Episode 004
1319 Words
"Under His Skin"
Sienna’s POV
Dominick went to get the flash disk, hesitated. "Don't," I said, anxiety wriggling in my gut.
Ignoring me, he hooked the drive to the adjacent laptop. On the screen one video file showed.
Dominick clicked play, and as the video started my breath stopped.
It went beyond simply yesterday night.
Images of Dominick in a dark alley flickering on the screen showed a younger version of him standing over a bloody figure. His hands were scarlet, his face austere.
"What is this?," I said softly, my voice breaking.
Dominick had pale complexion and tightly closed lips. "A lie," he advised, but his voice faltered.
I wasn't quite sure.
The screen went dark and was replaced by one line of text: "This is only the beginning." Select wisely, Sienna.
Tell me the straight story, Dominick. If you refuse, I will walk out that door and never turn around.
My voice shaking yet strong, I stood in the middle of the library. The place smelled of whiskey and aged leather, an unexpected comfort in the anarchy that had turned into my existence. Dominick sat across from me, slanted over the edge of his desk, his gray eyes jabbing into mine like a tempest just ready to blow.
His voice a deep growl, he replied, "You don't want the truth." "Not all of it".
Crossing my arms, I resisted allowing him to scare me. Stop choosing what I can and cannot manage. Stop running behind half-truths and cryptic warnings if you want me to trust you.
His jaw contracted, a muscle ticking under the stubble on his face. He said, pushing aside the desk, "Fine." He came to me and stopped only inches apart. His presence was overpowering; his smell was a lethal combination of cedar and smoke. Once I tell you, though, there is no turning back.
"I don't care," I answered, even though my voice betrayed a trace of doubt. "I am deserving of knowledge."
Dominick looked briefly then hardened once more. "This is not only about you, Sienna. These days Nothing ever was. I am the reason they are after you. Because I created rivals years ago—strong ones who never forget.
I fixed him, my heart constricting. "What was your response?"
He stopped, the turmoil clear in his eyes. I grabbed something not rightfully mine. And today they want it back.
"What did you capture?"
"Everything," he murmured, his voice just above a whisper. "Their money, their power, their empire. To get it, they would also burn everything to the ground.
My head whirled, the weight of his confession like a vice down on me. What then does that make me? Damage in collateral sense? In your game, is a pawn present?
Though his eyes glowed with rage, it was not aimed at me. "Sienna, you are not a pawn. The only thing I give any thought is you. Real in all this craziness is just one thing.
My breath seized at the unvarnished ferocity in his voice. Then why did you not inform me sooner?
His fingers stroking my cheek, he murmured, "Because the moment you knew, they'd come after you harder." And I could not risk losing you.
His touch had an electric quality that shivered my spine. The world outside the library vanished momentarily, leaving just us and the storm building inside us.
"Dominick," I said, my resolve waversing. "I am terrified."
"I know," he whispered, his forehead resting on mine. But I forbid them from touching you. Not right now while I'm breathing.
The moment was broken by a sharp crash from downstairs, which set my heart racing. Dominick stiffened, his body alert and ready.
He replied sternly, already headed toward the door: "Stay here."
I responded, clutching his arm, "No." "I'm not hanging behind this time."
"Sienna," he murmured, his voice low and lethal. This is not up for discussion.
"You can't keep shutting me out!" I blurted, my irritation spilling out. "I deserve to face whatever danger I am already in with my eyes open."
He looked at me, his face inscrutable, then sighed angrily. "Excellent. But stay behind me.
We walked across the black hallways, our footfall shockingly loud against the hardwood flooring. The house seemed to be holding its breath, excessively quiet.
The front entryway had produced the crash. The scene that met us when we arrived made me lose my stomach.
Glass fragments fell across the marble floor, the great chandelier hung dangerously by one chain. A black mask covered a man in the middle of the room.
The man said, "Dominick Carlisle," his voice silky and contemptuous. You always did like to arrive. Pity you find it more difficult to guarantee a departure.
Dominick raised his revolver with firm aim. "Who dispatched you?"
Laughing, the man said "You already know the answer to that.”
Then tell them this, Dominick answered with a cold tone. "They will get into a war if they so want."
Dominick fired before the man had a reply. The round sent the invader staggering back after grazing his shoulder. But he stayed upright. Rather, he tossed something—a tiny gadget that began to beep menacingly—on the ground.
"Run!?" Dominick yelled, clutching my hand and dragging me toward the rear of the house.
"What is that?," asks Heart thumping, I yelled as the beeping got louder.
"C4," Dominick remarked with a grimace. "They have been warning others."
The only sounds I could hear as we rushed through the maze-like hallways were our breathing and a faint beep. Though terror propelled me ahead, my legs scorched.
The explosion rocked the house as we arrived at the rear exit, sending us crashing onto the grass. My body quivering, my ears ringing, I begged for breath.
Dominick dragged me to my feet, his eyes darting over me for damage. "Are you good??"
With a trembling voice, "I think so," I answered. "But what about—?"
Another explosion tore across the front of the home, flames lashing at the windows before I could continue.
Dominick's look clouded. "They are not now simply after me. They are speaking truth to power.
An automobile shrieked to a stop on the driveway as we stood in the flickering light of the burning mansion.
One woman left, her sharp features lit by the firelight. Her ruby lips opened to a hungry smile.
"Hello, Dominick," she murmured, her voice full of contempt. "Did you neglect me?"
Dominick stopped, his face going white.
"Who is her?" I asked, horror coiling in my stomach.
He ignored her, staring directly at the woman.
"Sienna," the woman said, looking at me. Meeting you at last is quite pleasant. You have been mentioned so much.
Dominick came up to me, his voice low and angry. "Stay away from her, Celeste," says
Celeste's smile got bigger. "Oh, dear. For that, far too late is the case.
The flames screamed behind her while her words chilled me more than the night air.
Dominick moved to cover me, his posture defensive and uncompromising. Celeste, this is not your battle. Retrace your steps when still able.
Celeste chuckled, a sound as cutting as the firelight flashing in her eyes. After what you have done, you truly think you could threaten me? After all the years I have spent tidying your mess?
"What is she talking about, Dominick?" My voice quivering with both dread and inquiry, I asked.
Dominick snapped, his jaw clenched, "She's nothing." "someone not sure when to let go."
"Nothing?," Celeste repeated, her smile becoming lethal. "Is the woman who saved your life what you would term as? The woman you hid behind your lies established your empire?
My heart thumping, I glanced at Dominick. " What is she talking about?"
"It's
complicated," he murmured, not looking away from her.
Not complicated, Celeste said, approaching closely. Simply inconvenient for you.
- Writer
