Stuck with the enemy

Chapter 31: Family is Everything.

Deniz's Story.

I felt terrible. Whatever poison they had used, its effects were still wreaking havoc on my body. Though the fog hadn't entirely lifted, I had just enough strength to start focusing again. Slowly, carefully, I began moving my wrists, testing the ropes that bound me. There was hope-just a sliver-but I clung to it desperately.

Footsteps echoed down the corridor outside the door, accompanied by the irritatingly smug voice of Leo. My heart sank. The door creaked open, and he entered the room with a stormy expression. I quickly averted my gaze, turning my head toward the wall, trying to conceal the slight movement of my hands.

"I hear you didn't want to eat," he said, his tone mocking but carrying an edge of anger.

I didn't respond.

"Hey!" His voice sharpened as he strode closer. "I'm talking to you."

Before I could react, he grabbed me roughly by the arm and hauled me to my feet. The sudden movement made my head swim, but I forced myself to steady my expression. His eyes met mine, dark and full of control, and I saw the fury behind his smirk.

"I think you've got a little too much freedom down here," he sneered, his grip tightening. "You've been using those legs of yours far too well." His voice dripped with sarcasm as he gestured toward my feet, clearly referencing the kick I'd landed on him earlier. "And let's not forget your impressive talent for spilling food."

I glared at him, refusing to let him see any fear, even though my body was screaming in protest.

Leo turned his head toward the doorway. "Hey, pal!" he called, his voice loud and commanding. "Bring me that chair."

The hulking figure from before appeared immediately, stomping into the room like a living embodiment of brute force. Without hesitation, he slammed a wooden chair onto the floor in the middle of the room. The loud bang made me flinch involuntarily, and Leo's grin widened, pleased with my reaction.

"You can head home now," Leo said, waving off the thug dismissively. "I'll be handling her personally tonight." His tone turned low, almost menacing, and my stomach churned at the implications.

As the giant left without a word, I struggled to steady my breathing. My heart was racing, but I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing my fear.

Leo turned back to me, his expression calm but laced with something far more dangerous-a quiet cruelty. He dragged the chair toward me, the legs scraping across the floor with a grating sound that seemed to pierce my already pounding head.

"You and I are going to have a little talk," he said, his voice deceptively soft as he forced me down into the chair, tying me to it with swift precision.

I didn't protest. I couldn't. Not yet. I had to make him believe the poison was still working, that I was too weak to fight back. If he realized I was starting to recover, he wouldn't hesitate to force more of it down my throat. I needed time-time to regain my strength, to come up with a plan.

If only I could reconnect with Derya...

He left briefly, returning moments later with another chair. He placed it directly in front of me, his movements deliberate and smug.

"Now it's just the two of us," he said with a twisted sense of pride, his voice carrying a chilling undertone. "And trust me, no one's coming to interrupt us."

He leaned back in his chair, staring at me for a moment, then stood. I tensed as he stepped behind me, the sound of his boots scraping against the floor making my skin crawl. Suddenly, he grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking my head to the side and pulling it roughly so my ear was exposed.