DEVIL:
"So you're a Romano?" Abby hissed through the sharp pain coursing through her body. Jaden and Rio had been particularly taking care of her. "Do you still miss your mommy, dear?"
Jaden sneered before slamming the bat against her knee. A bloodcurdling scream tore through the basement. Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth, her face swollen and battered, yet she still held herself like she owned this fucking place.
I hated it.
"You don't have to worry about that, Abby," I said, taking a slow puff of my cigarette. "The more time you waste dodging my fucking question, the more pain you'll endure before you fucking die. So, you better choose—talk, or suffer."
But she laughed. Like a maniac. "I'd rather die than answer any of your questions, Devil. You're just a kid. You have no idea who you're messing with."
I exhaled smoke through my nose, unfazed. "Oh, trust me, I know exactly who I'm dealing with," I snapped. "The real question is—do you have any idea what we're about to do to you?"
Lara and Mark stepped into the room. Lara clung slightly behind him, yet she didn't flinch when Jaden swung the bat again. Pain is what makes a person stronger. Lara had become one of us, and we had gladly welcomed her into the family.
"Lara..." Abby's voice cracked as she begged. "Save me, my dear! You're my daughter."
But Lara scoffed. "Save you? Why? Where were you when Heath needed your help? When I needed your help? Have you forgotten that we were your daughters once?"
"My dear... trust me... I had no intention—"
"Oh, shut up!" Lara snapped. "Enough with the bullshit. I know what your intentions were from the very beginning. The only difference is, back then, I couldn't stand up to you. But time has changed, Mom. Now, you're going to pay for everything you've done."
For the briefest second, I saw it—panic flickered in Abby's eyes. But it was momentary. She let out a breathy chuckle, then a full, pained laugh. "You're all fools if you think the Falcons will be scared of you. Sure, there's been a momentary pause in the organization because of The Devil—but now that they know who you are, they're coming. And when they do..." Her voice darkened, "You better run. Because they don't take. They ruin."
I'd had enough of her fucking nonsense. Anger surged through me as I shoved back my chair and stood up. "Fucking shut up with your bullshit and tell me—where is the Falcons' base?"
"I don't know."
Jaden swung the bat again, this time into her stomach. She gasped, doubling over in pain, but still, she didn't answer.
I gestured to Jaden. "Keep going."
And he did. The sound of bone meeting steel, the raw, agonized screams that followed—it filled the room, echoing off the basement walls. I watched as Lara's composure cracked. She couldn't take any more. Mark noticed and led her upstairs.
But I stayed.
Because Abby hadn't broken yet.
And I was going to make sure she did..
Raven brought a red-hot iron close before pressing it against her bare back. A bloodcurdling scream tore through the basement.
"Isn't this how you brand those kids?"
Her screams grew louder and louder—until they faded as I walked upstairs.
I couldn't say I was in a particularly good mood today. Since morning, a relentless headache had been hammering my skull, and my damn shoulder was becoming a bigger pain in the ass by the minute.
We had lost track of Russo. The Falcons' base remained intractable. And for God's sake, David had turned into a pain in the ass as well.
I grabbed my tablet, only to be met with Ana's face plastered all over the internet. Her father stood behind a podium, delivering his righteous speech about how he was going to find the culprit and bring justice.
I could only laugh.
James had always been the smartest of them all—the mastermind behind their plans. Breaking through his defenses was the toughest part because everything had been meticulously designed for his safety.
"People of Larksville," James declared into the microphone, "I promise you, we will find my daughter in no time. The police are searching for her everywhere, and David has been a hero in this case. He has successfully solved every case assigned to him, and I believe he is the best man for this."
The sound of camera shutters filled the air as he continued his speech.
"Not just because she's my daughter—but because every girl in this town is like my daughter. And as your newly elected mayor, I have pledged to look after this town as if it were my own family. So fear not, my people, justice will be served soon."
I huffed and shut off the tablet.
Just then, one of my men walked in. "Sir, we have bad news."
My brows furrowed, already bracing for another headache. "Go on," I replied stiffly.
"Two of our men were found dead near Texas while following Russo's lead. They were killed brutally. And we also lost Salem... along with the pen drive he was supposed to bring."
I gritted my teeth, anger surging through me. This was Russo's doing. He was searching for me. But frustration gnawed at me—because I couldn't find that bastard first.
Two days. He had been missing for two damn days. Hiding like a fucking coward.
"Send our best team. I need Salem alive."
As soon as the man left, I pulled out my phone and dialed a number.
The line rang twice before the call was answered.
"Hello?"
I didn't reply at first. Silence stretched between us.
Then, I spoke.
"Hello, David."
I watched as his face faltered.
The screen on my tablet displayed his chamber—walls lined with files, Ana's picture among them.
I knew he had been in love with my Estrellita for a long time. The only reason I hadn't killed him yet was because he was a good cop.
"I called to give you a warning and a lead. You can either take my help and follow it... or you can keep playing the good cop, only to end up as someone's puppet."
He was smart. He understood exactly what I meant.
After a brief pause, he said, "This better be for a good cause, Devil."
I tapped a button on my phone, sending him the file from Abby's club. A list of names. Details. Everything he needed was already in there. Now it was his job to piece the rest together—to play the hero if he wanted.
I was about to hang up when his voice stopped me.
"How's A?"
My fist clenched at the sound of my Estrellita's name in his mouth. I was a possessive man—I accepted every fucking bit of it. But I swallowed the anger and replied,
"Don't worry about her. She's right where she belongs."
"She isn't a fucking property, Devil. Let her go, and I promise I'll let you go."
I laughed. "Let her go? Never. And as for letting me go... well, try to catch me first, David." I taunted him, my voice laced with amusement. "You can either play the hero and bask in the attention... or you can wade into the mud and become one."
Then, I ended the call, tossing my phone onto the bed.
I sighed in frustration, rubbing my temples—until a knock on my door interrupted me.
I looked up.
There she was.
My Estrellita.
I frowned. "What are you doing here?"
She fidgeted with her fingers, biting her lip like she was battling something in her mind. "Um... How are you doing today? I-I just came to ask about your... wound."
"Oh," I murmured, watching her closely. "It's okay now. Don't worry, Estrellita, I'm fine."
She stepped inside slowly, wearing a nightdress that made it hard to breathe. A pair of pink floral shorts that barely covered anything and a loose shirt that clung in all the right places.
It was tempting. Too tempting. I wanted to rip it off her body and fuck her right here. But I controlled myself.
"I-I haven't seen you all day today," she mumbled. "Were you busy?"
I chuckled. She's cute when she's shy.
"Were you missing me, Estrellita?" I taunted, my voice thick with amusement.
This time, she finally looked up at me.
And fuck.
Her ocean-like eyes pulled me under, drowning me deeper with every second. She took a step closer. Then another.
So small. So delicate. And yet, so fucking dangerous.
My blood rushed south at the sight of her smooth, silky skin. My throat went dry. I cleared it, a silent warning to myself.
But then—she touched me.
Her soft hands rested on my shoulder, her body rising onto tiptoes as she leaned in. Her breath brushed my ear as she whispered—"Maybe."
Fuck.
I growled, my hands snapping to her waist. "Estrellita." A warning. A plea.
But she didn't stop. She moved closer, her arms sliding around my neck, pressing against me. And that was it. I fucking lost my mind. Like some teenage boy about to lose his virginity to his long-time crush.
"I-I need to tell you something," she whispered.
I didn't move. I didn't breathe. I just waited.
She gazed up at me, lips trembling. My eyes dropped to them, aching, desperate.
"I think..." Her voice wobbled, thick with tension. "I think I'm in love with you, Devil."