Chapter 37

"The Lion's Den"

Valeria's POV

⚠️I know I said I wouldn't put signs at every chapter but this contains a physical and emotional Torture. So read at your own risk, please. Your mental health comes first.⚠️

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The first thing I felt was the goddamn ache.

It wasn't your run-of-the-mill "I stubbed my toe" ache. This was the type that crawled into your bones, wrapped itself around your muscles, and whispered, "You're screwed, sweetheart." My ribs felt like they were having a personal vendetta against the rest of my body, and my wrists? Oh, they were screaming bloody murder, thanks to the cuffs digging into my skin.

When I finally managed to crack my eyes open, the room swam into focus—barely. Dim light. Concrete walls. A chair bolted to the floor in front of me. Fantastic. I'd landed in what looked like the set of every cheap mobster movie ever made.

"Rise and shine, princess."

That voice.

That goddamn voice.

I didn't even have to see him to know who it was. Raymond. The asshole himself. Of course, it was him. Only Raymond could summon this level of malevolent theatrics.

"Go screw yourself," I croaked, my throat dry and raw.

Raymond stepped into view, all polished shoes and smug superiority. "I see the attitude survived."

"Well," I said, forcing a smirk despite the throbbing in my jaw, "you didn't exactly throw a 'welcome back' party. Can't say I'm impressed with the hospitality."

His smile didn't reach his eyes. It never did. "Oh, darling, this isn't a social visit." He leaned down, his face inches from mine. "You lied to me. You betrayed me. And you thought you could run to the Morettis and get away with it?"

"First of all," I snapped, leaning back as far as the cuffs would allow, "you kidnapped me. So maybe skip the moral high ground, Ray." I sneered, spitting his name like venom. "Second of all, I don't owe you a damn thing."

The smile slipped, replaced by something colder. "You always did have a big mouth," he said, nodding to one of his lackeys.

Before I could even process what was happening, the first blow landed. A fist to my ribs. Pain exploded through me, sharp and unrelenting, but I clenched my teeth, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a scream.

"Nothing to say now?" Raymond taunted, his voice dripping with mockery.

"Oh, I've got plenty to say," I hissed, lifting my head to glare at him. "Like, for instance, who does your suits? They deserve a raise for making you look halfway competent."

Another blow, this time to my side. My breath hitched, and I tasted copper on my tongue. But still, I stayed silent.

"Keep it up, Valeria," Raymond said, crouching down to meet my eyes. "Let's see how far that smart mouth of yours gets you."

"You'd be surprised," I rasped, spitting blood onto the floor. "It's gotten me this far."

The bastard laughed. Actually laughed. "You always were amusing," he said, standing up and gesturing to his men. "String her up. Let's see how long she stays funny."

They dragged me to my feet, and I bit back a groan as my muscles screamed in protest. They chained my wrists to the ceiling, just high enough that my toes barely grazed the floor. The position was torture in itself, pulling at my shoulders and making every breath a challenge.

Raymond circled me like a predator, his polished shoes clicking against the concrete. "You've been a busy little bee," he said, his tone conversational. "Feeding me false information. Undermining my operations. Cozying up to Ren Moretti." He spat the name like it left a bad taste in his mouth.

"Jealous?" I managed to croak, smirking through the haze of pain.

His face twisted in rage, and he motioned for one of his men to hand him a metal rod. My stomach sank, but I refused to let it show.

"Still cracking jokes," he said, tapping the rod against his palm. "Let's see if we can fix that."

The first strike landed across my back, sending a jolt of pain that stole the breath from my lungs. I clenched my teeth, my vision blurring, but I didn't make a sound.

"Nothing?" Raymond taunted, delivering another blow. "Come on, Valeria. Give me something."

"You'll get nothing," I ground out, lifting my head to meet his gaze. "Not from me."

The blows kept coming—my back, my ribs, my legs—but I held firm. Every scream they wanted, every plea for mercy—I swallowed it all down. If Raymond thought he could break me, he was in for a rude awakening.

But damn, it hurt.

By the time they stepped back, my body felt like it had been through a meat grinder. My breaths came in shallow gasps, and I could taste blood on my lips.

Raymond crouched in front of me again, his face smug and infuriatingly calm. "You're strong, I'll give you that," he said, tilting his head. "But strength only gets you so far. Sooner or later, everyone breaks."

"Not me," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He leaned closer, his breath hot against my ear. "We'll see about that."

As he walked away, leaving me suspended and broken but not defeated, my mind raced. I had no idea where I was, no idea how far I was from Ren, from anyone who could help me. But I wasn't done. Not by a long shot.

They thought they had me trapped.

They were wrong.

I was Cipher, damn it. And if Raymond thought he could keep me, he was in for the fight of his life.

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ˏˋ Author's note ˎˊ˗

Heyy (✿◡‿◡)

Welcome to Act 5!

Please Vote and comment to make another insignificant human happy (^◕.◕^)

Question of chapter:

Plane or Ship?

Plane. Every time I see a ship, I feel like it's going to drown.

Support yourself <3

Byeeee

Izel

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