Chapter 77: In the Dungeon

Vanessa.

I don't know why but I find myself at the bottom of the stairs leading to his dungeon or prison or whatever he likes to refer to it as. I know that Victor is dead but there is another person there and maybe that person can tell me what to do to end whatever it is that started this war in the first place. I follow the smell of blood and get to my destination. I know that there will not be any guards here because I saw a lot of them leave after Dimitri barked orders at the few present to come with him. Things have been calm for a while so there has not been much need for too many guards. He also does not think I would ever come here. I heard Hayden tell him once today that they had to fix and upgrade the security system because the last one was breached. They have had to reinforce and reinstall but have been given away by the people who work with them.

I could not sleep and could not think we'll which is why I find myself approaching the man hanging by chains. The stench coming from him is enough to kill anyone. He stinks so badly that I can hardly contain myself from throwing up from the floor. He looks so beaten with blood flowing from multiple knife marks. There is a knife hanging in his body and I cannot help but think of how badly that man must have wronged Dimitri to deserve this. I want to trust him but this is too much for anyone to take. I would have died a long time ago if this was me but this man is still hanging. I yelp when I hit my knee on the table and mentally tap my head for not being watchful. The man raises his head to me and it is the man whose background information was next to Victor's. Robert Hernandez.

“I see that the Queen has been allowed to grace me with her presence. To what do I owe this honor?" He can hardly get the words out but I hear him.

“Who are you and what did you do to him?"

“Don't tell me you don't know. Did you come here to gloat at what your husband has done to me?" He coughs. I look at him with pity. “With the way you are looking at me, I guess he did not tell you."

“The outcome of your future depends on what you tell me. I could speak to him on your behalf." The man laughs. His laughter is coated in pain but he laughs.

“Then I also guess that you don't know him well enough. The bastard! No wonder he married you. He married someone who knows nothing about him. Someone who will only fall in love with the part of him that he chooses to show. I wondered why in the hell he would marry someone so soft and pure. That is what I thought when I first met you."

“You were at the wedding."

“He couldn't keep you away even if he tried to."

“What does he want from you?"

“Something that I can never give him." He starts to cough again and it sounds worse this time. I take out the water bottle in the small bag I brought with me and I give him some of it. He downs the entire bottle like he has been starved of it. I should not be doing this. “He does not deserve a woman like you. What do you want to know?"

“Everything. Why are you here? Did you truly attack me?"

“I did not but your husband needs someone to blame." Just then, I hear muffled sounds coming from a covered cage. It is hard to tell if it's male or female “Over there is the most important person in my life. Take a look."

I walk over to the source of the muffled sounds and when I pull the cover away from it, it reveals a woman. The woman I thought said things about Dimitri to spite me. Stella Hernandez. She looks dirty and beat up but I recognize her. I use my palms to cover the scream that threatens to fill the room.

“She was supposed to marry Dimitri. We had a deal. He brought her here to use as leverage to get me to say the things he wants to hear."

I shake my head “No! Dimitri would never do that. Especially not to a woman."

“Dimitri has no moral values. He does whatever he wants. He used her once before. She is an object just like you and just like everyone in his life."

“He will never do that. You are lying?"

“I am not. What do you think happened to his father?"

“He died of a heart condition." I know what he is playing at.

“But he didn't. They will be back soon but you are kind and I have to let you know. He killed his father. I know because I received the order to do it directly from him." No! He is spilling lies “He has the power to cover it up and tell the public whatever he wants. He is a greedy son which is why he killed his father."

He would never. Tears gather in my eyes when I remember what he did to Warren. But Warren is a stranger. He will never do it to his family “And why do you think he did it?"

“Simple. To take over the family business and continue it's legacy. Which is why he married you."

“What?!"

“There is no need to feign ignorance. We both know the true reason he married you. He needed you and that child in your womb to make sure that the family's inheritance remains with him." I am sure the ground is spinning. I thought the deal was private. “ His father knew his son too well and put those conditions but he underestimated him. Look at you, married to him, pregnant with his child, and about to give him all the power that he craves. You have to get out of here as soon as you can because he will be sure to get rid of you after using you for what he wants. The only way to protect yourself is if you can have something to leverage on."

“Why are you telling me all this?"

“Because you did not come here to torture me. You did not know if I was truly an enemy before bringing water here and showing me kindness. I'll let you in on something. I heard him discuss with his friends about an attack against them. They are preparing for it and that would be the perfect distraction for you to make your way out of here away from that devil."

“What is... Vanessa! What the hell are you doing here?!" I did not know that anyone would return so soon. Hayden approaches with long strides. “You have to get out of here." He takes me by the arm and forces me to walk away with him. I don't see clearly through the tears.

“Remember, you have to deny him of what he wants so that you can have some power to yourself. It is the only way to level the field with someone as dangerous as he is." He shouts as I leave.

Hayden does not let go of me until we are back in my room “Why the hell do you keep looking for trouble? You should not have gone down there. If Dimitri had been the one..."

“But he wasn't. Hayden, you have to help me out of here." I am desperate.

“I don't know what exactly it is that he told you but it is all a lie."

“What then is the truth? No one here wants to tell me anything but are quick to negate everything that they think I'm thinking. Are you going to tell me the truth?"

“Vanessa, you have to understand. Dimitri is only trying to protect you."

“From what?" I stare at him hard and he does not say anything. I make my way to my bed and lie on it with my back facing him. “Well, I am safe and protected right here. You can leave."

He breathes out loud enough for me to know he is exhausted “I am not gonna tell Dimitri because I know how much trouble it would be for you and I care about you but promise me that you won't go back there."

“Do whatever you want. I'm already your prisoner." He stands there in silence for a few seconds before walking out and closing the door. I meant every word I said to him but I'm grateful that he won't tell Dimitri. But where is Dimitri?