Chapter 4
ADELINA
I tried not to say their family name unless necessary. There were too many thoughts circling in my head and too many fucking questions I didn’t have answers to. At least, not yet.
“He’s secured, ma’am,” Vasile reported. He had been overly respectful ever since he almost bled out, and he finally told me why.
He had been dragging that kid to safety when he took a hit and went down hard.
Then he showed up out of nowhere, hauled Vasile away before he could bleed to death, grabbed the kid, and took off running.
I looked at the man in front of me—the one I’d run into more times than I wanted to admit—and my stupidity hit me.
Every memory, every encounter—the alley, the corn dogs, the way he picked me up, the way he ran with my goddamn backpack.
It all clicked into place too late to be anything but humiliating.
Of course, it had to be him. Of course, it was the son of the man who ruined my life, the only thing I’ve ever truly wanted to destroy.
This time, though, I had the power. What was always mine would be mine again soon enough. They’d all fall next. One by one. Kneeling. Begging. Bleeding. And he’d go first.
The room, tucked inside the crumbling remains of an abandoned castle, had an eerie charm to it.
Dilapidated or not, it worked as a base for the questionable activities we indulged in.
The edges of the space were lined with uneasy faces—my people.
Timing was everything, and apparently, this captive had fought like hell.
Good. I had also made sure no one hurt him. That part was mine.
“Remove the blindfold.” I didn’t take my eyes off him.
Vasile stepped forward. The bound figure spoke before he could touch the cloth, calm as ever.
“You.”
He recognized my voice. He’s going to die here.
As the blindfold came off and Vasile backed away, it seemed like it was just me and Cezar in the dimly lit room.
The bastard wore a questionable smirk. Why?
“You seem rather content in that chair.” His smirk morphed into a devious, playful grin.
He’s been a puzzle since I first met him.
“So, Cezar, I’m sure you know why you’re here…
I am going to hurt you,” I declared, stepping forward, making it clear that my words carried only truth.
Payment for everything that had happened to my family.
Vengeance makes torture all the more enjoyable.
“Hmph, I know,” he stated, his eyes darkening. He’s oddly accepting of his fate, as if welcoming it.
“You’ll wish you were dead. Maybe I’ll add some more scars to your pretty face,” I retorted, attempting to change his expression.
“Pretty?” His raised eyebrow and widening smile caught me off guard, sharp canines flashing like a feral beast’s. Ignore him. Look into his eyes. Let him feel the weight of my power.
Thankfully, he moved on, “Scars?”
I couldn’t help but focus on the prominent scar going vertically across his right eye. Doesn’t seem to have affected his vision, but that had to have hurt.
The hell do I care for?
Reaching for my dagger, emphasizing my intentions, I exclaimed, “You’re going to be here for a while. I’ll cut you up to my heart’s content and make sure you feel every ounce of pain—more than you could ever imagine.”
“Mmm…”
I didn’t understand what amused him. I might be able to understand not being afraid, after all, he was the son of Viktor. But why was he acting… almost as if he was—
“Turns me on.” He maintained eye contact, unapologetically. Making sure that I understood what he just said was also the truth. As he made himself more comfortable, I couldn’t help but quickly glance in that direction… and oh my god.
Has he been turned on this whole time??
“Everyone out,” I ordered, fighting to conceal an unexpected blush. My men hesitated but eventually complied, leaving us alone.
“Want to play with me all by yourself, Petal? No spectators?” Cezar laughed, leaning back, revealing those perfect canines.