Chapter 004: Four
1088 Words
Eva.
The crystal chandeliers dripped from the ceiling like frozen tears.
“I’d rather die,” I spat before I could stop myself.
He let out a low, dark chuckle. His hands were buttoning his cuffs with casual grace. “That’s where you're getting it wrong, little fruit.” He countered. His words tasted like venom.
“I am the one to decide your life and when you die.” He growled. “The moment you got into that car,” He stared at me, “You chose chaos. You chose violence. You chose to belong to me.”
“You drugged me into this,” I said in a snotty tone. “You gave no room to choose. Come on, I didn't even know you.” I shouted, my patience wearing thin.
His eyes widened.
“You didn’t bother asking,” I continued, each word trembling. “No, I don’t want you. No, I don’t want this life. “My voice was low, seething with anger. I swiped my eyes ferociously to prevent my tears from being noticed. My nose was flaring, but my hands were trembling.
I needed to drop the mask of a naïve girl. I needed to annoy him enough that he would let me go.
I could feel his dark presence in front of me. A silent brooding storm.
The room was silent enough to choke on.
“Maybe we should visit Mason?” He purred, “Check on how he's faring on?” His eyes searched mine. Deep and apologetic.
I opened my mouth, but no words came. I choked on every word I had.
Mason.
“Thought so too,” He barked. His pale blue eyes glisten in the dark room.
The adrenaline faded, leaving behind cold dread and the bitter taste of defeat. I had to stay. His blue eyes narrowed into slits. His steps clicked the dark marble floors like a punishment.
My heart slammed violently against my ribs, threatening to shatter me from the inside out.
His eyes, dark from desire and bloodlust, stared through me.
The few untamed strands of his hair framed his face. A cruel contrast to his stoic expression, which only made him more terrifying.
He walked closer.
I moved back.
Each step is slower than the last. Heavy with dread.
He noticed. He smirked. That slow, devilish smirk that makes your jaw clench not from anger but fear.
He noticed how my legs trembled, how my breath hitched, and he seemed to enjoy it. Like a predator savoring the moment before the kill. When the prey is frightened, defeated, and already halfway to surrender.
My back slammed on the cold wall.
A shiver ran down my spine.
I was trapped.
“Enough with the games,” He held my chin. His skin was warm against my freezing body. “Let that be the last time you ever talk to me like that, otherwise…” He leaned closer, letting his scent of stale cigar smoke and aged whiskey hit me.
He didn’t complete his words. But somehow, something deep inside me knew the answer to that.
Perhaps it was his murderous voice or maybe the faint metallic tang of gunpowder that filled the room.
Nero sighed. My stomach dropped. “Get some rest. You have a busy day ahead of you.”
He turned to leave.
I had questions, but not the guts to ask.
He started walking towards the door. His silhouettes made the door frame invisible. He stopped at the doorway, leaning slightly against the frame, “Don’t try anything silly.” His voice was a low rumble that vibrated through the corridors.
The door locked with a click. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
I let out an exaggerated huff as I walked towards the bathroom. It was huge enough to be my bedroom. It had dark tiles with a red carpet. A dark ceramic bathtub that seemed to clean more blood than fatigue.
I let my sundress drop to the floor as I slid into the bathtub. The water was cold, but my heart was too numb to feel it. I closed my eyes, allowing my lashes to rest on my skin as I embraced the illusion of peace.
It wasn’t long before I was out of the tub to the bedroom. I sat at the edge of the bed to dry my hair. My thoughts were still messed up. I slid into the carefully placed blankets, and for the first time in years, I didn’t bother to pray. I felt exhausted. Betrayed. Confused.
***
My eyes squinted as soft rays peeked through the dark windows. I stretched. Consciousness slowly dragging me out of my restless sleep. Haunted by Nero.
“Finally, you're up." Nero hissed, his voice cutting through the lit room. My heart skipped a beat. I shifted nervously, the silk sheets rustling against my skin. My eyes were fixed on the man looming over me like a dark tower.
He stood firm, his presence filling the room. His posture relaxed. His top buttons were undone, revealing the hollow of his throat. His shirt was a deep shade of black that clung to his muscles like a second skin.
The room had a faint scent of aged whiskey, a reminder of the man who owned it and now owned me.
I clung to the sheets like my life depended on it. My sundress was soaked from the previous night. I lay in bed, adorned in the bathrobe with nothing underneath. His brows narrowed. He placed his shirt and a pair of boxer shorts on the bed.
My cheeks flushed.
“I’ll send someone to take your measurements for the wedding dress and get you some new clothes.” He muttered with insolent ease.
My brows furrowed.
“I'm sorry, what?!”
“Let's not go through all this again.” He groaned.
I rolled my eyes.
“Go through what? We never went through anything. You made the choice for me.” I spat before I could stop myself.
His jaw twitched. His breath flared, and he hit the wall behind him. Fast and brutal. His eyes cold and frozen, locked into mine.
He bent over. Slow. Threatening.
“Had I not warned you?” He frowned. “That tone. Those eyes.” His arms wrapped around my neck. His nails were digging into my neck. His other hand held the bed frame, caging me in place.
I gulped.
Was this my end?
- Writer
