Submitting To The Devil - The Devil's Snare - Book 2

Bonus Chapter

Bianca

Emma was waiting on tenterhooks, her skin glistening with a warm, sunkissed glow as I stepped into the dining room for dinner that very night I had woken. The soft, golden light of the setting sun streamed through the windows, casting a welcoming hue across the room. She flung herself at me with unrestrained joy, taking my hand from Niko's grip as she enveloped me tightly, her laughter ringing like music in the air.

"Oh, bee!" she cried, her voice filled with delight as she held me so closely that I momentarily questioned whether we had ever truly parted. The world around us faded, leaving just the warmth of her presence and the happiness that danced between us. She hasn't held me that close in what feels like an eternity, and for just as long, I've found myself resisting that kind of intimacy. The warmth of her embrace still lingers as Niko clears his throat, jarring us back into the present. My gaze sweeps over the long dining table, beautifully set with plates brimming with various delicious dishes, each more tantalising than the last.

Feeling a wave of bashfulness wash over me, my cheeks flush with warmth as I catch sight of Nadine and Drake at the head of the table, their presence commanding yet inviting. Beside them sit Mitchel and a young child in a highchair, Luca, Benji, and Doctor Agar, all eyes darting between us, curiosity etched in their expressions.

"Come sit," Drake calls out, his voice warm and enveloping, beckoning us to join the gathering. With a mix of anticipation and a hint of nervousness, the three of us shuffle forward and take our places at the inviting table.

"It's wonderful to see you awake," Dr. Agar says warmly, a reassuring smile spreading across his face as I settle into the chair opposite him. "Thank you," I reply, my voice slightly shaky as I take in my surroundings. My gaze drifts to Benji, who sits quietly beside the doctor. He seems preoccupied, avoiding my eyes and blinking rapidly as if wrestling with unspoken thoughts. The air between us feels heavy with unexpressed feelings, but I say nothing as everyone begins to eat, and a mindless chatter spreads throughout the room.

"How are you feeling, Bianca?" Drake's voice cuts through the muted clinking of silverware, drawing my gaze from the half-eaten meal on my plate to his warm smile. He's leaning forward slightly, a gesture of genuine concern, and I can't help but notice how the soft light reflects in his eyes. As I look around the table, I catch Mitchel's gaze, steady and reassuring, while Luca's brow is furrowed with a hint of worry. Emma, seated beside him, holds onto his arm, her expression etched with unspoken apprehension, her lips pressed tightly together as if wrestling with her thoughts.

"Fine, thank you," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper, tinged with a hint of uncertainty.

"You've been out for quite a while; you really should eat something," Luca presses gently, his tone soothing, attempting to penetrate the fog that has settled over me.

The child at the far end of the table begins to wail, his cries escalating as he struggles with a stubborn piece of meat, frustration spilling over into a tantrum. The chaos adds an odd backdrop to our conversation, causing my heart to clench in sympathy for the little one as Mitchel tends to him. I wonder if he's his son and Alexandra's.

"Just tell her," Benji mutters, his voice laced with fatigue. The hint of desperation is evident in his tone.

"Tell me what?" I ask, curiosity piqued, though I dread the response.

Drake leans back, the warmth in his expression fading slightly as he composes his words. "We've made a decision regarding your future," he begins, but the child's cries pull my attention, a reminder of innocence amidst my growing anxiety.

"I didn't realise I was an object," I murmur bitterly, looking down at my fork, which clatters to my plate as Niko grips my leg with clammy fingers. An unsettling bristle rises along my spine.