Chapter 6: Hell Is Empty

The door shut with a click of the lock. With my back against the wooden surface, I tried calming myself by taking deep breaths before exhaling. My heart refused to return to its regular beating rate, perhaps shaken by Keith’s sudden decision to invite a criminal into our home unsuspectingly with open arms. I can’t blame him for seeing Salvatore as an average businessman hoping to score points by acquainting with a Cartiera for he was good at pretending to be normal. Still, I couldn’t get the idea of him stalking us constantly to make sure I wouldn’t spill his secret out of my head, slowly driving me insane. Even as we were driven back home, I found myself constantly checking behind us to see if a vehicle was tailing us. Relief finally flooded through my veins the moment I entered the house, extremely tired despite no strenuous work being done.

Keith was, undoubtedly, spooked by my behavior. His gaze followed me uneasily, never letting me out of his sight. It took time for him to finally leave me alone, the phone call he received just as we entered the house got the credit for that. Now left alone with my thoughts, I slowly stripped out of my dress and headed for the bathroom where I started to fill the tub.

I cannot lie and say that this thing I have between Salvatore shall come to pass if I simply pray for it to go away. Ignoring him will possibly piss him off and would be detrimental to my mental health. However, if I take the convenient route of hiring someone to put him behind bars may just arouse suspicion. Who knows what that man can do? Salvatore may just have the convenient connections to get him out of jail or prevent him from going behind bars.

Dizzy, I sat on the edge of the tub. A glass of wine would be pretty nice right now if it weren’t for the fact it is still too early to get drunk. Left with nothing but the warm water filled with bubbles and the scent of roses, I got in the bath and attempted to relax. No matter how much I stretched my neck or back, I couldn’t get rid of the tension. And to think this was brought on by an incident that occurred yesterday.

I sighed out of irritation and exhaustion, wanting to toss something and hear it shatter into millions of pieces. But of course, that will just alert the entire staff and rumors may stir that Keith’s wife has gone crazy.

“Fuck this—”

“Baby?”

My skin would have jumped out on its own if it weren’t attached at the sound of Keith’s voice that bounced off the walls. I didn’t even pick up any indication that he entered or opened the door. His sudden intrusion definitely wouldn’t have caught me off guard if my mind wasn’t busy revolving around a certain blackmailer. A hand over my heart, I turned to see him standing by the door with a key in his hand, brow raised. He hasn’t changed his clothes yet, evident that he is now in work mode with a phone in his hand.

“Keith, you scared me…” Glancing at the key, I winced. “Did you want to use the bathroom? Sorry, I locked it because—”

My husband approached with a slightly frustrated look, evident in how his brows were pinched and his lips in a tight line. I fell quiet, nervous at what he had to say. I didn’t even bother covering up. He stopped at the side of the tub, hand rubbing his face.

“Vi, I have been calling your name five times. I was afraid you were up to something when you failed to answer and the door was locked. I didn’t know what else to do.” The keys met the wooden surface of the vanity by the sink, clinking as it went. Keith then bent down to stare at me at an equal level, seriousness in those eyes. “What’s wrong, mhm? Something has been bothering you since we arrived and I want to know.”

“Keith, it’s nothing—”

My husband sighed.

“Don’t lie to me, Vivien. I could tell you are bothered by something.” His hand reached out to caress my cheek and then cupped my nape, giving me no other choice but to look him in the eye. “Is it by any chance… because I invited Mr. Salvatore to my garden party?”

He eyed me for seconds, watching for my lips to move as I tried to form a sentence. He got me right there. I couldn’t deny the fact I was upset due to his sudden decision to invite the man who was behind my kidnapping, no matter if it was a mistake or not. However, the whole ordeal of Salvatore stalking me is a great reason why he shouldn’t be allowed near us.

Much to my cowardice, I averted my gaze, focusing on the bubbles slowly popping one by one. What prompted me to glance back at him was the awkward tension in the air.

“I… I didn’t like the idea of you inviting a total stranger to a party for your friends. Wouldn’t they be caught off guard?” Determination was in my eyes, hoping he could find the rationality in my statement. “I mean, I know you want to become friends with Mr. Salvatore, but perhaps you should ask him to another party instead of this one? This is for your friends after all. Not new ones. There is your birthday party he can still go to. Plenty of opportunities!”

Keith simply stared, which made me pause in my explanation. He dared not move, staring into the windows of my soul as if he were searching for the truth. I gritted my teeth, patiently waiting for him to say his piece while keeping my sanity together. He couldn’t read my mind. There is no way he can do that. The possible thing he could do was sense my distress but that proved to be difficult due to the scent of the bath products masking my pheromones. All he could rely on was my facial features.

My shoulders visibly relaxed when he nodded and moved back. Keith then dried his hand on a towel before planting a kiss on my forehead. Perhaps I shouldn't be naive to think he would ask Salvatore to reschedule his visit, but I was hopeful he would. Keith has never failed to accommodate me since I rarely ask for him to do so. I thought he would listen when he nodded and accepted my request.

“All right, I’ll tell him. Okay? There’s no need to look at me that way.”

I was made aware of how I looked. Close to crying out of desperation. Maybe if I told him how Salvatore was the boogeyman of my nightmares he would listen. Then again, I couldn’t tell him that unless I wanted chaos to ensue in our quaint lives. I knew I had to handle this blackmail alone. I just had to find a way to get the man off of my back. To convince him that I was no threat to his secret life and that I would rather chew on rocks than reveal to the rest of the world that he isn’t the innocent man he parades himself to be. I just had to do this without being detected and peacefully as I planned for my husband’s important get-together next week.

“I’m sorry I scared you,” I whispered. My hands played with the suds. “I was just… stressed out. I guess I really need to take some time off and accompany you to one of your golf games.” At the mention of his favorite sport, Keith grinned. All was well once again, at least it was for him.

After receiving word from Keith that he sent Salvatore a message saying he would have to attend another party, I regained my confidence and bits of my sanity. It seemed as if the kidnapping had never happened.

And yet, Dáin Salvatore still showed up to the garden party.

It took every ounce of my strength not to fall flat on my knees to touch freshly trimmed grass as I watched in shock. He strode in as if he was one of my husband’s old friends, laughing and shaking Keith’s hand. The rest of the men in the room showed him respect, some recognizing him and welcoming the only other dominant alpha into the room. A wolf in sheep’s clothing in plain sight. I found it hard to breathe while I entertained the other guests' needs. All that occupied my mind was one thing and only one thing…

Why on earth is he here?

“Good day, Mrs. Cartiera.” Dáin Salvatore placed the bottles of wine and champagne on the table where Keith and I sat. I was frozen in place, unsure whether to greet him or simply spit on his face. The latter seemed appealing if it weren’t for the audience.

Why? Why is he here? Didn’t Keith say he sent a message? What was going on?

“Vi, there you are.” Keith closed the distance between us easily and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. He did not seem troubled by the sudden guest, maybe even happy that Salvatore came despite the lack of an invitation. Seeing my confusion, he quickly explained. “Mr. Salvatore here said he lost his phone and wasn’t able to read the text I sent him. I couldn’t turn him away now that he’s here. That would just be bad for business.”

I fought the urge to laugh at the coincidence. There was absolutely no way he lost his phone or if his other alibis were real. This asshole was indeed out to check on me. A smile forced its way into my face, hurting me more than it should.

Salvatore chuckled.

“Yes. Truly bad for business, Mr. Cartiera. You do understand, Mrs. Cartiera?”

“I-I see. Yes, of course. Well then, make yourself at home Mr. Salvatore.” I gestured to the tables filled with various finger foods and snacks. My hand was visibly shaking in nervousness with a mixture of anger. “Do try out the appetizers first. The main course has yet to be served.”

“Will do. Your wife is such an accommodating host, Mr. Cartiera. You surely are lucky.”

Keith laughed fondly at the statement, patting my back. I stiffened at the smirk he shot at me, it was definitely a challenge. As if he told me through it that I shouldn’t try and get rid of him. I balled up my hands into fists by my side.

“Please, you’ve been calling my last name so much that I’m confused if you're referring to me or my father.” He reached out a hand for Dáin to shake, all smiles. I stiffened at the act, wondering if this would be the start of a disaster just waiting to blow up in my face. “Call me Keith, Dáin. After all, this is the start of our friendship.”

I watched uneasily as both of them shook hands, scared that the other might pull out a gun and threaten us. Keith does not deserve any harm. He barely knows anything about this dangerous man’s hidden deeds. My throat was dry no matter how much wine I sipped on, so I excused myself to the bathroom. Instead of heading in the direction of the house, I walked into the other part of the garden where the tools were stored. There, I took in deep breaths. With a hand over my heart, I fought the bile rising to my throat and stayed calm by drinking more wine.

There was no way I could finish this occasion sober. How could one do so when the person tormenting them is right here? The most obvious choice to make was simply to carry on and ignore Salvatore. I must do that or I will really lose my mind in front of Keith and all his friends.

“Mrs. Cartiera.”

Speak of the devil.

Salvatore’s back straight, unbending as he stood by the path’s entrance. His aura exuded authority in every room or space he could occupy. The way his eyes commanded you to keep looking at him was immense, giving you a warning that if you do break contact, whatever happens next is your fault. However, he had no power here. This was my house. If he so much as did wrong, all I had to do was scream. Still, it was daunting to be all alone with him.

“Really? Your phone is lost?” I crossed my arms across my chest, hiding my pounding heart. The tough act I put on immediately deflated when he chuckled at my attempts. I bit the inside of my right cheek before putting on a fake smile. “What do you want? You are not supposed to be here.”

“You know exactly why I am here, Mrs. Cartiera.” Salvatore took a step forward. I took a step back, afraid he might pull something. He merely smirked at the action, infuriating me further. “Okay, I guess a hug would be too much of a greeting—”

“You should leave.”

“I will. I can’t stand being in the same area as those demons in suits.” He tried to close the space between us once again. I soon realized I ran out of room to retreat to, forced to stand still as he muttered, “You haven’t told Keith about that unfortunate event, right? It would be best if you don’t get caught in the crossfire.”

Demons? The evil one here is you.

“How could I with you breathing down my neck?” My eyes shut, wishing he would just go away. He barked out a laugh at my response. My eyelids shot open when he gripped my chin, holding my gaze. He was not satisfied with my reply. I could feel the tears start to form, scared at what he might do. “I won’t. I p-promised you that.”

Dáin grinned.

“Good girl.”