After Nikolai finished with Cassandra, he lifted her naked body into his arms and carried her out of the woods. She was weak and couldn't move her legs.
When he placed her on the bed, she turned to face the wall and pulled the blanket over herself.
"In a few hours, your father will be here to pick you up. Be a good girl, alright?" he said, adjusting his face mask.
Even during his time with Cassandra, Nikolai wore a mask to hide his face. He left soon after, leaving her alone in the room.
Once she realized he was gone, Cassandra slowly sat up, questioning herself and her self-control. Everything had gone wrong the moment he took hold of her. Had she really accepted to be his, screamed his name, and even begged for him?
Unbelievable.
"Father mustn't know about this," she murmured. She tried to stand, but the pain between her legs was intense. She moved unsteadily toward the bathroom.
Turning on the shower, Cassandra sat on the floor. The cold water hitting her body made her shiver and brought back memories she desperately wanted to forget.
That night. Alone, locked up in the basement. She saw him walking toward her with a knife and a rope, his eyes cold and merciless.
"You won't tell Father, or I will kill you!" he threatened, his voice echoing in the dark. She nodded, her heart pounding in terror, doing as she was told.
"Lay down and spread your legs!" he commanded, his voice empty of humanity. With those words, everything inside her shattered.
The water continued to fall, mixing with her tears as she sat there, every drop a reminder of the innocence stolen from her, the trust broken, and the love that had turned to horror. She wrapped her arms around herself, rocking slightly, trying to find some warmth and safety in the cold, unforgiving water. The scars ran deeper than her skin, etched into her soul, and no amount of water could ever wash them away.
Meanwhile, Nikolai was at his minibar, drinking whiskey. The room was filled with cigarette smoke and the strong, dominant smell of vodka.
"Boss, they are here!" one of the guards announced. Nikolai didn't say a word; he just nodded. The guard left and returned three minutes later with Delrico and Don Frederico.
"Where the fuck is she?" Delrico yelled, but Don Frederico pulled him back.
"You should use your brain now," he whispered. Delrico swallowed and looked away.
"Gentlemen, your daughter and sister are in good hands. You don't expect me to kill such a pretty thing, do you?" Nikolai asked, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Here's the money you requested! The gold—everything. Take it and give us back Cassandra!" Delrico demanded.
"Of all the people you could have sent after me, you chose this weakling? Someone who couldn't even carry a pouch? Tsk tsk tsk…my respect for you, Mr. Frederico, has dropped a lot."
Delrico kicked the bag of money and gold toward Nikolai, who smirked deviously.
"Money, huh? Good. Now go to the left room by the side. There you will see something. Bring it to me," he instructed. Delrico and Don Frederico exchanged glances.
"What? Are you ordering me around!?" Delrico barked. Nikolai nodded.
"Yes, I am." He puffed out smoke and drank from his whiskey glass. "You should have a drink, Mr. Frederico. It's good for your health!"
Don Frederico smirked, putting his tobacco pipe into his mouth. "Do as he says, Rico."
Delrico seethed with anger, but the silent command from Don Frederico was enough to keep him in check. He glared at Nikolai, who remained unfazed, puffing leisurely on his cigar and savoring his whiskey.
"Fine," Delrico muttered, storming off to the left room. The corridor was dimly lit, and each step he took added to the tension. He pushed open the door and quickly scanned the room. It was sparsely furnished, with only a table and a few scattered papers. On the table lay a small, polished lighter. He grabbed it and returned to the main room.
Nikolai raised an eyebrow as Delrico tossed the lighter onto the table between them. "Is this what you wanted?" Delrico asked, barely hiding his contempt.
Nikolai picked up the lighter, inspecting it closely before flicking it open. A small flame danced in the dim light. "Yes, this is exactly what I needed."
Don Frederico looked between the two men, his expression unreadable. "What now?" he asked, the tobacco smoke curling around his words.
Nikolai closed the lighter and slipped it into Delrico's hand. "Now, gentlemen, the real work begins." He walked over to the window and looked out into the night.
"What the heck do you want?" Don Frederico retorted, losing his patience.
"Burn it!"
"Burn what?"
"The money you brought for me! Burn it now!" Nikolai snapped, causing Don Frederico and Delrico to gasp.
"You must be out of your damn mind! This is three million dollars!"
"Is it? That just makes it more expendable," Nikolai sneered, glancing at his watch. "The quicker you burn it, the better for everyone, especially Cassandra!"
Delrico and Don Frederico fumed with rage as they glared at him. "You sent me to that damn room to fetch a lighter, only to demand I burn my damn money!" Delrico fumed.
"Yours? Gentlemen, didn't you just offer me the money in exchange for Cassandra? Just help a brother whose arm is hurting. Burn it or…I'll burn something else."
"Don't you dare," Delrico muttered through gritted teeth, his hand trembling slightly as he held the lighter over the stack of bills.
Nikolai's eyes narrowed, a cold smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, come on, Delrico. It's just money. You can always make more."
Don Frederico stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous. "This is madness, Nikolai. We trusted you."
Nikolai shrugged indifferently. "Trust is such a fragile thing, isn't it? But hey, if you don't want to burn it, maybe I'll find someone else who's more cooperative."
Delrico's jaw clenched, torn between anger and helplessness. With a deep breath, he flicked the lighter on, the flame dancing before his eyes. He glanced at Don Frederico, silently seeking reassurance or perhaps a way out of this strange situation.
Nikolai watched with detached amusement as the bills caught fire, the flames eagerly licking at the edges. "There you go, boys. Now we're getting somewhere."
Don Frederico's fists clenched at his sides, his mind racing for a solution. "What about Cassandra? You promised..."
Nikolai interrupted with a chilling laugh. "Promises, promises. Alright…she's coming."
Delrico's hand shook as he dropped the burning money to the floor, the flames spreading quickly. "You're insane," he muttered, unable to tear his eyes away from the growing inferno.
Nikolai's expression turned icy cold. "Insane or not, gentlemen, I get what I want. Remember that."
The room filled with the acrid smell of burning paper and the tense silence of betrayal.
"Boss!" A guard burst into the room, dragging Cassandra along in handcuffs.
Nikolai's eyes gleamed as he grabbed Cassandra roughly by the chin, his grip firm and painful. "Well, well, look who's gracing us with her presence!" He pulled her closer, his nails pressing into her fair skin, a hint of blood appearing.
"Let her go!!" Don Frederico's voice boomed with anger.
Cassandra hissed through clenched teeth, "Let me go, you bastard!"
Nikolai chuckled darkly, his voice low and menacing. "Oh, I will," he murmured, his breath hot against her ear.
"Make sure Daddy knows how loudly you screamed, begging for my touch, how eagerly you welcomed me," he whispered, sending a chill down her spine.
A cruel smirk twisted Nikolai's lips as he shoved Cassandra toward Don Frederico. "Have a pleasant day, gentlemen, and to you, my pretty bunny," he purred, licking his lips slowly before leaving the room.
Delrico gripped Cassandra's arm tightly, his nails digging into her skin. "See… this is all your fault!" he shouted, dragging her out.
They got into their car and left. The drive was long, with Delrico seething in anger, while Don Frederico sat smoking with an unreadable expression.
When they arrived at the estate, Cassandra's heart ached deeply.
"Get going already!" Delrico spat angrily, shoving Cassandra aside.
"You've once again embarrassed this family, Cassandra," Don Frederico said, and she lowered her gaze.
"Papa, I'm sorry," she sobbed.
"Lock her up in the basement. No one is allowed to see her, speak to her, or help her!" he commanded, turning to leave. But Delrico spoke up.
"Father, let me punish her—"
"No! I'd rather die in the basement, please!" she cried, falling to her knees.
"Do whatever you please with her," Don Frederico responded to Delrico, causing him to smile wickedly.
"Get up!" He yanked Cassandra's hair, and she slapped his hand away.
"Leave me alone! I'm not your sex slave!" she shouted, ready to fight.
"You will be. It's the only thing that makes you human!" he said, yanking her hair. She punched him in the stomach.
Delrico staggered and turned to the security guards. "Get my sister my little gift!" he ordered. One of them left.
The guard returned with a package, and Cassandra backed away. "Get that away from me!" she yelled. Delrico rolled his eyes.
"Don't make me chase you. If I do, every guard here will get a taste of you!"
Cassandra sighed heavily and followed him into his dark, stuffy room.
"Lie down on the table!" Delrico ordered, removing his belt.
Cassandra complied, undressing and climbing onto the table. He tied her hands and legs to the table with rope.
"You look so good like this," Delrico said, grabbing a leather whip and striking her.
"Mmm!" She bit her lip, trying to handle the pain.
He continued whipping her, each strike burning her skin. She screamed, her ass reddening with each hit.
"Beg for more," he demanded.
"Never!!"
"Beg for more!" He whipped her harder, and Cassandra screamed.
"Please...more," she gasped between screams.
He whipped her again, each crack mixing pain with a twisted pleasure. Her body arched with each lash, her cries filling the room. The strikes grew more intense, pulling out her most primal sounds.
"You can take more, can't you?" he taunted, letting her catch her breath.
"Yes," she whispered.
Without warning, the whip came down harder. Pain sliced through her, and she felt tears forming. The heat between her legs only grew.
"Good girl," he growled, roughly gripping her reddened skin.
Her back arched, pushing into his hand, every nerve alive with mixed agony and pleasure.
"I'll make you regret defying Father!" Delrico said with malice. He moved behind her and thrust into her, making her scream.
The pain was unbearable. Tears streamed down her face, adding to the agony from Nikolai's earlier assault. The fresh pain made her existing wounds feel worse.
Delrico enjoyed her suffering, snapping metal handcuffs onto her wrists. She tugged at the restraints, each movement painful. He reached for the whip again, promising more pain.
"You thought you could defy us and get away with it?" he sneered, whipping her back. The pain was searing, making her cry out.
He didn't stop. The whip came down repeatedly, each strike more vicious than the last. Cassandra's skin burned, and her body convulsed with each lash.
Delrico paused to grab a flogger, its multiple tails promising more torment. He circled her, watching her struggle against the cuffs, her breaths ragged.
"Beg for mercy," he growled.
She tried to stifle her sobs, but the pain was overwhelming. "Please," she choked out.
"Not good enough," he said, hitting her with the flogger. The tails left a web of stinging marks.
"Please, stop!" she cried.
He laughed cruelly. "You'll take whatever I give you," he hissed, attaching clamps to her nipples. He tightened them until she screamed again, the sharp pain adding to her suffering.
"Feel that?" he taunted, pulling on the chain. "That's what disobedience gets you."
Cassandra's vision blurred with tears. The pain was all-consuming, leaving her gasping for breath.