Twisted in Chaos (Destructive Devastation #2)

Chapter 16

“This way.” My brows furrow when an unfamiliar man forces me from the fighting ring and hauls me behind him.

No, hi, hello, how ya doing? I'm assbag extraordinaire. Just follow me.

If it smells like a trap and walks like a trap, then it's probably a goddamn trap.

I peek over my shoulder, staring at the remnants of the man who was alive and confident five minutes ago. As soon as his blood hit the dirt—or, more accurately, his dick—he took his last breath before my eyes, staring at me like I had betrayed him in the worst way.

I never agreed to his deal. I may have dropped to my knees, but I never said, yes, sir, our deal is solid. It's his fault for believing I would.

Then came this soldier with dark hair and mean eyes, glaring holes through my flesh. He barely acknowledged me when he grabbed me from my kneeling position and forced me to walk on shaky legs.

This all feels like a terrible nightmare. Can I wake up yet?

I can only wonder if he's leading me to my death. Probably. Nothing went as planned for Shadow. Or, I can only assume. He wanted me dead, right? Was that the plan? Fuck. I don't even know anymore. What does he want from me? Or Shepp.

God, Shepp.

A sweat breaks out along my flesh like ants crawling all over my skin. Swallowing becomes more challenging, as does breathing. My worry intensifies with every step through the maze of darkened corridors, heading to God knows where. It feels like we're going up instead of down to the prison.

I can't stop thinking about Shepp and I’s last few days together. And beyond. I miss watching Shepp paint and cook. God, I miss his food so much—the donuts especially. I need to get back to him. Touch him. Hug him. Make sure he’s still living.

Exhaustion pulls heavily at every ounce of my being, begging for food, water, and a nap. At this point in my captivity, I'd do a lot of shady shit to ensure my freedom. Or a steak. God, a big juicy steak sounds like heaven right about now.

Blood drips from every inch of me—his blood. The man walked into the ring with a cruel chip on his shoulder and left without light in his eyes. My darkness clings to the edges of my being, holding my feelings at bay, erasing them.

But there's one nagging feeling I can't seem to ignore.

Everything about that fight seemed too simple. Right? Who the hell offers to spare a girl's life if she sucks his dick? A fucking pervert, that's who. That's beside the point, though. It's like he was set up, as if Shadow told him to say that to get me to fold. Whatever the reasoning was, Brian didn't expect me to use my knives. So, there's something extra going on here.

The man leading me tightens his hold on my upper arm when we push through the double swinging doors and walk through an unoccupied kitchen. My brows furrow, taking in the expensive appliances and ample space with metal countertops. Pots and skillets hang from a rack on the ceiling, looking brand new without dust on their surfaces. The entire room looks like a cleaning crew came through and left no crumbs behind.

"What the hell is this place?" I mutter to myself, looking around in awe.

"Was a hotel," the soldier replies without looking over his shoulder. "Now, it's Shadow's."

Okay, cool. He can tell me about the history of this place. But he can't even introduce himself? This place sucks.

"A hotel? Where the fuck are we?" I grumble, shaking my head.

I remember nothing about coming here except waking up in a dank cave. I'd love to know a little more about this place so we can plot our escape without getting caught. Or killed.

"Nowhere you need to worry about," he grunts without looking at me again, pulling me around like a rag doll.

I guess this is my life now.

"Fabulous. You're splendid company, by the way..." I trail off when he grunts again, pushing us through another large door. Then we stop.

I want to say more sarcastic things to ward off the feelings festering inside me as my darkness wanes, evaporating back into the depths of my mind.

I just killed a man. Slashed his throat and cut off his dick. Sure, he wasn't innocent. Definitely deserved it. But still. It's the fact I was forced to do it. Again. It was him or me, and I chose myself and the loved ones depending on me to be okay.

I had to. There was no way around it.

"You're free to go, Darrell." I raise a brow at the sound of Shadow's deep voice coming from a large dining room table in the center of the massive dining hall.

Darrell unwinds his fingers from my upper arm and drops his hand with a frown, stepping out from in front of me.

"Thank you, Sir." is all the soldier says before sauntering out the double doors and out of sight. Probably hanging outside of them to guard Shadow. That's how these mafia men work.

"Sit," Shadow says, shoving a roll into his mouth and gesturing toward the empty table. "Our other guest will join us once we've had a little chat."

"A chat?" I question cautiously as I take a seat directly across from him.

"Eat," he says, pushing a basket of rolls toward me.

Fuck. My mouth waters at the sight of them. The smell that wafts from them has my stomach performing a happy jig, ready to get a bite. But I stop myself, watching as he reaches for another one and shoves it in his mouth.

"Last time I accepted food from you, it was poisoned." I narrow my eyes when he chuckles at me, licking the butter from his fingers.

"You're a smart little fighter, aren't you? Did Gabriel teach you all you need to know?"

Haven't we already gone over this?

"Yes." That's all I'll reply until I figure out what game he's playing. Because he has to be, right?

"Your performance was impressive. You use your mind over your physical ability." Shadow continues to lick his fingers, watching me with his one beady eye.

"You did it on purpose," I say with a nod.

"I knew you were smart." He grins at that, shoving the basket of rolls in front of me again. "Now, eat a fucking roll."

God, why does he want me to eat them so badly? Of course, there wouldn't be any drugs in these, considering he's eating them, too. Maybe just one bite won't hurt. Okay, more than one bite. Once I start, I can't stop devouring four rolls with a satisfied groan with each bite I take.

"Did you make a deal with Brian?" I question, wiping my buttered fingers on a napkin beside me.

"Tired of him winning," Shadow says with a shrug. "I was losing money. I needed fresh blood. Besides, it came in handy."

I nod in response, sitting back and letting my food digest, when he pulls out his phone from underneath the table. Setting it in front of my face, he replays the video of me cutting the man's junk off and slitting his throat. Acid rises in my esophagus, the bread turning stale inside me.

So, this is why.

"Blackmail," I croak with understanding.

Of course. Why wouldn't he blackmail me? Because holding my sister hostage wasn't enough. Poisoning Shepp wasn't enough.

Thomas Mondelli is a fucking monster. I can't decide if he's worse than Gabriel or not.

"Brian's wife will wonder why he hasn't come home from his trucking job soon." Shadow smacks his lips and puts his phone away. "He was only here for funsies."

Brian and I have two very different ideas on what funsies are.

"He wasn't one of your men?" I ask, eyeing a glass of water and then taking a drink.

Fuck it if it's poisoned. My life is completely fucked now.

"The Pit boasts a lot of things, and anonymity is one of them. People from the main lands come, fight for their fucking lives, and if they win, they get money and favors. And they give me loyalty in return. It's a win-win.”

"And that's all you want?" I ask, reaching for another roll. It's interesting when the villains give me all the information so easily. “Loyalty?”

"You're going to go do a few jobs for me." He's not asking. He's telling me. Maybe this is the key to my freedom? It's nothing I haven't done before.

"What jobs?" I ask, slowly chewing the roll with caution.

Alarm bells ring in my head when he locks his cold eyes with me and smirks.

"Bring him in!" Shadow shouts, rolling his wrist. "You'll see."

It's ominous at best, turning my stomach.

I lick my lips in anticipation of the scene. Elias White—my former target—strolls in with his hands in his pockets and a tight expression. My spine stiffens, forcing me to sit up straighter when he sits beside Shadow, and then his eyes find me.

"Journey," Elias says, cocking his head.

His expression gives nothing away. It's indifferent. Even as his eyes take in the blood soaking my flesh, he doesn't react or move.

"Elias." I nod in greeting.

"I was under the impression I was here to discuss business," Elias says, side-eyeing Shadow with raised brows.

"You are." Shadow claps his hands. "But we have a guest."

"I can see that."

“So, down to business,” Shadow says, snapping his fingers three times.

A burst of motion happens around us. Steaming food emerges as more men pile into the room carrying trays. The aroma hits me immediately, making my stomach knot with anticipation. My mouth practically waters when a plate filled with a heaping scoop of spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread on the side slides in front of me. Fuck. I'm so hungry, and I want to devour every bite.

But Shepp's face rolls through my mind. The memory of him in distress on the ground is so fresh, clinging to life. It's on the tip of my tongue to ask about him. Is he okay? Did you kill your son?

Because that would be it for me. I'd lose myself in the darkness inside me and drive a sword through his fucking skull.

No Shepp. No Journey.

I eye Shadow as he digs in without waiting for Elias to receive his plate. Spaghetti sauce flies everywhere around him, staining his clothes and face.

“How well did the last shipment distribute?” Shadow asks Elias with a mouth full of food.

Elias pokes at his spaghetti politely with his fork and nods. “Well.” His eyes flash to me with curiosity.

“Pay her no mind,” Shadow says, slurping a noodle loudly into his mouth.

“This is our business,” Elias says smoothly, wrapping a few noodles around his fork and taking a tentative bite before setting his utensils down again.

With Shadow glaring in his direction, he takes out his phone and swipes up. His facial features don't change when he types and then puts his phone away like he's not in a semi-dangerous situation.

“My business,” Shadow says, setting down his fork. “You just fucking work for me.”

I swallow a bite of food, watching Shadow’s changing posture. Every muscle I see turns rigid with rage, although his facial features don't let on. His one visible eye collects shadows, darkening with Elias’ words.

“I want to discuss Briar Cove and the distribution of my products.” Shadow’s fingers drum on the table, thumping in beat with my heart.

“Hmm. And what about your products?” Elias asks with a calm demeanor. “Our deal is still intact. Business is going as usual.” He takes a bite of his spaghetti, humming at the taste. Like he doesn't even fucking care that Shadow is grinding his teeth.

“Good. That settles it,” Shadow says, taking another sloppy bite of his meal, slurping the noodles, and chewing loudly. “Then, let's enjoy our meal.”

No mannered asshole.

“How's the wedding planning going?” Shadow asks, keeping his eyes on his food.

I stiffen at the thought of Jenni, my best friend. Former best friend? The girl I had to sell out to keep my sister alive. She told me once Elias would be the man she married despite her arranged marriage to Leighton, another man in the Viotto Crime Family.

And it looks like it's finally happening.

Good for her. Seriously, joy fills me at the thought. Jenni deserves happiness more than anyone I know. She never judged me or talked down to me. She looked after me, and I did the same—until I couldn't. It's a guilt that will never go away.

“You're marrying Jenni?” My throat feels tight when Elias’ eyes connect with mine.

“In a week,” he says, taking another bite without emotions.

I nod solemnly. “She always talked about how excited she was to marry you.”

Elias inspects me again. “And she always told me what an amazing friend she found in you.”

I blink several times at his words. Does he know the truth about what I've done? Who I've worked for?

“And what a joyous occasion it is,” Shadow says with a creepy grin. “I've got my own daughter now, and the day she marries…,” he trails off, sending me waves of anxiety.

“She's only fourteen,” I say, letting my fork fall to the table. “You can't marry my sister off.”

Besides, how am I supposed to believe he's her father? Despite my mother spreading her legs for anyone to get the drugs she needs, it's impossible to know which man is the father of Sunshine.

Shadow smirks, shaking his head. “Indeed. She only has four more years until I can marry her off. Maybe to the Russians. Or the Italians. Or whoever I fucking please. She's my daughter. My property. And she agreed to it.”

You have no fucking say anymore—are the words weaved between his threat.

My heart drops into my stomach. “No.” I shake my head at the thought of my sister, dressed in all white, being forced to marry a dangerous man.

I want to argue that she's my goddamn sister, and that I raised her. Not him. Not my goddamn mom. Me. But I keep that to myself. Because I'm the most unlucky bitch on the planet, my sister keeps getting used as a damn pawn against me. I can't let any of this happen.

Not again.

“Well, this has been quite the meeting. Are we done?” Elias asks, setting his utensils down softly.

“As long as business is still intact and being managed.” Shadow sits back in his chair, pushing his plate away. “I expect my next shipment to hit your docks in one week. The night after your wedding.”

“As it always is under my watchful eye,” Elias retorts, standing from his chair. “My men and I will be there to get the products. Then, I'll go on my honeymoon.”

“Then our business is complete for today,” Shadow says smugly. “I'll send a few guards to assist, per our agreement.”

Elias fixes his shirt as he strides away and then abruptly stops. “I'll see both of you at the wedding, then. Plus one for each of you. At the Grand Cove Hotel. Don't miss it.” He fixes me with a stare before sauntering through the doors and disappearing.

His words register in my mind. It's a way out—a way to take Shepp and my sister and run under the guise of going to his wedding.

Silence stretches between Shadow and me. He finishes his meal, and I slowly finish mine. The spaghetti tastes like ash on my tongue, sinking into my churning stomach and threatening to come back up.

“You'll go to the wedding.” Shadow doesn't look at me when he shoves another roll in his mouth.

“Why?”

What's his angle?

“He's your job.” Shadow folds his arms over his chest with a smug smirk.

Internally, I groan, wanting to throw my hands in the air. Or possibly in his face. What’s so interesting about Elias White that both these monsters want to use me to spy on him? He’s not that damn interesting. Is he? They act like he’s building a secret army behind their backs, ready to take over their empires. Hell, maybe he is.

“Don't you think that's suspicious?” I question bravely, taking a small bite of spaghetti.

“I don't give a fuck if it's suspicious. You'll be my little spy. Or I marry your sister off to the first fucking man I see.” A cruel smirk pulls at his lips.

First, it was my sister's health held over my head. Now, it's her goddamn virtue and innocence.

“Gabriel had me spy on him.”

“I'm aware,” Shadow answers without emotion. “That's why you're perfect. So now you'll spy more. Find out what that asshole is doing with my goddamn product.”

“Is he stealing it?” Sometimes, I'm too nosey for my own good, but I have to know what I'm getting myself into. There's a reason he's sending me to do this and not one of his soldiers.

“You be the spy and tell me what he's up to.”

This again? Fuck my life. I can't catch a damn break with these monsters. They use me until they're done with me.

“Just at the wedding?” I raise a brow at his flawed plan.

“That'll be the start of it. After the wedding, you'll continue to worm your way into their good graces. Be a fucking friend, fuck buddy, or a whore for his men. Whatever you have to do, do it. I want information.”

My nose wrinkles. I'll pass on the whore part, thanks. I already have three men I'm mildly in love with. Besides, Arrow would skin them alive if they touched me.

“Why me?” I ask, raising my eyes. “Gabriel did the same thing to me. He held my sister's life over my head if I did this and that for him. Don't you have other people to do this for you?”

Shadow leans his elbows on the table, eyeing me critically. “Gabriel may have held your sister over your head, but did he ever give you freedom? He stole you. Tortured you…”

“Yeah, for killing you. But you're still here.” My teeth clench together when he smiles, nodding.

“I am. But that's what I'm offering. Hell, I'll even give you Shepp, alive and well. Do my bidding, and I'll give you freedom.”

“What about my sister?” I ask, mulling over his words.

“She'll have a choice…”

“But why? Why do you even care about her or Shepp now? You… you cut out his fucking tongue and then tried to take advantage of my fucking sister!” I shout, jumping up from the chair on wobbly legs, trying to control my breath.

This is all so confusing to me. Why bother now?

“Take it or fucking leave it,” he growls, clenching his fists on the table. “Or waste away in the fucking caves.” He nods once to someone behind me, and I'm seized. “I'll give you a day or two to think about it.” He snaps his stupid fingers again.

The doors slam open, revealing the broody guard, Darrell, with a frown still on his face. Without another hi or hello, he grips my upper arm and drags me behind him, forcing me to walk.

Images of the darkness lingering in the cave haunt me with every step. Shepp's pained expression before I had to leave him for the pit has my eyes squeezing shut.

I can't do this. Not again. I have to protect him. My sister. Me. Everyone. Who knows? Next time, he'll go after Jericho and Arrow. I don't know how much power Shadow holds in Briar Cove.

“Wait!” I say, halting our movements and yanking my arm out of his hold.

Like fuck will I go back to that prison and starve in the darkness. I have to get stronger. Eat. Sleep. So I can plan Shadow’s demise with a logical mind.

“Yes?” Shadow asks with a smirk, rising from his seat at the table. He throws down a napkin and comes to stand in front of me.

“I want to negotiate.” I swallow hard when his eyebrows raise. Good. Keep him on his toes. “I'll do whatever you want. But my sister has to be safe.”

Shadow rocks on his toes and nods. “Make you a deal. Your sister is safe here. She's my legacy, after all. Her health is being taken care of. You do your end of the deal, and I'll do mine.”

“So I do your job with Shepp and my sister will be safe?”

“Safer than she was with that bastard,” he says smugly. “Now. Take her to the room.”