His Vengeance

Chapter 14

Nicole

I was engulfed in a sea of boredom. Lying in bed all day, gazing at the ceiling, had become unbearably irritating. The sun had already set an hour ago, but here I was, still trapped in my bedroom, mindlessly passing the time.

Restless, I sat up and surveyed the room, a frown etching itself on my face as I realized I had exhausted all my ideas for things to do. It was at that moment that a knock resonated from beyond my bedroom door. With a surge of excitement, I leaped out of bed and swung the door open, finding Sofia standing on the other side.

"Well, I didn't know you were that eager to see me," she said, her tone laced with mock amusement. I rolled my eyes in response.

"Boredom got the best of me. So, is there something interesting you'd like to share? Or perhaps something you want me to do right now?" I asked, hoping for a spark of excitement.

Her expression turned serious in an instant. "Not interesting, but rather peculiar. My brother wants to see you." I furrowed my brow and leaned against the door frame.

"For what?" Sofia glanced away, her gaze shifting behind me.

"Something important, I guess. Come." Letting out a soft sigh, I reluctantly followed her until we stood outside his study.

"Aren't you coming in with me?" I inquired. She shook her head, indicating that it was my journey alone. With a single knock on the door, we both heard his deep voice emanating from within.

"He won't bite," Sofia assured me, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her.

"Whatever." I pushed the door open and stepped inside. His commanding presence was immediately evident as I caught sight of him seated behind his massive desk, engrossed in signing some papers. His rolled-up shirt sleeves revealed his lightly tousled, attractive brown hair, lending him an air of rugged charm. His refusal to acknowledge my presence intensified the undeniable truth—he exuded power and danger.

Clearing my throat, I finally broke the silence, prompting him to look up. Our eyes met as he reclined in his imposing leather chair, emanating an ice-cold glare filled with animosity.

"Take a seat, Nicole," he commanded, his voice smoothly rolling off his tongue, causing a flutter in my heart.

Ew, why am I even thinking that way? Get a grip, Nicole.

I approached cautiously and sat down in front of him, occupying the same spot I had just a day ago. He continued to scrutinize me, and unease crept over me as I became acutely aware of his unwavering gaze.

"I've been informed that you wanted to talk. So, what is it that you wanted to discuss?" I finally mustered the courage to ask.

He smiled a sight that sent shivers down my spine. Damn, this guy is both terrifying and strangely captivating.

"I know where your father is." My eyes widened slowly, shocked by his revelation.

"What?" I croaked, my voice betraying my astonishment. He glared at me, urging me not to doubt his words.

"Don't make me repeat myself. I know your father's whereabouts, and I just returned from seeing him." What on earth was he saying? Is my father in danger? Has he done something to him? Almost as if reading my thoughts, he continued.

"Don't worry, he's not dead. Yet." His words made my fists clench tightly by my side.

"If you've already found him, then let me go! Why am I still here?" He smirked and leaned forward, closer to the desk.

"That's because your father and I made a deal. Nicole, you're not going anywhere." My heart raced as I processed his words.

"What are you talking about? The only reason you've kept me here is to extract information about my father! Now that you know where he is and have even met him, you should release me!" I retorted defensively.

"Well, that was the initial reason. But now, it's different. It's a reason your father agreed to—for your good." I scoffed in disbelief.

"My father would never agree to anything with a cold-hearted prick like you. There's no way he would strike a deal about me." He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Are you sure, Nicole?" he asked, and I glared back at him.

He slid a paper onto the desk, pushing it towards me. I glanced at it before snapping my attention back to him. He nodded, urging me to read.

Taking the paper in my hands, I read its contents. What my eyes beheld made my heart sink.

It was an agreement—a document relinquishing my freedom, forcing me to spend the rest of my life in this house with the man sitting in front of me, without any say in the matter. The agreement also allowed my father to visit whenever he pleased and consented to Shane Ryder employing me in his mafia.

As my gaze trailed to the end of the document, a tear escaped my eye, landing on the spot where my father's signature, along with Shane's, adorned the page.

This can't be happening! Why is he doing this to me? Does this mean I am forced to partake in whatever sinister activities occur here?

It dawned on me that life would never return to the normalcy I once knew. Embracing normal was no longer an option, and my father had sold me to the devil himself.

"What is this? This can't be true," I uttered, finally lifting my gaze from the paper and staring at Shane in disbelief.

"It is true, believe it or not. You belong to me now." I slammed the paper onto the table, gritting my teeth in anger.

"I won't let this happen to me. You don't own me, and you certainly won't dictate my life." He smiled, and an overwhelming urge to wipe that grin off his face surged within me.

"Unfortunately, I do now. Your father is still alive, and this piece of paper is evidence enough. Both of you remain to breathe because I allow it. We made a deal, and you belong to me. End of discussion now sit!"

Anger and pain coursed through my veins, propelling me to rise from my seat. I glared down at him, seething.

"I won't let you take over my life simply because you struck a fucking deal with my hopeless father! No way!" I yelled, my voice echoing in the room. He looked up at me, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"If you refuse to cooperate, I'll have no choice but to kill both of you." My glare persisted, but he maintained his unsettling smile.

What should I do, Nicole? Think, think!

I strained to come up with a response, but my mind drew a blank. Damn it, how do I escape this predicament?

"I won't let that happen!" I declared, determined to leave the room.

"The moment you step outside this room, your father dies!" I froze, my body rooted in place. Slowly, I turned to face him.

He raised an iPad, displaying a live feed of my father, sitting in a room, oblivious to the red dot aimed at his temple.

"The only way to save him is to sign this contract." From beneath his desk, he produced another paper and placed it on the table, along with a pen.

My gaze darted between the iPad screen and his eyes.

"Ten... nine... eight..." he began counting down, and panic welled up inside me.

Just do it, Nicole!

But life as I knew it will never be the same.

Your father will die, Nicole. Just sign the damn paper.

"Six... five..." Shane continued, and frustration ran through me as I raked my fingers through my hair.

Do it! Just say it.

"Three... two... one! Time's up," he declared, about to press a red dot on the screen when I finally spoke up.

"Stop! I'll do it!" He smiled, switching off the iPad. He motioned for me to sit down once more, and I reluctantly complied.

Brushing away the tears that had cascaded down my cheek, I picked up the pen from the desk and signed my life away on the contract.

He smoothly took the paper from the table, glanced at it, and smiled back at me.

"Welcome to Knight Ryder's Mafia, darling."