Chapter 193
Magnus Hale
“Wait here, my love. I’ll be right back,” he says, kissing my cheek
before heading toward the kitchen counter.
I rub my palm over the spot where he kissed me, heat rising fast.
Who does he think he is, kissing me in front of these idiots?
Is he doing this just to humiliate me?
I scan the room for Darius but don’t find him. Instead, my eyes meet
Navarro’s. He grins widely.
I can read his lips: Serves you right, loser.
The fury burns like fire. I want to get up, go over there, and smash his
face in, but I restrain myself. Navarro laughs; his group follows. The
humiliation weighs heavier than chains.
Adrian returns carrying two trays and sits beside me, smiling
brightly.
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“I asked TJ to go all out on our breakfast,” he announces theatrically,
as if that should move me.
I look at the plate: creamy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon strips, warm
toast, a portion of fresh fruit, and a steaming cup of coffee–a
carefully prepared breakfast.
I ignore his attentive gaze and start eating without ceremony. If he’s waiting for a “thank you,” he can wait until he dies. I see the trick
behind the pampering clearly: care dressed up as possession.
If he thinks I’ll bow, compliant and grateful, he’s badly mistaken. I’ll keep pretending obedience, yes–because this farce brings benefits and brings me closer to the right moment. Making him lower his
guard is the key, and I can hardly wait for it.
I should have killed him when I woke up earlier, when he was sleeping heavily. One punch to the throat and it would all have been over. I hesitated, afraid of a trap, imagining he might be pretending- just waiting for me to attack so he could turn it against me.
When I went to the shower, that bastard opened his eyes. That’s when
I learned: I can’t rush this.
I need to convince him that I’m in the palm of his hand. While he believes he has control, I’ll accumulate information, favors, and small
Chapter 193
concessions–better meals, minutes outside the cell, and complicit
looks. All of that is currency.
And when he least expects it, the bill will come due.
His death feels inevitable. I just need to choose the perfect moment.
Adrian stands as soon as he finishes eating and looks at me.
“As promised, I’ll leave you alone for a few minutes. I need to talk to
David. Enjoy your ten minutes, my love.” He kisses my forehead and
walks away calmly.
Son of a bitch. He’s literally treating me like a prisoner. Even in
prison, I had freedom before–I did whatever I wanted. Now I’m
chained to rules I didn’t choose. And if I don’t obey, I go straight back
to that damned cell.
I need to find Darius. At least with him I’d have someone to talk to
without feeling the weight of contempt in their eyes–someone who
wouldn’t look at me with cruelty or turn my disgrace into a joke.
I stand slowly and walk toward what used to be my soldiers. They’re
gathered near the kitchen counter, laughing, drinking, and one glance. is enough to know they’re no longer mine. The contempt in their eyes
is proof enough.
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“Where’s Darius?” I ask coldly as I reach the circle.
The only answer I get is muffled laughter. I bite my lip, blood boiling,
and a harsh sound tears out of my throat.
“Answer me, damn it!” I slam my hand on the table, making
silverware and cups rattle.
One of them stands up, insolent, his body carrying the arrogance of
someone who thinks he has nothing left to fear.
