Chapter 12: The Devil's Command

Chapter 12: The Devil’s Command

The ride to the town felt unreal. Tennessee sat stiffly in the back of the black government issued vehicle, his wrists still red where the cuffs had been moments before. The guards hadn’t spoken to him; they’d simply shoved him inside, slammed the doors, and driven off.

He didn’t believe it, not for a second. No judge reviewed his case, no lawyer reached out. No appeal was filed. There was only one man on earth who had the authority, the audacity, and the cruelty to pull him out of that prison without stress.

By the time the car turned into the long private road leading to the Whitmore estate, Tennessee’s breath was slow and controlled. He was replaying Audrey’s face in his mind, the way she looked when the guards dragged him away. Her shock, her desperation, her tiny crushed flowers blowing off the deck. A sour ache pulled at his chest.

He knew one thing with unshakeable certainty: This was not freedom or acceptance. The car rolled to a stop at the wrought iron gates. They opened automatically. No security guard in sight, no checkpoints, no questions.

The mansion rose from the ground like an ancient, sleeping creature with dark glass, tall pillars. The walls seemed to absorb the sunlight instead of reflecting it. Tennessee swallowed hard.

The front doors opened before he reached them and there Izo was, standing in the marble foyer, untouched by death. He wore a dark suit, the jacket undone casually, his hair combed neatly back.

“Tennessee,” Izo said, voice deep, composed, almost amused. “My bastard son...”

Tennessee's pulse stuttered. His blood roared in his ears.

“You…” He swallowed, breath trembling with rage and disbelief. “Why did you bring me here?”

“What game did you think you were playing by marrying her?” Izo’s lips twitched into a small, mocking smile. “Surprised to see your old man breathing? Well, you played a good game I must say.”

“Surprised?” Tennessee’s voice cracked like splintering glass. “You're asking if I’m surprised?”

Izo merely lifted an eyebrow.

Tennessee stepped forward, his fists clenched at his sides. “Why? Why are you so bent on ruining her? Audrey didn’t do anything to you. You should carry your frustration to her father's grave and let her be.”

Izo’s expression sharpened. “You sound emotional,” he murmured. “How interesting.”

Tennessee’s jaw flexed. “You’re sick.”

“Am I?” Izo replied coolly. “Maybe few days of Audrey being in that prison softened your manners.”

Tennessee was about to retort when a soft rustling sound broke through the tension. Feet shuffling, soft… small… exhausted steps. He turned, Yvonne was in a grey slave uniform dress was kneeling on the floor near the staircase, scrubbing the marble tiles with a bucket of soapy water beside her. Her hair was tied up. Her hands were red and raw. A thin metal chain cuffed around her ankle connected to a discreet anchor bolt in the floor like something out of medieval times.

She lifted her face, her eyes widened when she saw Tennessee and the resemblance between both father and son. Her lips parted, trembling, whether in shock, shame, or hope, he couldn’t not tell. But she was confused, who was he?

Tennessee looked away, he forced his face blank. Turned his head and pretended he didn’t see her.

Yvonne swallowed hard, her fingers gripping the sponge until her knuckles turned white. A silent plea flickered in her gaze—help me… don’t leave me here… please.

But Tennessee kept his expression dead, cold, detached, because acknowledging her meant acknowledging his own helplessness and he couldn’t help her, whoever she was.

Izo watched the silent exchange with a mild, bored smirk, observing two insects circling a drain. “She’s quite obedient now,” he commented casually, turning his back to her. “That is Yvonne, Audrey's elder sister.”

Tennessee snapped his head back toward him, fury vibrating under his skin. “You bastard.”

“You’re welcome to try rescuing her,” Izo said lightly, walking deeper into the mansion. “But you won’t make it past the hallway.”

Tennessee’s fists tightened. He followed Izo through the corridor until they reached his private study, dark walls, shelves of old books, a massive desk, and a huge floor to ceiling screen mounted on the wall.

Without a word, Izo picked up a slim remote and pressed a button, the screen lit up. Tennessee’s stomach dropped. It was live footage, from the prison. Audrey was there. Kneeling on the cold floor with the ocean wind ripping through her hair. Her shoulders shook violently. Her arms wrapped around her small body like she was holding herself together by force. Her head was bowed, forehead touching her knees, as though the grief was too heavy for her spine to carry. She looked tiny.

Tennessee felt something inside his chest tear open, he stepped closer to the screen.

“Audrey…” he whispered, his voice cracking. “She’s...she’s crying.”

“Aren't you delusional to think she would be doing anything other than crying?” Izo said smoothly. “You expected her to party?”

Tennessee spun around. “Why are you doing this? Why won’t you leave her alone?!”

“Because I don’t want to,” Izo answered simply. “Even if I wanted to forgive her father, I can't forgive her. She has offended me now, she failed to fulfill her purpose. She married you without permission, she embarrassed me. She dared to love someone else.” His lips curved into a thin smile. “Pick whichever reason makes you comfortable.”

Tennessee trembled. "I won’t let you hurt her.”

Izo tilted his head. “Won’t let me? My boy… you underestimate the situation.” He pressed another button on the remote, a second camera angle appeared.

This one showed a portion of where a maintenance grate had been opened. Under it, waves slammed violently against the foundation supports, spraying water upward in bursts.

“If I press this,” Izo said conversationally, clicking the side of the remote, “the grate opens.”

Tennessee paled. “The… the ocean would swallow her.”

“Yes.” Izo nodded.

“You can’t...”

“I can,” Izo corrected gently. “And I will, if you force my hand.”

Tennessee felt his lungs collapsing, he gripped the edge of the desk to stay upright. “You’ll kill her?"

“Yes,” Izo said calmly. “She will drown in front of you, in real time. Her screams will be the last thing you hear from her.”

Tennessee’s heart pounded so hard it hurt. “Why show me this?”

“Because you need motivation.” Izo sipped his drink. “Tennessee, you will not return to that prison. You will not contact Audrey. You won't try to save her or use her to get at me.”

“Or what?” Tennessee whispered, as if he already knew.

Izo set the glass down. "Or I will let her drown then make Yvonne marry a dog.”

Tennessee’s stomach twisted violently. “What?”

“I’ll bring in a trained mastiff,” Izo said casually, “attach a leash, dress Yvonne in a wedding gown, bring guests from the underworld who enjoy… creative entertainment.” He chuckled under his breath. “I’ll make her a spectacle. A humiliation so deep even hell would weep.”

Tennessee felt bile rise up his throat, his entire body shook. His breath turned shallow, his vision blurred with red fury and helplessness.