THE DEVIL’S QUESTIONS
845 Words
The lock turned.
Sofia sat up instantly.
Her heart slammed as the door to her room opened—not gently, not politely.
Alessio DeLuca stepped inside.
He didn’t ask permission.
He never would.
The door closed behind him with a soft click that echoed far too loudly.
Sofia swung her legs off the bed and stood. “If you’ve come to threaten me again—”
“I’ve come for answers.”
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
That frightened her more than anger ever could.
He crossed the room slowly, stopping a few feet away. The light from the bedside lamp carved sharp shadows across his face, making him look carved from stone.
“Sit,” he ordered.
“No.”
A beat passed.
Something dark flickered in his eyes.
“You are testing my patience, Sofia.”
“Good,” she shot back. “I hope it breaks.”
Silence stretched between them, heavy and charged.
Then, unexpectedly, Alessio smiled.
Not amused.
Not warm.
Dangerous.
“You are brave,” he said. “Or very foolish.”
“Which one gets me out of this marriage?”
“Neither.”
He reached into his jacket and pulled out his phone. With a flick of his thumb, he turned the screen toward her.
A photo.
Sofia’s breath caught.
It was her uncle.
Bound.
Bruised.
Alive—but barely.
“What did you do?” she whispered.
“I didn’t do anything,” Alessio said evenly. “Yet.”
Her chest tightened painfully. “You said my father was safe.”
“And he is,” Alessio replied. “Your uncle, however, made a very poor decision.”
“What decision?” she demanded.
“He disappeared,” Alessio said. “People who disappear without my permission are usually hiding something.”
Sofia clenched her fists. “My family has nothing to do with your world.”
Alessio stepped closer.
“You are my world now,” he said quietly. “Which means their mistakes are yours.”
“That’s not fair!”
“I don’t run a fair empire.”
She swallowed hard, forcing herself not to cry.
“What do you want from me?”
Alessio studied her face, her trembling hands, the stubborn lift of her chin.
“The truth,” he said. “About your family. About what they’re hiding. About why your uncle vanished the same night I married you.”
“I don’t know anything,” she said honestly. “If you think I’m lying—”
He reached out suddenly, gripping her chin between his fingers.
Not rough.
Not gentle.
Controlled.
“Look at me,” he commanded.
She hated that her body obeyed before her mind did.
His eyes searched hers, sharp and unyielding, as if he could peel truth from bone.
Her pulse raced.
She didn’t look away.
Finally, he released her.
“You’re telling the truth,” he murmured.
Relief crashed through her—but it was short-lived.
“That doesn’t mean you’re innocent,” he added.
She glared at him. “You’re impossible.”
“I’m alive,” he corrected. “Because I am.”
He turned away, pacing once, then stopped.
“This marriage was never about love,” he said. “It was about leverage.”
She folded her arms tightly around herself. “Then why are you here?”
Alessio looked at her over his shoulder.
“Because something is wrong,” he said. “And until I find out what, you stay exactly where I can see you.”
The words sent a strange shiver through her.
“You don’t trust me,” she said.
“No.”
“But you trust no one,” she added quietly.
He didn’t respond.
That told her everything.
“I won’t betray you,” she said slowly. “Not because I care about your empire—but because I won’t let my family suffer for something they didn’t do.”
Alessio watched her for a long moment.
Then he said something unexpected.
“Get dressed.”
Her brows furrowed. “Why?”
“Because,” he said, eyes darkening, “you’re coming with me.”
“Where?”
“To remind my enemies,” he said calmly, “that touching what belongs to me comes with consequences.”
Her heart skipped.
“I’m not your property.”
His gaze locked onto hers.
“You wear my ring,” he said. “Tonight, that makes you my message.”
Fear curled in her stomach.
But beneath it…
Something else stirred.
Dangerous.
Unwelcome.
Exciting.
As Alessio opened the door, he paused.
“Sofia,” he said.
She looked up.
“If you try to run,” he continued quietly, “I will catch you.”
His eyes swept over her—slow, deliberate.
“And next time,” he added, “I won’t be so patient.”
The door closed behind him.
Sofia stood frozen, heart pounding.
She had just stepped deeper into the devil’s world.
And somehow…
She suspected there was no turning back.
- Writer
