Chapter 35

Iris' Pov

The whip cracks across the skin of my back and I scream yet again in agony, my wrists are raw from the chains and so is my throat from all the shrieking I'be done. I sob yet never begging for her mercy as that would just give her an undeniable pleasure.

Once she's delivered 5 more stinging lashes to my uncovered skin, she circles me taking in my totally exhausted frame with a thrilled expression.

"You took all your lashes like a big girl." Lila comments, laying the now coiled leather whip on the table. "I have to say I am a bit disappointed I expected to hear you plea and beg for my utmost mercy."

My eyes slowly rolls up to hers as I try to muster up a glare, key word try. I barely had any fight left in me, yesterday I clawed at her and that got me a possible broken rib.

I couldn't fight anymore, cause at the moment I was much too focused on the sharp and intense burning sensation on my back which is probably wailed, bruised and cut up.

Once my head has become too heavy for me to hold up anymore, I let it fall, my hair shielding me as I tremble.

I'm kneeled on the floor, stripped of all clothing except my underwear, the wedding ring given to me by Luca gone as well. I'm kept bound by chains, tethered to the ceiling which are locked around my wrists and ankles.

"Oo, look at that." She grimaces after she takes a long swig from her bottle of vodka. "That is definitely going to scar.

I pant, swallowing hard before I raise my head grinding out. "Fuck...you.."

"Tsk tsk, a foul tongue like that won't get you anywhere." Lila tsks snickering, a devious look in her eye as she raises the bottle, hovering it in mid air between her mouth and my back.

I jerk forward as liquor is spilt on to my back, screaming bloody murder as it infiltrates the fresh wounds. My hands tug at the chains relentlessly and my eyes squeeze shut, new tears sliding down my cheeks as all I can do is kneel and take the pain.

"Oh, shut up." Lila grunts scornfully, grabbing a ball gag from the table and securing it in my mouth silencing my cries.

Lila's phone rings out in the room, and she hums, pulling it from her pocket, placing her liquor bottle down. Her face lights up as she reads the caller's ID , cracking a grin she raises her fingers to her lips giving me a warning look, one which ensures extreme punishment if I don't keep my ass quiet.

Swiping to accept the call, she taps the screen seemingly placing it on speaker.

"Hellooo, Lila speaking." She chirps in to the phone, a broad smile on her face.

"...Lila, I've been trying to get in contact with you or the past 2 days-?"

Luca!

With some effort I lift my head watching as the girl grins like a stupid infatuated mindless zombie.

"Yeah, no, I'm out of the city actually. I'm visiting the family this week, my mom's sick I uh...have to be here for her." Lila mumbles, rubbing the nape of her neck. "What? Why are you calling?"

"Well, it's about Iris, " Lila rolls her eyes, moving the phone far away as she made a mocking gag sound. " she's uh...she's gone. I just wanted to know if you possibly had any information on that. "

"Oh my gosh. I don't. I'm not even sure where she might have gone, see she and I haven't exactly had a conversation all week." I hear her say.

I glance at the chains wondering if I can possibly signal to Luca in some code sort of way, but sadly I don't know any form of code except well qwerty code which I barely now.

Luca sighs heavily. "And you say you don't have any idea where she might have gone?"

"I'm sorry Luca, I don't where she might have gone off to but I do know this, if she just leaves unexplained I'd say as the person closest, "Lila switches her gaze over to me, smiling at her own dumb joke. "to her she probably just needs some space. "

Luca makes a humming sound before he sighs heavily yet again. "I suppose you could be right, after all, you do know her quite well."

She nibbles at her lower lip. "Trust me, Luca, she does this all the time...but I mean if it would you know comfort your heart, I'll come help you look for her."

"No need, Lila, please stay with your family, I need not to worry you." Luca dismisses and I

can practically hear the grimace in his voice.

"Oh Luca, it's fine. I really just want to help yo..." She clears her throat looking as if the following words coated her tongue like a vile poison. "my bestfriend, Iris."

"Fine, I'll be at my company." Luca says, giving in.

"Okay, I'll see you in 10 minutes." She grins enthusiastically, practically bouncing on her feet as she ends the call.

This catches my attention. 10 minutes? How could she possibly get to Donario Enterprises in 10 minute if she's not in the city?

Then it dawns on me, I haven't abducted and brought to some abandoned basement in the middle of no where. No, I was still situated here in New York, underground.

So, there's a chance that if I do escape I'll run onto the streets of New York and not that of slasher's personal murder forest.

"Why do you suddenly look so.....hopeful?" Lila cocks a brow taking a break from her love struck happy daydream psycho world.

"Are you thinking about escaping again?" She snorts, reading me like an opening book.

Damn sure I am.

My eyes lock with hers filled with a brazen assurance. Lila rolls her eyes, and shakes her head as she looks down at me, arms folded in a threatening stance.

"You're going no where, Ri. Except the ocean when I'm done and I'm not done." She leans forward, eyes filled with promise. "But of you so much as move an inch I will cement you down into these very floors."

I swallow hard, a visible shudder crawling down my spine at her threat. The corner of Lila's lip whirls up into that signature creepy grin and all I want to do is shrink away.

Lila hums her approval and makes her way to the doorway, her figure becoming swallowed by the shadows as she exits. Leaving me alone again, in the dark with my thoughts.

I am going to die.

I am going to get tortured to death.

Then tossed into the fucking ocean to be fed on by fish.

My stomach grumbles out an embarrassing whale noise and I groan.

Great, so now I'm starving, hot, on the brink bleeding out, my jaw is sore and I'm alone in the dark with only the small mice to talk to.

My new best friend being a mouse named Mr. Cheeseters.

Yup, I'd completely lost my mind. Fan-fucking-tastic.

Luca's Pov

"Any luck?" Estevon questions, leaning over my shoulder.

I sigh shaking my head, staring down at the phone which rests in the palm of my hand. "No, but she just... " I trail off, looking away.

If she's out of the city, how can she be in here in ten minutes....

"What about her?" Estevon quirks a brow as he takes a bite from a juicy red apple.

"There's something off about her." I mutter, brows furrowed.

Something very off.

"I could have told you that." Ezra murmurs, lifting her head from the criminology book she'd found in my office.

"What's so strange about her?" Estevon rolls his eyes at his twin sister.

"I don't know but I'll find out. Until then she claims that she'll be over in 10 minutes to help find Iris. " Rubbing at my temples, I sigh casting my eyes over to the quiet man. "Found anything yet Zev?"

Zevenous pushes his black rimmed glasses further up on to his nose and gives a slight hum. "I have actually."

I perk up. "What did you find? " I cock a brow, sauntering over to where he sat, his laptop settled in his lap.

"The phone you found, the small scrappy one, turns out it belongs to a....James." He replies, running his tattooed hand through his dirty blonde hair.

I stroke my chin, my eyes averting to the right. "I know a James."

"Is it that boy you asked me to track down?" Arsenio says from the corner he's placed himself in. "The one who ran away?"

I nod.

"Well get this he sent Iris a text just a few minutes before she went m.i.a, said he was in trouble and needed her help." Zevenous informs us, glancing up around the room.

"And uh...who is this kid again?" Estevon runs a hand through his own hair.

"He's a kid at the orphanage Iris owns who has a crush on her." I respond, arms folded over my chest as I think of the kid who'd kisses my wife.

"I smell motive." Ezra comments, a smirk on her lips.

I shake my head, this, for her was like one big mystery book and God knows how much she loved those. This for me was rush against the clock.

What if this is someone from my past? For me this isn't a joke, it's not fun. It's nauseating, it's scary. This person has my Iris and they intend to hurt her.

"Ooo, our first suspect, how fun!" Arsenio claps his hands together.

I slam my hands on the glass desk with a loud thump that surprises everyone but Arsenio. "Could you people get serious for a minute! Fuck! Iris is fucking missing." I turn to the windows, staring at the bustling city as I seethe.

This is my fault. This is all my fucking fault. I should have made sure she had security on her at all times but I didn't. I was too caught up in my pain. I let her get taken.

"Luca." Ezra lays her hand on my shoulder, a frown on her face and a sad look in her eyes. "We are taking this serious, very serious. We know how hard you're taking this."

"Do you?" I mutter dryly, my gaze trained on the people who stroll down there, on the streets moving along with their merry little lives while mine was on the verge of blowing up.

"It wasn't your fault, Luca." Estevon backs Ezra up, he stands to my right, a glass of whiskey extended out to me.

"We'll get her back to you, fratello. I swear it." I turn to look at him, noticing the determination in his eyes.

"I apologize for my outburst." I run a hand down my face, taking the glass of whiskey from Estevon and raising it to my lips. "I-"

"Dude, no need to explain. If it was Mari who was taken I'd be going out of mind." Zev cracks a reassuring grin that eases my guilt of losing it at my friends.

Taking a seat at my desk, I raise the glass to my lips.

"Do you really think this kid would kidnap Iris?" Ezra asks, her arms crossed over her chest as she glances over at me.

"Single handedly. No." I shake my head, remembering how lanky the boy was. He was practically a twig, he could barely support his own body weight.

"So you think he's a pawn?" Arsenio cocks his brows.

"Possibly."

A silence settles as we dwell on the possibility that this kid is working for someone on a higher scale. Russian Mafia perhaps. Drug Cartel.

"What is this Lila person bringing to the table again?" Ezra blurts out, a frown on her face.

"She's Iris's best friend. She claims she knows her better than anyone." I inform them, downing the rest of the burning alcohol as the black haired girl crosses my mind.

"And what's your relationship with her?" Arsenio muses, eyes observing me.

He's analyzing. A skill of mine.

"I don't have a relationship with her. I barely know her." I lie through my teeth, my stare unwavering from his.

He laughs, an amused laugh. He can see right through my lie.

"You've gotten better?" I state.

"I learned from the best, you." He smirks, kicking his feet up on my coffee table. "Now, what's your relationship with her?"

Glancing around the room, I notice all eyes are trained on me, each pair of eyes holding obvious curiosity.

"I slept with her." I shrug, sitting back.

"Surprise, surprise." Arsenio chuckles, exclaiming. "Who haven't you shoved your cock inside!"

Ezra gapes at me. "You slept with Iris' best friend. Does she know?"

"Fuck no. I didn't know she was even her best friend until a few days ago when you guys came over." I say calmly. "It was a long time ago when she shared a bed together."

"How long is long ago?" Zev quirks up.

I sigh, glowering at him.

Flashback

Marriage. I was going to get married to some girl I didn't even know.

I need a drink.

I need a fuck ton of drinks.

"Stop the car." I shout at my chauffeur, Phillipo.

Within seconds the car is being pulled up in the middle of the road. Honks come from behind us but I couldn't give flying fuck.

Getting out of the car, I slam the door shut and stroll down the street. Making my way towards my club.

This is all his doing. Father. Tying me down for a business deal.

As I pass the bouncers, women of all ages squeal and gawk at the sight of me. Trying to catch my attention.

And I do, I let my eyes roam over their skimpy little outfits and their assets that they flaunt. Trailing up their legs, over their asses, their breasts and face.

Winking at them, I make my way inside, past the grinding bodies that part for me. Up the stairs I go, up to the vip section where I'll dwell all night.

Taking a seat on one of the plush couches, a waitress dressed in short shorts and a black crop top, strolls over with a tray. She bends over at the waist, giving me a show of her ample cleavage as she places my drink down.

She's pretty, with her honey colored skin and black hair that falls off her shoulders in waves, she has pretty plump lips and long legs that'd fit a model.

But she's an employee and I don't fuck employees.

"Grazie." I wink at her, grabbing the glass of whiskey and bringing it to my lips as she looks at me with sultry dark eyes.

"Your welcome, Mr. Donario." She purrs, flicking her hair over to the side and strutting away with a extra sway of her hips.

Nice ass.

Downing my drink, I stand up and go over to the railing. Looking down at the club goers that grind against each and grab drinks at the bar.

I watch the girls, move sensually against the poles. Giving a show to men who make it rain.

I never wanted to give this up. The life of a billionaire playboy.

It was great. A different pussy every night, no one to tell me what I can and can't have, no one to nag me, no one to get close to me.

Speaking of pussy.

I eye a beauty sitting at the bar, dressed in a cute floral romper. She's flirty but at the same time she plays hard to get with every man that dare to come up to her.

Hello there, I think as I grab a shot off the passing waitresses tray. Tossing it back as I watch her some more, I decide to make my move.

Going down the stairs, past the bouncers I stroll over to her. Confidence oozing from my every step. She rolls her eyes at something the guy currently flirting with her says.

And I take this time to admire the girl who would soon be yet another conquest.

She's beautiful and she knows it. She sports her only black hair in a neck length bob, it frames her pretty porcelain narrow face.

Mystery girl has pretty pink lips, lips that'll probably be around my cock tonight. And she has gem like emails eyes that glint as her eyes catch mine.

"Luca Donario, pleasure to make your acquaintance." I smirk, extending my hand to her which she takes, gasping softly when I press a kiss to her knuckles.

Hook, line and sinker.

"Lila." She mumbles bewitched, completely forgetting about the guy she'd previously been speaking with.

"Let me buy you drink?" I offer, signaling for the bartender.

"How about we go back to my place and you fuck me instead?" She counters, lips parted.

My brows shoot up and I tilt my head to the side, chuckling at the girl's boldness. Reaching my hand up, I thumb her lower lip noticing how her breathing deepens signaling her arousal.

Leaning forward, I brush my lips against hers in a teasing manner before pulling back and saying. "Lead the way, belleza."

She smiles and jumps down from the bar stool, entertaining her hand in mine and pulling me behind as I stare at her sexy ass.

Yeah, I was so not letting go of the billionaire playboy. Even if I am engaged.

End of flashback

Running my hand through my hair, I rub my face before reluctantly saying. "The night, Iris and I got engaged."

"Oh my god." Ezra gasps, looking at me with disbelief in her eyes.

"Iris is going to fucking kill you." Estevon comments making me glare at him.

"No, she won't. If she never finds out." I narrow my eyes into slits at him.

Arsenio snorts. "The truth is staring to pile up, fratello. It's only a matter of time before she finds out."

"Can we get back to what's important?" I frown, furrowing my brows. "The fact that she's missing."

Arsenio rolls his eyes while Ezra looks at me with disbelief and disappointment, Estevon says nothing and Zev only frowns in disapproval at me.

A knock at the door turn all their looks away from me, getting up from my seat I make my way over to the double door, grabbing the silver door handle and prying the door open without a sound.

"Lila."

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