Chapter 63: DEAL?

MIA

I didn't know how long had passed but by now I was used to the door opening three times a day and today was one of those days.

He hadn't said or done anything besides his stupid obsessive talk and at this point, I was mentally drained.

Now, he walked in carrying a small bag while I was curled on the bed, back to the wall as I hugged my knees tight to my chest.

I just felt numb. The feeling of fear, anger and betrayal had been removed from my body.

He set the bag down then sat on the edge of the bed, close enough that I could smell his cologne and it involuntarily made my heart race the way it used to. But now, the feeling was followed with a churn in my stomach.

"Mia," he said softly, his intense eyes staring at me. "How are you?"

I ignored him.

He sighed. "Let me tell you about my day, it was a bit hectic but okay at the very least. I missed you so much and wished you would be there with me but then I got happy when I realized you were in a safer place waiting for me."

I felt sick. Safer? Waiting?

"You're just a psychopath."

He had the audacity to look hurt. "Here's your lunch. We'll talk later."

Then he left after that.

Hours later, the door opened again and he walked in carrying a tray with dinner but he seemed distracted as he set it down, muttering something about giving me space then turned and walked out.

I was about to turn in bed when I spotted something that wasn't there before.

I squinted and looked closer at it and my eyes widened. His phone!

It had been left on the small table near the bed and it seemed like he had left it there since lunch.

Accidental? It had to be. Maybe that's why he looked distracted, because he was looking for it.

My heart leaped as I lunged for it, fingers closing around the cool metal. It still had the same password I knew.

"Yes!" I said under my breath and then I remembered the camera in the room.

Fuck!

I turned my body to shield the phone and knew I needed to act fast.

Hope surged wildly in me as I opened it and was about to go to the call section to call Lin and ask her to come help me but then I noticed his messaging app and paused.

Should I search or make my call first?

I looked at the door. He would probably soon realize where his phone was so I didn't have time for both. I was also deep underground so I wasn't sure I would have network to make a call, so I entered his messaging app.

I opened his chat with Marco and my suspicions were confirmed that he was also in on this because I saw messages where he gave updates on "the room" with timelines for completion and instructions for reinforcements. Plans detailing my capture down to the dinner date and worse — messages coordinating men to threaten Yuna, my best friend.

Subtle pressure, warnings disguised with simple things so she wouldn't be able to go to the police. Her withdrawal now made sense.

Dante had completely isolated me.

I was about to close the app and try calling Lin when I heard the keypad beep, followed by footsteps and panic surged through me as I tossed the phone back exactly where he'd left it and scrambled onto the bed, heart pounding.

The door opened. Dante stepped in, scanning the room before his eyes landed on the phone. "I forgot my phone."

He picked it up without suspicion, then walked to me. His hand cupped my face gently, and he leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. "Rest, cara. I love you."

He turned and left. The locks engaged with their final, damning sound. I was alone again, the taste of his kiss like poison on my skin.

The morning light — if you could call the constant soft glow from the ceiling panels "morning" — filtered over the room as the door unlocked. I sat on the edge of the bed, hands folded in my lap, breathing steady. No more screaming and no more tears for now.

If I was going to get out then I needed to play his game.

Hysteria wouldn't free me but strategy might. I had spent the long, silent hours turning over every detail, every small advantage I could claw back. I was done being the sobbing victim. Now I would be the player.

Dante entered with breakfast, his expression brightening when he saw me upright and composed instead of curled away. "Good morning, cara. You look… better."

I met his eyes directly, no flinch. "I want to make a deal."

He paused, setting the tray down, then pulled the chair closer and sat. A spark of genuine interest lit his face. "I'm listening."

I kept my voice even, like we were negotiating a business contract instead of the terms of my captivity. "I'll stop fighting, I'll eat, I'll talk to you and I won't treat every visit like an attack. But I want things in return."

His eyebrows rose slightly, a small smile tugging at his lips. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Such as?"

"Remove the camera." I pointed to the obvious one in the corner. "Give me my laptop — with internet access, more books, real privacy and comfort items. Let me move around without feeling watched every second."

He considered me for a long moment, dark eyes searching my face. I kept a neutral expression. "And in return?" he asked.

"I'll stop treating you like my jailer. We can… talk. Eat together and be civil. I'll give you the version of me you claim to want."

"I'm not your jailer," he said softly. "I'm your protector."

"Call it whatever helps you sleep at night," I replied, keeping my tone light but firm. "Do we have a deal?"

Dante studied me. He knew I was playing along and I could see it in the way his smile deepened with amusement, and so did his eyes, but he didn't mind.

"Deal," he said finally.