Page 53 of Devil's Tulip

Interesting.

“So you know who I am and still thought it would be fun to try to steal from me?” I ask conversationally as I walk past him to the shelf lining the back wall. Tugging it open, I let my gaze roam over the various torture devices. Each tool has its purpose, its own way of extracting the truth.

“I’m so sorry. It was an accident, I didn’t–”

“Quiet,” I order, and he swallows the rest of his excuses with a sniveling whimper. Finally, I decide on the black stun belt and hand it to Lorenzo, who immediately moves to wrap it around Oliver’s upper arm.

“W–what is this?” he stammers, but neither Lorenzo nor I give him an answer.

“We’re the ones who’ll be asking the questions,” Lorenzo informs him coolly.

Once the belt is secured, I raise the remote control. “Who sent you to my company?”

Oliver gulps. “I don’t–I don’t know what you’re talking abo–agghhh!” His head slams back, body writhing as the electric current rips through his body.

I lift my thumb off the button, watching as he sags against the chair, gasping for air. “Don’t fucking test me, Oliver. I’ll fill your body with so much electricity, you’ll taste the currents on your tongue.” I pause, then smile. “And then I’ll filet the skin off your fingers—one by one. And feed them to you. Until you choke.”

“No, no, please don’t—” His breath hitches as he breaks into ugly, shuddering sobs. Tears roll down his cheeks the same time a large, wet stain spreads across his lap, liquid dripping to the floor.

Disgust curls my lips as the sharp stench of urine fills the air.

Pathetic.

“I’ll tell you everything I know.”

16

GIANNA

The slap lands as soon as the elevator doors seal my fate, the force hard enough to snap my head sideways. Pain explodes in my cheek, but I inhale sharply, blinking back the tears that immediately sting my eyes.

I stare blankly at the wall, refusing to look at him or touch my burning cheek.

The first time he ever hit me, I made the mistake of reacting—raising my hand to my face in shock—and it only earned me another slap. Now I know better. Lock down all reactions. Don’t give him the satisfaction.

The slap held no real shock anyway. I knew this was coming. What I truly dread is what’s waiting for me at home.Dario. I wrecked his favorite car, and I know he won’t let me off the hook. My cousin isn’t that type at all. He finds too much pleasure in causing me pain.

Surprisingly, Uncle Aldo keeps his hands to himself the rest of the elevator ride, grumbling under his breath instead. When the doors open, I follow him meekly towards his car, only briefly considering making a run for it.

No, that would be stupid.

If one of those guys standing around with guns thinks I’m a threat, they’ll shoot me without hesitation. No. I just need to bide my time and wait for the right moment.

As we pass Michael’s Cullinan, my throat closes up, and my chest aches with the weight of his betrayal. I trusted him so much, so completely. What a fool I was. How fucking naïve.

The driver inside catches my gaze, his eyes widening in surprise as he watches me leave with my uncle.

I look away from him. I can’t bear any reminders of that betrayal.

At Aldo’s limo, his driver, Jacob, sneers as he yanks the door open for me. I avoid his gaze as I scurry in, the door closing behind me feeling like a coffin lid sealing me in.

I squeeze my eyes shut, resting my head against the window and making myself as small as possible when Aldo gets in from the other side.

“You fucking whore,” he spits, venom lacing every syllable. “I fixed a marriage between you and a billionaire, and you chose to run away and spread your legs instead?”

I open my eyes slowly. But I keep my mouth shut.

There’s no point in defending myself. He’ll believe what he wants, and if I so much as try to argue, it will only make things worse. My cheek still burns from the slap earlier—I’m not inviting another one. Or something worse.

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