“What did I order?” My voice is cold.
“You ordered us to use the slave.” His words falter as he sees the unmistakable promise of murder well in my eyes as the word ‘use’ leaves his mouth.
“Who gave you that order?”
“Silla. Yesterday.” The words tumble out fast.
I look at Luca. “Call Silla.”
When he leaves, I ask my next question. “Who touched her?”
No one answers. My gaze sweeps the room. Instantly, mouths start moving.
“Paolo and John.”
I load my gun and point it at them. “Get on your knees.”
They obey immediately.
Luca returns with Silla. She crosses the threshold and falls at my feet.
“I’m sorry, Master.”
The toe of my boot catches her in the ribs, sending her sprawling. She crawls back and presses her forehead to the floor.
“I’m sorry, Ma—”
I shoot her in the head before she can finish the word—then Paolo, then John.
I turn to Luca. “Kill everyone.”
I rise and leave the room.
I knock on her door. She doesn’t answer. I don’t knock again. Instead, I go to my room, get the key, and unlock her door.
She stands in the corner, gun pointed at me. Her eyes and face are red from crying, tear tracks still wet on her cheeks. She’s trembling, gripping the gun with both hands like someone who’s never held one.
“Put the gun down,” I command.
She shakes her head fast. “I’ll kill you if you come any closer.”
“Trust me—you can’t.”
I step farther into the room. She trembles harder. The gun tilts slightly, now aimed above my head, but she doesn’t realize it.
“Put the gun down.”
Instead of obeying, she turns the gun and presses the barrel to her temple.
I frown. “Have you lost your fucking mind, woman?”
She screeches, “I’ll kill myself before you and your men rape me!”
I draw my gun. Before she can react, I fire. The shot knocks the weapon from her hand. She freezes, staring at me with wide, shattered eyes, tears streaming down her face.
I stride to her and grip her face in my gloved hand.
“No one’s raping you. It was a mistake. It won’t happen again.” The words come out harsh—thrown at her stunned face.
