Page 15 of Devil's Embrace
The casual threat in those last two words made my blood run cold.My hands trembled visibly, and I clenched them into fists at my sides.
"I want to see her.Right now."My Southern accent slipped out, stronger than usual, the way it always did when I was upset.
"You will.After you've composed yourself.Take these."He gestured to the pills.
I eyed them suspiciously."What are they?"
"Pain medication.For your head."His gaze flicked to my forehead, where I suddenly realized I must have a bruise or cut."You were...uncooperative last night.One of my men was perhaps overzealous in restraining you."
Memory flickered—being dragged down a hallway, fighting, the butt of a gun connecting with my temple.I touched the spot gingerly, feeling a raised lump."I’m not takin' anything you give me.I want my daughter.Now."
Something that might have been admiration—or perhaps just mild interest—flickered across his face before his expression returned to its usual impassivity."The medication is safe.You're of no use to me impaired."
"Of no use to you?"Anger momentarily overtook my fear."We're people, not things to be useful."
"In my world, everything and everyone serves a purpose.Your cooperation ensures your daughter's comfort.That starts with taking care of yourself."He picked up the glass of water and held it out to me.
My hands trembled harder as I took the glass, careful not to let our fingers touch.The cool glass against my palm felt surreal in this nightmare scenario.
"How do I know she's really okay?"The thought of Mina alone and scared was unbearable.
Luca reached into his pocket and produced a phone.He tapped the screen a few times, then turned it to face me.Security camera footage showed a room—much like this one but decorated in soft blues and whites—where Mina sat on a bed, still in her unicorn costume, though someone had removed the rainbow mane.A woman in a dark uniform was brushing my daughter's hair.Mina's face looked tear-stained but calm.
"She's being well cared for."Luca tucked the phone away before I could memorize any details of the room that might help me find her."Take the medication.Rest.You'll see her soon."
I swallowed hard, weighing my options.Fighting him would get me nowhere—I'd learned that last night.I only hoped to stay calm, gather information, and escape with Mina.
With shaking hands, I took the pills and placed them on my tongue, then I tucked the pills into my cheek and drank the water.The cool liquid soothed my parched throat, making me realize how dehydrated I was.
"Good.A maid will bring you clean clothes shortly.There's a bathroom through that door if you wish to shower."He gestured to a door I hadn't noticed.
"Please let me see my daughter.She needs me.She's just five years old, she must be so scared."
Luca studied me for a long moment, his blue-gray eyes revealing nothing."You care deeply for her."
"She's my child.Of course I care for her.She's everything to me."
He nodded slightly, as if filing this information away."Get dressed.I'll have someone bring you to her in one hour."
Relief flooded me so intensely that my knees nearly buckled."Thank you."Thanking the man who'd kidnapped us, who held our lives in his hands, felt awful.
Luca moved to the door, then paused."Emory, your daughter's continued comfort depends entirely on your cooperation.Remember that."
With that final warning, he left, the lock clicking ominously behind him.I sank onto the edge of the bed, my entire body shaking now.One hour.One hour until I could hold my baby again.I had to be strong.Had to find a way out of this nightmare.I spit the pills out and hid them under the mattress.
"I'm coming, sweet pea," I whispered into the empty room."Mama's coming."
Exactly one hour later, Luca returned to my room without knocking.I'd showered and changed into the clothes provided—simple jeans and a soft blue sweater that somehow fit perfectly, a detail that unnerved me more than it should have.I stood as soon as the door opened, my heart hammering against my ribs.
"Where's Mina?"were the first words out of my mouth.
"Follow me."He stepped back to allow me into the hallway.
I moved cautiously, my body tense as if expecting a trap.The hallway stretched in both directions, lined with artwork that probably cost more than everything I'd ever owned.Luca placed his hand at the small of my back, guiding me to the right.I flinched at the contact but didn't pull away, too afraid of jeopardizing my chance to see Mina.
"Your daughter is having breakfast," he informed me as we walked."She slept through the night."
I bit back a retort about how she'd cried herself to sleep according to the security footage.Instead, I focused on memorizing our route through the mansion.Left at an ornate mirror, down a sweeping staircase with a wrought iron banister, across a marble-floored foyer.The place was enormous—a sprawling testament to the Moretti family's criminal empire.
