Page 13 of Playing with the Devil

His eyes shifted from Silvia to me. Calm. Like a breeze on an early summer morning. “Either Silvia leaves, or they’ll put a bullet through her skull.”

The faint sound of a gun cocking made me whip around to see Kiril holding a gun to the back of Silvia’s head. Her body visibly trembled as her hands balled into fists at her side, eyes squeezed shut.

“Antonio, please.” I gripped his shirt, stepping closer.

The corners of his lips tilted upward into the most nauseating grin. “I like it when you beg.”

Dreading my next few words, I swallowed bile down my throat. Silvia was only here because she thought he killed me. She risked everything for me, even before showing up.

“I’ll do anything.” I lowered my voice. “Please, just let her stay. Don’t kill her.”

He was quiet for a moment as though he was examining my expression. Taking in my words.

“I’ll do anything,” I emphasized. “Please.”

His eyes moved to his men behind me. “Lock her in the basement,” he ordered and Silvia hissed.

I turned in panic and Kiril gripped her upper arm, shoving her forward.

“Hey!” She groaned and I rushed over, pulling her to me instead.

“Get your hands off her!” I protested.

“I have orders to follow.” He pulled my hand from Silvia and I reached up, smacking him across the face.

“Don’t fucking touch me!”

His face found a deep scowl and Rafé wrapped both arms around my body, lifting me away but I elbowed him in the nose.

With a groan he dropped me and stumbled back.

I spun around, striking a punch to his nose again and he cursed under his breath.

In a flash he stomped toward me with blinding rage and I stepped closer but he was instantly stopped when Antonio gripped his nape.

He froze, lowering his head.

Antonio glanced at him, dumbfounded. I knew the bastard didn’t hunt me down for four years just to let his men have all the fun. When Rafé realized how pissed and agitated Antonio was, he quickly apologised.

“Antonio, this place is a fortress. Let her have one of the rooms,” I pleaded.

He shoved the guard aside and stepped closer to me. “She just tried to kill me.”

“But—”

“My men either lock her in the basement, or they kill her.”

I shook my head in disbelief, then reality set in. I wasn’t in any position to make demands right now. Not for myself, much less for Silvia. So… I exhaled.

“Promise me you won’t hurt her. Or let them hurt her.”

“Choose, Nirah.” He evaded my question, and I chewed my bottom lip.

“It’s okay, Nirah.” Silvia’s soft voice grabbed my attention and when I turned, her eyes held a daunting pain. She nodded encouragingly, and even though it pained me to agree, I had no choice.

Rafé grabbed a handful of her hair, dragging her with him but when I tried to run after them Antonio gripped my waist from behind, yanking my back to his front. Fuck.

“I know exactly how you can repay me for my kindness.” His lips brushed my ear and disgust slithered up my spine.