Chapter 16
16
Cecely
After the encounter with Claudius, I manage to find my way back to my dungeon…I mean, room. The hallways feel longer, the shadows darker, and the silence too heavy. And that feeling? That creepy, skin-prickling feeling that someone is watching me? It’s stronger now.
I reach for the door handle, about to step inside, when there’s a flash of motion in my peripheral.
My breath catches.
I whip my head toward the hallway, eyes scanning the dimly lit space.
“Who’s there?”
Silence.
Then a giggle.
An actual fucking giggle .
Followed by footsteps. Not running. Not hurried. Just…retreating. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. A cold, sick feeling slithers down my spine.
What. In. The. Fuck.
I hurry into my room, shoving the door shut behind me with a little more force than necessary. My pulse is still racing, my breath too quick.
“Really could use a lock on this side of the door,” I mutter, staring back at the door as if someone might burst through at any second.
A voice cuts through the silence.
“That won’t be happening, so don’t waste your breath asking.”
I jump, my heart slamming into my ribs as I spin around. A scream claws its way up my throat, but I choke it down when I see who’s standing there.
“Jesus Christ!” My hand flies to my chest. “What are you doing in here?”
Agnes. Standing in the middle of my room like she has every damn right to be here. Like she was waiting for me.
Her expression is unreadable, her gaze sharp, assessing.
And suddenly I’m not sure if I should be more afraid of whatever giggled in the hallway or the woman standing right in front of me.
“Mr. Irons sent me to make sure you found your way back.”
Agnes’ voice is flat, emotionless, like she’s reciting a script. I cross my arms, leveling her with a look.
“Clearly, I did.”
A beat of silence. The air between us feels charged, like something is going to snap.
I tilt my head. “Who was in the hallway?”
Her expression doesn’t change. “No one.”
Bullshit.
“I’m not stupid, Agnes. I know I saw someone.”
For the first time, something flickers in her gaze.
It’s not surprise or concern. It’s something colder.
And then she takes a step toward me. A step that’s just a little too deliberate. I hold my ground, and she takes another step forward. I don’t back away, but my spine stiffens, my body going on high alert. She’s seeing if I’ll flinch. I don’t.
Instead, I lift my chin, voice steady.
“Who was in the hallway?” I ask again, daring her to lie to me.
She tilts her head, eyes dark, unreadable.
Then, in a voice as smooth as glass, she answers, “You’re imagining things, dearie.”
“I know what I saw.”
Her lips curve. Not in a smile, but something that isn’t friendly.
“Then I suppose you’ll have to live with that, won’t you?”
She takes one more lingering step, stopping just close enough that I feel the shift in the air between us. Then, just as quickly, she turns and leaves. Not another word. Not another look.
The door clicks shut behind her. But I don’t move. I just stand there, staring at the door, my heart pounding, my skin prickling. Because something about that woman is not right.
I’m just about to say fuck it and go seek Claudius. I mean, at this point, I’d rather deal with him than sit here alone with my thoughts. But my phone buzzes and I freeze.
The sound cuts through the silence, sharp and unexpected. For a second, I just stare at it, my stomach twisting. I already know who it’s from. I can feel it. Slowly, I reach for it, my fingers hovering for a beat too long before I finally swipe the screen.
And there it is. A new message. From Gabriel. A single line, glowing against the darkness of my screen…
Gabriel
She’s scary, isn’t she?
I feel dizzy.
What are you talking about?
Agnes. That woman could scare the devil into repenting.
I look around, expecting to see him somewhere in the room.
Relax. I’m not there.
Yet.
How in the heck do you know what’s happening if you aren’t here?
I have my ways.
What do you mean by yet?
Since my brother is determined to provoke me, I figured I’d return the favor.
How did he provoke you?
By bringing you to Isola Ombrafiore.
I reread the words just to make sure I’m seeing it right. Oh. Shit. He really does know I’m here.
Why did bringing me here provoke you?
My little brother has always wanted what was mine. He took my life. My membership in the Brotherhood. And now he has you.
He doesn’t have me.
Really?
A second later, my phone buzzes again and a photo comes through. My stomach drops. It’s grainy, low quality, and clearly from some kind of security camera. But it’s clear enough to see him. Claudius. Pressing me against the window. Kissing me.
My breath catches, fingers tightening around my phone as I stare at the image. It’s us. Captured. Frozen. Watched. A slow, sick chill spreads through me. I swallow hard, forcing myself to look away, to focus, to breathe. Then another buzz.
See what I mean?
The words are casual. Amused, even. But I can feel the venom beneath them. I realize I’m not just being watched. I’m being hunted.
Why did you try to kill my sperm donor?
Ah, I see my brother’s done more than just kiss you. He’s tried to poison you against me.
Why won’t you answer me?
I’m assuming he told you about our father?
Yes.
Then you know why I want YOUR father dead.
And the other Elite Members?
If you knew what they’d done, you’d be thanking me. The world is better off.
Is Dimitri in danger?
Worried about your friend’s husband? I knew you had a tender heart. It’s one reason I was happy to find you.
How did you know about me?
Your father isn’t as slick as he thinks.
What does that mean?
It means, mama, that I am good at my job, and your father was sloppy.
Did you know he’s in Dallas now?
My chest is tight.
No.
He arrived the day you left. Do you want to know how many times he’s seen your mother?
The answer comes before I tell him I don’t want to know. Because deep down, I already know.
Every day.
In fact, he didn’t even go to his safe house when he arrived. He dropped off his family and went straight to your mother.
Why are you telling me this?
You asked why I’m going after your father. I’m just pleading my case.
And that is?
That he is a selfish liar who will do anything for one person. Himself.
Okay… I don’t even know the man. If this is supposed to move me, it’s not.
I knew it wouldn’t. Unlike my brother, I will always be honest with you, mama. That means telling you things you may not want to hear.
I shift.
Claudius has lied to me?
You tell me.
But before you answer, I want you to think about this.
Has he told you why there are only females on the island?
My pulse thrums in my neck. I’ve only seen two people other than Claudius, but surely there are others? I think back to the laugh in the hallway. Okay, I know there are more people here…
And because I know the way your pretty little brain works, open your door right now.
My pulse is hammering as I drop the phone. I don’t think. I just move. I hurry to the door, yanking it open. I nearly collide with someone standing there.
A young woman.
She jumps back, eyes wide, looking as shocked as if I’d just slapped her, and I freeze.
“Who are you?” I demand, breath still uneven.
“Rose, ma’am.” Her voice is soft, hesitant.
I narrow my eyes. “Do you work here?”
She swallows hard, her throat bobbing visibly. I take a step closer. I see it… The uncertainty. The fear. But not of me. Of what happens if she answers wrong.
The air between us stretches, thick and weighted.
“Well?” I press.
And I already know I’m not going to like what she says next.
“I… I…” Her eyes fill with tears, her whole body tensing like she expects me to hurt her. Then, in a desperate whisper, she says, “Please don’t tell Agnes you saw me. I wasn’t supposed to leave my room until later.”
My stomach tightens.
I take a slow step forward, lowering my voice. “Why doesn’t Agnes want you to leave your room?”
She hesitates, eyes darting past me, toward the hall, like she’s afraid someone is listening. Finally, her gaze locks onto mine.
“Because of you.”
The words slam into me.
I blink. “Me?”
Her lip trembles. “None of us are supposed to leave.”
None of us. An icy chill snakes down my spine.
“There are more?” My voice drops lower. “Where?”
She rocks her head, stepping back. “I can’t tell you, ma’am.”
My pulse pounds in my ears. There are others. Hidden. Locked away.
I keep my voice low, urgent. “Is Agnes hurting you?”
Rose’s eyes widen in panic, her head snapping toward the hallway. Then I hear the footsteps. Loud. Heavy. Approaching. Rose stumbles back, her hands shaking at her sides. And then she runs. Her bare feet slap against the floor as she disappears down the hallway, vanishing into the shadows before I can call her back.
Shit.
I barely have a second to process what just happened before Agnes appears. She comes from the opposite direction, her face twisted into a deep scowl.
“What are you doing out of your room?” Her tone is sharp and suspicious.
I’m torn. Every part of me wants to confront her, demand to know what the hell is going on. But I can’t. Not yet. Not when Rose is already afraid. Not when I know there are more people here. Not when I don’t know how far Agnes’ reach extends.
So instead, I smile.
Sweet. Innocent. Lying through my teeth.
“Just getting some fresh air,” I say lightly, tilting my head. “It gets a little stuffy in there.”
Her eyes narrow. For a second, I think she’s going to call my bluff. Then she nods once.
I turn away first, strolling casually back into my room like I don’t have a care in the world. Like I didn’t just watch a girl run for her life. I close the door behind me, pressing my back against it. A moment later, I hear her footsteps pass. I don’t breathe until they fade completely.
Then, exhaling slowly, I reach for my phone. Because whatever is happening in this house? I need answers. And I have a feeling I won’t like them, but I need to know.
How did you know Rose would be out there?
The same way I know you wanted to punch old Agnes. I have eyes everywhere.
Are you the creepy eyes I feel on me when I walk through the house?
What do you think?
I stare at my phone. I don’t think the person who watches me like they’re tracking me is Gabriel. I don’t even think it’s Claudius. The hairs on the back of my neck prickle. I think it’s Agnes.
Agnes isn’t just a housekeeper. She’s something more. Something darker.
A thought crosses my mind. I’m not just trapped in this house with Claudius. I’m trapped with her. And I have no idea who the real threat is anymore.
Why are the only people on the island women?
Because Claudius bought them.
Bought them? Like a prostitute?
Bought them at a trafficking sale.
My blood turns cold.
What?
Agnes is the one in charge of his purchases. It’s why they fear her, and why Claudius allows her so much free rein over the house.
Why does he buy women at trafficking sales?
Do I really have to spell it out for you?
My mouth is dry, and I feel sick.
Good night, mama. Sleep tight. And if I were you, I’d find something to use as a weapon.
I rush to the bathroom, feet stumbling over themselves as I barely make it to the toilet before my stomach heaves. The acid burns, my body betraying me as I clutch the cool porcelain, retching until there’s nothing left.
When it’s finally over, I slump forward, pressing my forehead against the toilet seat. The coolness is a relief, but it does nothing to stop the swirl of nausea, of fear, of realization.
What in the hell am I going to do?
I squeeze my eyes shut, willing the answer to come, willing anything to make sense. But all I feel is trapped. By Claudius. By Agnes. By whatever the fuck is happening in this house.
And now? Now, I don’t just have to survive this.
I have to survive it for two.