TAKEN BY THE DEVIL

1

CLEOPATRA

My ears kept ringing with every echo of their discussions that I heard. My uncle, Aldo, stood at a far distance away from the man who had a seemingly dark look.

My breath hitched when my uncle blurted out in a cracked voice, "You can take me niece. It would be just for two years and I promise I will pay back."

My knees buckled. I stumbled forward, pushing the door slightly. The gentle creak of the door drew their attention to the door.

"Who is there?" My uncle rattled, throttling towards the door. I opened the door widely before he could get to the door and put up an innocent, sweet smile.

"Uncle, I'm sorry. I was being careless..."

His glare turned deadly. His lips pursed in annoyance.

"Good thing you are here. Come in," He said and spun around without sparing me a second glance.

Swallowing hard, I strode in with my head lowered and avoiding the eyes of the man in my uncle's study.

"Here she is," My uncle pointed out and reclined low on his chair.

I intertwined my fingers, letting my gaze linger on the floor. I realized there were tiny slobs of ink which I didn't clean off earlier when I was cleaning uncle's study.

"Fine. She is coming with me," That one voice drove chills down my spine. My pulse accelerated.

Coming with him? To where?

I jerked my head up, "What is going on?" I stuttered when two heavily built men flanked my sides each wearing strict frowns.

My gaze drifted from my uncle who pinched his fingers together underneath his chin and watched with hooded eyes to the man whose eyes I have been avoiding.

In his eyes were swirls of violence and evil. I shuddered.

"Uncle, I don't want to go with him," I cried out in defiance, falling down to my knees.

Uncle Aldo let out a deep breath, "This is for the family, Cleopatra. You have to go," He scuttled around with his back against me.

The man added nothing to our conversation. He rose to full length. He was at least 5" 3 tall, muscular and well built. He casted one long last glance my way as he left the office.

"Uncle please, Tell me what is going on? Who is the..."

I couldn't finish my sentence when he cut in with a raise of his hands.

"Take her away."

The men grabbed my arms and began to cart me away like I was some kind of commodity. My gut twisted in betrayal and hurt. I was shattered. Just like that, I have been sold out by the only family I have ever had since my parents death ten years old.

Tears clouded my vision. I was losing strength. From my peripheral vision, I could see my aunt and little nephew. Their eyes were wet with tears. Aunt tried to reach out to me but the soldiers yanked me out of the building - out of the place I called home.

***

I was totally drained and unable to move a muscle. I laid on the bed taking deep mental counts before I set myself up from the bed. A small creak of the door made me hypersensitive and I had to open my eyes quickly to catch the moving frame of a tall and huge body.

"You are awake?" He asked, not sparing me a glance as he rummaged through the closet.

"Wh... Who...are you?" My fingers sank deep into the duvet, my chest racing wildly.

He chuckled. I noticed he stopped moving and stood at ease. His hands slided down to his sides.

I found myself swallowing hard as I watched his every action.

"Your new owner."

Those three words pierced through me. It made me feel less of myself. I was now a commodity, to be owned, sold and bought.

The acrid taste of metal in my tongue brought me back to my senses.

He chuckled and swerved around, wearing a lopsided smile and having a red dress hanging from his arm.

"And henceforth, You will only follow my orders and do as I say."

His words flowed with ease but it sounded like a threat gripping me hard around the neck.

"Any questions?"

My lips stuttered to utter words but his glaring eyes made me withhold every question I had.

"Fine. Get dressed," He tossed the dress on the couch and gave a friendly smile that didn't reach his eyes. A smile that smelt like a stern warning.

He walked out of the room, the sound of the door echoed continually blaring into my thoughts. My throat tightened. I grabbed my hair in my hands, gritting hard as tears once more rolled down my face.

A few hours later, I heard a knock on the door. I sat on the bed completely ignoring the incessant banging on the door.

"I don't think she is in there," a voice mumbled.

I could hear them clearly but I bluntly refused to open up the door. My eyes are trained on the pretty dress sprawled on the couch. Its gold stones shimmered when struck by the sun rays. It was an elegant dress that stopped above my thighs.

It hugged my skin perfectly, giving me that curve that could make all heads turn. But it isn't what I need right now. I need to wake up from this nightmare.

I heard a smash on the door. Heavy bangs followed each other as they kept smashing the door. Finally, they broke it open.

The soldiers scurried in, their eyes wary and on alert. When they found me, perched at the edge of the bed I heard them release exhales of relief.

"She is right here, boss," One of them uttered and prostrated slightly.

I heard someone snarl, a hand grabbed my arm. The tips of his finger dug into my flesh. I bit back the wince throbbing at the base of my throat. I looked up to him, masking my fear with courage.

"Little girl, What are you waiting for? Why aren't you dressed?" He kissed his teeth, eyes boring into mine.

"I don't want to."

He growled, swung his hand across my face. His heavy metal ring struck the right side of my face. I felt pain around there. I palmed my face.

"You don't get to say what you want to do. You belong to me. I own you, control and order you," He spoke through his teeth.

"I am not your property!!" I flared up, standing to my feet. Tears clogged my vision. I could see his face fall into a scowl through my hazy vision.

"It isn't up for questions." He held my arm again, "Get dressed right now."

I didn't move an inch. I sized him up. His glare heavier and mightier than mine threatening me to cower in fear. But I do the opposite.

"Get dressed. Right. Now," He ordered, his voice punctuated with deep breaths.

I wasn't bulging. He stretched his hand, one of the soldiers placed a knife on his palm. He gave a wicked smirk.

He freed my arm and advanced towards me while showing off the sharp blades of the knife. I scuttled backwards and tripped on the bed. The dress which I have been wearing since the other day flared up leaving my thighs bare to his view.

He lowered his bloodthirsty eyes to my thighs. I cowered backwards.

He flattened his hands on my thighs keeping me in place. My skin burned at the spot where his hands touched.

Slowly, he lowered the blade to my skin. He maintained eye contact with me as he kept driving the blade through my soft skin.

At the first draw of blood, a sob tore from my lips.

"I will do it," I said quickly.

He grinned triumphantly, "Good girl. Now, You will do it here in my presence."

He moved away from me and handed the knife to the soldier who wiped it clean with a white towel.

He dismissed the soldiers with a wave.

My breath shuddered as I watched blood form thin line rolling down my thighs. I look up to meet his menacing stare.

I rose to my feet.

"Strip!!" He barked an order. The hair at the back of neck rose at its ends.

2

CLEOPATRA

I let down the zipper of my dress. My dress flowed down to the ground. I saw a sudden flash in his eyes. A flash of lust.

I walked out of the dress and stood before him just wearing my underwear.

"Now, you will take your bath with the door open. I want to watch you wash yourself."

Each order he called made my body shudder. I nodded and turned into the bathroom. I left the door ajar and began to take my bath.

My hands were slippery each time I tried to wash my body. The soap always slipped off my hands and each time I squat to pick it up, I hear him release a moan.

I was done with my bath under the lustful gaze of my captor. I walked out of the bathroom with a towel tied around my chest.

"Let it loose," He gestured at the towel. With shaky hands, I stripped it off.

His eyes glowered as he feasted his eyes on my cunt.

"Dress up," I turned around and picked up the dress at his command.

I wore the dress and struggled to zip up. I heard a shuffle and he was right behind me. He held my hands. His touch was cold and icy against mine.

Chills ran down my spine. I held my breath.

His fingers grazed the back of my neck. It felt like a syringe was run into me. My chest tightened. I curled my fist tight into a ball.

"Easy, Little girl." He moaned in my ears and nibbled on my ear lobes.

"Make me proud tonight. Else I will wipe out your entire family."

My shoulders slacked. I thought of Aunt and her little boy. I nodded. He took my hands into his palms. It was tiny and his hands covered mine.

He led me out of the room. We got to the garage, got into an already prepared car which throttled once we were sitting.

~~~

VALENTINE

Today's mission is going to be a smooth one. I and the guys packed up ready to leave. We are launching an attack on St. Georgie's casino. It belongs to Don Rossini. And what's even more interesting?

Don Rossini is paying a visit to the casino. The mission is to destroy the casino as a vendetta to what he did to my family - Corenza.

A hand rested on my shoulder, pressing lightly more like a pat.

"Valentine, Keep your head on the mission."

If it isn't Rossetti, the underboss of the Corenza clan.

His face was stern when I looked up to him.

"Sure. Rossetti. Have I ever failed?"

"No," He flashed a toothy grin.

"Remember, destroy the casino. Don't inflict direct harm on Don Rossini."

My lips curled in a grin. Rossetti knows I always do what I want.

"If I get an opportunity, I won't fail," I tapped his shoulder and turned around.

I could feel his cold eyes boring into the back of my head as I left.

"All set. Let's roll," Marcelo, my right hand commanded. The troupe rolled out of the mansion. Our cars glided down the cold and empty streets of Chicago.

I could feel blood rushing through my veins. I folded my hands till my knuckles turned white.

We were a few feet away from the casino. The lights from the casino spread across the space. We drove around the building, parking a few distance away from the casino.

The first squad entered the casino. They were to set the timer bomb. It would blow off in....

A loud sound echoed from a part of the casino. The roof and the walls blew off. There is chaos and yelling. I watched with relishment and my jaws set.

The second squad trouped in to wipe off the rest of the casualty.

Don Rossini's soldiers are screaming and yelling loudly in Spanish.

I wrapped the glove around my hands and wore my mask. I stepped out with Marcelo falling into step behind me. I walked into the casino. It is a disaster.

Bodies sprawled on the floor losing one or two of its members. Smoke rose high in the sky. I scanned through the smoky haze.

My lips curled in a smirk when I saw the lousy old man trying to run away. Our eyes met. His eyes narrowed in fear. One of his soldiers held him and began to lead him out. He looked on with fear as I kept my gaze on him and walked after them.

Shattering glasses drifted from one of the rooms. A few pieces of it flew in my direction. I was quick to duck.

I pulled open the curtains. I caught a glimpse of the silhouette of a small figure skidding out of the room. It looked feminine.

Two dead bodies of Don Rossini's men sprawled on the floor in their own blood with their tongues out and eyes open.

"Boss, Come on. Let's leave," Marcelo said in a hushed tone.

There are wails of sirens blaring from afar. And I left the room.

I still needed to say hello to Don Rossini. He couldn't have left. His car is always parked at the alleyway each time he visits the casino. I ran down to the passageway that led out in the alleyway.

The alleyway was quiet and cold. The chirping of crickets were the only sound I could hear. The alleyway was illuminated by the streetlights. There was no single soul out here.

He left already. I casted my gaze to the floor. I could see tire marks.

Convinced, he had already left. I retraced my steps back to the casino. But I saw her again. She crouched over at a corner.

She looked helpless. The clattering of her teeth reached my ears.I tried to move away but her frail form pulled me back to her.

"Why are you here?" I asked my voice thick and deep, my fingers played with my holster at my waist band.

She raised her head from the crook of her folded knees. Her eyes captured my attention.

Her eyes swallowed my entirety. I was speechless and only stared at her. She was shivering terribly. Her dress, once elegant, is now in shreds and barely covering up her body.

"Please Sir, Help me," Her voice cracked, maybe from being out in the cold. Her voice was soft and velvety. I let down my guard completely.

I noticed her eyes were red, "Please Sir, Save me. I don't want to go back to him." She pleaded once more, grasping one of my legs. My fingers slipped from the holster and held her shoulders. She shuddered. I saw a glint of fear flash in her eyes.

3

VALENTINE

"Have you gone nuts?" Rossetti barked harshly at me. He was infuriated the moment he saw the girl by day break. His eyes glowered.

"She looked helpless. And needed the help," I retorted.

"Listen to yourself," He scoffed and combed his hands through his dark hair. The only characteristics that actually show we are related.

"Did you ever stop to think? What if she is a spy?"

I never thought of that. She looked harmless last night. She was covered in blood, cold and all alone. She can't be a spy.

"She isn't," I responded, my heart beat tripled. I wasn't sure.

He gave a mirthless laugh, "How do you know that? I warned you Valentine. Stick to the mission."

"And I did.."

"She wasn't part of the mission," His accusation was loud and clear enough to make my tongue roll back. I bent my head low.

"We have to dispose her."

His statement forced my eyes to widen. Dispose?

"Ross..."

"I'm still the boss, Valentine." He hollered, shutting me off.

"Get her ready. You can leave," He said with an air of finality and turned his back against me.

I exhaled and left the study. My body still reeked of blood and smoke from last night. I stopped by the room I gave to her.

I knocked on the door and opened it. She was sitting at the edge of the bed, hugging herself and staring out the window.

She couldn't hurt a fly. I trotted in. The sound of my feet rang softly. She rose up looking startled. My chest tightened. Her face was coated with fear. Her brows arched high in alarm.

When she saw me, her brows relaxed.

She ran to me, threw her arms around my torso and embraced me tightly, "Thank you for saving me." She mumbled softly, sniffling.

My hands went numb at my sides. It felt like a new synergy was surging through me.

She disengaged from the embrace. A sweet, charming smile now replaced the frown etched on her face.

"Good morning."

Her voice. My chest pounded at the sound of her velvety voice. And why is she smiling so hard? Doesn't she feel pain on her cheek from smiling so hard?

All these and more ran through my head as I stared at her. She was the image of a goddess. Her collar bones stood out. Her lips were tempting. My fingers throbbed to hold her again. The other night she fell asleep on my shoulders. I had to carry her all the way up to this room. My fingers registered her soft skin and once more wanted to touch them again.

I remained mute with a stoic expression.

Her stomach rumbled. She gasped and wrapped her hands around her stomach, lowering her head slightly in embarrassment.

I turned around and began to leave.

"What is your name?" Her sweet voice once more made my feet halt. My hands wrapped around the door.

I craned my neck around to her direction, she still had that smile.

"Valentine," I croaked in a deep, hoarse voice.

Her lips fell open and her smile got wider, "Valentine."

A sense of familiarity knocked me. Her voice was just like hers. Soft. Exciting. And low-pitched.

I pushed open the door.

"Nice to meet you Valentine. I am Cleopatra," She yelled after my retreating figure.

I shut the door gently. Exhaled and made my way to the kitchen.

Cleopatra. Her name kept resounding in my head. I got to the kitchen and gave orders to the cooks.

After that, I went to my room to prepare for the day.

~~~

Rossetti barged into my room without knocking. His face was contorted in annoyance.

"Why is the girl still alive?" He questioned, his glaring eyes boring a hole in my forehead.

"She isn't a spy."

"What are you even saying? How sure are you?" His voice roared higher in frustration.

"She could have been sent by Don Rossini or even any other person. What could she be doing out there in the alleyway?"

He kept throwing questions that doubted the certainty of Cleopatra not being a spy.

I took my eyes away from the paper work before me and looked up to him, "There are thousands of reasons why she could be in the alleyway. She doesn't look smart enough to be a spy."

Rossetti chuckled, "Valentine, Don't underestimate Rossini's plans. He could have sent her."

"There is no better way to find out other than interrogating her."

"No interrogations, Valentine. You have to kill her."

"Rossetti!!" I yelled, feeling the rush of blood to my head, "No one will touch a hair on her skin."

"What is going on with you? Is there something I should know about this girl?"

I held his gaze but lowered mine.

"Why do I feel like you didn't tell the truth about her? Where did you find the girl?"

"Enough!!" I hit my balled fist on the table. The rattling echoed in the room.

Rossetti's lips twisted in a smirk.

He leaned forward, pinching his fingers on the table, "If you don't kill her, I will do it myself."

He threatened with a glare. He straightened and tucked his suit. He left my room. His steps echo louder than my thoughts.

My lips opened slightly and a rush of air flowed out.

I picked up my clothes and began to dress up.

~~~

CLEOPATRA

My thoughts flicked back to Aunt Kimberly and Nephew Andrew. There was a longing in my heart to see their faces once more.

When Valentine returns, I will tell him I wish to leave now. I can't stay away from them for too long.

I exhaled and laid on the bed. Shortly after my back met the soft mattress, sleep warped around me. I fell asleep.

He was here again. The evil man with that dark smirk. The one that was my new owner. This time his face was fixed in a stoic expression.

His eyes held me rooted at a spot. He advanced towards me. My knees buckled and I fell on the floor.

"Little girl, Do you think you can run?" He asked menacingly. He stretched his hands forward.

His fingers curled around my neck. He pressed tightly. My chest tightened. My airway was constricted. Black dots rotated around my eyes. I was slipping off. I tried to hit off his hands but he was stronger. His grip was tighter.

"Cleopatra," I heard a deep voice call calmly.