13

[ARTEMY]
“Boss, we found her in the basement,” Leon panted over the phone. Hearing the news, a faint smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth.
Now let’s see if you can evade the truth, kitten.
“I’m on my way,” I snapped before hanging up. Slipping on my suit jacket and adjusting my tie, I reached into my drawer and retrieved my black leather gloves. I always wore them whenever we had to deal with a problem in the basement, just in case things got messy.
With a resounding thud, I slammed the drawer shut and swiftly exited my office. Each step I took reignited the anger within me. It consumed me, and all I could see was a crimson haze surrounding my betrayer.
The blood in my veins roared, pulsating through my temples. Gripping tightly onto the burning fury inside, I harnessed its power. My body tensed, muscles locking in place as I stormed down the dimly lit corridor. The frigid air crackled with my seething rage, and the only sound reverberating off the walls was the echo of my footsteps. The chilling atmosphere seemed to beckon me, tempting me with the scent of impending death.
The desire to squeeze the life out of someone coursed through my veins. I longed to witness the light fading from my traitor’s eyes, reducing them to nothing more than a lifeless body.
The monster within me raged, yearning to be set free. It had been contained for far too long, and the time for its release had come. And so, I unleashed it.
As I approached the door, Leon and Milandro came into view. With an intense surge of force, I flung the black wooden door open, causing it to collide harshly against the wall.
Inside, Rebecca was bound to a wooden chair. She huddled into herself, sobbing and pleading for her release. Her eyes widened in terror as she caught sight of me, shrinking back in fear.
My inner monster laughed, reveling in her fear. It craved more.
Maintaining my unwavering gaze on the frightened kitten, I strode directly toward her, stopping mere inches from her chair. Lowering myself until our eyes were level, she whimpered. Just as I desired.
She flinched and recoiled, attempting to escape the piercing, angry stare I bore into her.
For a few moments, she stared at me, her mouth agape, silent tears streaming down her rounded, rosy cheeks. Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen from crying. The sight of her vulnerable face caused a slight pang in my heart, weakening my resolve, if only for a moment.
The monster within me roared, furious at my display of weakness. It clawed and tore at my insides, engulfing me in blinding rage once more.
There was no room for weakness in my life. My heart remained cold and lifeless, devoid of any right to feel. I wanted to experience nothing but anger.
I clutched her chin tightly, my fingers digging into her cheeks with a fierce grip. The pain elicited a moan from her, and she desperately fought against my hold.
“Please,” she managed to mumble, her face growing redder by the second.
“Why the hell are you working for the Italians?” I growled, my voice filled with anger.
For a brief moment, she stopped struggling, her surprise evident on her face. It wasn’t the reaction I had anticipated. After a few seconds of tense silence, she shook her head and began to cry once more, repeatedly whispering the word “no.”
“No, please. I’m not spying. Please, no. No,” she pleaded, her words rushed and desperate. Her head shook from side to side, causing her sweaty hair to obscure her tear-streaked face.
I had expected that response. Who would willingly admit to betrayal? They would lie until their very last breath, clinging to falsehoods. Only when their life flashed before their eyes, moments away from their final breath, would they consider revealing the truth.
Releasing my grip on her cheek, I let my hand descend, intentionally prolonging the tension. Finally, I firmly grasped her neck, exerting pressure without mercy. She choked, gasped, and flailed, but my unyielding grip left her helpless.
Her cheeks bulged, and she emitted a gurgling sound. Witnessing her slipping into unconsciousness, I released my hold on her neck. Her head rolled back, and she struggled to catch her breath. Rebecca attempted to inhale deeply, but it was a struggle.
Gasping and writhing in agony, she pleaded once more. “Pl… plea… please… Believe me…” Violent coughs racked her body, her chest heaving, drool dribbling down her chin. Tremors shook her body uncontrollably.
“I’m… te… tel… telling… the… tr… truth,” Rebecca sobbed. “I… I… didn’t… I didn’t do… any… didn’t do… anything.”
“Don’t you dare lie to me,” I thundered in the sterile, chilling room.
Shaking her head once again, Rebecca locked eyes with me. “Please, Artemy. I didn’t do it. I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Another cough wracked her, followed by a pained inhale. “Believe me, please. Please, Artemy. I didn’t betray you. Artemy, please believe me.” She repeated the words, each time weaker as her resolve waned.
Her body slumped against the chair, her eyelids barely able to stay open.
A growl escaped me as I ran a hand through my hair. What if she’s innocent? Could it be possible?
Is it worth torturing someone who may be innocent? The nagging voice in my mind persisted.
My inner monster argued vehemently. It roared within me, demanding death. Kill. Kill. Kill.
She could very well be the traitor. Don’t let her slip away.
Bewildered, I turned away from Rebecca, unable to bear witness to her any longer. The sight of her tears, her anguish, her vulnerability-it all overwhelmed me. The way she pleaded and spoke my name weakened me to my core.
Something strange happened to my heart; it stirred emotions within me. A sudden pain pierced through my chest, and I despised it.
“What is happening to me?” I wondered aloud.
For the first time in my life, I resisted the urges of my inner demon. It longed to be set free, but I forcefully reined it in. It fought and roared, but I persisted in the struggle.
Why was I fighting for her?
Raising my gaze, I noticed Milandro and Leon observing me with perplexed expressions, their eyes filled with questions. Angrily, I glared at them and bared my teeth. They quickly averted their gazes, adopting a mask of impassivity.
Straightening my posture, I refused to turn around and face Rebecca. Taking a deep breath, I strode towards the exit. Milandro and Leon followed me outside, and the door closed behind us.
“Keep her here and continue interrogating her. Eventually, she will break,” I instructed.
“Yes, Boss,” replied Leon.
Taking a step forward, I paused, then turned to face my men. Growling with deadly intent, I warned, “No one lays a hand on her.”
Anyone who dared to defy my command would meet their demise. Leon and Milandro appeared surprised, but eventually nodded in agreement.
Even I was taken aback by my own order. I didn’t understand its origin, but one thing was clear-I would not allow anyone to harm my kitten. The realization itself startled me.
Without sparing them another glance, I walked away, my stomach tied in knots. I remained angry at myself for succumbing to weakness.
And then my anger turned towards Rebecca.
I hadn’t obtained the answers I sought yet. While part of me wanted to believe her, could I truly do so? My empire hung in the balance, and she remained a possible suspect. No matter what emotions I harbored for her or why her pain resonated with mine, I still needed to extract answers. Fair play or not, it no longer mattered.
Slowly, I felt my aching heart retreat to its emotionless state. Inside my bedroom, I took a deep breath and fixated on the wall, allowing the coldness to seep back into my being.
She would not render me weak. I would not allow it.