Craving My Father's Right Hand Man

004

Valencia’s POV

Isagi left his words hanging and in anger stormed off while I looked on like someone he had just seen a ghost.

What the hell is going on?

I needed answers but there was no one to give even a hint.

Suddenly, the idea hit and immediately, I reached out for my phone to call Derrick. I had promised to call him after meeting with my father.

Now fiddling with my phone, instead of calling Derrick, I dialed 119, the emergency contact.

It was at this moment that Isagi returned. The way he stared at me for a while made it clear that he knew something was up.

“I'm even surprised you didn't call them after a little browsing about me." He said, walking up to the window with no care in the world.

Terrified, I quickly set my phone aside, pulled my legs tightly against each other with my heart in my mouth.

Indeed, he was a monster and I had to be careful around him.

Fifteen minutes later, I found myself in the backseat of a black SUV. The convoy was heading to a part of the City I never knew existed up till now.

Isagi sat beside me, he was silent and brooding. I wonder what was running through his dark mind.

His presence made it hard for me to breathe as I clutched my purse tightly to my chest.

Earlier, I had spoken to Derrick like nothing out of the ordinary was going on. I wanted to tell him about my current state but I didn't want Isagi to hurt him.

Unable to keep still anymore, I leaned forward and with a voice barely above a whisper, I asked, "Why me?"

"Because you're his daughter." He replied immediately like he had been waiting for this question all his life.

With a softer tone, he said, "And because protecting you was his final request."

I stared at him, my mouth dry.

"My father trusted you?" I choked out. "The head of a criminal empire?"

Isagi’s mouth twisted, something bitter flickering across his face.

"He didn’t trust me," he said finally. "He owned me."

The words hit me like a slap.

Owned?

I didn’t understand and at this point I didn’t want to understand.

Father owning the head of the Bellucci Brotherhood?

No way, there must be a mix up somewhere but the look on Isagi's face said otherwise.

Maybe he was right after all.

Father had adored this mysterious Isagi Alastor that most times I was tempted to know more about him from father.

If I had known, I wouldn't have held back. I should have asked all the questions I had but it was too late now.

We drove in silence for what felt like forever.

Finally, the SUV pulled into the underground garage of a towering glass building which was sleek and modern.

Isagi climbed out first, Azrael, his assistant followed leaving me and the driver in the car. I was still contemplating my next move when Az yanked the door open.

"Come out." Azrael said with his signature soft but not unkind tone and without hesitation, I did as I was instructed.

Right now, Isagi might think he was subduing me but that was far from the truth. I was only acting the way I did to study him and once I could escape right under his nose, I would leave.

Az led me to the elevator and immediately it clicked open, we walked in silence through the hallway that had a lot of doors at each turn.

After what seemed like forever, Az halted without warning but I was careful enough not to bump into him.

“This will be your room until we leave." He said, nodding at the large room that could house fifteen adults with enough room left.

He had barely taken his leave when Isagi's men mounted the doorway like statues. Underneath the window, there were dozens of them waiting for me to attempt escaping.

“Ugh! It's going to be hard to escape.” I muttered, allowing my eyes to scan the large expanse of land that went on for miles.

Nevertheless, I wasn't discouraged.

Hours dragged by and I lost count of time. I didn’t know if it was morning or night anymore.

When the door finally swung open again, I jerked my head up, watching as Isagi walked in. He was taking off his cufflinks as he walked further into the room like a predator going after a prey.

“You murdered him,” I spat out against my will, my voice shaking more from fury than fear. “I will never believe anything else.”

He didn’t answer, he didn't even act like I spoke to him. The silence from him was worse than if he had yelled at me.

Rage exploded inside of me. I refused to be ignored, I refused to be treated like some spoiled child throwing a tantrum.

Without thinking, I charged after him as he disappeared into an adjoining room I haven't seen until now.

“Answer me, you bastard!” I kicked the door open, freezing instantly.

Standing next to the bed was Isagi who was now stripped of all his clothes, save from his underwear.

My face burned as I turned around sharply, my hand fumbling for the doorframe.

“I– I didn’t come here for—" I tried to leave but he moved faster than I expected.

In two strides, he was in front of me, his hand slamming against the door right above my head.

Terrified, I sucked in my shaky breath as he leaned closer, the heat of his bare skin radiating between us.

"You live because I allow it, you breathe because I tolerate it and you obey because you have no choice.” He growled, grabbing my chin, forcing me to look at him but I refused.

My fists were clenched by my sides with my nails digging right through it that I nearly drew out blood.

Every fiber of me screamed to fight, to push him away and spit in his face but my body betrayed me.

"Do you understand, Valencia?" he asked, his breath stirring the loose strands of my hair.

I didn’t respond, I couldn't.

Chuckling, he stepped back, "Good girl," He muttered, disappearing into the bathroom.

The sound of running water brought me back to the present and without wasting further time, I dashed out, my heart thundering against my ear.

I hated him with every ragged breath I took and I hated myself even more for the way my heart had betrayed me in those awful, breathless seconds.

The rest of the day passed in a haze and soon it was time for my father's burial rites.

All through the ceremony, my mind was elsewhere. I still couldn't own up to the fact that I was now an orphan.

And as if that was not enough, I was a prisoner to my father's murderer.

When the priest finished the final prayers, I placed a single white rose on my father's coffin as tears rolled down my eyes in torrents.

Clenching my fists with hot gazes piercing through my back, I whispered under my breath, "I will find the truth, I swear."

While everyone was busy and no one had time for me, I stole away from the funeral parlor, walking hurriedly on my tiptoes.

This was my last chance to escape.

All I did was a quick call to Derrick to come pick me up but the moment I stepped into the road, headlights came out of nowhere, blinding my vision.

I barely had time to

gasp before a black car screeched across the road, sweeping towards me.

That was the last I could remember as darkness swallowed me.