16

Chapter 16

Anna

I made my way to breakfast, still feeling weird from last night's encounter with Duncan.

I had to be more careful now. I couldn't let him suspect a thing, or I was dead, and I couldn't die. Not right now.

My priority was to take revenge on my mother first before the law.

As I entered the dining room, my gaze landed on Duncan. He was talking on the phone, and his expression was one of displeasure.

Sabrina was seated beside him, and so were Lily, Levi, Lucas and a new guy I had never seen before. 

He was completely bald. He had a pair of small diamond studs on both ears.

"Hey, sweet tooths," Lucas was the first to speak as I approached the table, smiling from ear to ear like I was the best thing he'd seen since sliced bread or something. "You look rather ravishing."

He looked me up and down. "Really brings out your goddess curves," he winked.

I glared at him, and he chuckled.

"Hi, Anna," Lilly waved. She looked genuinely happy to see me, and I wasn't sure what to make of her enthusiasm. I never really had friends growing up, and having someone like Lily trying to be my friend made me… uncomfortable.

"Hey, Lily." I smiled awkwardly.

She gestured for me to come towards her and motioned for me to sit in a spot she'd apparently left open for me.

"You look really preppy; it's cute," she smiled.

She really was beautiful. She could easily be a model or, hell, a billionaire's wife. It baffled me what a cute lovely girl like her was doing being a slut for a monster like Duncan.

"Thanks," I said, not entirely sure of the compliment. I was simply wearing suit pants and a button-down shirt.

"You are welcome," Lily smiled.

I caught Levi staring at me for a second, his expression unreadable before looking away with zero expression on his face and 

returning his attention to his plate. His indifference irked me, though I couldn't quite figure out why. I wasn't looking for his approval, yet a part of me wished he had at least acknowledged me in some way.

Duncan ended his call with an irritated sigh, setting his phone beside his plate before finally looking up.

His sharp blue eyes locked onto mine, scrutinising me in a way that made me feel uncomfortable.

The image of last night's almost kiss appeared in my mind, and I flushed in embarrassment.

"You are late, Anna," he said, his voice hard.

My brows furrowed in confusion.

"I didn't realise we were on schedule…"

"You are now," he snapped.

My lips thinned into a straight line, unsure of where the hostility was coming from.

The bald man I had seen earlier suddenly leaned forward, his eyes scrutinising me.

"So, you are the little lamb?" he asked, scrutinising me like I was some kind of large cow he was contemplating on buying.

"Lamb?" I asked with a confused expression on my face.

"Leave her alone, Jonah," Levi warned. I glanced at Levi. He might be an arse, but he always made sure he defended me for some reason, and I wasn't sure how I felt about it.

"Jonah", the bald-headed man stretched out his hand. "Duncan's right-hand man",

With raised brows, I glanced at Levi.

"I thought that was Levi?"

"Oh, he's the left hand," Lucas chuckled.

"Careful, Jonah, We don't want a repeat of last time."

Jonah grinned; his entire bottom teeth were made up of golden teeth.

"He is Duncan's number one henchman, and he just came back from a mission," Lily whispered.

"Oh, I see," I whispered back. Sabrina, who'd been quiet the whole time, suddenly spoke up.

"Careful Jonah, the boss has taken a liking to her; stop salivating. You can't have her."

Duncan fixed his glare on Sabrina. He looked about ready to snap her neck in two, and before I knew it, he did just that.

He slapped Sabrina off her chair, sending her flying to the floor.

I gasped, standing up to help her.

"What the hell is your problem? Why would you hit a woman?' I said, rushing towards Sabrina, who immediately pushed me out of the way when I tried to help her up.

"Mind your business, bitch," she spat and pushed past me, storming out of the room.

I stared after her.

A tense silence settled over the room. My pulse pounded as I turned back to Duncan, whose expression was a storm of barely contained rage. His hand rested on the table, fingers curled into a fist as if he were fighting the urge to strike again.

He was angry, and his eyes betrayed his impassive expression.

"You didn't have to do that," I said, my voice low but firm.

"Silence, you will not tell me what to do. Have you forgotten your place?"

He glared.

My hands balled into fists by my side, my nails digging into my palms.

He was a monster. Just like all the others… just like Roberto.

My hate for him grew. I had spent most of my life being treated like a slave or a common whore before I got into the police academy and became a detective.

The sight of a woman being mistreated made my blood boil and brought back many memories I would rather not relive.

"Looks like someone's getting special treatment after all."

Jonah chuckled, looking between me and Duncan.

Just then, there was a knock at the door that prevented Duncan from replying to Jonah.

A scrawny boy walked in, his eyes wide.

"Boss, we have found him. He is here."

Duncan's eyes suddenly brightened.

"Great, leave him in the cell; I'll be there shortly."

The boy nodded and rushed out.

Duncan immediately stood up.

"Anna, follow me," he said and walked out.

I followed behind him, and he led me to a secret underground basement and turned on the lights.

As he opened the door, my eyes widened when I saw a man tied to the chair.

Not just any men, my colleague, Timothy.

My blood immediately ran cold and my stomach flipped, threatening to expel the small breakfast I had managed to consume.

What was he doing here, and how had they captured him?

Had Duncan uncovered my identity?

I was so royally fucked!