The man's body warmth and masculine scent quickly enveloped her, warming her cold body almost immediately.
"Your clothes are wet. Wear this for now, or you'll get sick!" There were no thick blankets on the bed, only a thin cover, which Capone pulled over her legs.
"Wouldn't you be happier if I died of illness?" Sophia's teeth chattered from the cold.
Capone grasped her delicate chin, forcing her to turn toward him. The area where he had slapped her was already swollen.
"Does it hurt?"
Sophia turned her face away.
Capone frowned, touching the swollen area. "Don't blame me. It was instinct, and it serves as a lesson for you. If you ever try to bite or act out again, I…"
"Are you going to beat me to death then? Why don't you just kill me now? Come on!" Sophia's tears welled up as she tilted her head defiantly.
"You want to die just because you're with me?"
"I hate you. Why are you treating me like this? What did I do wrong?" Sophia cried uncontrollably, seemingly ignoring his words. "A real man doesn't hit women! My father and brothers never hit me. My cousin… though he was rough with his wife, he never hit her!"
Was she harming herself impulsively because of his slap?
Realizing this, Capone's furrowed brow relaxed slightly. He felt a sudden inner turmoil, but it also felt like he had fallen into something soft and comforting.
He didn't respond, taking a water jug and heading outside. He soon returned with rainwater, which he placed on the stove to boil.
Once the water was hot, Capone used Sophia's wet clothes to soak in the hot water. He wrung them out and used them to clean her face, then placed the cloth on the swollen area.
"Don't ever think of dying again! You can keep trying to escape, and I'll keep finding you. Let's see who wins this game in the end. In fact, it's not too bad this way!"
At least he could see her vibrant and eager self.
The expression of despair and resignation didn't suit her at all.
It made him uncomfortable too.
Just as Sophia was about to retort, her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl.
She buried her face in embarrassment, and Capone chuckled. "Hungry?"
They had been out for most of the day, and now it was getting dark. It was time to eat something.
Capone rummaged around the stove but found no real ingredients, only a small amount of millet and some nuts stored in a sealed tin.
He went back out to fetch more rainwater, letting it settle before adding it to the millet and putting it on the stove to cook.
"You stay here and rest for a while. I'll be back soon!"
"Where are you going?" Sophia asked, immediately regretting it. She was genuinely worried; with such heavy rain outside, and her clothes left in the small hut, she wondered if the place was safe or if someone might come by.
"Don't worry, I'm not going far. I'll be back soon!" He headed out into the rain, without a coat.
When the scent of cooking rice reached her, Capone returned, soaked just like her, but with a good haul: fresh apples and oranges.
Sophia wondered where he had found those fruit trees on the island.
Capone, carrying a Swiss Army knife, carefully peeled the fruits and handed them to Sophia on the bed. "Eat up. The porridge will take a while to cook."
Sophia, still on guard, took a bite of the apple and asked, "Did you pick these fresh? Who owns this place, and why is it unoccupied?"
Capone removed his soaked shirt as he replied, "Finish eating first, and then I'll tell you!"
Sacrificial offerings?
Sophia nearly gagged. After finishing an apple, Capone revealed that the fruits he found were actually offerings taken from in front of the tombstones!
Yet he seemed unconcerned and said that under such circumstances, it wasn't a big deal. What mattered was filling her stomach and replenishing her strength.
"What about your phone? Why don't you call for help?"
"Useless. The signal's down, probably due to the lightning affecting the communication tower. Living on this island, you'll need to get used to that."
Sophia lowered her head. She had no intention of staying here long-term.
"The slope behind this house has a direct view of the sea. My dad and the others used to wait for smuggling ships here. Later, they left it as a place for lost people or residents who couldn't return to town in time after visiting the graves. Actually, the path you took was correct; if you keep going in that direction, you'll reach the sea and find people who can help you escape."
As he spoke about the house's history, Sophia could sense that he had feelings for the island and even the port, but his feelings toward her father seemed as indifferent as if he were talking about a complete stranger.
"So… who was buried under that tombstone today?" Was it his father Henry?
Capone shook his head. "You don't need to know. Why ask so many questions?"
Sophia pouted. She wished she had nothing to do with him!
"Are there any other injuries? Let me take a look!" Capone, noticing her swollen cheek, unconsciously softened his tone. "Is it your ankle that's hurt?"
Sophia pulled her foot away, reluctant to let him see her injury because she was not covered under the thin blanket.
But Capone was not one to respect her wishes. His hand slipped under the blanket and he gently pulled at her ankle, making her cry out in pain.
"It's nothing serious, just a sprain. Apply some medicine and rest, and it will be fine!" He changed his tone, looking at her intently. "Although I don't mind playing a game of cat and mouse with you, no one can guarantee you won't get hurt in the process! This time it's a sprain, next time it could be a fracture or even death! Have you really thought it through? Are you willing to go to any lengths to escape me? I'm already negotiating with your brother. Don't you want to be reunited with your family?"
Sophia's eyes widened in shock. "What conditions has my brother agreed to with you? Is it related to this land? Are you planning to use them against Lucas?"
Capone's smile was cold. "It's a minor condition, not enough to trade for your freedom. But if it works out, I might consider treating you better and even taking you to see your brother."
"You!" Sophia sat up angrily. "You want to use me to manipulate the Diaz family step by step until they are under your control and ruin them? How despicable! No wonder Lucas is your enemy, and no wonder your own brothers have betrayed you!"
Capone moved closer, a sneer on his lips. "Rest assured, those who betray me will not have a good end. Remember that!"
The night wind by the sea was cold, making Sophia shiver. Capone chuckled, handing her a bottle of liquor. "Drink this, and you'll warm up!"
The strong liquor, probably the same he brought back earlier, was potent. Sophia turned her head away, refusing to drink more of his offerings.
Capone, experienced in such matters, took a large swig of the liquor and sealed her lips with his own to pass the drink to her. As she gasped for air, he forced the bottle into her mouth, making her drink more against her will.
Capone's body heat enveloped Sophia as he held her close, their warmth blending together under the thin blanket. The potent liquor had left her feeling heavy and disoriented, but the warmth of Capone's embrace was undeniable.
Sophia's voice was soft and barely audible. "Do you often find yourself in situations like this?"
Capone's chest rumbled with a quiet laugh, his hand gently resting on her back. "More often than you'd think. In my line of work, it's not unusual to end up in challenging conditions. But it's rare to have someone to keep warm like this."
Sophia's head rested against his chest, the rhythmic beat of his heart soothing in the midst of her distress. The gentle rise and fall of his breathing seemed to calm her, even as her mind wrestled with the reality of her situation.
She tried to pull away, to remind herself of the danger and the manipulation, but the warmth and the strange comfort of Capone's presence made it difficult. Her resistance weakened as the hours passed, the cold and exhaustion giving way to the deceptive safety of his embrace.
Capone's voice, low and almost tender, cut through the silence. "Rest now. You need to recover your strength if you want to continue playing your games."
Sophia closed her eyes, torn between her fear and the unexpected comfort. She was still trapped, but in that moment of warmth, the harsh reality of her situation seemed to blur, leaving her with only the sensation of being held, even as she knew she had to remain vigilant.