DEVON'S POV
I groggily opened my eyes, my body screaming in protest as I struggled to move. Every inch of me felt like it was engulfed in flames, the memories of Vincenzo's brutal torture flooding back like a nightmare. My uncle's worried face hovered above me, his eyes darting back and forth as he fidgeted with anxiety.
"Devon, oh God, Devon, you're awake!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling. "Thank God, you're finally awake!"
Nicholas's voice cut through the haze, "The doctor is here, boss."
Antonio's thunderous voice followed, "Hurry and let him in, you fool!"My uncle winced, his face apologetic.
As my uncle's words registered, a sharp pain shot through my head, making me wince.
"Sorry, sorry, my dear," he muttered, placing a gentle palm on my head. "Don't worry, Devon, the doctor will help you."
Ever since my parents' tragic death when I was just a vulnerable five-year-old, my uncle Antonio had taken me under his wing and raised me as his own. He had been my rock, my confidant, and my guardian. I had grown up alongside his daughter, Melissa, and we had formed an unbreakable bond. She was more than just a cousin to me; she was my sister, my friend, and my confidante. But now, knowing that she was in the clutches of the ruthless Vincenzo, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of bitterness and worry. The thought of her safety, her well-being, and her life hanging in the balance made my heart race with anxiety. I couldn't bear the thought of Vincenzo's cruel hands touching her, his cold eyes gazing at her, or his sinister plans unfolding around her.
My mind raced with worst-case scenarios, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of helplessness that had settled in the pit of my stomach. I had to do something, anything, to save her. But what could I do? I was brutally tortured by Vincenzo and left to die.
The doctor began to tend to my wounds, I couldn't help but wince in pain. My nose was broken, the cartilage shattered from the repeated blows. Most of my fingernails were gone, pulled out with sadistic precision. Wires pierced my skin, embedded deep within my flesh like metal thorns. And on my thigh, a deep gash oozed blood, the cut so jagged it seemed to grin at me like a macabre smile.
"We need to get him to a proper hospital, now," the doctor urged, his voice firm with concern. "He's badly injured and we don't have the equipment here to treat him properly."
My uncle nodded, his expression grim. "Take him to your clinic, then."
The doctor hesitated. "It's not just a matter of taking him to my clinic. We need a fully equipped hospital with the latest technology and specialized staff. Anything less could..."
My uncle cut him off, his tone firm. "Fine, take him to a standard hospital. But ensure you have everything you need to treat him."
The doctor nodded, relief etched on his face. "I'll make sure of it. But we need to move fast."
As Nicholas turned to leave, my uncle called out to him. "Ensure you send good undercover agents to protect Devon and accompany the doctor."
Nicholas nodded, his expression serious. "Got it, boss."
"And one more thing," my uncle added, his voice low. "Keep the press away. We don't need them sniffing around."
Nicholas nodded again, his eyes understanding. "Roger that, boss." With that, he turned and exited the room.
The doctor's eyes radiated compassion as he tenderly cleaned and dressed my wounds. I gritted my teeth, fighting back a scream, as he meticulously extracted some of the wires. The metal scraped against my raw nerve endings, sending shivers of pain down my spine. My fingers felt like they were engulfed in flames, the absence of my nails making every touch a burning agony.
Antonio's voice broke through my focus on the pain. "Devon, I'll step out for a while." He moved towards the door, his eyes filled with concern.
"Uncle," I called out, my voice barely above a whisper. My throat felt dry, my vocal cords strained from the effort.
Antonio turned back, his expression softening. "What is it, Devon? Save your strength, we'll talk when you're better." He said without looking back at me. I knew he was fighting back tears, he always told me strong men don't cry.
"It's about Melissa," I whispered, my voice barely audible. Antonio's eyes snapped towards me, his expression intense as he strode closer to the bed.
"What about her?" he demanded, his voice low and urgent.
I struggled to speak, my throat parched and my lips cracked. "Vincenzo...he has her. He did this to me...and I saw her...on a video call. She's not okay."
Antonio's face darkened, his eyes blazing with fury. "How could you let that scumbag get his hands on you?" he thundered, his hand flying towards me in a vicious slap.
The slap sent a jolt of pain through me, and I recoiled, anticipating the next blow. Antonio's hand rose again, but the doctor swiftly intervened, grasping his arm with a firm grip.
"Stop!" the doctor commanded, his voice authoritative. "You'll kill him if you continue hitting him. He needs urgent medical attention, not more trauma."
Antonio's face contorted in anguish, his eyes blazing with fury, but he restrained himself, his chest heaving with ragged breaths. His gaze bore into mine, intense and demanding.
"Tell me everything," Antonio growled, his voice low and menacing, his eyes blazing with intensity.
I nodded feebly, wincing as I spoke, my voice barely above a whisper. "Vincenzo...he tortured me...wanted information about our family's business. I didn't tell him anything..."
Just then, the men who were to escort us to the hospital arrived, and I was carefully transferred to a wheelchair. Antonio trailed behind me, his eyes fixed on me with an unnerving gaze.
"Continue," he commanded, his voice firm.
I took a deep breath, trying to muster the strength to reveal more. "...he knows Melissa is one of us...and she's being badly tortured. But I don't know where he's keeping her. We have to save her."
Antonio's expression darkened, his jaw clenched in rage. "Lucas, gather the best of my men. We're taking down the Grants. We'll reduce them to nothing."