. Sometimes, it’s for… other purposes.”

I felt sick, my chest tightening with a mix of horror and disgust. “You mean… for s****l pleasure?”

He nodded, his expression unreadable. “Exactly.”

I shook my head, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. “No. I won’t do it. I can’t.”

Gerald’s expression darkened, and he leaned forward, his voice low and dangerous. “You don’t have a choice, Maria. This is part of your training, part of your role in this family. You will do as you’re told.”

I glared at him, my chest heaving with anger. “I’m not a pawn in your games. I won’t be a part of this.”

He smirked, but there was no warmth in his eyes. “You already are, Maria. Whether you like it or not, you’re part of this family now. And if you want to survive, you’ll do as you’re told.”

I didn’t respond, my mind racing. I wanted to scream, to lash out at him, to make him understand that I wasn’t like them. But deep down, I knew it wouldn’t change anything. Gerald Von Grimm was a master manipulator, and I was just another piece on his chessboard.

“Fine,” I said finally, my voice trembling with anger. “I’ll do it.”

Gerald’s smirk widened, and he leaned back in his chair, his expression almost… satisfied. “Good. I knew you’d see reason.”

I didn’t respond, my chest burning with a mix of emotions I couldn’t quite name. I hated him, hated everything he stood for. But I knew that I didn’t have a choice. Not if I wanted to survive.