Tied and Tortured!

Tied and Tortured!
CHAPTER 67
LUCAS

I held the phone to my ear, dazed, as the dial tone echoed and Sofia’s words repeated in my head. The call had ended abruptly. Riccardo turned to me briefly, taking a quick glance at my frozen expression, but he said nothing and turned back to the road as we sped through the drenched streets, heading back to the penthouse. The car remained silent, the air still. The only sounds came from Diego groaning in pain in the back seat, blood dripping through his torn trousers.

We arrived at the penthouse just after dawn. I jumped out of the car as soon as Riccardo pulled into the parking lot. I opened the rear door and grabbed Diego by the collar, yanking him out and pushing him roughly to the ground. He stumbled, hitting the ground hard, and two guards rushed forward, holding him by the arms to steady him. Rain still fell in soft trickles from the grey skies, and the tension in the air was thick.

"Hey! Gather every soldier and member of the domestic staff and line them up on the front lawn, now!" I ordered, turning to the head of security, who responded with a stiff salute.

I opened the passenger door, pulled open the glove compartment, and picked out my pack of cigarettes. I lit a stick and passed the pack to Riccardo, who followed suit. Soon, the air filled with billows of smoke.

The lawn became noisy as the staff assembled, murmuring among themselves and wondering what the sudden summon was about. I dragged Diego behind me, and as soon as I stepped onto the lawn, a hush fell over the crowd. I dropped Diego to the ground before them, and a collective gasp rippled through the assembly.

I paced in front of them, circling and then returning to the front. Suddenly, I turned and struck a staggering blow across Diego's face, sending him reeling backward. He coughed loudly, spitting out blood from his already split lip.

"Now this," I said, pointing at Diego, who lay weak and helpless on the ground, "this is what betrayal looks like. I brought you all out here so you could witness it clearly, and so you don't think I take betrayal lightly or treat it with levity. Anyone—and I mean anyone—who tries to hide secrets or play stupid games will face the same fate. Or worse."

The crowd went cold and silent at my warning. I turned to Diego and lifted him roughly by the collar.

"Now I'm going to ask you a question, and I need a straight and direct answer. I’ll only ask once," I said, staring him dead in the eye. "Who were you working for? Where is Collins, and where did he take Sofia?"

Diego returned my gaze fearlessly, smirking through the blood on his face.

"It's funny how your thoughts are so shallow. You really thought Collins wouldn't act first? Not everything revolves around you, Lucas Valentini."

"Who were those men in the woods? Who set that trap?" I pressed, ignoring his taunts.

He chuckled again and shook his head. "You really should learn how to ask the right questions, Lucas. You have no idea what game you've just signed up for."

My insides boiled. I gritted my teeth and kicked him hard in his wounded thigh. He collapsed, groaning in agony.

"Get him out of here," I barked at the guards. "Have him bound and locked up in the basement."

I walked back to Riccardo and stretched my hand out. He passed me the pack of cigarettes, and I lit another stick, exhaling thick smoke into the morning air.

"There's something off about Diego's words," Riccardo said, folding one arm across his chest and resting his other hand beneath his jaw.

"What's that?" I asked, turning to him.

"Diego isn't just a traitor," Riccardo replied, his voice calm and thoughtful. "The fact that he’s refused to talk, even after all that, means only one thing. He's scared. Of someone else. Someone worse. Someone more powerful."

I said nothing as I smoked the rest of the cigarette, then tossed the filter to the ground and crushed it under my boot.

"Then he's in for the time of his life," I said, exhaling into the air and walking away.

I headed down to the basement where the punching room was located. I slammed the door behind me, stormed toward Diego, and hoisted him up, tying his hands above his head to the iron stake hanging from the ceiling.

"You really aren't going to speak, are you?" I asked, circling him slowly with my hands behind my back.

He shook his head, laughing without humor. "Once again, Lucas. You're just a shallow-minded man. Until you start thinking properly, you'll never find the answers you're looking for."

I charged at him, slamming his face with my fists, my knuckles cracking with each strike. Blood spewed from his mouth with every blow. He groaned in pain.

"Where is Sofia?" I asked, pausing with one hand on his shoulder.

"In a place you can't get to," Diego muttered.

I sent three quick jabs into his ribs, and his body twisted and twirled under the tension of the rope.

"Give me answers now," I shouted. "Where is Sofia? Who the hell are you working for? And what’s Collins’ mission in all of this? Speak, you sumbitch!"

Diego coughed violently, blood dripping from his mouth. He laughed bitterly, looked up at me, and breathed heavily.

Then he said something that made me pause in shock.

"The only reason you're still alive is because someone wants you to suffer before you die" Diego whispered.

I froze, staring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears.