Chapter 37
SUMMER
W hy do I like this so much? From the moment we entered the dungeon and filed past the lurking centurions, a spark of excitement lit my blood like a fuse. Frankie’s mind is dark and I share it and as we passed the cells, I resisted eye contact, knowing that one of them was Luca.
As soon as we entered the chamber, Frankie’s depravity was in full swing as each girl was hooded and spun around to disorientate them.
I kept my wits sharpened and used touch and sound to guide me to the tunnel opening, and as soon as I was inside, I took a moment to remove the hood.
It wasn’t easy either. The bastard had tied it tightly, but after a few seconds, I eased the knot apart and could finally breathe easier.
Not that there is much fresh air in this place, but the dim shadows surrounding me gave me some guidance at least. I crawled to the end and felt to my right and as I found the opening, I moved through it and was grateful the ceiling height enabled me to stand.
The others were hesitating outside the tunnels and two silent centurions followed our moves. I already know they are Cassie and Siri and rather than take advantage of that, I merely smiled and chose the tunnel to my left. Tunnel number one.
As I crawled into the confined space, I listened out for any noise, stopping every few seconds to alert me to any approaching predator.
Now I’m alone in the tunnel, the smile on my lips remains in place because I’m loving this so far. It’s a game I would have happily played as a child just for the hell of it, but knowing a guy like Luca is hot on my tail, offers a different kind of excitement—one I’m more than up for.
As I crawl, I soon reach a dead end and wonder if I’m expected to wait for him to catch me like a good little prisoner. It kind of sucks, so I head back the way I came, wondering if there is any place to hide to make this more difficult.
As I go, I sweep my hands through the dirt on the ground because I have heard the story of Abigail Flowerday.
She was abducted on the first Claiming and it happened through a trapdoor in the tunnel floor.
I wonder if they are still active, or if Frankie somehow immobilized them.
I wouldn’t put it past him, but my search is an eager one.
I love the idea of the tunnels below. This is something I’m interested in discovering, and what better time than in my quest to outwit someone like Luca Romano.
As I crawl, my fingers catch on a line of metal and my heart races as I sweep away the dirt and follow the line. It’s a perfect square and so I search for a catch, or a push mechanism, and just like that, the ground opens up beneath me.
My heart beats with excitement as I swing my legs into the hole and lower myself down, holding onto the edge until my foot touches the ground.
I did it!
I am victorious and yet already second guessing this plan because if the tunnels were dark, this place is what death must feel like.
Nothing.
Not a glimmer, spark or shadow. Just pure darkness, and I know better than to explore it without a light to guide me.
Our phones were confiscated, so I don’t even have that to help and so I huff with frustration, knowing my best chance is to attempt to rejoin the game. But how?
I listen for any sign of life above me, wondering if the centurion will fall into the hole as they crawl. Now I’m regretting my impulsive steak and hate that rather than escape, I’m hoping to be saved.
It must only be five minutes, but it seems like an hour when I sense movement above me and a familiar voice growls, “Fuck Summer, you had better be down there.”
I could weep with relief as I call out, “I’m down here, Luca.”
It doesn’t take long before a body jumps down beside me and the gold mask appears like a creepy relic from a tomb.
“I should have known this wouldn’t be easy.”
He reaches out and grasps my wrist with a triumphant, “Consider yourself claimed.”
That is the least of my problems and I hiss, “Fine. Whatever, but we are kind of stuck down here.”
I’m surprised when a light shines in the darkness and I register the lighter in his hand.
He holds it up and glows around us, and I regard the tunnel that appears to stretch on into an abyss.
“This must have been how Abigail was abducted.” I remark and he nods, removing the mask with a weary sigh.
“It was.”
“You knew about this?”
“Of course.” He smirks. “I overheard the guys talking one evening and made sure to listen. It’s kind of interesting, don’t you agree?”
“It is.”
My heart is beating fast and not because of the situation. It’s now dawning on me that Luca is the centurion who claimed me and I’m excited about what happens next.
Luca is obviously of the same mind because he tugs me closer and whispers huskily, “Under the rules of The Claiming, I must now cuff your wrists and ankles and drag you back through the tunnels to the main chamber.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
His lips hover against mine and I whisper, “The only way out of here is to pull us both up into the tunnel.”
“I can do that. But first–”
His lips crash against mine, catching me by surprise and as his tongue wraps around mine, I forget where we are for a second.
He pushes me against the wall and his attack is brutal.
He bites down on my lip and grips my face hard between his hands.
Something lights inside me that I wasn’t expecting and a small moan escapes as he demonstrates exactly what being his girl involves.
There are is no hesitation or permission sought. He is taking what he wants and I’m happy to agree to anything right now. He has fired up my blood and I’m guessing it’s the situation we’re in. Cold dark tunnels obviously do it for me and I am definitely not complaining.
I don’t even realize he’s clamped my wrists in a handcuff until he grasps the other one.
“Fuck!”
I struggle against the wall as he whispers, “You can’t escape me now, princess. You’re mine.”
The way his voice scratches against the deepest part of my soul tells me I am more than happy about that because, if I’m honest, Luca is the only guy I want, which reminds me how fucked my mind already is.
I shouldn’t desire a guy like him. Dark, dangerous and who should come with a hazard warning attached.
He resembles every guy in my family, which is why he probably feels like home.
I’m shocked when we hear, “Put her down, Luca, you have to make a vow first before you get to enjoy the rewards of the chase.”
I gasp in horror as an amused giggle reaches me and we glance in the direction of the voice and notice a light shining from an opening that reveals a door.
“No need to go back through the tunnel. This is a much easier route back to the chamber.”
I recognize Cassie’s voice and as Luca grasps my chained wrists, he pulls on the mask and we head back to the game.