Chapter 37

                                    

                                          
The news of Philip’s death made headlines for weeks. England was plunged into mourning, the nation grieving a man portrayed as beloved by all. I still couldn’t wrap my head around it.
I was flown back to Spain in the midst of the chaos, while César remained in England. I’ve been plagued with nightmares, haunted by the smell of blood and the weight of guilt. Thrusted forcefully into a world I didn’t want to be in. César's world.
For the past few days, I tried to distract myself by exploring the estate, discovering parts I had been too preoccupied or too scared to venture into before. Sometimes, Luca accompanied me, his personality as dry and salty as crackers. Questions filled my mind, though. 
I wanted to know why Philip had to die. Why anyone had to die. The purpose of such horrendous scheming. I wanted to know who César truly was, what he did. His position in the dark world. Having seen the power he commanded, wielded even against me, I desperately wanted to know.
"Lurking as always." Luca's voice jolted me from my thoughts. I turned swiftly, bumping into his hard shoulder and stumbling back, my cheeks heating up with embarrassment.
He stood before me with a blank look on his face. "What are you doing here?"
I looked around the large pool area, the magnificent clear waters enthralling. "Am I not allowed around here?"
"You aren't allowed to step out of your room, which I believe is on the top floor." He reasoned, his lips pursed.
I rolled my eyes and gasped as he took a tight hold of my jaw, his eyes hard. "Don't fucking roll your eyes at me."
I was too shocked to speak, stumbling backward when he released me. I rubbed my jaw, feeling the painful throb. "Don't touch me like that!"
His brows raised, eyes flicking over me like he couldn't believe I could speak. Then he shook his head and turned to walk away. "I still don't get why the boss keeps you around."
That caught my attention. I walked alongside him, ignoring the furious side glance he threw in my direction. "What do you mean 'keeps me around'? I signed a contract."
He laughed condescendingly, irking my irritation. "That's what you're meant to think."
I paused in my steps, processing his words, then regained my composure and joined him again. "I want to know what happened in England."
His shoulders tensed, and he threw me a darker look. "You of all people should know."
I swallowed down my guilt. If they hadn't played me into their script, I would have had no part in it. "I mean, what was the motive behind it?"
"That's not my place to tell," Luca said, his jaw ticking. He seemed irritated by everything, especially my existence. The feeling was mutual. "If you really want to know, then take it to the boss."
"He isn't back yet," I said, my voice betraying a whine.
"He’ll be back today. Now fuck off," he said calmly, hastening his steps. I followed, earning a groan from him. "What do you still want?"
"Answers."
"I can't give you that."
"You are a much more approachable option than your boss," I breathed out, causing him to turn fully toward me, making me stop in my tracks. He took a step closer, and I swallowed at the glint in his eyes.
"If I had the power, you wouldn't be standing here after the ruckus you caused in England. I'd have you hanging in the torture room, upside fucking down, bleeding to your last drop." I shrank back at his words. He looked like he meant it. He looked insane. "Now back the fuck off."