Page 21 of Psycho

“Order?”

His lips pull up into an evil grin, that chills me to the bone. I can see the devious thoughts running through his mind. I don’t know what they are, but I can tell they aren’t good.

“Before I end your life, you won’t even recognize yourself, little lamb. You won’t have a choice. You will do everything I say.”

I plead for my life like a pathetic person, because this isn’t only about me. If I am not there to pay expenses, my mother will get worse, and die.

“Please let me go. I will do anything you want. Just let me go. Cut me, but let me live.”

He folds his arms over his chest, while he stares at me like he’s making a decision. The knife is still in his hand, and I watch it closely, willing it to kill him, but it doesn’t even cut his arm.

“You’re offering to make a deal with the devil, little lamb. Are you prepared for what that could mean for you?”

I nod my head, because it doesn’t matter. As long as I survive, I will have to deal with whatever he throws at me. For my mother, I have to survive this.

Psycho steps closer to me, and takes my face in his hands, forcing me to look him in the eyes.

“This is a one-time offer and, if I’m honest, I’m only making it, because I know you won’t hold up your end. I’ll keep you for thirty days, and you’ll do everything I say. If you refuse any order, the deal is over, and you’ll die immediately. If you somehow manage to do everything I want you to, I’ll let you go.”

He’s wrong. I will hold up my end of the deal, because I don’t have a choice. I don’t want to die, so I’ll sacrifice the next month of my life for my freedom. I know something he doesn’t though. I’ll be the one to rid the world of the Bonetti Brothers. I’ll just need to be more careful once he lets me go. I try to stay strong but, against my will, my body trembles, as it has the entire time I’ve been in this basement, giving him what he clearly thrives on, my fear. I want to hide it away, but as mean as Massimo the boy was, the man is far worse than I imagined. He’s beautiful and cruel. Brutal, and if my hopes for living are contingent on him having an ounce of kindness, I’m in big trouble. I don’t think he has any left.

“Consider this your first test. I’m going to untie you. You will immediately get on your knees, and put your hands behind your back. I won’t give you reminders of what’s at stake. I trust the consequences are severe enough for you to remember on your own.”

Psycho unties my wrists, and I rub them, while he does the same with my legs.

Silently, he arches an eyebrow expectantly. I step away from the cross, and drop to my knees.

After kicking his shoes off, he unbuttons his pants, and I stare at him in confusion, while he pulls his lips up into a wicked grin.

He removes his black pants and matching boxers, and I sit on my knees, staring. No, what I’m doing would probably be considered gawking.

“What the actual fuck?”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

PSYCHO

This is not a normal response to my dick. First time for everything, I guess. I’ve already been inside her. She didn’t realize it was my piercings making her scream with pleasure.

“Please tell me you weren’t a fucking virgin.”

She rolls her eyes at me, which makes me want to say our deal is off, but of course, that wasn’t part of it, so I dismiss it.

“I’ve been pregnant. Of course I’m not a virgin.”

I drag my hand down my face. Fuck. She’s got a goddamn kid. Call me a softie, but I don’t love the thought of leaving a kid without his mother. It won’t change much, but I don’t like it. We’ll have to give money to whoever ends up with the kid. It’s the right thing to do, and I already know Bones will insist on it. See, we’re not as bad as people say we are.

“You have kids? How many?”

Her gaze drops to the floor, and the sadness in her expression is visceral. It’s like looking at a damn puppy that has been kicked one too many times. The sorrow etched on her face, when I ask about her children, says there’s a story, but it’s one she isn’t interested in reliving.

“He’s dead. End of story.”

Stepping closer to her, I grab her chin with my thumb and forefinger, and lift, forcing her head back.

“Let me make one thing clear, Anastasia. If I want to know the story, you will tell me. In this case, I don’t give a fuck, but if I want to know something, you won’t refuse me. We’ve already discussed what happens if you don’t do as you’re told.”

Her glare is fucking fierce, and her anger is palpable. I definitely struck a nerve.Good.

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