Chained To The Devil novel Chapter 13

MAIN VILLA

4:17 p.m.

I walk into my father’s office, and he doesn’t even glance at me.

I lean nonchalantly against one of the walls, staring at him with indifference.

I’m exactly fifteen minutes late. Knowing that even one minute is unacceptable.

I’m exhausted, but he remains impassive as if he hasn’t noticed my presence. Finally, he breaks the silence:

“You’re late.”

“Getting out of prison isn’t exactly easy. I had to go through all the security checks, and there was traffic on the way.”

“I gave you thirty fucking minutes—you should’ve figured it out!”

“You can’t just walk in and out of prison whenever you want.”

He stands up furiously and sweeps the papers off his desk. I don’t flinch—too used to his extreme mood swings.

“You’re such a fucking failure! Ever since I placed you in that prison, you’ve done nothing but mess up! You haven’t reported a single thing about Alexander !”

“It’s not as easy as it sounds.”

He storms up to me and slaps me hard across the face.

The impact of his hand—and the silver ring on his finger—sends a sharp pain through me. I can feel blood trickling from my lip as my head reels from the blow.

I glare at him with indifference, saying nothing. I wipe the blood from the corner of my mouth with my sleeve.

“Stop raising your hand against me.”

He stares at me, then lets out a bitter chuckle. He adjusts his suit, rolling up the sleeves.

“You think you can rebel against me now, is that it? Don’t forget it’s thanks to me you’re even in this position! In one week, you’ve cost me at least five hundred grand, you stupid little bitch!”

“I wasn’t feeling well, but I’ll make up for it.”

“How do you plan to get my money back?”

“You can deduct it from my salary for the next few years.”

He steps closer and slams me violently against the wall, grabbing my throat.

He squeezes hard enough to lift me until my feet no longer touch the ground.

“Let go of me. Now.”

He smiles.

“You have a real gift for hiding your emotions, even though I can see the distress in your eyes. No one knows you I do. You can lie to anyone—but not to me.”

He’s right. He knows me better than anyone, and it’s terrified me since I was a child. He reads me like an open book.

“I had a great teacher who taught me how to hide everything.”

“What’s useful is the tits and ass you have, my dear daughter. Don’t think for a second you’re irreplaceable.”

“You don’t send the gang’s hookers for your business—especially not the kind that got me this lovely black eye.”

“You’re the only one responsible for the state of your face and body. You’re lucky I’m not adding more damage.”

“I’ve got a mission to complete. I’d rather skip the bullshit and leave.”

“Tonight, I’ll send you an address. You’ll retrieve a shipment of weapons on your own. Let’s see if you still deserve my trust.”

As I’m about to leave, he suddenly grabs my jaw and forces me to look him in the eyes.

“Be careful what you do, Inara. If I find out you’re trying to screw me over—or that you’re using your time in prison to let yourself get fucked…”

He squeezes so hard that I let out a small whimper of pain.

“I’ll kill you with my own hands after offering you to every man in the gang as a gift.”

I swallow hard.

“You don’t have much time before Alexander gets out. Hurry up and give me everything I asked for.”

He finally lets go, and I rush out of the office without looking back.

Once outside, I lean against the door and exhale deeply.

I touch my jaw, trying to ease the pain.