In The Devil’s Keeping

Escape Plan Alpha

ESTELLE

I woke up with a throbbing ache between my thighs. A slow electric warmth shivered down my spine, reminding me of the night before.

My body felt marked— claimed in a way that sleep couldn't erase. I looked at the empty space beside me.

Antonio had gotten up earlier, yet i could still feel the way he looked at me.

The way his arms grabbed me firmly...

How good he felt.

And how his mouth claimed me over and over again without end.

The memories crept back slowly, uninvited.

"Lift your hips, Fiore", he murmured his hot breath fanning against my ear as the tip of his c**k brushed against the curve of my ass.

I nodded breathlessly, doing as I was told. He slammed into me without warning.

The connection of our bodies brought me pain and also immense pleasure. His thrusts became wilder, each one harder than the last, deeper too.

I never wanted it to end.

I inhaled sharply, my body still tense as the memory loosened its grip. My pulse quickened at the recollection, making me press my palm to my chest to steady my raging heart.

To be honest, I hated that it happened. I hated that I had allowed myself to lean into my fantasies.

But I couldn’t deny the truth– I would have broken sooner or later. My body felt this insatiable hunger and fear whenever he was around me.

And instead of being scared... it was something that made me feel powerful. It was satisfying to know I could make a mad man even more insane.

But...

There was something else that made me feel powerful... The art of manipulation.

Staying with Antonio all these months had made me somewhat cynical. It taught me how to read emotions, how to act, and most importantly…

How to deceive Antonio without getting caught.

I promised myself that I wouldn't forget who I was just because he made me feel wanted.

I took a hair tie from my nightstand, and packed my messy hair up.

Without missing a beat, I got up and walked towards my bedroom door, my hands working on the locks until they made satisfying clicks.

I locked myself in the room, my hands shook a bit but I balled them into fists hardening my resolve.

I went under my bed and searched for the odd floorboard with my hand, knocking on them slightly until one released a hollow sound.

I pried it open with a butter knife hidden under the bed frame which I had taken from my breakfast tray the morning of when the Don had arrived unannounced.

Everyone was too busy to notice and it was a good thing.

The floorboard popped open and I took out the folded sheet of paper I had placed there before, my gut was in knots.

I took a cautious look around the room, my eyes landed on the bolted door.

If anyone caught me, I'd be back to square one.

I shook the thoughts away and refocused on the heavy sheet of paper in my hands.

I unfolded it hurriedly, my eyes scanned the paper and my lips twisted into a smile.

It was my plan to escape this wretched place. I had marked out likely escape routes, times when I would be able to sneak out of my room but it wasn't complete yet.

It was still a bit far from being the perfect plan.

"I know what you're doing miss", a familiar voice said behind me.

My heart sank.

I spun around abruptly.

And standing there was none other than...

Bianca.

My eyes flit from her to the now open door.

"I–"

"Shhh", she hushed me, quickly closing the door and locking her and I in the same space.

I flexed my fingers nervously, I desperately wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole now.

I cleared my throat, "Will you tell him?", I asked.

I didn't want to pretend, if I was caught I might as well face whatever is coming and restrategise.

A smirk played around Bianca's lips and she sat down on my bed. She didn't look like the regular timid maid she was whenever she came to serve me.

It felt off.

"No, I won't, miss", she replied.

I c****d my eyebrow, there had to be a catch somewhere.

"I won't tell anyone in fact because I want in too. I want to leave here", she added.

I pulled the chair opposite my bed close and sat down. It seemed like I was going to need it.

"Go on", I said eagerly.

"I've been a damn slave here since I was 14. I've forgotten what the world is like. I want to fall in love, see the world and live a normal life", she blurted out in an exasperated whisper.

I nodded solemnly, taking everything in.

I didn't know if she was being honest but then again, she'd gain nothing from baiting me.

In fact it'd have been easier for her to have run out of the room and report to Antonio, but she didn't.

Nevertheless, I was still suspicious.

"How do I know if I can trust you?", I asked as I fixed my gaze on her face.

She stayed silent for a while.

"You can't", she said finally, shrugging her shoulders.

"Alright. Deal", I said extending my hand.

"Deal", she said shaking mine.

"So...", I trailed off.

"Yeah?", she asked eager.

"How the f**k did you open the door?!", I asked irritable.

She flashed me a card and a hook, then smiled at the confused look on my face.

"Who are you?", I asked.

"No time for backstories. Time for planning", she said casually, looking at my paper.

She nodded approvingly and I felt a swell of pride rise in my chest.

"Now. Re-evaluate your list... Big thumb Ed is too loyal, Marcus is a no... but...", she trailed off her finger gliding down the paper.

"Big Sammy is the one we should be considering", she stated, her eyes locked on mine.

"W..why?", I stuttered.

"Usually Big Sammy is so horny that he could give up all his daily work meals for a week as long as you can arc the right way and put your throat to use"

I gagged.

"What does that have to do with anything?", I asked.

Her hand reached out to my face, tucking a loose strand of her behind my ear.

"The way people can break with pain, they can also break with pleasure", she answered.

I nodded in understanding.

"But—"

"Miss? Open the door right now or I'll go get sir"

It was Ella.

I shot Bianca a scared look as my mouth went dry, her hand went over her mouth.

Now I was really sure we were screwed.