Chapter 4 Trapped in shadows

Valentina understood the situation clearly. Lorrel had gotten himself into a serious predicament, and she was the only one who could bail him out. He'd somehow managed to infuriate Druid, and now it fell to her to rescue him, even if it meant sacrificing her own liberty.

Why she felt compelled to help a brother who had repeatedly let her down was a mystery to her. Yet, despite everything, she felt a sense of duty toward him.

"I... I want my brother safe," she finally said after a tense silence. "I want him to leave here alive and untouched, and for your men to never come after him again."

"In exchange, you'll accept my terms," Druid replied, more a statement than a question. Valentina nodded, and his smile widened with satisfaction.

"Consider it done," he said decisively. Valentina's anxiety eased a fraction, though her heart still raced.

Then, Druid's hand slid up her arm, the heat of his touch startling against her cool skin. His fingers traced their way to her shoulder, then paused at her neck. His eyes never wavered from hers, and she felt entrapped by his gaze.

Just as abruptly, he let go, turned, and walked away. Valentina's legs felt weak, and she sank onto the bed, pressing a hand to her neck where his had been. His presence lingered, a searing imprint even in his absence.

Lorrel was leaving, at last.

From her restricted vantage point in the room, she was only allowed to watch his departure from the balcony. Nervously, she bit her lip, standing there in a dress chosen by the man she now served.

The reality of her new life, isolated from everything she once knew, weighed heavily on her. This was the cost of settling her brother's debt.

When Druid joined her on the balcony, she couldn't help but tense. His relaxed demeanor belied the ruthlessness she knew he possessed. Over the past two days confined in this hotel room, she had come to understand that Druid Steel wasn't just involved in shady dealings; he was a Mafia Boss, commanding absolute loyalty from his men.

As the last of his men exited the room, Druid's voice rang out. "Bring him out," he ordered. Valentina's eyes locked onto the black vehicle parked below. The car door opened, and Lorrel emerged.

A wave of relief washed over her. Druid was keeping his word. She watched as Lorrel walked toward a waiting yellow taxi on the other side of the compound.

But then, she noticed something amiss. Her eyes zeroed in on the white bandage wrapped around Lorrel's hand, obscuring what was left of his fingers.

A sense of dread and a surge of anger flared within her. She turned to Druid, who still refused to meet her gaze.

"What did you do to him?" She asked in a low tone.

"Hmm?" Druid turned to her with a smirk. It irked her so much. The damn bastard.

"What did you do to him?" Her voice went up a pitch. She looked like she was about to cry, or vomit, or both. "You did something to him!"

"Oh, come on," Druid shook his head. "I only took off a finger... or two. I don't really remember. Besides, it's his left hand. He really won't use it much, will he?"

Staring at Druid made Valentina even more infuriated.

"He's missing a finger!!" She yelled. "You didn't keep to your end of the deal, Druid! You lied to me!"

He chuckled as if it was amusing to see her fuming and pointing at him accusingly.

"Oh, don't call me a fucking liar. I never lie when it comes to my deals. I mean, he's still breathing. I kept my word on that, didn't I darling?" He asked whilst straightening his shirt jacket and tugging his sleeve up to reveal a gold watch and the gold bracelet he wore. He glanced at it briefly. "After all, I never told you he would be leaving here unharmed. I only promised you his life and for him to be set free," He said in a playful tone. "And if I wanted I could have made things much worse. There are ways to keep a man alive even when he's missing all his limbs."

Valentina had heard enough and stalked towards him, her heels clicking on the tiled floor as she stormed towards him.

"You bastard," she hissed at him, raising her hand to give him a slap. That was the worst move she could ever make.

Valentina found her hand in a tight, vice-like grip that she couldn't shake it out of. Before she knew it she was pinned to the wall and had an annoyed looking man bearing down and towering over her.

"You-" she tried to speak but her back was slammed against the wall twice. It left her gasping for breath and weak against him. Then his hand left her hand and was on her neck cupping it firmly.

"Let me tell you," Druid still kept his voice light and free of any tension even if he was currently pinning her to the wall with only one hand. "I don't like people who can't keep their anger to themselves. I try to be nice," he shook his head and smirked at her red-faced self. "But some people just like to push my buttons, don't they?"

"L-Let me go-" she tried to choke out but he only tightened his grip. "P-please..."

Suddenly the grip was released and she barely managed to keep herself standing on shaky feet as she began to breathe heavily.

Druid watched her with an unreadable gaze. Then she felt fingers on her chin and she found herself being forced to look up at his handsomely dangerous face.

"You need a lesson in obedience, darling. And I'm delighted to be the one to teach it."

She looked away and he released her chin.

"Eventually," he continued to speak, his tone a low burr that stirred something within her. "But for now, I'll take this as a tiny little tantrum if yours."

Valentina couldn't help but blink rapidly as the sounds of Druid storming out of the room were enough to make her more fearful.

The door was shut with a slam and she covered her mouth as she gasped.

What the hell had she gotten herself into this time? What have you agreed to, Valentina?

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