Some Lines Cannot Be Crossed Chapter 03

Some Lines Cannot Be Crossed Chapter 03

Time lost all meaning. Hunger became a hollow, twisting beast. Thirst clogged my throat like a desert. Vertigo crashed over me in waves. I slumped against the wall, every joint and every muscle screaming in agony.

I must have blacked out. A fierce pounding jolted me awake.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

“Ms. Castillo! Are you in there?”

A man’s voice. Young. Urgent. Not Leo.

Who was this?

“Ms. Castillo!” The voice came again, sharper this time, and more familiar.

I knew that voice. He was one of Leo’s most trusted men. Mateo. “I’m… in here…” I gasped, forcing the words out. “Storage… closet!”

A beat of silence. Then, rapid footsteps.

“Hold on, Ms. Castillo!”

Thud.

Thud.

He threw his weight against the door. I slumped back against the wall, tears of relief cutting tracks through the grime on my cheeks.

They came. The family came.

With a deafening crack, the door collapsed inward. Blinding, glorious light flooded the tiny space.

I squinted. A young man stood in the doorway, horror etched across his face. Behind him, the shadows of other men shifted.

“Ms. Castillo!” Mateo rushed in and dropped to his knees. “My God… what happened?”

I tried to speak, but only a broken rasp came out.

“Medics! Now!” Mateo roared over his shoulder. One of the men moved fast, pressing a phone to his ear.

“No…” I waved a weak hand. “Not necessary…”

“Not necessary?” Mateo’s eyes burned with rage and pity. “Look at you! What happened here?”

Before I could answer, Janice’s shrill, blustering voice rang out from the living room. “Who are you? This is a private residence! You can’t just…”

One look was all Mateo needed.

He squeezed my shoulder. “Stay here, Ms. Castillo.”

“No, take me with you.” I pushed against the wall, my legs buckling. I had to see this. I had to face her.

Mateo steadied me as I staggered out. The living room lights were blinding. Janice stood frozen, her face ashen. Her gaze darted wildly when she saw Mateo supporting me, like a trapped animal.

“Ma’am! Are you alright?” Her voice pitched high with fake concern. “I heard a commotion… how did you get in? Did you fall?”

She was a good actress. I’d give her that.

Mateo fixed her with an icy stare. “Who are you?”

“Me?” She blinked rapidly. “I… I live here.”

“You live here.” Mateo arched an eyebrow. “This penthouse belongs to Elara Castillo. You’re saying you live here? You’re Elara?”

Janice’s face went paler still. “I… I’m…”

“She’s the help,” I said, my voice a little stronger now. “My housekeeper. Or rather, she was.”

Janice stiffened as if she’d been struck.

Mateo’s gaze could have flash-frozen a man. “Then why didn’t you notice she was missing?”

“It was just an accident! I thought she’d gone out!” Janice babbled.

“An accident.” My voice was quiet. “Where’s my phone?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her eyes darted away.

“The smartphone you took from me. Where is it?”

All color drained from her face. “I… I didn’t mean to…”

“You didn’t mean to what?” Mateo’s voice was deceptively soft. “You didn’t mean to imprison a Consigliere of the Castillo family?”

“I… I was just…” Her whole body began to tremble.

“What did you just say?” I leaned slightly on Mateo’s arm. “You just wanted to make sure I didn’t tell your fiancé, young Lorenzo, that the woman he’s about to marry is a liar and a thief?”

“That she’s not some socialite, but a maid who locked her employer in a closet and robbed her?”

Janice crumpled. Her legs gave out, and she hit the expensive carpet with a soft, heavy thud.

“You locked me in there for three days,” I said.

Beside me, Mateo sucked in a sharp breath. His arm tensed.

“Three days,” he murmured. “Ms. Castillo, I’m calling the police. Right now.”

“No.” I held up a hand. “Not yet.”

“Why?” Mateo’s confusion was plain.

I looked at the woman weeping on the floor. “Because I have a meeting to attend. And while I’m at it, I’ll help Lorenzo cancel a wedding.”

At that, Janice let out a strangled sob. She lurched forward on her knees. “No… please, don’t…”

She tried to grab the hem of my robe. I stepped back, just slightly.

“Please… I’m sorry… I was wrong… please, don’t do this…”

“Three days ago,” I said, “I was on the floor, just like you are now. I begged you. Begged for water. Begged for mercy. Begged for my freedom.”

“What did you give me, Janice?”

She could only whimper, her face buried in the carpet.

I turned to Mateo. “Help me to the car.”

“Yes, Consigliere.” His grip was firm and reverent. “The Don’s on his way. He insisted on bringing you home himself.”

I nodded.

As I passed Janice, I spoke softly. “See you Friday.”