The Devil Who Claimed Me

Chapter 34: Dominic’s fortress.

Mila’s mind spun. "I can’t stay here."

Her breathing turned uneven as panic clawed its way up to her throat.

"These people are dangerous. They can hurt me. Or worse – they can kill me."

Tears spilled down her cheeks. "No..." She wiped them away. "Before anything happens, I need to leave. I have to find my own way out."

Her fingers curled into the bedsheet. The thought hardened inside her like steel. Slowly, she stood up and walked toward the door. Twisting the handle, she pulled it open.

The guards were still there.

’Of course, they will be here,’ she muttered in frustration. ’They are devoted to their king, like loyal dogs.’

The two men looked at her blankly.

"I am bored being locked up like this," she said. "I need some fresh air. Let me step out."

No response. They stood there like statues.

Mila ground her teeth. "Do you think I can run away from here?" she snapped. "I just want to get out of this suffocating room. At least, let me walk around the house."

"We don’t have permission for that, Miss," said one of them. "You will need to speak with Mr. Russo."

Mila rolled her eyes. "And where is he? Can I go find him?"

"No."

Mila wanted to pull her hair. She clenched her fists. "Then how exactly am I supposed to get his permission?"

"He will come when he is free. Until then, please remain inside." He gestured toward the room.

But Mila wouldn’t listen to them. She had to get out and look around to find a way to get out of this place.

"Look," she forced a calmer tone, "you are stationed here to watch me, right? Under your supervision, I won’t be able to run away. Let me walk for a while, explore this place. You can follow me. I’m sure your boss won’t object to that."

The guards exchanged glances but said nothing.

Mila’s patience was wearing thin. "If you don’t allow me, I’ll complain to Dominic."

They looked visibly troubled. A flicker of unease crossed their faces.

"Alright, you can look around."

Mila let out a quiet sigh. "Thanks."

She strode around, the guards following closely behind her. She walked down the corridor, her sharp gaze scanning around. The corridor seemed to stretch endlessly. Polished marble floor gleamed under her feet. Her reflection followed her with each step.

The walls were adorned with grand oil paintings, each one expensive and imposing. ’So the monster appreciates art,’ she thought bitterly. ’Or maybe it’s just decoration to hide what he really is.’

She moved forward. Behind her, the guards moved silently like shadows. She passed a series of tall, arched windows. Heavy velvet curtains are partially drawn. Mila’s eyes moved outside instinctively.

She caught a glimpse of sprawling grounds – perfectly manicured gardens, long stone pathways, and in the far distance was a restless sea.

’Oh...’ She paused and moved toward the window to take a good look. It was indeed a vast sea, dark blue waves crashing against the shore, a faint sound reaching her ears.

Freedom was close.

"I want to see the beach," she said. "Can you take me there?"

She turned to the guards expectantly.

"No," came the reply almost instantly. "You are not allowed outside the house."

"But..."

"If you want to go to the beach," the other guard interrupted, "you have to take Mr. Russo’s permission."

Of course. Always him.

Mila’s face dimmed. She understood they would strictly follow their boss’s words. She looked back at the sea, her chest tightening.

’If I go there, maybe I can find someone. Maybe I can escape.’

She started moving forward dazedly. ’I’ll go there,’ she vowed silently. ’One way or another.’

She thought of speaking with Dominic and getting his permission.

A grand staircase came into view, sweeping upward to the second floor. The wooden banister was carved with intricate designs.

Mila paused at the bottom, her gaze moving upward. She strode up, one step at a time, her fingers grazing over the railing. As she reached the top, she noticed a few maids cleaning the space. She looked down, her gaze travelling to the ground floor.

Below, the hall opened into a vast living space that resembled a private lobby more than a home. Men stood at various points, some in suits, some with arms. Every exit was guarded.

Mila’s chest tightened. It was not just a house. It was a fortress. Escaping this place wouldn’t be easy.

’Don’t panic. You will definitely find a way.’

She forced herself to breathe as she moved.

The maids glanced at her briefly before looking away and resuming their work.

She turned toward a long hallway to the right, keeping her steps steady and unhurried. But inside, she was nervous, every nerve alive. Her eyes searched for something – anything that could show her a way to exit unnoticed.

A door at the far end caught her attention. It was closed. There were no guards in front of it.

’What is this room?’ Mila’s pulse quickened.

Curious, she moved toward it. She had hardly taken two steps when she heard one of the guards calling her from behind.

"Miss, that area is restricted."

Mila paused, then slowly turned to them. She mustered a smile. "I am just curious. What is there in that room?"

The guards remained impassive. "Too much curiosity is not good for you." That sounded like a warning. "If you are done with your little exploration, return to your room."

Mila held his gaze for a moment, then looked away, swallowing her frustration. She started walking in the opposite direction. Her expedition brought nothing to her.

This place was bigger than she had imagined, heavily guarded. Even a mosquito wouldn’t get out. How was she going to leave?

’It’s not going to be easy. But I won’t give up.’

As she approached her room, she slowed.

A woman was standing by the door. Dressed entirely in black – trousers, fitted top, leather jacket – her stance was sharp yet controlled. Her hair was pulled into a tight, high ponytail. With her sharp, piercing eyes, she looked far more dangerous than those two guards following her.

Mila instinctively stopped.

The woman’s gaze swept over her from head to toe with complete disdain. "So this is the chick Dominic brought."

Mila frowned.

She took a step closer, her gaze measuring her. "He almost got killed himself for you."

Her expression hardened further. She clearly didn’t like Mila. "What are you that made him lose control like that?"