Chapter 74
Elijah Vaughn.
A soft touch brushed against my face, pulling me gently from sleep.
“It’s time to wake up, bunny.”
That low, velvety voice wrapped around me, easing me slowly back into consciousness.
“You need to eat and take your medication.”
I blinked a few times, adjusting to the dim light of the cell. My muscles still ached, but the pain wasn’t as suffocating as before.
‘I already cleaned you up and applied the ointments.”
He continued, his fingers sliding through my hair.
‘I also stretched your body while you were sleeping. That way, the pain wouldn’t be as bad.”
I blinked again, letting his words sink in.
It was true.
I hadn’t felt anything.
Sleep had swallowed me completely.
Resting my head on the pillow, I turned my face slowly. The discomfort was still there, but not nearly as sharp as it had been earlier.
He slid an arm under my back and the other beneath my legs, lifting me carefully. The motion drew a low groan from my lips as my body reacted to the
strain.
He sat on the bed, settling me on his lap before pulling the tray of food closer.
“Here you go, bunny,” he said in a calm, soothing tone. “Open your mouth.”
I accepted the spoon he held, feeling the warmth of the food spread through my mouth.
Its soft texture and gentle seasoning made it clear it had been prepared for someone who couldn’t chew much.
Being in his lap felt strangely comforting, despite the embarrassment burning under my skin.
I was still completely naked. Not because he wanted me that way, but because he needed my stomach exposed to apply the ointment to the bruises.
Still, being fed in his lap with nothing between us was far too intimate.
Once the meal was over, he ran his thumb over my lips, wiping away a trace of food. Before I could react, he brought the finger to his mouth, sucking it slowly.
1 flushed a little.
‘How are you feeling?” he asked, adjusting me more comfortably against his chest.
I rested my head against him, closing my eyes for a moment.
“My body still hurts… but not as much as before.” I sighed. “The stretching really helped.
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He pressed a kiss to my hair, then to my forehead.
‘I’ll keep stretching you while you’re in a deep sleep.“.
I gave him a small smile.
“Thank you. I really appreciate it. I don’t think I could’ve handled the pain if I were awake.”
“I know, bunny.”
I let out a quiet breath, tracing my fingers along his bare chest, outlining the dark ink that covered his skin.
“Do your tattoos mean anything?”
He took my hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing each of my fingers softly.
“No. I just thought they looked good.”
“To hide something?” My voice came out quieter, hesitant.
His eyes met mine for a moment before he smiled.
“Yes. To cover scars.”
My chest tightened.
‘Scar’s
‘From battles.”
I kept looking at him, trying to absorb his words, trying to imagine what kind of battles he’d been through.
‘What are you, Dante?”
He didn’t hesitate.
He kissed my forehead again before answering.
“I’m the leader of a cartel.
Confusion washed over my face.
‘What’s a cartel?”
He smirked slightly, as if my innocence amused him.
‘A cartel is an organization that controls illegal markets.
His fingers continued to play with mine as he spoke.
“Mine, specifically, handles several areas–drug trafficking, arms dealing, smuggling, money laundering… and other necessary operations to maintain our influence.
My breath hitched.
He went on, as if he were talking about something routine.
“Unlike the mafia, which follows a more traditional code of honor, cartels are structured like corporations. I’m the boss Beneath me are ledenants whe oversee different sectors. Everything prust be meticulously organized. I have to know where every dollar comes from and where it goes. No transacting
Chapter 74
happens without my approval.”
The weight of his words hit me slowly.
“So, you…”
“Eldoria has always belonged to me, just like many other places,” he said, his voice firm. “But I was caught by the FBI in Tenebrae.
My heart began to race.
He was more than just a criminal.
He was a king within this rotten system.
The shock held me still.
My eyes locked onto his, trying to process everything I had just heard.
“Why were you arrested?” My voice came out softer than I intended.
He remained silent for a moment, as if weighing his response.
Then his expression darkened, something ominous flashing in his eyes.
“Someone I considered my right–hand man betrayed me,” he said slowly, as if every word carried something lethal. “He gave my location to the FBI.
My breath caught in my throat.
“And how did they know it was real?”
He laughed, but there was no humor in it.
‘I’m wanted all over the world, Elijah. When that bastard whispered where I was, the FBI didn’t need proof. They came without hesitation. Ignoring that kind of tip–off, even if it had been a bluff, would’ve been insane.”
I swallowed hard.
*So…
… you could leave prison whenever you wanted?”
He turned to me, eyes narrowing slightly before a slow smile spread across his lips.
“Of course. But I’m not going anywhere. Not yet.”
I frowned, confused.
‘Why not?”
He tilted his head, his smile widening.
“Because the FBI is still watching this prison, waiting for me to make a move. They know that if they let their guard down, I’ll disappear before they even realize it. And the moment they stop watching….
He paused, like he wanted me to finish the thought.
“You’ll leave,” I whispered.
He nodded.
A cold wave surged through my chest.
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He was going to leave… And me?
My stomach twisted at the uncertainty, at the unexpected pain that hit me with that thought.
But before I could spiral further, his hand grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him.
“And I’ll take you with me, Elijah.” His words were sharp, cutting.
My heart stopped.
“Even if you don’t want to.”
My breath hitched.
“You really thought I’d leave you behind?” His smile turned slow and dangerous. “Bunny… you must not know me at all.”
He leaned in closer, his warm breath brushing my skin.
‘I’ll never leave you. Even if you try to run, even if you say you don’t want me… I’ll kidnap you.”
A quiet laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it.
“You don’t need to kidnap me,” I said, looking into his eyes. “I’ll go with you, Dante.”
The satisfied smile that spread across his face made something stir deep inside me. He pressed a lingering kiss to my lips, hovering close.
‘Perfect. Good boy.”
Warmth bloomed in my chest at his words, and before I could process it, he continued.
‘I’ll show you the whole world. I’ll give you everything you want.”
A genuine excitement fluttered through me.
The idea of seeing the world, of escaping this prison and witnessing things I’d never dreamed of, filled me with hope.
