Sal! I want to see Sal ! You cant do this ! Let me see him ! Sal ! Sal ! Sal ! The metal cuffs on my wrists rattled with each.
desperate cry , but the only answer was the steady drip of water from a leaky pipe .
My L throat was raw , my voice hoarse .
I huddled in the corner of the cell , shivering not from fear , but from the cold .
Id known Sal was getting suspicious .
But I couldnt believe hed sell me out like this .
After everything Id done for him .
For a few words from Maya Ellis ? I chewed on my fingernails , my thoughts a tangled mess .
One thing was clear : I couldnt die .
Not yet .

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The mission wasnt over .
And the only person who could save me was Sal .
Thats why I kept screaming his name .
I didnt understand his feelings for me , but I knew one thing : no one celebrates five birthdays with a woman they dont care about .
Not even a monster like Sal Demarco .
Finally , the door creaked open .
く You gonna shut up already ? a gruff voice snarled .
Sal aint coming for you .
If it wasnt for the boss wanting to harvest your organs , Id … He trailed off , his eyes lingering on me in a way that made my stomach churn .
I glared at him , my voice raspy .
Let me see Sal .
I told you , he aint … He lunged towards me , but a voice stopped him .
Mad Dog .
Let me see Sal , I repeated , my voice stronger this time .
I have something to tell him .
Silence .
I raised my voice , rattling my chains .
I said I want to see Sal! Sal ! A deep , calm voice cut through the air .
I froze .
Г Who are you yelling for , Livia ? Sal .
He was here .
Relief and confusion warred within me .
He looked immaculate , as always , a stark contrast to my filthy , disheveled state .
Sal , why ? I asked , my voice trembling .
Why do you suspect me ? Ive been with you for years .
Why didnt you even ask me ? What if Maya … what if she framed me ? I tried to inject sincerity into my plea , even though I had no idea who Maya was or what her motives were .
He crouched down , his fingers tracing my cheekbone , a gesture of tenderness that belied the coldness in his eyes .
You think I still care , Livia ? he whispered .
You should have known better than to cross me .
His hand moved from my cheek to my throat , his fingers tightening .
I choked , my eyes fixed on his .
They were like black ice , impenetrable , hiding the predator beneath .
He released me abruptly , and I collapsed on the floor , coughing .
I heard him speak to Mad Dog , his voice devoid of emotion .
Shes all yours .
I coughed , my gaze fixed on his pristine shoes .
Maya lied to you , I gasped , as he turned to leave .
Why wont you … believe me ? The door slammed shut , plunging the basement back into silence .
It was over .
My path led straight to hell .
Or did it ? I tapped my fingers against the bars , my mind racing .
I didnt know Maya , but blaming her was my only play .
Sal was paranoid .
A seed of doubt was all I needed .
Get up , a rough hand grabbed my hair on the third day .
Were taking you for tests .
Gotta make sure your organs are healthy .
He gave me a cruel smile .
can live without a kidney .
Dont worry , you Plenty of other uses for you after that .
They dragged me to a car .
My mind drifted in and out of feverish dreams .
Faces of fallen comrades , my old training officer , the first time I killed for Sal .
Hed knelt beside me , his hand gently stroking my hair , welcoming me to his world .
He didnt know Id just murdered the person I cared about most .
く A needle pierced my skin , and the fragmented dreams merged into one .
Sal .
Always Sal .
He was my obsession , my reason for living , my sole focus for six years .
The dream shifted .
Sal , consolidating his power , cleaning up his image .
Id sent intel to the Bureau , but he always walked free .
One night , hed had too much to drink , and hed asked me to be with him .
* Be with him .
* Unthinkable words from a man like Sal .
Id lied , told him I was in love with someone else .
Hed stopped , his eyes blazing in the darkness .
Does your love matter ? hed sneered , his grip tightening on my chin .
Hed kissed me , hard and punishing .
Youre mine , Livia .
Whether you want to be or not .
A jolt of pain shattered the dream .
Icy water cascaded over me .
I blinked , back in the harsh reality of the basement Mad Dog Guess what I found out ? he leered .
The doctor doesnt recommend organ removal .
Turns out … youre pregnant .
Sals kid , I presume .
He probably doesnt even know .
وو Pregnant .
The word echoed in my mind .
Sals child .
Growing inside me .
Why ? Why his ? It felt like a violation , a final surrender to the darkness .
So , Mad Dog continued , were gonna take care of that little problem first .
Shame to waste a perfectly good payday .
And youll fetch a better price intact .
He patted my cheek .
Oh , and dont worry .
Sal wont find out about any of this .
Youre awfully quiet , Mad Dog remarked as they drove me to the clinic .
No more screaming for your boyfriend ? I looked at him , a strange calmness settling over me .
Ever hear about good always prevailing ? He scoffed .
Fates a load of crap .
وو I looked out the window at the passing scenery .
I think Ill live to see the end of this .
I survived the procedure .
They kept me alive , barely , in the damp basement , feeding me just enough to survive .
I lost track of time .
I scratched marks on the wall , did simple math problems to keep my mind sharp .
Then , one day , they hauled me out , shoving me into a car Г Finally found a buyer , Mad Dog said , his voice tight with anxiety .
A real freak , but he pays top dollar .
You know what ? Sals been looking for you .
Flipped his lid when he found out about the kid .
Said you were dead , but he didnt buy it .
Now hes breathing down my neck ! Gotta get you outta here , quick .
The pieces clicked into place .
Maya .
She was a plant , sent by Sals biggest rival .
Ambitious , but foolish .
She wanted to be Mrs.
Demarco , but her charade hadnt lasted long .
Her downfall was my salvation .
Now Sal was looking for me .
And he knew about the baby .
He was tearing apart his own empire to find me .
Mad Dog , caught between a rock and a hard place , was selling me to buy his escape .
The buyer , they said , was a … collector .
He < hang them up to admire .
Three days .
Three days Id been in his dollhouse , my feet already sewn together .
He leaned over me , his face hidden behind a steel mask .
What are you counting ? he asked as he inserted another needle into my arm .
The pain was excruciating , but I smiled .
Time , I whispered .
What time ?