Chapter 5 Deal with the devil
Madison’s POV
I had less than a week to live
Can you believe that?
I had signed away my life. Though under duress but who was going to believe me? Against the Don?
I had tried to initiate a conversation with him but he was either too busy yelling at someone in a foreign language or cussing out audibly. Whenever I felt him looking at me and hoped for him to say anything, he didn’t.
He was so difficult.
But I was going to seize my opportunity today, no matter what. I was running out of time and as far as I was concerned, Alessandro didn’t give two shit about me or anyone at all.
Well, apart from his money.
I searched for his office, trailing my hand on the wall - not because I wanted to but because I could feel eyes on me, watching my every move. Whenever my hand touched a door handle, I rattled impatiently, pushing it, but they were all locked.
Until I got to one. My last attempt.
It was at the far extreme end of the hall. My legs were already crying from walking such long distance.
The Manor was just too big.
“Stop.” A grumpy masculine voice said, making me halt. “You can’t go inside.”
“I need to talk to the Don.” I explained, stretching my hand to reach the handle when owner of the voice who I believed was a guard, held my hand tight, flinging it away.
My forehead creased into a frown. What was his problem?
“You cannot see him without his approval. Try again, bat.” He spat scornfully.
He didn’t get how important this was. My life was on the line!
Shaking my head, I pushed forward again. “I really need to talk to - Oof!”
In nanosecond, my body flew hard, hitting the ground with my ass first and then the side of my body. I bit back my groan, bowing my head to the ground.
The creaking sound of the door made my head shoot up.
“Don.” The guard greeted. “She tried …”
“Save it. We’d have that conversation in few minutes.” Hearing his cold, authoritative voice sent chills down my spine.
Knowing he wouldn’t dare invite me in, I spoke up. “We need to talk. Please.”
He didn’t say anything for a while but I also didn’t hear the door shut close. I managed to stand up, flapping my hand in the air, searching for him.
“You’ve made it this far. Come in.” His footsteps began to retreat, fading away.
I breathed out softly, taking a step forward first before finding my footings, walking in cautiously.
He was correct. I had made it this far to back down.
“Don” I closed the door behind me, a sharp gasp leaving my lips almost immediately when a loud sound pierced my ear. My body went still, too scared to move.
This man was trying to kill me!
“I needed to check your reflexes.” I could hear the smirk in his voice. “It was slow. You didn’t even dodge the knife.”
“Because I couldn’t see it?” I frowned slightly. I let out a soft breath, rubbing my sweaty palm on my dress. “Not to waste much of your time, I’m here to make you an offer.”
“You?” He scoffed. “Let me guess. You want to hasten the transaction and bring the scheduled date closer instead.”
“No. Of course not.” I shook my head swiftly. “I .. I could be your ears in here or anywhere and .. and…. I don’t know, I just don’t want to die.” My voice broke, the tears building up in my chest.
Wishing for death was fun until it was at your doorstep.
My breath hitched when his large hand gripped me by my neck, pulling me close. His minty breath fanned against my skin, making it hard for me to breathe properly. “Nice offer but that won’t bring me money, Raven.”
“I… I’d do any other thing you ask of me, that doesn’t involve me giving you my heart. Please!” Hot tears streamed down my cheek once those words left my lips. “Please, Don Alessandro.”
His grip on my neck softened. He stepped away from me, taking the warmth with him.
“Anything?” He brushed my hair away from my shoulder, trailing his hand down the length.
“Yes”
“You don’t know what you’re asking for, Raven.” He tugged my head backward, a soft gasp escaping my lips.
“But I accept your proposal.” He added
My heart jumped in joy, my lips tilting up in a small smile. One I was about to regret doing.
“Don’t be happy yet. You have to pass my test first” He released my hair from his grip, taking me by my hand, pulling me away with him.
The devil never helped unconditionally. There was always a catch.
•_•
The sound of people screaming pierced my eardrums, almost deafening me when we entered into God knows where
“I won't rest until I kill you, Alessandro! You took everything from me, son of a devil.” The voice was that of a female.
My heartbeat raced, the hairs on my neck standing. What was Alessandro up to now? Where was this place? I wondered deeply as he continued to pull me until we finally came to a stop.
“Welcome to my world, Madison. This is where I teach people how to live by my rules.” Alessandro placed a hand on my back, pushing me forward a bit.
“So what …what do I do then?” I asked carefully, unsure of anything at all.
He placed his hand on my shoulder, massaging it softly. “Have you used a gun before?” I shook my head almost immediately. I didn’t need to know how to use one either.
He stepped away from me for a split second. I swallowed hard, waiting.
“Please Don! Please spare my life. I won’t touch her again without your permission, I promise.” A familiar voice yelled.
“Stand there.” Alessandro said coldly. “Gag the bastard.”
My breath hitched when I felt Alessandro’s chest on my back with one of his hand moving to rest on the side of my thigh.
“Standing opposite you is a guard I’d love to teach manners. He almost wrecked my goods.” He explained calmly.
I had a feeling it wasn’t about real goods. It was about me. My heart was probably the goods.
“But he apologized.”
Alessandro chuckled darkly for a short while and then spoke up, “Nonsense!” He said seriously. “Stretch your palm, Madison.”
My hands clenched into a fist, my chest heaving up and down.
“I can always go back to my initial plan for you. My client was happy to hear we had a willing donor.”
I shook my head immediately, stretching out my palm. The cold metal touched my palm, sending shivers down my spine
“That’s a gun.” Alessandro said, confirming my suspicions.
Then it clicked in my head. I began to shake my head before he would even say the word.
“You’re no longer interested in doing anything?” He pulled my hair backward harshly.
“I am but… but not to kill.”
“It’s either this or your heart, Madison.” He wrapped my hand around the gun, raising it up despite the way they trembled amidst his grip.
Tears pooled in my eyes. “I can’t.” I whispered.
“You asked for it. Prove yourself to me. Show me how much you value your life.” He stepped away from me. “Remember, the decision is yours.”
My teeth chattered as I held the gun firmly. I had never used a gun or even held one and all of a sudden I was trying all at once?
But what would it cost him to lose out on this one deal though?
I sighed heavily, thinking out loud. “It is his life or mine right?”
“Yeah. So what’s it gonna be, Raven?”