CURRENTLY ON HOLD!!!! - Escaping The Devil's Snare - The Devil's Snare Series -Book 3

Three Days Ago 

Benji

I awoke in a medical bay that loomed around me with an unsettling aura. Its stark white walls and harsh fluorescent lighting cast an eerie glow over everything. The hum of machinery filled the air, a constant reminder of my vulnerable state. Almost immediately, I noticed a man standing just outside the slightly ajar door, his silhouette sharp against the brightness of the room.

Panic surged through me like electricity as I realised my hands were restrained to the bed with unyielding cuffs, cold metal biting into my wrists. I blinked through the haze of confusion, my mind racing as I took in my surroundings, desperate to find a way to improve my dire situation.

I shifted restlessly on the stiff mattress, a dull ache radiating from the base of my spine, urging me to move, to break free from the confines that held me captive. As I struggled to find a more comfortable position, my gaze fell upon a pair of black boots, their polished surfaces gleaming in the harsh light. My eyes travelled upward along the legs of their owner, and there he was—Niko—sitting at the foot of my bed, arms crossed defiantly over his chest, a deep scowl etched across his features that hinted at a myriad of unspoken thoughts.

I cleared my throat, the sound cutting through the thick tension that hung between us like an uninvited guest. He remained fixated on me, his gaze unwavering and intense, as if trying to peer into the very depths of my soul. In that oppressive silence, the air crackled with unspoken menace, and an unsettling realisation washed over me: he wanted to end my life. If only he had acted on that primal impulse, it would have been easier—swift, decisive. But he held back, and at that moment, I understood that I was meant for something more significant that transcended this deadly standoff.

Despite the fear coursing through my veins, I met his stare with a guarded resolve, the weight of his intentions pressing heavily on my chest. We remained locked in that uncomfortable silence, each second stretching painfully long, far beyond what I cared to admit. The world around us faded, and all that existed was the palpable tension, a battle of wills in the dimly lit room, where the air felt thick with dread and defiance.

“You’re awake,” Dr. Agar, or as I know him, Phillip, said warmly, pulling me out of the thick, uncomfortable haze that Niko’s presence had wrapped around me like a heavy blanket.

“You’re here?” I asked, my mind swirling with confusion. How could they have brought him to this strange place? My father hired Phillip a few years back to serve his interests, but eventually, he seemed to align himself with my own beliefs. It was Phillip who had tended to Bianca a few years back, and it was his steady hands that had assisted me in giving her that pill just the other day.

“They graciously allowed me to accompany you for your treatment,” he replied, his voice steady yet laced with an unspoken tension. “Once you are well, they’ll discuss my future here.”

“My father?” I inquired, my heart sinking at the thought. Momentarily, I pushed aside the unsettling notion that Phillip’s fate was still under someone else’s control. I felt that mine might be similarly shackled.

“Still alive,” Phillip confirmed, but the words felt heavy with a burden of sorrow. “He managed to escape.”

“That’s unfortunate,” I sighed, the weight of grief settling over me like a storm cloud. “What about our people, my brothers and sister?”

Phillip’s response was a slight, almost imperceptible shake of his head—an action that spoke volumes. They were gone.

“Mr. Moretta took in some of the women and children. Again, their futures are yet to be discussed,” Phillip added, glancing over at Niko, who still sat at the foot of my bed, his brows furrowed in an expression of deep concern. The room felt heavy with the gravity of our conversation, underscoring the precariousness of our situation.

We agree that the women and children are far from deserving of that. The children have never seen the light of day, and the women have been raped and abused in the years since going underground.

“You’re doing well after your surgery. Your wounds are also healing well,” Phillip told me.

“You should have left me to die, Phillip. That was our agreement. No medical care, remember?” I chastise him, yet he never leaves me unattended. And I used to be thankful for that; now, though, I feel different.

“She needs you,” Phillip whispered.

“No one needs me. Least of all, her,” I shake my head, shifting some as Philip shifts the medical bed into a sitting position. He walks away from me, gathering a cup and straw, and introduces them to my mouth to drink, and I gladly do so.

“Damn right,” Niko scoffs at the end of the bed.

“Certain individuals may disapprove,” Phillip murmurs, his gaze drifting toward the foot of the bed, a heaviness in his tone. “Yet, you are uniquely positioned to guide her through this turmoil. You understand the nuances of her emotions—the way her anxiety can swell like a storm cloud, casting shadows over her thoughts, how her anger can surge like a tidal wave, threatening to overwhelm her. At this moment, she is reaching out in desperate need of support. Regardless of how others may feel about it, she needs you now more than ever.”

“Alright, Doc, get the hell out,” Niko snarls, his voice dripping with venom as he spits at Phillip, causing him to jerk back in surprise. Niko swings his legs off the bed, the mattress creaking beneath him, and sits upright in his chair, the shadows under his eyes deepened by the dim light.

I swallow hard, the cool water rushing down my throat, a brief moment of relief amidst the tension. I glance over at Phillip, who seems to sense the danger; his gaze flickers nervously between Niko and the door. It’s best for him to take the hint and steer clear of Niko for his own safety. The air is thick with unspoken threats, and I can almost feel the weight of the hostility hanging between them.

Phillip departs at my subtle nod towards the door, leaving me to face a visibly agitated Niko. He stands before me, towering and formidable, his dishevelled appearance significantly more unkempt than the last time we crossed paths. I can’t help but worry that this unruly look reflects his inner turmoil rather than simply the result of the tense circumstances surrounding us. My heart sinks with concern, especially regarding Bianca’s well-being, but I find myself trapped in a position where I cannot inquire about her condition.

“Let’s get something straight. The only reason you’re alive is because my boss deems it necessary. But the moment you outlive your purpose, the barrel of my gun will embed a bullet between your eyes,” he snarls at me. “Bianca’s my wife.”

“I know that,” I replied, maintaining a calm facade.

“Keep remembering it,” he sneered, a cruel glint in his eyes, before he stepped back, leaving a palpable tension in the air. That was the last thing he said as he vanished from the room.

I found myself alone, the weight of the evening pressing down on me. Bound to the bed, the coarse metal chafed against my skin, each twist reminding me of my powerlessness. The silence stretched on, oppressive and stale; my only company was the haunting echo of my own thoughts. I desperately needed to relieve myself, but the isolation was suffocating, and there were no visitors to break the heavy solitude. The urgency grew, matching the mounting anxiety within me as night crept in, leaving me in a state of helplessness.

AUTHOR NOTE:

Thank you so much for getting this far in The Devil's Snare Series. This book will be told mainly from Benji's and his love interest's points of view, but will also finalise Bianca's story.

The updates for this book will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays of each week to help alleviate stress in my life. I am happy to finally announce I will be having my third child this coming October/November. However, this has led me to need to take a step back from writing around the clock, along with caring for my girls and other work-related responsibilities. I hope you enjoy the third instalment of the series.