Page 123 of Destined for the Devil
John glowed. There was a metamorphosis happening right in front ofme. John was transforming from a kind and polite older acquaintance to a menacing and evil personal tormentor, all with a smile on his face.
“You know he ransacked that island to find out who spied on you two? He had his security shake down every possible witness, and he came close, but not close enough.” John’s eyes lit up as he gloated. “His security located the photographer even though they had no idea that he was the man taking the photos. They almost had him, but…I got to him first.” John dragged his thumb across his neck, letting me know what he did to the poor photographer.
I leaned back into the couch, instinctively trying to get away.
“Roman must belosinghis mind right now. He has no idea where you are, and how could he?” John posed the question with undeniable joy. “I fall under no suspicion. He has no idea who I am! But we’re going to play a little game…and that will light a real fire under his ass.”
John stood and began pacing in front of the fireplace, his footsteps hushed by the soft carpet. “We will give him just small clues, just tiny whispers, just enough to drag him through hell. He’ll go aroundbegginganyone and everyone. He will crawl on his knees, desperate for information. Roman has never stood on his knees.” John suddenly turned and pointed his finger at me. “Roman kills from a distance. He rules from above, butthis…this will really humble him.”
He hummed, bringing his clasped hands to his lips, as if in anticipation and excitement.
I had no words, I had no thoughts, and I was having real trouble processing everything John unleashed on me. “John…I…” I trailed off, unable to formulate a real sentence.
“I know, Isla, I know. I know this is shocking for you, and I was always just some guy your dad worked with.” He took a slow step toward the fireplace, grabbing the poker and prodding the logs. “But your father…was a real piece of work. And none of this is clicking for you right now because you never really knew who he was. If you had—if you knew the kind of people he was involved with, this wouldn’t come as such a surprise.”
The fire crackled loudly, and all his words were sinking into me like a slow poison.I’m going to take his life.That’s what he’d said. He was going to lure Roman in and then…kill us both.
"John,” I whispered, doing my best to hold it together. “Maybe…maybe we can figure this out. We don’t have to make this about death. You could just…you could just take what you want, take the money. Take all the money that I inherited.” I offered weakly, the alcohol and the shock of the news intoxicating my mind. “Don’t do this, John. Just let it end. We could still all walk away.”
The scenarios swirling in my mind were all catastrophic, but John chuckled at my words.
"You were always such a good girl, Isla. So innocent, so kind.” He momentarily turned to me, something close to affection reflecting in his eyes; the same way he looked at me when I told him I was engaged.
But it was all an act.
“Maybe that's why you and Roman work together so well; he's the opposite of that.” He mused and turned back to the fire. "I’m not going to kill you. But I’m also not interested in moving on. I wanthim.And you’re going to help me.”
John had shed his mask. He turned back to me, a different man. Cold. Calculating. Uncaring.
"He will come. We’ll make him suffer for a few more days. Let him spiral a bit.” John stepped closer, enough for me to see the obsession in his eyes. “But soon…we can send him a video and give him a clue. I'll help you figure out what to say. And then it’ll only be a matter of time…before he crawls his way over here.”
54
Leech
Roman
"Merciful?"Idouble-checkedandsat up straighter, Isla’s voice echoing in my mind.They’ve been very...merciful...to me.
Vincenzo nodded slowly. "Does that mean anything to you?"
This was too much of a fucking coincidence. There was no reason for Isla to say that word with so much emphasis unless it was to provide a clue to where she was. And he was probably making her do it, the sick fuck.
Whoever thismercifulson of a bitch was wanted to play a twisted game, drive me to the edge of insanity, and wait for me to bust his door down. He should have just texted me the address; I would have been there in a second.
I stood and thanked Vincenzo profusely, but he waved me off. “I love my wife very much, and we’ve been together for fifty years. I can’t even imagine how you’re suffering right now. I'm happy to help any way I can. If you figure it out and need anything, don't hesitate to call me, hm?"
He looked so sincere that I hesitated. For a moment, I wondered if this was a setup, if the kindness was all a trick. But his next words were so simple, the heartbreak evident in every sound. "Go. Go find your love." Fuck. He looked like such a father figure I almost hugged him.
Right before I reached my car, my phone buzzed against my thigh, and I knew—Iknewthis was another message from him. I didn’t open the text. Instead, I dialed the number as quickly as possible. It rang andrang, and I stood in Vincenzo’s driveway shaking, sweating, and praying for clarity.
Someone picked up. It was silent except for…quiet, broken sniffles.
My knees buckled and hit the pavement. My real fear was blossoming into a horrific reality. The love of my life—crying, kidnapped, alone, terrified—and I had no idea where she was. I was powerless, left in the dark. And it ripped me apart.
"Angel..." I breathed out, tears obscuring my vision once again. I closed my eyes and prayed to God, prayed that she wasn’t hurt.
"Your Angel isfine, Roman. Don't worry.” A man’s voice responded as if annoyed. I didn’t recognize it in the slightest. “She wasn't lying. I'm not going to hurt her. She's just upset because she misses you. Do you miss her?" His mockery seeped through every word.
