𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐋 |𝟏𝟖+|

𝐓 𝐇 𝐈 𝐑 𝐓 𝐘 ~ 𝐍 𝐈 𝐍 𝐄

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾

♛ A T L A S ♛

I expect her blank expression to change to one of fear or worry, but it doesn't. It stays the same- relaxed and unbothered. Maybe I should've resulted to much harsher ways of handling this situation. We don't treat traitors with this kind of royalty. A bed first of all. And the ability to breathe.

The most amount of "royalty" they can get is having all the parts of their body attached to them when we get to them. And it's not even like it's less painless, they are still pretty roughed up at the edges, but nothing too bad.

My men literally wanted to change her to a wall and lock her up in a dark room with no food or water for two days. But I decided against that and threatened each of their lives when they started saying I've gone soft.

I haven't I just don't think it's ideal to put her in a dark, isolated room where she's chained to a wall when she just had a panic attack and she was in no state to deal with such isolation. Especially after experiencing a rush of emotions like she did two nights ago, it would be too much for her to handle.

It was at the crack of dawn when I arrived at the hospital so by the time I injected her and brought her back to my house, the sun had already been up and I just carried her straight to her room. I also considered the cases for interrogating her.

She would be more willing to comply if she didn't feel like she was being a hostage by being locked up. Handcuffs were a must because I have to insure that she wouldn't get some random urge to jump out the window or break my nose or some crazy shit.

"Considering I've been here for a little over two weeks, I think it's fucking stupid how you're asking me now who I work for. When you kidnapped me, it sure as hell didn't matter, did it?" Stella questioned and at this very moment it felt like she was the one interrogating me and not vice versa.

"Hey, what did I say?" I warn, feeling more attacked than I should be. "I do the talking, not you." I waver my finger between me and her.

She rolled her eyes and still continued to speak, "Maybe you should've observed all my character traits before kidnapping me." Right and that can all be determined in the span of two hours, right?

"You do realize that if I didn't kidnap you, you would've been dead, right?" I ask, somewhat surprised that she hadn't pointed that out to herself.

"You do realize that if you didn't force yourself into my hospital I wouldn't be put in a limited time decision between life and death?" Stella challenges, not breaking her gaze from mine. Her hair is a curly mess and falls down just below her breasts which are currently hiding under one of Rory's hoodies.

"So you're saying that if you're given a choice between life or death, you'll chose death."

"I'm saying that I'm not a pussy like you and I don't run away from death because it'll catch up to me sooner or later," She turns her head to the other side so she won't have to face me and I can tell that she wants to cross her hands so bad.

"Are you mentally stable, Stella?"I wonder aloud, causing her to whip her head and stare directly at me with her now half lively hazel eyes.

The words "Excuse me" are the only ones that leave her mouth along with a scoff.

"I asked if you're mentally stable."

"Who the fuck is?" She asks, finally giving me all her attention before scoffing again, "What is this? Some type of interrogation?"

I chuckle lightly before clicking the pen I got on the desk to make it seem like I'm jotting down some notes when in reality I just liked clicking it because it helps with my anxiety. "Actually, yes, it is."

"Well, I didn't agree to partake in such nonsense." I like how she says that, thinking that this is an option. I think the way I'm going about this is whether gentle in the sense that none of the people we kidnap and interrogate go through this process. They get half way through death before we get any answers out of them.

"It's funny that you think you have a choice, ciccia."

She laughs sinisterly at me, bringing in her charming smile before uttering, "This is a free country, is it not?"

Oh, so she wants to go down that route? "Yes, it is a free country but no one lives like that here. Everyone in this damn country doesn't walk down the streets freely as they please. They walk in fear and constantly look over their shoulder-" I don't get to finish my speech because I'm interrupted.

"Why?" Stella asks, my statement catching her attention.

"Because I own these streets, love. They're scared of me, of what the power I have could do," I reveal, causing the once bored expression on her face to be replaced with one of amusement.

"So I kindly suggest you answer my questions or I'm afraid I'll have to resort to more... how do I put it? Extreme measures," I smirk as I see she tries to hide the tiniest ounce of fear that lays on her features.

Still not satisfied, she offers, "How about this? For every question I answer, I get to ask you a question in return."

Is she actually serious?

I roll my eyes at her attempt at negotiating, "I don't think you get what's going on here, Stella. You betrayed me. You don't get to walk away like nothing happened and then get to ask me questions like we're buddy-buddy."

"First of all, I didn't betray you when I was never yours to begin with. In fact I rather, helped you get to your base on time, did I not?"

I don't say anything.

Stella opens her mouth to speak and I can tell she's going to give me a whole speech already, "I thought so. Now you see how lethal my intelligence is and if you want to continue being on my bad side, go ahead and don't give me what I want. I can't wait to see how wonderful that'll turn out for you."

And she smiles at me. She fucking smiles at me like she's given me the best compliment anyone could receive in the entire world.

I figure that if I want something from her, I'll have to give her something in return, even if it's some form of a game for her.

"Fine, but if I find out you're lying, I'll fucking kill you." I threaten. And clearly there's no way of me knowing whether she's telling me the truth or not but hopefully she takes my threat to heart.

I pull my phone out and press it to my ear until the line on the other end picks up, "Kellan, can you please escort Dr. Mariano to the interrogation room. She's ready." The call ends and Kellan should be on his way.

"Who said I was ready?" It seems to me like this question shouldn't be replied with an answer so I remain quiet again.

"No one, exactly. Let me at least take a shower and brush my teeth. Maybe I'll let you watch me strip if you're lucky," Stella teases with a wink.

I feel my cheeks heat and I clear my throat. "Don't do anything stupid, Stella."

She smiles, "I wouldn't dream of it."

And as stupid as I sometimes appear to be, I believed her.

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾

𓆩ᥫ᭡𓆪𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 ➤ 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄. 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓. 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐄. &. 𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖. 𓆩ᥫ᭡𓆪