Page 8 of A Game of Survival

“I took him and I intend to break him until he has absolutely nothing left in this world but me. He will be groomed into leadership, trained to reject love, kindness and friendship and unlike you, you pitiful fucking excuse of a son, he will reign when I am no longer able and I will know my kingdom is safe.”

“You fucking psycho. You won’t get away with this.” I shout, trying to gain the strength to pull my arms free, but he simply laughs, a loud menacing cackle, throwing his head back in delight.

“Oh my boy, I already have. You see, after Theo Rossi contacted me about his plan to snub the Salvatore scum from their thrones by using your beloved sister and Teddy as bait, I knew that I finally had my green light. So I struck up a deal to deliver the boy to the warehouse where his father would be waiting while Theo took care of the brothers so he could take back the crown he believed he was owed and I took over running drugs for the city. But Theo is stupid and weak. He would never make it as a leader, and I knew that as soon as his son found out about his betrayal, that he would kill him anyway…So I put in motion my own plan, one where I end up on top. And I’m afraid son, that you're not part of it” he sneers.

I panic as he retreats up the stairs back to the ground floor of the building, the door opens when he reaches the top and I hear his orders to finish me off before the door closes and I’m left alone once more. Fuck fuck fuck. That treacherous prick. I have to fucking get out of here. I can’t think straight anymore as I yank on the chains trying desperately to loosen something, anything that I could work with to help me escape. My inner thoughts are screaming at me and my injuries are screaming louder. Is Teddy in this building too? No, my father wouldn’t be stupid enough to keep us both together. Lucille, God I hope she’s okay, she is never going to forgive me for letting Teddy get taken. This is all my fault.

Before my brain can overload itself with questions the room is thrown into darkness and I freeze. I steady my breathing, holding as still as I can, trying to prepare myself for whatever happens next. I need all the strength I've got if I’m going to at least try and get out of this one alive, I owe it to Teddy to try. He can't have this life, it will kill him.

A quiet shuffle behind me sends a trail of goosebumps the entire way down my spine leaving a horrible taste of dread at the back of my throat.

“Don’t make me fucking regret this,” a low voice whispers through the silence and a sharp pain pierces against my skull as I fall into the abyss.

Chapter 7

Cole

Twisting the knife into the flesh beneath me has never felt so good, my demons are feeding on the poor souls I’m eradicating from this earth, one by fucking one. I twist the knife once more, the screams are echoing around me, they are my symphony and I am the conductor for this masterpiece. I feel the blood trickle down the blade, into my hand painting my skin a beautiful shade of crimson red. It begins to pool on the floor, my knees have gone numb from the position I’m in but straddling a person and changing their body into a masterpiece is priceless. My victim has gone limp now, I watch his life draining right in front of my eyes, his once blue eyes now a boring shade of gray are they stare lifelessly into my own. I smile, he deserved much worse.

Tonight I picked my victims carefully, each one has committed a crime that can not go unpunished and I have assigned myself their executioner. Behind me I hear footsteps crunching into the gravel. I had not anticipated having an audience, but as I turned my head, I am met with a face that I had been led to believe was burnt to ashes by my brother.

"My oh my, this is a scene that is going to cost you, Mr Salvatore. The question is how much are you willing to sacrifice to win the game? Are you willing to become a true monster and keeper of secrets to those you would give the heart beating in your chest for?"

I must finally be going mad, hallucinating the man who caused my little mouse so much pain. I guess I'm just as bad as him now. Taking in this vile creature's appearance, I start to notice subtle differences, his eyes aren't as dark, his hair is cut differently and there is a mole on his right cheek.

I frown at the man standing over me in question, pointing my bloodied knife at him, "My brothers gutted you, unless I've gone mad, which is quite possible. Who are you?"

"Ahhh, no, you haven't gone mad quite yet, but the details of who I am are not important. You have two choices, make a deal with me and assist me in infiltrating Ronan Costello's gang or we can lock you, your brother and Mr. Rossi up for good. Then your poor little mouse will be prime picking for the leeches of this world," he replies with an evil smirk lifting his lips.

"How do you know about my little mouse?” I snap, glaring at him with pure hatred. The man raises his eyebrows as I continue my rant, waving my knife in front of him. “I'm game to take down those scumbags but I need more assurances." Like why this fucker is here and who he is, what is in this for him?

"I know a great many things about your life, Cole. I have been watching, biding my time until an opportunity, such as this, presented itself to us. I will answer all of your questions, but maybe we can get this cleared up before we have that conversation.” he advises, flicking his gaze over the lifeless body. He clicks his fingers and the deserted alley immediately swarms with men. They are all heavily armed with their guns pointed directly at me. I cannot help but smirk, looking this man in the eyes.

“Well, this conversation really has spoiled all my fun. I was enjoying bleeding these cunts dry. I guess you and your friends aren’t giving me many options here.”

“Yes, I had noticed you were thoroughly enjoying painting the town red this evening, Mr Salvatore. It’s what made finding you so much easier. Now, you have options, Cole. But the one that will allow you to remain breathing is to come with us. So, what do you say Mr Salvatore? Are you ready to save the boy and get the girl?” he asks, tilting his head to one side.

“You have me in a bind. I'll play along, tell me this plan you have,” I say, knowing I have no choice but to comply at the moment with so many guns aimed at my head.

“Well, Cole, on your feet then,” he orders with a smirk on his face that I'm not sure I can trust. He extends his hand out to me which I take with slight trepidation before placing my hand in his own. As I rise to my feet, I move to take his hand. Though my judgment is severely lacking because the next moment a searing pain pulses through my skull and I barely have time to register it before slamming to the ground as I lose consciousness. The fucker knocked me out cold.

As I come to, a bright light stings my eyes, making me flinch into the hardback of the seat I am attached to. I can feel my wrist restricted by cold metal handcuffs behind my back and my ankles that are tied to the chair legs I am sitting on. Squinting around the room as I adjust to my surroundings, I see him. The one who claims to hold all of the cards, for now.

“Welcome back to the land of the living, Cole,” he drawls casually.

“Where am I? What is this place?” I grunt, my voice hoarse.

“Want a drink? Just water, I'm afraid I can't offer more until we have had our discussion.”

“Answer my questions,” I say, struggling against my restraints.

“You know better than that, Cole. You aren't going anywhere until you agree to my terms and conditions. How many times have you been on the other side of this? You agree or face the consequences. Surely you know that?” he laughs. The anger is boiling inside of me, bubbling to the surface and I feel like I’m barely holding myself together, but he's right, I need to play the long game and find out who he is, why he's doing this and what he has planned for Ronan and his men.

Forcing myself to swallow my anger, I turn to face the person who holds my fate and the fate of those I love in his hands. "I'll agree to all of your terms and conditions if you promise me to keep those I care for safe."

A smug smile creeps upon his face, his teeth showing like the wolf finally catching its kill. "I'm so glad you are able to see sense, let's get this facade started, Mr Salvatore. You are going to have to put on one hell of a show."

Holding his stare, I flex my jaw and nod, my choice has been made. I'm not the hero in this story, I am the villain and I'll burn the world down to save those that I love.

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