Sadistic

01

Vera POV

The deafening screams reverberated through the abandoned warehouse, bouncing off the rusted steel walls as another cry of agony shattered the silence.

A man hung from the ceiling by heavy chains, his once-white dress shirt now stained crimson.

Blood dripped steadily onto the cold concrete below, each drop echoing in the oppressive silence between his screams.

Armed men in black suits surrounded him, their faces emotionless as they waited for one person.

Me.

The sharp click of my heels echoed across the warehouse floor as I stepped inside. The air was thick with the scents of blood, gunpowder, and rust—so familiar that they no longer disturbed me.

Everyone's eyes tracked my every move.

With a single, commanding gesture...

The screams abruptly ceased.

Silence descended like a heavy shroud.

The chained man slowly lifted his battered face. One eye was swollen shut, and dried blood streaked his lips. His ragged breathing bore the marks of hours of interrogation.

A weak laugh escaped him.

"Du wirst nie gewinnen."

*You will never win.*

A subtle smile tugged at my lips.

"Das hast du schon verloren, als du beschlossen hast, gegen mich zu arbeiten."

*You lost the moment you decided to work against me.*

His eyes widened.

I moved closer until only inches separated us.

"I'll ask you once."

My voice was calm but commanding.

"Who sent you?"

He spat blood onto the floor, glaring defiantly.

"Geh zur Hölle."

*Go to hell.*

I stared at him for a long moment before extending my hand as one of the guards placed the heavy steel hammer into my palm.

The prisoner let out a raw chuckle.

"You don't have the nerve."

I met his gaze.

"Wer hat dich geschickt?"

*Who sent you?*

He only smirked.

Without another word...

I swung the hammer.

His scream echoed through the warehouse as he jerked against the chains.

My expression remained unreadable.

"Wer hat dich geschickt?"

*Who sent you?*

His breathing grew uneven.

"...Klaus..."

The name slipped from his lips, barely audible.

I let the hammer fall. It struck the concrete with a dull clang.

Don stepped forward silently and handed me a clean white cloth.

I wiped my hands before handing it back.

The prisoner looked at me with a faint, exhausted smile.

"I... I told you."

"You did."

Hope flickered across his face.

I drew my pistol.

A single shot echoed through the warehouse.

His body went limp against the chains.

Silence reclaimed the room.

I holstered my pistol before turning to the men.

"Burn the warehouse."

Every head lowered.

"It'll be done."

Without another glance, I headed for the exit.

"Donatello."

He stepped beside me.

"Find Klaus."

His jaw tightened.

"I'll handle it."

Stepping outside, I slipped my leather gloves back on as the cool night air brushed against my skin. Moments later, flames erupted behind me, illuminating the Los Angeles skyline.

I never looked back.

Hours passed as the black SUV rolled through the iron gates of the Belova Estate and came to a stop beneath the grand entrance.

The mansion stood proudly against the night sky, its marble walls glowing beneath rows of golden lights.

Before Don could open the door, I had already stepped out. The front doors swung open immediately.

"Good evening, Donna," the staff greeted in perfect unison.

I acknowledged them with a slight nod as I stepped inside.

Tiny footsteps echoed across the marble floor.

"Mommy!"

A little girl ran straight into my arms.

A genuine laugh escaped my lips as I lifted her into the air and twirled her around, her giggles filling the mansion.

"There she is," I whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"I missed you."

"I missed you too, princess."

Melina wrapped her tiny arms around my neck, refusing to let go.

Behind us, one of the maids cleared her throat nervously.

"My deepest apologies."

I turned toward her.

"I tried everything to put Miss Melina to bed, but..." She lowered her gaze. "She insisted on waiting for you."

Melina peeked over my shoulder with a sweet smile.

"I told Miss Sofia I'd wait for Mommy."

A smile tugged at my lips.

"It's alright."

Relief softened the maid's expression.

"I'll take her from here."

With Melina still in my arms, I made my way up the grand staircase and down the hallway.

Her small arms rested loosely around my neck, her head tucked against my shoulder. She barely weighed anything, yet somehow she carried away the weight of the entire day.

When we reached her room, I laid her gently on the bed and pulled the blankets over her.

As I turned to leave, tiny fingers wrapped around my hand.

"Sing me a lullaby," she whispered.

"Please."

Something inside me softened.

I sat beside her and brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. I'd spent my life learning how to intimidate, how to survive, how to become someone people feared.

No one had ever taught me how to be a mother.

Yet somehow...

I did.

"Eti shramy davno zhazhdali tvoyey nezhnoy laski,

Chtoby svyazat' nashi sud'by — k chertu to, chto predrekli zvezdy!

Raskroy moye serdtse, a zatem priznaysya v lyubvi —

V sud'be, spletennoy iz izvilistykh putey, kotoroy my oba otdayem dan'."

*These scars long have yearned for your tender caress,

To bind our fortunes, damn what the stars own.

Rend my heart open, then your love profess,

...A winding, weaving fate to which we both atone.*

My voice filled the room, soft enough that only the two of us could hear it.

The melody came easier than I expected.

Each word carried a memory I had long since buried.

Gradually, Melina's eyelids grew heavier.

Her tiny grip around my hand loosened as sleep finally claimed her.

I stayed where I was for another moment, watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest.

Peace looked good on her.

I intended to keep it that way.

Leaning down, I pressed a kiss to her forehead before quietly slipping my hand free.

"Goodnight, princess," I whispered.

I eased the bedroom door shut behind me.

The warmth of her room disappeared the moment I stepped into the hallway.

Silence settled over the estate once more.

At the end of the corridor, my office doors stood open.

I stepped inside, unfastened the holster beneath my blazer, and set my pistol on the polished mahogany desk.

Crossing to the liquor cabinet, I poured myself a glass of vodka.

The crystal caught the amber glow of the desk lamp as I walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Beyond the iron gates, Los Angeles glittered beneath the night sky.

From this distance, the city almost looked peaceful.

A knock interrupted the silence.

"Come in."

Donatello entered carrying a thick folder beneath one arm.

His expression remained composed.

"The reports from tonight."

He placed the folder on my desk.

I opened it without hesitation.

One shipment delayed at the port.

Two collections completed.

Three new names added to the watch list.

Another request for a meeting.

I signed the first page.

Then the second.

Then the third.

The office door clicked shut behind the guard who had escorted the files inside.

Only after the footsteps faded did Donatello finally relax.

"You should get some sleep, Vera."

I looked up.

There it was.

Not Donna.

Vera.

Only he still called me that.

Only when no one else was around.

I leaned back in my chair and set my pen aside.

"I still have work to do."

"So do I."

A faint smile tugged at my lips.

"You've been saying that for years."

"And you've been ignoring me for just as long."

A quiet laugh escaped him.

"I suppose I have."

He gathered the signed documents and turned toward the door.

His hand rested on the handle before he glanced back.

"Goodnight, Vera."

"Goodnight, Don."

He gave a small nod before disappearing into the hallway.

The office fell silent once again.

I reached for another file.

Outside, the city slowly drifted to sleep.

Inside the Belova Estate...

The work never stopped.

Tomorrow would bring another enemy.

Another decision.

Another war waiting to begin.

When the sun rose...

I'll be ready.