Dirty little games

Chapter 7: A monster's captive

Rain poured harder, soaking through every layer of me until it felt like the sky was trying to drown me in its tears. My pulse thudded loudly in my ears when I saw him step out of the car. Tall and domineering.

Damien Salvatore.

Even his name scraped against my bones.

He moved toward me with that same calm control that made everything else fade. I stumbled back, shaking my head. “Don’t touch me!”

His hand caught my wrist before I could take another step. The heat of his palm burning against my skin, steady and unyielding, like the world itself had chosen sides and I was sure it wasn’t mine.

For a minute, I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. The rain slid down his face, dripping from his lashes, but his gaze didn't waver.

There was something terrifyingly patient in them. Something that made me forget the cold entirely.

I twisted in his hold, nails scraping uselessly against his arm, but he didn’t flinch. His grip only tightened, not cruelly, just enough to remind me that escape was a fantasy.

My heart pounded against my ribs, wild and reckless, while my mind screamed the same thing over and over.

Run. Before he decides you can’t.

“Let go of me,” I repeated, my voice breaking this time. “Don’t touch me!”

I shoved at his chest, but it was like pushing against a wall. His expression didn’t even flicker. Just that unreadable mask cold, carved from steel.

He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing on me as if I’d just said something amusing. “You think you can run away from me?”

“I don’t belong to you.” The words tore out, thin and shaky, and I hated how they trembled. “I’m not some toy you can just…”

His hand shot up, fingers brushing my jaw in a warning that made me freeze. “Careful.” His voice was lowly lethal. “You don’t want to test how far I’ll go.” A devilish smirk playing on his lips.

I glared up at him, refusing to look away even though my throat felt like it was closing up. “You… can’t scare me.”

He leaned in, close enough that I could feel his breath against my cheek. Warm, controlled yet dangerously. “Then maybe I should show you what I'm really capable of.”

“Not in this life and not in the next can you get away”. A cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Then he leaned in closer, his hot breath tickling my ear lobes that made my body shudder. “So dream on”.

The way those words came out of his lips and the determined look in his eyes like a final verdict passed, made my body shiver coldly than being soaked up in the rain.

Fear consumed me and the only thing on my mind was to escape as he dragged me towards the car. To break free from this predator who claims to own me.

But Damien wasn't buying it. He paused, and for a fleeting second, I could swear I saw a cold glint flash in his eyes.

“I can't believe you really want me to carry you that bad”. He murmured. His tone, laced with mockery. “Since you don't want to walk, I'll do you the honor”. And just like that, I was swept off my feet and thrown over his shoulder.

My screams broke out loud as I kept on struggling, but was swallowed hard by the heavy downpour and the heart wrenching sounds of thunder.

In my whole life, I've never had a day this worse.

My fists slammed against his back, useless against the wall of muscle beneath his shirt. He didn’t slow down, nor did he speak. Just strode toward the car like I weighed nothing on his shoulder.

*************

In the car, I sank back weakly against the leather chair breathing hard. I couldn't even utter a single word.

My mouth felt heavy and my head was spinning. I could barely keep my eyes open. So I shut them.

I wasn't sleeping, just wanted to pretend for a while that I was oblivious to the things happening in the outside world.

The air inside the car felt thick, almost suffocating. Like the air was replaced with something heavy.

The car held a still quietness, as it drifted through the familiar route of my earlier escape.

*********

Soon, we arrived at the estate. A magnificent tall building that gave off a commanding presence.

When I was brought in here before, I was unconscious. Also me escaping, it was through the back gate.

This was the only time I actually got to look at the front view of the place I was held captive and also a place that would be my glamorous prison in the future for God knows how long.

With a swift move, the car came to a stop in the parking space and Damien stepped out with that same oppressing aura that clung to him like a magnet.

He strode to the other side where I was sitting and opened the door.

“Come out”. He mumbled.

I weakly stepped out. The autunno (autumn) wind carrying the feeling of another downpour gusted slightly at me but strong enough to make my frail body sway lightly.

Being cold was an understatement. I felt frozen, almost like I was turning into a big block of ice.

The air smelled of fresh dust from the rain. An earthy smell that was incapable of calming the pain in my chest.

My gaze swept to Damien, who was walking a little bit ahead, as I walked in small steps, tailing behind him, lost in thoughts.

I kept on walking until my forehead bumped into something solid. I was unaware he had stopped.

I didn't even bother with him. Just kept on walking towards the entrance like I knew my way around.

“Not that way”. A deep chuckle came from behind that made me pause.

I stopped in my tracks. “Okay”.

Not a single other word. Just ‘okay’ and waiting for him to come closer.

My hands unconsciously wrapped around myself, a reaction to the cold.

He didn't say anything. He casually removed his long jacket, starting to wrap it around my body.

I tried resisting and he cut me with a “Don't move”.

Like an obedient puppy, I stood still.

When he finished, he swept me up, lifting me in a bridal style.

“I can walk. Drop me”. I murmured.

“I didn't ask if you can”. He retorted.

Okay fine. I'll let him do as he wish. After all, I was nothing more than a commodity to him.

***********

The house interior was a little bit like I had imagined and a little bit not.

The floor to ceiling windows, black leather couch and even the glass table, the shiny marble floor and spiral staircase. Were all black and silver aesthetic.

Everything I laid eyes on screamed expensive and luxury.

Not even a peck of dust could be found. I felt like I would accidentally damage or dirty something if touched with just the tip of my finger.

Life is indeed unfair. I used to think my dad had it all or at least, has almost everything. But this view left me totally agape.

It was…magnificent. Screaming of quiet wealth and dominant power.

This style and setting is one that truly describes him.

“You can drop me now. I'll walk on my own from here”. I said, slowly.

He continued striding upstairs, acting like he didn't hear what I said.

I felt disgusted by him. Trying to put on a nice act when your true form is actually a monster? Ha! Pathetic. Absolutely laughable.

“Mr Salvatore, I said you should put me down now”. I repeated. This time, a bit hard.

He paused and this time, he dropped me.

“Just… lead me to the room,” I managed, forcing the words past the lump in my throat.

I wanted to scream, to curse him, but I just stood there waiting for him to move.

He didn’t move, didn’t blink. Just looked at me with that same icy stillness that made the back of my neck prickle.

“I swear, if you ever dare escape from me again…”. Stepping closer.

My back pressed against the wall from his sudden closeness trapping me between him and the wall. “Every single bodyguard on duty will pay for it.” His eyes darkened. “And not just them. Your best friend too.”

My stomach dropped. “You wouldn’t.”

“Oh? You can give it a try”. His voice dripped with challenge. “Run once, and I will find you. Run twice, and I will enjoy the hunt.”