Halena
I groaned softly as my alarm rang, forcing my eyes open. I hated waking up, especially after what happened yesterday. The memory sent a chill of fear down my spine seeing Sandra dead and realizing I could have died because of my own foolishness.
I forced a small smile as I got out of bed, but frowned when I didn't see Vincenzo beside me. Strangely, it was a relief. He was a monster ruthless and terrifying yet somehow I hated him and liked him at the same time.
Staring at myself in the bathroom mirror, I saw a girl who was mentally and emotionally broken. I shook my head. I had to be strong. After finishing my morning routine, I got dressed and went to the kitchen to clean and cook.
While I was cooking, one of Vincenzo's men approached me.
"Hey, prepare some food and bring it to the basement," he said irritably, glaring at me.
"Why the basement?" I asked, confused.
"That's what the boss said." He smirked and walked away.
I glared at his retreating back. I had never been to the basement before, and I didn't want to go. I didn't even know whether to believe that ignorant bastard. Ever since the day I met him, he always found a way to disturb my peace.
One time, while I was taking dinner to the dining table, he purposely stuck his foot out, making me fall face-first along with the food. I sprained my ankle, and that fool laughed at me. Vincenzo asked what happened to my leg that day, but I pretended nothing was wrong. I still didn't know why that jerk hated me so much.
After finishing the food, I placed Vincenzo's portion on a tray and headed to the basement. But to my utter horror, I saw a bloody man kneeling in the middle of the room. Vincenzo sat on a chair beside him, while Jason, Matteo, and several other men stood around.
The glasses on my tray began to clatter as shock escaped my lips when Vincenzo punched the kneeling man. Every pair of eyes turned to me. I cursed under my breath, shaking in fear. Jason rushed over.
"Get out of here. Who asked you to come?" he growled.
I stared at him, stunned, unable to speak.
"Kitten, who told you to come here?" Vincenzo's voice cut through the room, low and dangerous, his eyes boring into mine.
"He… I…" I stuttered.
"Leave, Halena. Unless you want to see what I'm doing here. But I promise I'll punish you after I'm done." His voice was cold with anger.
My face went pale. The tray slipped from my hands, glasses shattering on the floor.
"Give her to Nathan so our organizations can be at peace. She's too weak for you," the kneeling man said with a twisted smile.
Out of nowhere, Vincenzo punched him so hard a sickening crack echoed.
"Stop!" I screamed, stepping forward, but Jason grabbed my arm and dragged me out.
"Why do you always find trouble for yourself?" he said. "You were about to stop him from punishing a traitor who planned to sell you to our rivals."
"Then why can't he hand him over to the law?" I argued, remembering the brutal punches.
"We make our own laws here, Halena. We don't forgive traitors. Vincenzo is the boss he decides everything."
"What's wrong with you all? Vincenzo isn't God. He can't decide someone's fate," I snapped.
Jason gave a dry laugh. "That's where you're wrong. Even politicians fear him. Killing him is our justice."
I didn't know what to say, so I returned to the kitchen and finished my work, trying to forget what I'd seen. When I was done, I went to the library to read.
I was so absorbed in my book that I didn't notice when Vincenzo entered and sat across from me, watching me intently. I expected him to lash out about the basement, but he just stared, as if memorizing every inch of me. My body felt like it was on fire.
"What were you doing in the basement?" he finally asked.
"I… I came to serve your food," I said honestly.
"You came to serve me my food in the basement?" he growled.
"Stop lying to me, Halena. You know what I do to liars."
"I'm not lying," I insisted. "I came to give you your food."
I hesitated, then added, "But why were you beating that man? No matter what he did, you shouldn't take the law into your own hands."
"What I do with my men is none of your business," he said, stepping closer, his musky cologne filling my senses. "Now answer me why did you come?"
I took a breath. I should just tell the truth.
"One of your men told me you asked for your food in the basement."
"Who?" His face was unreadable.
"Jason called him Cane the other day."
Immediately, he made a phone call and hung up less than ten seconds later.