Page 45 of My Sweetest Obsession

“Stay where you are, Gigi!” Valarie shouted with determination, but the Puppet Master’s cruelty knew no bounds. He unleashed a kick, silencing her.

“Please...just stop!” Tears of anger and desperation streamed down my cheeks.

“Shut her up, Ceaser!” His command was met with swift action.

Ceaser grabbed the chain around my neck, tightening his grip until the links dug into my skin. I choked, my airway constricting as I fought for oxygen.

My eyes widened in terror as the Puppet Master unleashed a barrage of kicks, each one landing with bone-shattering force. Valarie’s body went limp, her head snapping back with the final blow.

With Valarie subdued, the man’s attention shifted back to me. I felt his hot breath on my face, his eyes burning with hatred. “You’re weak, pathetic,” he whispered. “I’m going to enjoy breaking you bit by bit.”

I glared defiantly, summoning every last ounce of strength. “You will never break me.”

A cruel laugh escaped his lips, followed by a punch to my jaw. The blow dazed me, and I tasted blood in my mouth.

“We’ll see who’s left standing when this is over,” he snarled, his fist connecting with my face repeatedly. Each punch felt like a hammer blow, sending shockwaves through my body.

“Consider this a lesson, Gigi,” he said coldly, turning away as if he’d just extinguished a candle. “Fuck with me, and this is the price.”

My heart, once filled with rage, now lay in pieces. “Nico…. will kill you. Even if I die…he’ll come for you,” I muttered, staring at the blood pooling on the floor.

His laughter, cruel and mocking, echoed in the cell as he turned to leave.

Ceaser delivered one final kick to my already battered body, knocking me out cold.

The sky loomed overhead, a dense shroud of gray swallowing the sun. The private jet’s engines dwindled to a faint murmur as I made my way onto the tarmac, the cold air biting through my coat. I straightened my collar, my eyes cutting toward the jet.

Its door swung open, and Alphonse descended, his men flanking him like a pack of wolves.

“Nico,” he rumbled. “Didn’t think you’d come for me. Thought you’d send one of your men instead.”

I smirked and extended my hand.

He grasped it, his grip firm, and we moved toward the sleek black SUV idling at the edge of the tarmac. Miguel opened the door, and we slid into the back seat while his men filled in the cars behind us.

As the vehicle rolled onto the empty road, I turned to face Alphonse. “There’s been a new development.” I swallowed hard,forcing myself to confront the memories that clawed at my mind, the images seared into my consciousness.

Alphonse’s brow knitted. “What happened?”

I recounted the sickening images of Gigi.

He fell silent, staring at the road as if he could force the circumstances to change. Then, without warning, he erupted, fists pounding the leather seat before him. His howls of anguish sounded like a wounded animal.

“Stop the fucking car!” he bellowed.

Miguel pulled over to the side of the road.

Alphonse sat there for a moment, chest heaving, before he steadied himself, leaning forward with his head buried in his hands.

“There’s something else,” I said.

He scowled before yanking the door open and stepping out of the car.

I followed.

“Tell me,” he demanded, his fists clenched at his sides.

I went into what we found out about Lana. When I was through, he shook his head in disgust.