---
The air inside the room was heavy, thick with the scent of gunpowder and iron. The blood from Scorpion's wounds still stained the floor, a dark reminder of what Luca was capable of. Mia sat frozen against the wall, every muscle tense, her breathing shallow.
The door burst open. Two of Luca's men staggered in, dragging another prisoner between them — a broad-shouldered man with a black hood over his head. He fought against their grip, cursing in a language Mia didn't recognize.
"What now?" Luca asked lazily, but there was a sharp edge in his tone.
One of his men answered quickly.
"We caught him sneaking around the perimeter. He's not one of ours."
Luca's smirk vanished. His eyes turned cold as he stepped forward.
"Remove the hood."
The hood came off, revealing a battered face, split lip, and eyes full of defiance. The man spat on the ground.
"Kill me if you want, but I won't talk."
Luca's gaze didn't waver. "Oh, I'll kill you," he said softly, "but not before I have a little fun."
The tension in the room spiked. Mia's pulse hammered in her ears. She wanted to look away, but fear rooted her to the spot.
Luca reached into his coat and pulled out a large combat knife, the blade catching the dim light. Without warning, he plunged it into the man's shoulder. The scream that followed was raw, animalistic.
"Here's the thing," Luca said conversationally, twisting the knife. "I don't like spies. And I really don't like people who think they can walk into my world without my permission."
Blood ran down the man's chest, pooling on the floor. Luca yanked the knife out and wiped it on the prisoner's shirt before handing it to one of his men.
"Hold him up."
Two men grabbed the prisoner's arms, forcing him to his knees. Luca stepped back, drew his gun, and — without hesitation — fired into the man's hand. The sound was deafening in the enclosed space.
Mia flinched violently, a sharp gasp escaping her lips.
Luca's head turned toward her instantly, and that familiar, dangerous smile crept back across his face.
"Still here, little mouse? Watching the show?"
She said nothing, clutching her knees to her chest, praying he wouldn't drag her into whatever this was.
The prisoner coughed, blood trickling from his mouth. "You're… a monster."
Luca's grin vanished. He raised his boot and kicked the man in the chest so hard he slammed against the wall.
"No," Luca said, his voice flat and dead of emotion. "I'm worse."
He nodded to one of his men, who tossed him a small blowtorch. Luca flicked it on, the blue flame hissing. The heat made Mia's skin prickle even from across the room.
"You've got one minute to tell me who sent you," Luca said calmly, "or I'll make sure you feel every bone in your body burn before you die."
The man's defiance cracked. He trembled, looking between the flame and Luca's eyes. Finally, he muttered a name.
Luca leaned in, as if savoring the moment. "Thank you," he said quietly — and then pulled the trigger, putting a bullet through the man's skull.
The body crumpled to the floor. Blood pooled quickly, the metallic scent saturating the air.
Mia's stomach churned, bile rising in her throat. She turned her face away, but Luca wasn't finished with her.
He walked toward her slowly, the sound of his boots echoing in the room. He crouched down until his shadow fell over her.
"You see what happens to people who cross me?" he murmured. "This is my world. You don't breathe without my permission."
Her eyes brimmed with tears, but she nodded quickly, too afraid to speak.
"Good girl," he said, almost gently. Then his voice hardened again. "But remember… good girls can still die."
He stood, signaling to his men.
"Clean this mess. And bring me the others. We're not done tonight."
The room became a whirlwind of movement — bodies being dragged, orders shouted, weapons loaded. Mia sat frozen in the chaos, her heart pounding as she realized there was no limit to how far Luca would go.
And now… she was caught in the center of it.
---
When Luca finally left the room, the air felt lighter — but only for a moment. His boots clicked against the concrete floor as he walked out, his presence lingering like a shadow that refused to fade. The heavy door slammed shut, the metallic echo reverberating through the walls.
For the first time in hours, the room was quiet.
Mia's heart pounded against her ribs. Her body ached from the cold floor and the tension that never seemed to leave her. Slowly, she lifted her head, glancing toward the corner where the door stood.
This could be her only chance.
Her wrists were sore, the skin chafed raw from the ropes, but she wriggled them slowly, testing the knots. Every movement sent a stab of pain shooting through her arms, but she gritted her teeth. She had to try.
She had to get out.
Her gaze darted to the others — a small group of girls huddled together like frightened animals, their faces pale and hollow. None of them moved. None of them even looked toward the door.
Mia's chest tightened. Why aren't they trying? Why are they just… sitting there?
She leaned forward, inching toward the wall where the shadows were deepest. Her knees scraped against the rough floor, and she winced, but kept going.
Just as she reached the side of the room, a faint, raspy voice broke the silence.
"Don't."
Mia froze. Slowly, she turned her head.
One of the girls — a frail-looking brunette with tangled hair and bruises blooming along her jaw — was staring at her. Her eyes were glassy but sharp, holding a warning that made Mia's blood run cold.
"Don't even think about it," the girl whispered, her voice trembling but certain. "If you try to escape, you won't just die… you'll die in the worst way imaginable."
Mia swallowed hard. "I can't stay here," she whispered back, glancing nervously at the door. "If I don't get out, he'll—"
The girl's voice cut her off.
"He'll make you wish you were dead."
Her words were laced with a grim certainty that made Mia's breath hitch.
"I've seen it," the girl continued weakly. "I've seen what he does to the ones who run. He doesn't just kill them… he plays with them first. He… breaks them. Piece by piece. And when there's nothing left, when they're begging for it to end, that's when he pulls the trigger."
Mia's fingers clenched against the floor. A chill spread through her bones.
The girl's gaze softened, but her voice remained firm.
"He shows no mercy, not to anyone. If he catches you, he won't just hurt you… he'll make you more miserable than you can imagine. Worse than you feel now."
Mia looked at the door again, the faint sliver of light under it like a cruel tease. For a moment, she imagined herself slipping through it, running into the night, breathing fresh air again.
But then she saw Luca's smile in her mind — that cold, nightmarish smile — and the vision shattered.
Her hands trembled. She leaned back against the wall, her head dropping into her arms.
The girl's voice was barely audible now, almost a whisper meant only for her.
"Survive first… then think about running. That's the only way you'll live."
The room fell silent again, but Mia could no longer hear just her heartbeat. Now, she heard the echo of the girl's warning pounding inside her head, over and over.
And she knew… escape wouldn't be as simple as finding an open door.
---