Page 32 of The Devil's Den

MATTEO

“Aida!” I shout, pulling at my chain, trying to get it off the radiator as it cuts into my skin, wanting to run to her. To save her. He’s hurting her, while I’m here, unable to do a damn thing about it. Her desperate cries penetrate through the ceiling as something heavy shatters on the ground…and the way Ms. Greco screams for him to stop… My hands ball into tight fists, my lungs heaving, begging for air.

“Aida! I’m here!” I growl in frustration, knowing if the chain was off, he’d be dead. I’d kill him and not even blink. It’s who they taught me to be. End lives without feeling. Without thinking. And he’d be my easiest kill. I just need thirty seconds. Then it’d be over.

He tells them to clean the mess, then it’s silent. But the quiet doesn’t last long. When he returns, so does his yelling.

“You missed a fucking spot!” His voice is like a hammer built for destruction. Ms. Greco screams as Aida begs him to let the woman go. I yank at the chain with a roar, my skin ripping, drops of blood slipping down to my feet.

“No!” Aida shouts with a deafening cry and my heart slices in two. She sobs as footsteps stomp further away until they’re distant. Until she’s alone. Until all I hear is her pain until she’s gone too.

I don’t know how long I remain down here, anger swirling inside me, pacing back and forth in front of the mattress because that’s as far as I can go.

After some time, my door opens. At first, I think it’s him, coming to give me a piece of what he gave them. I dare him. I’d rip his goddamn throat out with my teeth.

“Aida?” I ask, as someone gently climbs down the stairs.

“It’s me.” She sounds so small. Like a bird with her wings clipped, like the sun darkened by the rainy sky.

Her face lowers once she’s before me, and when she looks up, my eyes zap to the cut on her cheek.

“He did that?” My exhale howls out of me. “He hurt you?”

“Don’t,” she cries, those warm, golden eyes that radiate with the glow of the stars, now clouded with darkness. “I can’t stay long, but I couldn’t not come and wish you a belated happy birthday. Again.” She sniffles, avoiding my gaze. “I really tried to make it special. I’m sorry.”

“Hey, come here.” I reach a hand for her, my brows tightening with my own bout of sadness. “What happened?”

“I had Ms. Greco make you a cupcake. But he found out and…” Her chin trembles. “I’m sorry I ruined your birthday.” Large tears slip past her eyes, sloping down her cheeks as she lets out a single sob, punching me in the chest.

“No, Aida, don’t cry.” My arms are around her, holding her close, knowing I can’t keep him away. The only thing I can do is do whatever he says so that he doesn’t send her to the club or kill her.

“I don’t care about my birthday.” I pitch my face back to look at her. “I only care about you, okay? Don’t do anything else to piss him off.”

“So I guess I shouldn’t have brought down your birthday present?” She swipes across her lashes as a tiny, pained smile curls over the corner of her mouth.

“Aida…” I slant my face. “You shouldn’t have gotten me anything. I just like spending time with you. That’s all.”

“I know, but I wanted you to have this. He can hurt me all he wants for this. I don’t care.”

“But I do.” I grasp her shoulder, locking her in a stare. “I willdiebefore I let that happen.”

“Well, if you die…” Her voice goes faint, fresh tears pooling in her gaze. “I’d really have no one at all.”

I pull in a long breath, rage filling me. Every time she cries, I get the urge to murder her father.

She reaches under her shirt, confusing me, until she removes a notebook and a box of pencils.

“Whoa. This is great,” I say as soon as I see them.

“Yeah?” Even through the hurt, she still manages to smile, to make me do it too.

“You kidding?” I take it from her. “You know drawing is my thing. Now, I’ve got a lot more to draw you on.” The corner of my mouth tilts up.

She sighs brokenly. “Make sure you hide them well.”

I grab hold of her hand just as she gets set to go. “I will. Promise.” Her eyes fall to mine and that familiar flip in my stomach hits me hard.

“Could I kiss you?” I ask in a breathy tone, afraid the world will somehow slip beneath our feet and I’ll never get another chance.

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