Chapter 71
Lorenzo typed on his keyboard, pulling up the security cameras and feeds for the estate. He clicked on the audio recording feature, the sound of Elena’s breaths and pages flipping filling the room.
He closed his eyes, his smile deepening as he listened to her breathing grow steady.
She thought she would escape.
She thought he wouldn’t break her.
She was wrong on both counts. And he was going to prove it to her.
Soon. Very soon.
* * *
Elena’s POV
I’ve been trapped in this cell for three days. Three long days with nothing but my thoughts to keep me company. I’ve asked Lorenzo about a hundred times what he wants from me, but he refuses to answer. All I get are cold smiles and cryptic glances, as if he knows something I don’t.
He has the audacity to bring me books, food, and wine. As if he wants to keep me comfortable in this prison. As if I would ever accept his offerings, no matter how nice they are.
It makes me sick to my stomach.
But it’s not as if I have a choice. It’s either eat or starve.
I force down the eggs and toast on my plate, washing it down with a glass of juice. I’m not hungry, but I know that if I don’t keep my strength up, I’ll lose any chance of escape.
I pick up my book again, forcing myself to read through the numbness settling over me. The words blur together on the page, but I keep turning them anyway. Because it’s better than staring at the walls of this prison.
The sound of the door opening breaks the silence.
Lorenzo walks in, his blue eyes locking onto me with a sudden intensity.
My breath hitches, but I quickly cover it with a cough. The last thing I want him to know is how much he affects me. How much fear he inspires in me.
“How are you enjoying the book?” he asks, nodding toward my novel.
“It’s fine.” My response is curt.
Lorenzo smirks, as if he enjoys my animosity. “If you want me to bring another one, I can,” he says casually, walking closer to sit down on the edge of the bed. “I thought you’d be enjoying the silence by now.”
My fingers tighten around the book in my hand. “The silence? You mean the fact that you won’t tell me why you brought me here, what you’re going to do with me?”
He chuckles, leaning back on the bed to look up at the ceiling. “No, Elena. I mean the silence of being here in solitude. You’ve been asking for nothing but a phone or a computer for the last few days.”
My heart skips a beat.
There’s something in his tone that sends unease skittering through my veins.
“I don’t trust that you’ll let me call anyone,” I say flatly. “I don’t believe you would let me speak freely.”
He turns to look at me, his gaze piercing. “Of course not.” He smiles. “But you have friends, don’t you? People who would help if they knew where you were?” He doesn’t wait for me to respond before continuing. “I could let them know where you are.”
My breath catches in my throat.
He can’t be serious.
“What do you want?” I ask bluntly. “Because you can’t be this nice for no reason.”
He tilts his head to the side. “Maybe I just want to do something nice for once.” His gaze drifts down my body, lingering on my breasts before coming back up to my face. “I am curious though, Elena. How desperate are you to see your friends?”
The implication is clear.
Give him what he wants, and I might get some freedom.
But I’m not stupid enough to believe it would last.
His games are far from over.
I’m not sure if I should be terrified or relieved.
I do know one thing though: I’m sick of playing along.
I’m sick of the fear that grips me every time I see him, that grips me when I’m alone in the dark. Sick of the uncertainty that plagues me at every turn.
“I want to go home,” I say, my voice stronger than it’s been in days. “That’s what I want.”
Lorenzo laughs, low and menacing. “Elena.”
“Let me go,” I plead.
He reaches out, cupping my chin between his fingers. “Piccola,” he whispers, “You have no idea what’s in store for you.” His mouth curls into a smile as he drags his thumb over my bottom lip. “But you’ll find out soon enough.”
I try to pull away, but his grip is too strong.
He leans closer, his breath warm against my skin.
“No matter how hard you try, you’ll never leave this place.” His voice drops lower, darker. “Because this is where you belong now.”
* * *
Lorenzo:
I’m not a patient man. I never have been. And now that Elena is locked away in her cell, waiting for me to make my next move, I’m finding it difficult to hold back.
She’s been locked in there for two weeks now, with no sign of breaking.
And I’m starting to get restless.
I’ve read every note she’s written, every article she’s published on my family. I’ve watched her from the cameras, seen her pace back and forth, seen her sleep.
She doesn’t know that I’ve been watching. That I’ve been observing every move she makes.
But that’s about to change.
It’s time I start to make myself known. To take this game to the next level.
I walk into the room, my footsteps echoing through the silence.
Elena’s curled up on the bed, her back turned to me.
But as soon as the door shuts behind me, she whips around, her eyes narrowing.
“What do you want now?” she spits out.
I smirk, enjoying her defiance. “Are you always this feisty when you don’t get your way?” I ask, taking a step closer to her. “Or is this a special trait only I get to see?”
“Screw you,” she hisses, standing up and crossing her arms over her chest. “Let me go.”
“I told you that wasn’t going to happen.”
“And I told you I won’t break.” She narrows her eyes. “And I won’t.”
“Oh, piccola.” My smile deepens. “You have no idea how wrong you are.” I reach into my pocket and pull out her phone. “This was just delivered to your doorstep.” My fingers wrap around it, holding it out to her. “Would you like to call your family?” I taunt. “Tell them you’re alive?”
She lunges for it, but I snatch it back, holding it above my head. “Ah ah. You have to do something for me first.”
She glares up at me, her expression pure venom. “What?” she bites out.
“I need you to take a bath.”