Page 18 of Devil's Embrace
"I'm not pretending anything," he replied calmly, standing from his chair."Children should be protected from the ugliness of adult matters.She's been through enough trauma.I see no reason to expose her to more."
"You're the one who caused that trauma!"I fought to keep my voice down in case Mina could still hear."You kidnapped us!You killed a man in front of us!"
"And now we need to discuss how we move forward."He gestured toward the door."My study is more appropriate for this conversation."
I remained seated, a small act of defiance."I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what you want from us."
Luca didn't argue or threaten.He simply stood there, waiting, his patience making it clear he could outlast any resistance I offered.After a full minute of tense silence, I pushed back from the table and stood.My legs trembled slightly, but I forced myself to walk steadily as I followed him out of the dining room.
He led me through the mansion's labyrinthine corridors, past rooms glimpsed through half-open doors—a library, what looked like a gym, another dining space smaller than the first.The wealth on display was obscene.Blood money, I thought bitterly.How many people had died to pay for these marble floors and crystal chandeliers?
We stopped at a heavy wooden door, intricately carved with what looked like a family crest.Luca pushed it open and gestured for me to enter first.I hesitated before stepping inside, my body tensing as I heard the door close behind us.
The study was exactly what I would have expected from him—masculine and intimidating, designed to emphasize power.Dark wood paneling covered the walls, lined with bookshelves holding leather-bound volumes.A massive desk dominated one end of the room, its surface bare except for a laptop and a crystal decanter.Opposite the desk, a seating area featured deep leather chairs arranged around a low table.Large windows overlooked the estate grounds, showing the full extent of the property—rolling lawns, gardens, and in the distance, the high stone wall that surrounded it all.A prison disguised as paradise.
"Sit."Luca indicated one of the leather chairs.
I remained standing, crossing my arms over my chest."Just tell me what you want."
A ghost of a smile touched his lips, as if my defiance amused him."Very well."He moved to the window, gazing out at his domain."You and your daughter witnessed something you shouldn't have.Under normal circumstances, that would have led to one outcome."
My blood ran cold at the implication."But?"
"But I'm considering alternatives."He turned to face me, his blue-gray eyes assessing."You'll remain here as my guests for the foreseeable future.Mina will have everything she needs—education, entertainment, proper care.You will be treated with respect as long as you cooperate."
"We're not guests.We're prisoners."I dug my nails into my palms to keep from shaking."And what do you mean by 'cooperate'?"
"It means you don't attempt to escape.Don't try to contact anyone outside these walls.You don't cause problems for me or my people."He moved toward his desk, his steps measured and deliberate."In return, your daughter continues to receive the kind treatment she's experienced so far."
The threat beneath his words was clear: Mina's well-being depended on my compliance."How long?"I asked, my voice barely above a whisper."How long do you plan to keep us here?"
"That depends on a number of factors.For now, consider it indefinite."
Indefinite.The word hit me like a physical blow.I sank into the chair he'd offered earlier, my legs no longer able to support me."People will look for us.My job, Mina's school—"
"Already handled."Luca sat on the edge of his desk, looking down at me."Your employer received an email this morning from your account, explaining that a family emergency has called you away indefinitely.The school received a similar message, with proper withdrawal paperwork to follow.Your landlord will find next month's rent in his mailbox tomorrow, with a note saying you've decided to move closer to family in Alabama."
Horror crawled up my spine as I realized the extent of his research into our lives."How do you know all this?”
"I make it my business to know everything about people in my custody."He picked up a folder I hadn't noticed before and opened it."Emory Jean Scott, twenty-three years old.Born in Milledge, Alabama.Became pregnant at seventeen, moved to Havenview shortly after Mina's birth.Works as a secretary at Reynolds & Associates Law Firm.Allergic to shellfish.Regularly shops at Discount Grocery on Third Street, likely due to financial constraints.Takes Mina to the park on Sundays.Last visited a doctor eight months ago for a sinus infection."
Each detail landed like a slap.The invasion of privacy, the clinical dissection of my life—it left me feeling violated in a way that transcended physical boundaries.
"Why?"My voice cracked."Why go to all this trouble?Why not just..."I couldn't finish the sentence.
"Kill you?"he supplied calmly."As I said, I'm considering alternatives."
"What alternatives?What do you want from us?"The question burst from me, frustration overriding fear.Why wouldn’t he just tell it to me straight?I’d rather know than be left wondering what might happen to us.
Luca studied me for a long moment before asking a question that caught me completely off guard."Mina's father—where is he?"
I blinked, thrown by the sudden change in topic."What?"
"Her father," he repeated patiently."He's not in the picture.I want to know why."
"That's none of your business," I snapped, defensive instinct kicking in.
"Everything about you is my business now, Emory."His use of my first name sent an unsettling chill through me."Answer the question."
