A Dance with Danger

Chapter Seventy-Three

**Estelle's POV** 

Madox sank deeper into my chest, his tiny body warm against mine as he slept, his little thumb tucked in his mouth. His soft, even breathing was the only thing keeping me from falling apart. As we lay on the worn-out bed in this dimly lit hellhole, I found myself smiling at how innocent he looked. 

Too fucking innocent for this nightmare. 

The moment of peace shattered when the heavy metal door creaked open, sending a chill down my spine. Madox stirred slightly but didn’t wake, his trust in me keeping him asleep despite the tension that now flooded the room. My body went rigid as I lifted my head, and my stomach dropped when I saw who walked in. 

Roman. 

Fucking Roman. 

And behind him, like the slimy cockroach he was, Archibald slithered in, his signature sneer firmly in place. 

My arms instinctively tightened around Madox as Roman strolled in, looking far too smug for my liking. His dark, predatory eyes scanned the room before landing on me, and that wicked smirk of his deepened. 

“You look cozy,” he mused, his voice dripping with amusement. “Playing house already, Estelle?” 

I didn’t respond. I just stared at him, cold and unyielding, because I knew the game he was playing. He wanted me riled up. He wanted me to break. 

I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. 

Roman’s gaze flicked down to Madox, still sleeping peacefully in my arms. His smirk faltered slightly before he turned to Archibald and muttered something under his breath. That was when I saw the look pass between them. 

Something ugly. 

Something dangerous. 

My heart slammed against my ribs. 

“No,” I whispered, but they were already moving. 

Archibald stepped forward and yanked Madox out of my arms before I could react. The little boy barely had time to let out a startled cry before Roman’s hand closed around his tiny arm, dragging him away from me. 

Madox's panicked scream pierced through the room. 

"NO! Let him go!" I surged forward, but Archibald’s hand shot out, gripping my wrist in a bruising hold. He twisted my arm behind my back, shoving me down onto the bed with enough force that the mattress creaked. 

"Don't struggle, Estelle," he taunted. "You wouldn’t want to make this worse, would you?" 

"Worse?" My voice trembled as my gaze snapped to Roman, who now held Madox up by his arm as if he were a ragdoll. Madox sobbed, his tiny body shaking with fear, and I lost it. 

"FUCK YOU, ROMAN!" I screamed, thrashing against Archibald's grip. "He's just a kid!" 

Roman hummed, his head tilting as he studied the terrified boy. "Yeah, but he’s your weakness now, isn’t he?" 

Madox whimpered, his small hands desperately clutching Roman’s wrist as he kicked his legs. "P-please!" he sobbed. "I want my mommy!" 

My stomach twisted violently. I couldn't take this. I couldn't fucking take this. 

Roman turned back to me, his expression unreadable. "You see, Estelle, I’m not a cruel man," he mused. "But I do like making a point. And my point is—" 

He yanked Madox forward, and before I could even process what was happening, his free hand struck the boy across the face. 

The sound was like a gunshot. 

Madox let out a shrill scream of pain, and I lost every shred of self-control I had left. 

"STOP!" My voice broke as I lunged forward, only for Archibald to shove me back down. I fought against him with everything I had, but he was stronger, his grip like steel around my wrists. 

Madox's sobs filled the room as he crumpled to the floor, clutching his cheek. A bright red handprint marred his small face, and my vision blurred with tears. 

"PLEASE!" I begged, my voice raw. "You win, Roman! Just stop! Don’t hurt him—please!" 

Roman squatted down next to Madox, grabbing his chin and forcing him to look up. The boy's lip trembled, and my heart shattered into a million fucking pieces. 

Roman glanced at me, his eyes dark and calculating. He was enjoying this—savoring my pain. 

"Say it," he ordered. 

I blinked. "What?" 

"Say it," he repeated, his tone like ice. "Say that you belong to me." 

My stomach twisted violently. I felt like I was going to be sick. 

I knew what he wanted. He wanted me to break. He wanted to hear me say the words that would shatter my pride, my dignity, my very fucking soul. 

But Madox— 

I looked at the little boy still curled up on the floor, his tiny hands trembling, his eyes filled with pure terror. 

I couldn't let him suffer for my pride. 

I clenched my jaw, my entire body shaking as I whispered, "I—I belong to you." 

Roman grinned, but it wasn’t enough. 

"Louder." 

Tears streamed down my face as I forced the words past my lips. "I belong to you." 

Roman let out a pleased hum before releasing Madox’s chin and standing up. "See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?" 

I swallowed back the bile rising in my throat, glaring up at him with every ounce of hatred I could muster. 

"You’re a fucking coward," I spat, my voice shaking. "You need to torment a child to get what you want? Pathetic." 

Roman's smirk faltered just a little before he let out a low chuckle. "You always did have a sharp tongue, Estelle," he mused. "But I don’t need to break you today. Just... soften you up." 

He turned to Archibald and nodded. 

"Let her go." 

Archibald scoffed but released me, and the moment he did, I scrambled forward and scooped Madox into my arms. He immediately buried his face in my chest, sobbing uncontrollably. 

I rocked him gently, whispering soothing words into his ear, even as my own tears fell. 

Roman and Archibald watched us for a few more seconds before turning toward the door. 

"I'll be back," Roman said casually. "Enjoy your peace while it lasts." 

And then they were gone. 

The door slammed shut behind them, locking us in once more. 

I let out a shaky breath, pressing a kiss to Madox’s forehead as his sobs finally began to slow. His little hands clung to my shirt, his body still trembling. 

"Shhh, sweets," I murmured. "I’ve got you. No one's gonna hurt you again. I promise." 

Even as I said the words, I knew they were a lie. 

Because as long as we were trapped in this hellhole, neither of us was safe.