Elena's pov
I groan, my mouth bitter for reasons my brain can't catch up to yet. My head is pounding so hard I can barely open my eyes. I shift on the bed and...wait.
This is not my bed.
This is not Sam's apartment.
This is not anywhere familiar.
I blink, sitting up, hair a wild mess sticking to my face. I try to shove it back, but my hands shake. My memory is a blur...like I'm hungover, but worse. A sick dread curls in my stomach.
Okay… what the hell?
I open my eyes all the way this time ..and I freeze. Clutching the sheets like I can somehow hold reality in place.
The room is fancy. Huge bed. Red sheets. Black duvet. Closet. Fluffy black carpet. Heavy blinds. A bedside table with a glass of water. A shelf of books. A mini bar lined with bottles. A portrait. Another door ,probably a bathroom?
Definitely not my house.
Panic spikes so fast my vision shakes. I swing my legs off the bed and sit at the edge, holding my head because everything is spinning.
"What the hell happened? Where am I?" I whisper.
And then it hits me.
Last night.
Picking up my aunt.
Restaurant.
Home.
Hunter.
Struggling.
Darkness.
Oh God.
Did he—
Did he kidnap me?
My heart slams against my ribs like it's trying to escape first. I try to stand, but my legs wobble. My skin is slick with sweat , my breath uneven .
The doorknob rattles.
I freeze.
Hunter walks in , in all his glory smirking at me .
Of course he does.
He shuts the door behind him with a click that makes my stomach twist. He's in a suit, hair gelled back, looking like someone who could end entire bloodlines with his bare hands.
"You're up…" he says with a small smile, leaning on the wall.
"What the hell is this, Hunter?" I ask, voice shaking.
He shrugs and steps forward.
"No. Stop. Don't come near me," I snap, backing up.
He freezes, hands raised. "Okay. I know you're pissed and mad and probably regretting your life decisions, but I'm not going to hurt you."
"You kidnapped me, Hunter."my voice comes out shaky .
He rolls his eyes.
So we have one thing in common. An attitude problem.
"You're not in chains, Elena. You're being dramatic."he says voice flat .
I scoff. He flops down on the edge of the bed.
"Sit. Let's talk."
"No. I'll stand."
"I think you'll want to sit down," he mutters, going to the bedside table. He unlocks a drawer and pulls out a tablet.
I sit ,reluctantly ,because he's right. And because my legs feel like noodles. My pulse hammers as I watch him pace while scrolling.
Then something crashes into my memory.
What he said before I passed out.
Little sister.
"Hunter," I whisper. He freezes.
"What did you say before I passed out?" My voice cracks. His jaw tightens. The tablet nearly bends in his hands from how hard he's gripping it .
I stand slowly. His eyes avoid mine. He looks nervous ,like cornered animal nervous.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he mutters.
"You called me your little sister," I say, and he stiffens , his eyes drag from the tablet to meet mine .
Green eyes, Like my mom's .
Familiar in a way that made no sense before.I remember having the same feeling at the bathroom in the restaurant yesterday.
Oh my God.
"I didn't say that," he snaps suddenly, cold and sharp. I flinch.
He's gripping the tablet so hard his knuckles whiten. His breath is too loud. His eyes unfocused.
I step back and let the moment sit. The tension presses down on both of us. I slide back onto the bed because my legs are giving out again.
He finally sits next to me close, but not touching.
"Am sorry for drugging you it will ware off soon..,"he whispers, voice low and gentle. My eyes move to his . Those eyes ..
"It's ok ..,"I say playing with my fingers on my lap.
"Elena… what I'm about to show you… it's…" His leg bounces, voice unsteady.
"What is it?"
He doesn't answer. He just sighs and places the tablet on his lap, turning it away from me.
"Did he tell you?" he asks suddenly.
My brows knit. "Who? Tell me what?"
"Rio," he says quietly. "Did he tell you why he switched up on you?"
My blood runs cold.
"How do you know that?" I whisper.
"That doesn't answer my question," he shoots back.
"No… he… he was planning on telling me during a family dinner," I mutter.
Hunter scoffs darkly.
"That motherfucker has you right where he wanted you."he says shaking I his head in dissapointment.
Before I can ask what he means, he hands me the tablet. I take it with shaking hands. The screen is black ,paused on something, a video.
"What is it?" I whisper.
"You wouldn't believe me if I said it," he murmurs. "So see for yourself."
He sits closer ,our shoulders brush. I suck in a breath, tucking my hair behind my ear.
I press play.
The video is unfocused at first, blurry and has a bit of static but it finally settles and my eyes register what am looking at .
My entire body locks.
My father.
Chained to a chair.
Bloody.
Barely conscious.
My breath leaves me my mouth falls open in a gasp . Tears swell in my eyes , blurring the screen, but I blink them away and see more.
Enzo stands with his hands behind his back ,
Rocco stands behind a little boy.
Small hands gripping a gun.
Shaking. Terrified.
Rio.
"No…" My voice breaks into pieces.
On the screen, Rocco grips little Rio's shoulder.
"Do it, son. Your first kill."his voice snarls loud enough.
My father shakes his head desperately, coughing and spitting blood , straggling agianst the chains .
"Papa…" I whisper hands shaking hard I'm barely able to hold the tablet.
"D...don't do It boy .,"my father's voice comes shaky and straggled .
Enzo lifts Rio's hands. "Aim. And pull the fucking trigger."
Rio is sobbing. Terrified.
"Emotions are a weakness," Rocco snaps.
Rio flinches—
And pulls the trigger.
The sound explodes in the room.
I drop the tablet. My father's body hits the floor in the video at the same time my knees hit the carpet.
"No…" My chest caves inward. My breathing collapses. Everything shatters.
"He killed my father…" I choke out.
"He killed my father…"
Hunter drops beside me and pulls me against his chest. I don't fight. I can't. I'm shaking so hard my teeth chatter. I can't breathe. My heart is ripping apart. Tears fall uncontrollably as I shake against Hunters chest .
I fell in love with the man that killed my father , the thought makes me break down harder , the feeling of betrayal and guilt caving my insides .
Hunter's tears hit my hands. His voice trembles.
"You're my little sister, Elena," he whispers.
I pull back, stunned still shaking and sniffling. "W-what?"
He nods, eyes glossy , a tear falling as he looks at me . His hand shakes on my cheek as he wipes the tears ok my cheek .
"Yeah… you're my blood sister. And I swear on everything I have ,we're going to take back everything they stole from us. Every single one of them will pay."his voice breaks .
He hugs me tighter, burying his face in my hair.
"I'm so glad I found you before they took you away from me too…"he adds and my chest breaks .
And as he holds me, my body still trembling in sobs .
One word ignites and stays:
REVENGE.