Twenty Two.

I can not stop myself from trembling uncontrollably. My entire body is paralysed with panic as I tremble frantically all over. My hands continue to shake incessantly, regardless of how much I wish for them to stop. They simply will not.

My fingers round the huge butcher knife in my hand with increasing vigour. I have never grasped anything more tenaciously in my life than this object. I have the distinct impression that I am being possessed. I am compelled to grasp this knife, as my life is at stake.

I'm numb; my entire body is devoid of sensation.

My inner Goddess is screaming at me to drop the knife and flee. However, my body begs me to fall to my knees. To submit to the darkness in order to bow down and pay respects to the dark lord himself.

I will not submit to her. I am not going to let my body betray me, and I shove the knife forth, slicing through the air.

I watch as the scarlet red liquid splatters on the ground, and I am struck by its stunning hue.

As I look the monster in the eyes, unadulterated fury, fear, and humiliation all slam into me. His watery bloodshot white eyes slant in my direction.

I will not look up at Castello, who stands there silently. I'm afraid to divert my attention away from Trent, who remains immobile. I keep my eyes on his, waiting for him to blink.

To rise to his feet and lunge at me. I'm unable to stand or move. Adrenaline rushes through my veins, threatening to rip them apart completely.

His limp body slumps over the desk, exposing his arse as I am reminded of all the vile actions he forced me to commit for his evil pleasure. I was unable to continue. I refused to allow him to abuse my body out of fear that he would do it to someone else after he was finished with me.

"Tesoro." (Treasure.)

Ace's voice pierces my bubble of terror.

"Hand over the knife to me." His words are drowned out by the beating sound of my heart.

"Mila!" Costello's voice is resonant, assertive, and on the verge of rage.

I had taped the knife under his desk, knowing that one day I will eventually lose my shit and acquire the confidence to drive the knife into his beating heart. I raise my eyes to him, fearful that he will extend his hand and assist Trent in standing.

My gaze alternates between him and Trent, blood pooling around his twisted shoulder blade as his twisted body remains still.

I squeeze the knife's handle more tightly. If any of them come after me, I will not surrender without a fight.

Tears pool in my tired eyes as Castello raises his voice at me. His words bounce off the walls and slams into my chest. The deafening silence from the other men in the room isn't reassuring.

I shake my head, my hair sways in the air and I know I should give it to him. I should obey his orders because bad things happen to those who don't.

The basement.

I have witnessed many times what goes on down there and the mere thought of being chained to the ceilings pillar brings me to my knees. My body is paralyzed with fear.

"I.I..can't." My words come out weak and they are soon masked by the sound of my whimpers. "Non posso." (I can not.) I thrust my arm out, swinging it in front of me as I begin to slice the air between us.

They all take a step towards me and I panic. I shift my body and start slashing Trent's back. The blade of the knife slices into his skin like a ripe tomato and once again.

His tainted blood flies through the air and stains the walls.

A loud cry slips past my lips when I feel Castello's fingers wrap around my wrist. Stilling me.

"Sshhh.. Il peggio è passato, non può più farti del male." (Sshhh, the worst is over, he can't hurt you anymore.) He says soothingly that makes me want to believe him.

I flick my eyes between him and the other men. They slowly start to back away when they realise I have no intentions of harming Castello. Their murmurs are barely audible over Castello shushing me.

He slowly starts to pry my fingers back, loosening my grip on the knife and my body continues to tremble. His ocean baby blue irises never leave mine and the depths of them have never made me feel safer in his presence than I do right now.

'It's Castello.' My inner Goddess tells me. 'It's Castello who has us, we're safe.'

I release the knife and fall to the ground. My left knee hits the ground first, then my right and I hunch over and cry.

"He's going to come for me."  My voice trembles in unison with my shoulders.

"Se n'è andato." (He's gone.)

"No, he'll find me.. He'll find me!" I scream hysterically.

"I'll give you his head, Mila. If that's what it takes for you to believe me. I. will. give. it. to. you." He states firmly.

I look up at him with pleading eyes.

"Tieni fermo il suo co-op." (Hold his body still.) He commands and I watch as Ace bows his head and moves to where Trent's body is slumped over with Ramano at his side.

Castello moves to where Trent is, he raises the knife in the air and brings it down as he stabs it into his neck.

He grabs Trent by the shoulders and throws him to the ground. His body falls like a sack of potatoes with a loud thud. He raises his foot and his shoe slams into the knife. Over and over again. Each time his foot connects with the knife it is met with more force, extreme power and a long line of Italian curse words.

I flinch with each impact and I watch in awe as Castello tears his head from his body. The feeling of relief engulfs me and I start to feel at peace.

A crunching sound echoes through the room and I have to stop myself from spewing all over the carpet in front of me. The loud sounds of him grunting and growling with irritation laced with his snarl fills the room. I watch as he lifts his dress shoe that is covered in blood and kicks Trent's head, sending it rolling across the room.

"Finally," I whisper to myself. "I'm free, I am free" I start to cry.

>>>

I jolt awake when Sandros' cries reach me through my sleep. I sit upright, resting my hand against my chest as I try to elevate my breathing.

I look to the side of me and stare at Ace who continues to sleep like a dribbling baby. "It was just a dream." I groan as I slowly start to slide out of the bed. "Just a beautiful fucking nightmare that we can only dream of," I mutter while I tighten the ropes around my silky robe and make my way over to my crying baby.