Chapter 6

My eyes flutter open, but the lights cause me to shut them back. Without thinking, I raise my head only to be met with a banging headache.

What the hell happened?

I try to focus my vision causing me to slowly pry my lids open. I look around, only for my eyes to meet those cold gazes.

Dermos is lounging on the soft couch in front of my bed, eyes calculating as he rests his jaw on his palm with his elbows pressing on his thighs.

God, he looks so handsome. A strand of his hair falls forward. I don't know if it's a mistake or on purpose, but it still looks so damned good.

He is dressed in a pair of joggers and a simple top that contracts his muscles in this position.

Holy hell, he looks exactly like sin.

"When you are done gawking, let me know so you can explain why my men found you outside bleeding." His sharp voice snaps me out of my daydreaming.

Damnit! I can't look at him like that. He belongs to Ariella.

"Umm." Words fail me as I try to rack my brain for what to say.

I can't say Luciana hit me because I don't even have proof. I didn't see her hit me, but she had to be the one, right?

There was no one else there with us except the girls, and the girls weren't even that close.

"Cat got your tongue?" He barks, flexing his hands as he presses his back into the couch, his eyes not leaving my pale form for once.

I raise my hand, pressing it to the back of my head to check the injury. It feels rough, but the patch is also small, which means it isn't a major injury.

"I don't have the patience, nor do I have all day to sit here and watch you jog your memories. So I will ask one last time, what the hell happened?" he snaps, his voice filled with venom as his eyes darken.

I move uncomfortably, trying to get the words out yet all I could come up with was, "I fell. Sorry, I got you worried."

"You fell? How the hell did you fall that hard and have an injury at the back of your head when you fell on your face?" He questions, his eyelids slowly closing to squint at me.

Damn, he is a work of art. Focus Ariel.

"I was taking a tour and didn't see the stone there, which caused me to trip, and when I fell, I hit my head on a stone too. I turned in order to feel where the pain was coming from, and then I passed out." I grit my teeth, letting the lies tumble out smoothly

I pray he believes me, heavens please let him believe me.

I press my back to the bed, wanting nothing more than to sink inside, but then he will know something is up, so I have to be brave.

Even though I just want to piss myself, I keep my eyes on him until he nods before gracefully rising to his feet.

"Well, I am glad that you are fine. I have to go now. Rest, and don't wander about again." He warns, causing me to nod like a five-year-old.

Satisfied with my response, he turns and walks out. Immediately, I let out the breath I was holding.

Oh Lord, I pray I don't have a heart attack by next month. All this acting is getting to me.

~~~

"I told you to stay inside, didn't I?" I nod my head, refusing to look up from biting my nails, not wanting to be scolded like a five-year-old.

Yes, he told me to stay inside. Did I? Of course not, I got bored and decided to finish my tour, causing me to get lost in the maze of flowers covering half the front yard.

Why he has a maze is still a mystery to me.

"So why did you leave the room and wander?" He questions, his voice calm and steady.

Yet the way his jaw clenches and his fist tightens tells me he is anything but calm.

"I got bored again, and I couldn't stop thinking about the whore house I found. Wondering why you have that? Do you traffic girls?" I can't help but ask.

Dammit, I said I wouldn't speak about it.

Dermos snaps his head to look at me, his muscles contracting inside his suit.

Guess he just came back from work before I called, crying. I was lost.

"It's part of my business, and I won't have you questioning me." He growls, taking a step back before turning.

I followed after him, not quite satisfied with his words.

"But you sell them to men, that's ridiculous and cruel. They have a life, they are humans, so why would you do that--"

"Ariella, you are aware of this. Last time we had this conversation, you seemed really fine with it, so why the change of heart?" He halts his steps, turning to look at me.

Again!

My whole face pales as I realize I am once again out of character.

I straighten up, clearing my throat before speaking, " I am fine with it, it's just--"

"Good for you." He cuts me off again, and it makes me want to yank his hair out.

My voice and opinions are important too. Why won't he let me speak?

" Go to bed, Ariella, and mind your business. I don't want to have to punish you." He warns us before taking a different turn once we are in front of the house's back door.

Urghhh!! I stomp my foot in annoyance. He is so damn rude.

Without thinking, I push open the door and walk in, only to stop once I hear some voices.

I inch closer to the side of the door, making sure I am also out of sight.

They seem to be inside a room. Is that Carlos I hear?

"Luciana, it isn't like that. You are wrong." Yes, that voice is definitely Carlos.

But why is he in a room with Luciana?

If there is one trait I am known for, it is being a curious cat. As they say, curiosity kills the cat, yet I am not dead.

Hahh.

"You are getting too close to Donna. I don't like it. You know godfa--"

"I don't care. Mind your own damn business, and go sort your girls." His voice is clipped and sharp, like he is repulsed by her.

Okay, definitely not my business. I cross the room, heading to the kitchen, when I suddenly remember Isabella.

The fear in her eyes, the way her hands trembled. What exactly has she been through within these walls?

I need to find her. Taking a step, my whole body halts when I hear small sobs coming from the room beside the kitchen.

Who is that?

Slowly but surely, I push open the door only to find Isabella crying on a bed.

"Isabella? Are you okay?" I murmur, padding my feet forward towards her bed.

"No, Donna, no one must see you with me. They will kill me, you have to go." She jolts out of her bed, tears running down her cheeks.

"I don't understand," I murmur, taking a step back.

"This is a house full of torment. Run while you can. Run, Donna." She says her voice frantically as she presses her fingernails into my palm.

"Wha--" the words are barely out of my lips when a pounding on the door has me stumbling.

"You wrench, what are you doing?" An unfamiliar voice calls.

Isabella's eyes widen, urging me to hide, but as I turn to make a move, the door slams open.

"What the hell are you doing?" She booms.

Oh crap.

CHAPTER 7

Ariel's POV

I stood frozen, my heart racing as the sound of footsteps approached.

I quickly scanned the room, my eyes landing on the curtain beside me. I darted behind it, holding my breath as the person walked in.

The room was dimly lit, but I could see a little light coming from the hallway. I peeked through the gap between the curtain and the wall, my eyes adjusting to the darkness.

A figure stood in the center of the room, their back to me. It was a woman, and she was speaking in a low tone.

"You're talking too much, Isabella." She said.

Who in the world was that?

There was a pause, and then the sound of a slap resounded through the room. I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth.

"Don't. Ever. Speak. Again." The woman added.

I waited a few moments before I slowly emerged from behind the curtain.

Isabella stood in the center of the room, her face pale and her eyes wide with fear. She looked at me, and I could tell she was trying to compose herself.

"Isabella, what's going on?" I asked, my tone was firm.

But she just shook her head, her eyes pleading with me. "Don't ask, ma'm. Please. You'll only make things worse."

I frowned. "I can handle it. Tell me."

Isabella's expression hardened, and she looked away. "Ma'm, there's no need to worry yourself, please just drop it."

I sighed before placing my hands on my hips. Something was very wrong here, and I was starting to realize that I was in over my head.

"Fine," I said. "But you're going to be my personal maid from now on. I'll make sure you're taken care of. Is that clear?"

Isabella's eyes instantly widened, and for a moment, her face brightened as if this were the best news there could be, but then her expression closed off, and she nodded curtly. "Yes, ma'am."

That night, I was thankful that Dermos was nowhere to be found.

He was making my thoughts cross the line, especially since he's meant to be my sister's husband and my brother-in-law, even.

My thoughts were interrupted by a faint rustling sound. I turned my head, my ears perked up. What was that? It sounded like someone was sliding something under the door.

A piece of paper appeared under the door, stopping at the edge of the bed. I frowned.

Another one?

Was this some sort of prank?

Who in the world keeps on doing this?

I got out of bed and picked up the paper that was slid. The message was written in red ink.

[Stay quiet, fake wife]

My eyes narrowed as I read the words. But I wasn't scared, more like annoyed.

I walked to the door, paper in hand, and opened it, but the corridor was empty. I looked left and right, but there was no one.

"Hello?"

There was no response.

I stood there for a moment, hoping to catch a glimpse of someone, but there was no one. Whoever it was had vanished.

I went back in, closing the door behind me, and leaned against it. This was getting weird. Who was sending these messages? And how did they know about... whatever it was they knew?

I looked at the paper again. I needed to figure this out and fast.

~

I stood at the back of the corridor, my eyes fixed on Dermos as he addressed his men.

My eyes trailed him. He was in an all-black, long black coat and a three-piece suit, with his hair slicked back.

Damn, he was hot.

But his voice broke my thoughts.

"So, Victor, you've been playing both sides, huh?" Dermos said, his voice devoid of emotion. "You've been feeding information to our enemies, trying to undermine our operations."

Victor, the man, was on both of his knees, covered in blood. "D-Dermos, I can explain-"

What was going on?

Dermos cut him off with a raised hand. "Save it. I've heard enough. "You're a traitor, Victor," Dermos said, his voice filled with disdain. "You know the penalty for treason."

Victor's eyes went wide, and he started begging, "Please, Dermos, have mercy! I'll do anything!"

I raised an eyebrow. Oh, I'd completely forgotten that Dermos was a don.

A wicked one.

Dermos's expression didn't change, but his eyes seemed to grow colder. "Anything? Too late for that."

He nodded to his men, and they dragged Victor away. I watched as they took him to the center of the room.

I wasn't scared at this point, more curious.

Dermos wouldn't do anything too bad, right? Probably just kick him or something.

But I was completely wrong.

Dermos pulled out a gun and pressed it to Victor's forehead, adjusting the trigger. "You should have thought about the consequences before you betrayed me."

The sound of the shot still echoed in my mind as Victor slumped to the ground, blood pooling around his body.

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut.

I staggered back a bit.

Dermos's men moved swiftly, dragging Victor's body away as if he were nothing more than a piece of trash.

Dermos turned back to his men, his eyes scanning the room. "This is a reminder of what happens to traitors. You all know what loyalty means to me. Don't forget it."

The room nodded in unison, their faces pale and sweaty. I just stood there, my eyes fixed on Dermos.

What the actual fuck?

This was the man Ariella was married to?

||

Later that night, I couldn't sleep, and so even though I was told I was meant to stay in my room, I wandered down to the music room anyway. Mostly because I was hearing a sound coming from there.

The door was ajar, and I pushed it open, my eyes adjusting to the dim light.

I raised a brow immediately I saw Dermos sitting at the piano, his fingers moving deftly over the keys.

I stood there, shocked that such a man could even like the idea of a piano.

My mind shifted back to what had happened earlier today, and I tried to walk back out, but his voice stopped me.

"Ariella."

I paused, then slowly faced him. "Yeah?"

He paused, his fingers hovering over the keys. "What are you doing down at this time?"

I stood by the wall, keeping my distance. "The music's disturbing my sleep."

It was a lie. The melody was beautiful, but I wasn't going to tell him that.

He looked at me, really looked at me, and it made me uncomfortable a bit. One reason was that the dim moonlight from outside made his chiselled features show even more.

"You're not like I expected, Ariella."

My heart jumped in fear. Does he–

I raised an eyebrow, trying to compose myself. "What... what did you expect?"

"You've changed."

I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Changed? I'm the same."

Dermos doesn't respond and just gets back to his piano.

We sat there in silence for a moment, the only sound being the notes of the piano.

"Ariella, we have a gala to attend tomorrow night," Dermos said, his voice breaking the silence.

I looked at him. "A gala?"

He nodded. "A charity event. Dangerous men will be there, bidding on auctions, etcetera."

I felt a surge of anger at the mention of an auction, because I knew what he meant.

I'm about to say something, but then Darmos suddenly cuts me off, his lips crushing mine.

My eyes bulged so hard they almost tumbled out of their sockets.

What the fuck?!

CHAPTER 8

Ariel's POV

I gazed at my pale skin in the mirror and then at my cheeks that were currently bright red.

Ariel!

I immediately pinched my cheeks, reprimanding myself for blushing. No, I wasn't blushing... but for whatever that was.

Dermos is Ariella's husband, not mine.

Not mine.

Fuck, he's not mine!

But why did my mind keep going back to yesterday?

I'd stood there, frozen, my lips still tingling from the kiss before I had pushed Dermos away, my heart was beating crazy even though I shouted at it not to.

He had looked at me, his eyes calm as ever, and said. "You're different, Ariella. I don't know what's changed, but you're not the same person I thought you were."

At some point, I thought it was a joke, but then I realized he'd said 'Ariella', not 'Ariel.'

Of course, he likes my sister, that's the fucking main reason they got married!

I'm Ariel, not Ariella. He likes Ariella.

I repeated this three times, reminding myself where I stood. Ariella would soon return, and I'll be sent back home.

Just like it should be. Right?

I sighed, and Isabella, who'd been helping me with my hair, gazed at me through the mirror. I shook my head, signaling that there's nothing wrong.

"You may leave."

She doesn't argue and exits.

I've been noticing strange things happening around me lately, too.

My phone goes missing for hours, and when I find it, it's been tampered with. And then there's the note I found in my closet [RUN BEFORE HE FINDS OUT]

What does it mean? And who wrote it?

I've been trying to keep a low profile, but I can't shake the feeling that I'm in danger.

I've also been thinking about trying to escape, just to get out of this place and figure things out. I knew Dermos would be busy with his... business and that.. I sighed, and that damn whore house.

It's the perfect opportunity to make a break for it.

I waited until the house was quiet, and then I snuck out of my room. I made my way down the stairs, trying not to make a sound. I had to be careful; I knew Dermos had guards posted everywhere.

Just as I reached the door, a hand suddenly clamped down on my shoulder. I spun around, my heart in my throat, and found myself face to face with Carlos.

"Where do you think you're going?" He growled.

I didn't know who was scarier, Dermos or Carlos.

I tried to shake him off, but he held tight. "Let me go."

He leaned in. "Escaping the Don means signing your own death warrant, Ariella. You want to try it, be my guest. But you're not going anywhere without me knowing about it."

I felt a shiver run down my spine.

There was something in his voice, something that made me think he wasn't just threatening me. He also sounded... concerned?

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, trying to gauge his reaction.

Carlos's expression was conflicted, like he was wrestling with something inside. "Because I don't want to have to be the one to drag you back... dead or alive." He said, finally. "Don't try it, Ariella. You're playing with fire."

I nodded, though I barely grasped anything he said.

I'd try to escape soon again, but I'll be more careful this time.

~

The next day, I was seated at the family table, trying to make small talk with the others. Luciana was being her usual, fake self, asking me questions about my "interests" and making snobby comments about my clothes.

"So, Ariella, what do you like to do for fun?" She asked, her voice faking sweetness. "Do you have any.. hobbies?"

As if the bitch cared.

I forced a smile, trying to play along. "I like to read, I guess, and listen to music."

Luciana raised an eyebrow. "Oh, how.. quaint. What kind of music do you listen to?"

I shrugged. "Just.. stuff. You know, whatever's popular, I guess."

And then, just as we were starting to eat, she "accidentally" spilled a glass of wine all over my dress.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed, with a growing smile. "You look like such a... cheap imitation."

The table fell silent, and I felt my anger rising. But before I could say anything, Dermos spoke up.

"Luciana, leave the table."

Luciana's eyes widened, and I too was surprised. She looked at him like he was crazy. "What? But-"

"Now," Dermos said, clearly with his mind made up.

Luciana's face turned red as she stood up and stalked out of the room. The rest of the table was silent, their eyes fixed on Dermos.

To be honest, I was shocked.

Dermos turned to me, his expression calm. "Ariella, would you like to change?"

I nodded, still trying to process what had just happened. He led me to my room, his hand on the small of my back. I chewed the inside of my mouth, not knowing if he was doing this on purpose or not.

"Dermos," I called out.

He gazed down at me. "Mm?"

"I want Isabella as my personal maid."

He nodded, his voice low. "I'll think about it."

He turned to leave, then turned back. "Don't forget about the gala this weekend."

I nodded, but before I could say anything, Dermos suddenly stepped closer, his eyes locked on mine. He leaned in, his lips brushing against mine before he kissed me.

Again.

His kiss deepened, his hands holding me in place, but I just stood frozen in place. Dermos's expression didn't change. He leaned in again, his lips on mine, tugging even harder.

And soon, my mind began to go places, and my hands on his chest began to shiver a bit.

I felt tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. "Stop... please stop," I whispered.

He didn't stop.

Tears ran down my face as I pushed against him, but he didn't let go.

Would he really..?

I shut my eyes tighter.

Would Dermos rape me?