Chapter 37

We stepped through the hospital’s sliding doors, the sterile smell of antiseptic hitting me like a wave. In my hand, I clutched a bouquet of sunflowers, their vibrant petals a splash of color against the drab, gray interior of the building. Cora had explained their significance on the drive over—hope, she’d said, her voice soft with sincerity. It was a message I desperately needed to believe in.

The hospital was a maze of corridors, but we navigated it with relative ease, guided by the helpful staff. We found Abbie’s room without trouble, the door slightly ajar. As we entered, I was struck by the sight of the young girl lying in the hospital bed. The last time I’d seen her, she’d been gaunt, her eyes hollow with fear and pain. But now, she seemed even more fragile, the harsh fluorescent lighting casting shadows under her closed eyes.

Cora’s hand found mine, her fingers intertwining with my own as we approached the bed. There was a tenderness in her gaze as she leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Abbie’s forehead. The gesture was so full of warmth, so brimming with maternal affection, that it made my chest tighten.

“I want to be there,” Cora whispered, her voice barely above a breath. She didn’t elaborate, and she didn’t need to. Our eyes met, and in that brief exchange, our understanding was absolute. There would be no need to voice our intentions with the ever-watchful eyes of surveillance cameras upon us.

I nodded, appreciating her discretion. We stood there for a moment, silent sentinels watching over Abbie. I felt a surge of protectiveness wash over me, mingling with a seething rage that simmered just beneath the surface. Abbie’s father deserved far worse than what he’d inflicted upon his family. He was a monster in human skin, and it was high time someone put him down.

Before we left, I placed the sunflowers on the bedside table, positioning them so Abbie would see them the moment she woke up. They were more than just flowers; they were a promise—a vow that her suffering would soon come to an end.

As we walked away from Abbie’s room, I could feel Cora’s resolve strengthening with every step. She was a force of nature, a beacon of hope in my bleak, unforgiving world. And in that moment, I knew I would do anything to keep her safe, to keep her by my side.

We exited the hospital, the weight of our silent pact heavy between us. The world outside was awash with the golden hues of the setting sun, a subtle reminder that even in the darkest of times, there was beauty to be found.

Together, we would bring justice to Abbie and her family. In a way that was never brought to mine.

I’d never been inside a real-life torture chamber before, but as Haides led me into his workshop, a chill ran down my spine. It was as if my descriptions had sprung to life from the pages of my book. The room was a twisted mirror of the scenes I’d painstakingly crafted, each detail meticulously recreated. How could I have gotten it so right without ever setting foot in such a place?

The wall to my left was a veritable command center, lined with computer monitors, keyboards, and cameras. It was a high-tech setup that would put a cybersecurity firm to shame. Haides moved with purpose, a small black box in his hands. He attached it to one of the monitors and plugged it into the wall.

“It’s a desktop computer,” he said, catching my puzzled expression. I stared at the compact device, an embarrassed laugh escaping me. I’d always imagined a computer as a bulky tower, not something that could fit in the palm of my hand. Haides smirked at my reaction, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

As he settled into the chair in front of the computer, I took the opportunity to explore. The room was immaculate, every surface spotless. Tools and devices of all shapes and sizes lay neatly arranged on shelving units, their purposes as ominous as they were mysterious. Haides clearly took pride in his workshop, maintaining it with an almost obsessive level of care.

I ran my fingers over the cold steel of a surgical tray, the instruments laid out in precise order. A shiver crept up my spine as I imagined their use, but I refused to let fear dictate my actions. This was Haides’ world, and I was determined to understand it, to understand him.

He tapped away at the keyboard, his focus on the screens in front of him. Various websites loaded, each one more nefarious than the last. I watched from a distance, my curiosity piqued. What kind of digital footprint did a man like Haides leave behind?

I moved closer to one of the monitors, squinting to make out the cryptic symbols and numbers scrolling across the screen. It was a language I didn’t understand, a realm I’d only ever glimpsed through the veil of fiction.

“Haides,” I began, my voice barely above a whisper. “How do you keep all this… hidden?”

He paused, his hands hovering over the keyboard. “It’s all about knowing the right people, the right networks, having the right tools,” he said, his tone casual, as if we were discussing nothing more controversial than the weather. “And having the right skills to cover your tracks.”

I nodded, though I was far from comprehending the full extent of his operations. The man I’d fallen in love with was an enigma, a labyrinth of shadows and secrets. But as I stood there, surrounded by the tools of his dark trade, I felt a strange sense of peace.

My exploration brought me to a strange-looking device, its purpose unknown to me. I picked it up, the metal cool against my skin. “What’s this for?” I asked, holding it up for Haides to see.

He swiveled in his chair, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. “Oh, that’s just a little something for extracting information,” he said, his voice laced with dark humor. “But let’s not focus on the gruesome details right now.”

I set the device back down, a small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “Fair enough,” I replied, my gaze wandering back to the monitors. “So, what’s next?”

I watched as Haides’ fingers danced across the keyboard, his expression focused yet relaxed. He was in his element here, a master conductor orchestrating his digital minions with practiced ease. “First things first, I need to put out some feelers in the red rooms,” he said, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine.

I leaned against the wall, my arms crossed, as I observed him. The idea of reaching out to his online followers was both terrifying and exhilarating. These were people who revered him, who hung on his every word and deed. They were the stuff of nightmares.

Haides typed out a message, his words deliberate and measured. “While I’m not back in full swing yet, I’ve got a special treat lined up for you all. But I need your help to secure a target so I can ensure the most solid of alibis.” He hit send, and the message vanished into the digital ether.

Almost instantly, the chat room came alive with frenzied activity. His followers were rabid, eager to please their idol, to be a part of whatever he had planned. I couldn’t help but be amazed by the sheer power he wielded with a few keystrokes. It was intoxicating, the kind of influence most people could only dream of.

Haides turned back to face me, his stormy green eyes gleaming with satisfaction. He leaned back in his chair, the smirk on his lips a silent testament to his control over this dark and twisted world. “Quite the show, isn’t it?” he said, his voice dripping with arrogance.

And damn if he wasn’t right. It was the hottest thing I’d ever seen. Here was a man who commanded respect and fear in equal measure, who could bend the will of the faceless masses with nothing but his words. It was a display of raw, unfiltered power, and it was utterly irresistible.

I pushed off the wall, closing the distance between us with determined strides. His eyes followed me, the smirk never leaving his face. I stopped in front of him, my gaze locked onto his. “You’re something else, Haides Anastos,” I said, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions raging inside me.

He stood up, towering over me, his presence overwhelming. “And you, Cora Lappa, are full of surprises,” he replied, his voice a low growl that sent a rush of heat coursing through my veins.

We stood there, locked in a silent battle of wills, the air between us charged with anticipation. Haides reached out, his fingers brushing against my cheek in a gesture that was equal parts tender and possessive. “Let the games begin,” he murmured, his breath hot against my skin.

This his lips claimed mine in a searing kiss. The Lord had ensnared me in his web, and I was powerless to resist.