Page 1 of A Game of Secrets

Prologue

Silas

18 years earlier

“Son!”

I hear my father shout as I finish my dinner. I know he wants me for another training session, his hold over me is the only reason I listen and obey his commands. Every day he threatens my baby brother, I know his threats are not to be taken lightly. Last time I goaded him, he showed me the depth of his cruelty by harming my mother. I knew that day I'd never lay a hand on a woman like he did. I leave my room and address him, if I don't do even this correctly I'll feel his wrath.

“Yes Father, what do you need?” I ask in an even tone.

My father replies sharply, “It's time you learned how it feels to take another's life. It will make you a man and it will ensure our legacy survives.” I nod, not quite sure how to reply but knowing that refusal isn’t an option. “Follow me, Son.”

I follow him down to the training room, it’s soundproofed for our privacy, or so he said. I know better though, it’s soundproofed so he can keep his depravity a secret, whether the focus of his depravity is deserved or not.

I struggle to contain my visceral reaction to the room. I turn to one of the tables, pretending to look at the macabre array of tools on display, when in fact, I’m trying not to lose my breakfast. The memories of all the ways to kill a man play like a cinema reel in my mind. From peeling flesh to gouging eyeballs from their sockets. He has shown me how to keep a man alive at the same time as bringing him close to death both mentally and physically.

The first time he brought me here, I vomited. He slapped me so hard I fell in it and he made me watch from my puddle on the floor. Everytime I heaved or made a whimper he slapped again, harder than before. I quickly learnt how to stay silent in a room that was made to contain screams.

Once I get my reactions under control, I turn and try not to flinch as he barks, “Sit, Son.” I move to sit in the chair that I always sit in, the one beside him, “No Son, you are going to sit in the executioner seat today, as you will be the one to seal the fate of this traitor.”

I’ve avoided looking at whoever has the misfortune of being in the room with us today, my gaze glued to the floor. Slowly, bringing my eyes up to see a man, beaten and tied to a chair. I also see my fathers capo; Theo Rossi. The look in his eyes is predatory, he’s as eager to watch me kill this traitor as my father.

Standing behind Theo is my best friend, Lincoln ‘Linc’ Rossi, my brother in all but blood and Theo’s son. I hate Theo like I hate my father. What man would willingly put his child through this? But here we are and there is nothing we can do to change our fate now. I realize that’s why Linc is here, if I don't do this he'll pay the price. My father will use him to make me regret not following orders.

My father sees my sudden realization and smirks as he says, “Now boy, you need to begin as I'm sure you have figured out the price you and the Rossi’s will pay if you don't.”

“Who is he?” I ask, needing to know that this man is someone deserving of this torture rather than an innocent man who has been caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Who he is won’t change his fate, boy! Are you questioning me? Shall we see how your friend feels about it?” my father says with malice in his eyes.

I look at my friend, he nods, giving me the support I need, silently telling me that when it's done, he'll be there to avenge what they have made us do. With that last thought of justice, I feel a change come over me. The weak stomached little boy who walked in here has gone. I straighten my back, lock my humanity away and turn to our traitor, the lamb that is the sacrifice in this inhuman ritual. In this man’s death, I will be reborn. I read about this torture technique, it comes from Nordic legends and I know this is the moment, this was when I'd create my own legend. When I finally step out of my fathers shadow and become a man, just like he wanted.

I start to perform a masterpiece that will become my signature, the blood eagle. I block out the traitors’ screams and concentrate on my work. By the time I am done, the traitor looks like a fallen angel covered in a bloody mess, his back ripped open giving a perfect view of his innards enabling me to grab his ribs and twist them to look like broken wings, it’s perfect.

This is how I am now known, I didn't give him a quick death. I used my hands to feel the life drain from his body, I showed no mercy. I didn’t do it because I'm a sick bastard. I did it to show my father and his men they can't break me and if they try, this is what will await them. The Merciless, Silas Salvatore.

Chapter 1

Lucille

Having mentally checklisted my son's kindergarten bag for the tenth time already this morning, I turn to go through it once more before we leave; water bottle, exercise and reading book, pencil case, a change of clothes and most importantly, Little B. How could I ever forget Little B? He refuses to leave home without that little bear. I hear his soft footfall behind me and place the bear softly inside the backpack. He's ready I assure myself.

A gentle hand pulls my t-shirt, "All finished Mommy."

I turn and look down to see Teddy, my beautiful blue eyed baby boy handing his cereal bowl to me, his soft blonde waves a tangled mess atop his head. I can not help but smile. "How did you get so big, baby boy?" I ask, leaning forward and smothering him with tickles and kisses.

"From eating all my cereal, Mommy," he replies between fits of giggles.

I stare in awe and agree. "Yes baby boy, from eating all your cereal. Now quickly brush your hair and let's get going. Katrina and Isabella are meeting us at the gates."

"Have a good day you two!" My bestie and I shout as we wave our babies off for the day. I'm so lucky to have a friend like Katrina, and even more lucky that she has a daughter the same age as Teddy and they get along like a house on fire, we have even joked about them getting married one day. Kat and I met when I got a job as a nurse at Summerlin Hospital and have been as thick as thieves ever since. Being single moms, working long hours and seeing the shit we do at work is hard, so we know exactly what the other is going through.

"How're you feeling about today, Doll?" Kat probes as we change into our nursing uniforms. Today is our monthly rotation at the High Desert State Prison and my turn to travel over there with one of our doctors. It’s normally to help treat superficial wounds on the inmates but they do like to keep us on our toes so we never know what we’re walking into. I wholeheartedly love my job but whenever this comes around, I feel sick right down to the pit of my stomach. The thought of entering the prison and the possibility of my ex being there, let alone having to treat him for some stupid prison brawl is nauseating. It's just the two of us here and I know my secrets will be safe.

"I'm shitting it to tell you the truth Kat. What if he's there? What if he's been arrested and I end up having to face him? I wouldn't know what to do. What if he escapes and tracks me down and finds out about Teddy? Oh God!" I stop, panic stricken. "What if he takes Teddy!?'' The question comes out a garbled mess and suddenly with my head in my hands I start to hyperventilate, all the worst scenarios playing in my head.

Kats hands grab onto my forearms, "Look at me!" she demands. "You are going to befine! He isn't there, he is over a thousand miles away, probably already locked up again anyway for some stupid shit and if heevertouches you or Teddy, I'll kick him so hard in the dick he'll cry for a month."

---