The Sins of Anna
Chapter 42 A Declaration 11.2

We follow Maliki through the long hallway, there were pillars between each portrait that hung on the wall. As we rounded the corner though there was one spot that was skipped then the portraits continued. I wonder if it was always like this. Watching I saw Maliki pull what looked like a remote from his suits inner pocket. Clicking a button suddenly the wall moved open like an elevator door. To my surprise, it was an elevator that was revealed when fully open. I could feel my own mouth hanging open with surprise as I looked back and forth from Ren to Maliki. As the elevator went down to a bottom floor it opened looking into what looked like a lab. Glass panels around work stations, with incubators, and other kinds of chemicals and equipment. Two men stood guard just outside the elevator. Dragged behind we walked straight to the back of the lab, and there to the right there was another door where Ren proceeded to take me. Inside that room, a man was chained with his arms behind him to a metal chair that sat in front of the silver-plated table. Nothing else was in the bare white room, no windows, no doors, not even a bed. The man's face and body was covered in scratches, blood, and bruises. He looked barley conscious as we entered letting the door shut behind us. I felt my insides suddenly knotting up as I looked at the scene before me. I had seen stuff like this in movies. I leaned as far back as I could against the door. This man was being tortured. The sound of Ren's and Maliki's footsteps echoed in the room as they approached the seated man. Maliki walking behind the man suddenly grabbed the front of his hair ripping his head back to look up. You could hear the man whimper in pain. I felt like being sick. Ren sat against the side of the table next to the man. Taking out a cigarette and lighting it. Taking a beep puff he released the smoke blowing it in the injured man's face. Though he was facing away from me I could feel it, Ren was smiling.

"So, you ready to talk you piece of shit." Ren said in a low dangerous voice. He was talking to the man. The man however said nothing just whimpered.

"If you don't answer me far worse is going to happen to you then death" Ren growled even lower. For the first time, I truly believed the rumors of him being ruthless. I wanted to leave I didn't want to watch this. I turn looking at the door there was no handle, or no knob only way in or out was from outside.

"Who was behind the kidnapping of my bride." I turned to Ren's next question. The man said nothing just stared at Ren then to me his breath hard and raspy and full of fear. Ren nodded to Maliki who took out his pistol and handed it to Ren. Before my eyes, Ren asked again holding the barrel down on the man's index finger.

"No!" I gasped crying out as I turned away. Did he care this much about what happened to her and he's punishing me by making me watch this?

I could feel my whole body shaking. I jumped to the sudden feeling of someone's hands on my shoulder turning me around. I was wrapped in an embrace my face buried in a firm chest. As my head was patted. Before I knew it, the door had been opened by one of the guards and Ren was escorting me out of the room leaving Maliki and the man in cuffs behind. Brought back to Ren's room I was still shaking I had never feared Ren so much till now. He was being gentle but I couldn't forget that smile forget what he was going to do. I know he's mafia but to go so far for an arranged bride. Alone after the door closed behind us I suddenly started crying I couldn't help it. My apology's echoing in my own ears to Ren. If I hadn't let her get in danger then this never would have happened I wouldn't have had to see that side of him. His hands big and warm suddenly supporting my body as he lifted me off my feet holding me firm to his body as he walked to the back of his room where around the corner was his bed. Gently I was laid down on the soft silver silk bedding. His body covering mine as he kissed my face sucking the tear drops from my already soaked cheeks, and eyes.

"Anna this is me." His voice so low and gentle it was hard to believe what I had saw, but my tears were still falling, body shaking under him as I looked into his eyes. I knew who he was but I didn't know.

"I am not a good man, but I fell in love with you my angel." He was staring deep into me as he spoke; hand caressing my face. I was lost for words, I had fallen in love with this man but now I really know this man and I fear him.

"I was born into this life, but you, you don't have to stand by me, you can leave. I said nothing just listened as he spoke trying to understand. Did he want me to leave?

"You where someone I shouldn't have had, shouldn't have involved in my world, we don't marry outside our own, but now you are to be my bride after what you did. I pulled a lot of strings using under handed methods because from the first night I saw you I couldn't let go. I made it so you had to come to me, put you in harm's way, for that I am forever sorry." Ren's eye looked so dead all the color seemed to be fading. What is he talking about, me being his bride, Brittany was his bride chosen by the elders, and what had he meant he made me come to him, does he mean the article? I search his face wishing I could read what he was thinking to understand what he was saying. Why was he saying this?

"If you are here I can't protect you from the truth, that's why I showed you because if you stay this will be your life. Filled with death and cruelty, and rules. Being with me would mean accepting it all. I can't ask you to accept that I can't watch you die again." His hand slipped down wrapping tightly around me. His lips pressed firm against mine. My mind became clouded I wanted to forget everything and melt in this feeling. As I relent to him he stops the kiss.

"Anna, you should leave, don't dirty your beautiful hands anymore because of me, forget me." He whispered breaking the spell suddenly pushing off the bed, off me. Standing he steps down turning away from me. I could feel my heart racing as I sat up watching him. Was this good bye, was he done with me? My body was frozen on the bed I could feel my brain saying to run to leave this place like he says and forget it all but, my heart screamed to stay with him after I could feel how much he wanted me still in that kiss and I want to be with him.

"If you love me than don't send me away." I mumbled ready to cry again my hand clenching my shirt near my heart. I'm already in too deep, I'm scared of what I saw, and of this world. However; I have no place in my old life now. My heart belonged to him and it wins out over logic I knew that the moment I took that bullet. I never imagined he would love me, but at that moment I had decided to stand by him to protect the one thing no one else could.

"What did you say?" Ren turned asking as if he didn't hear me.

"I said if you love me than don't send me away you idiot!" This time I shout so he can hear me, I was so embarrassed that I had to repeat myself. Ren's face suddenly looking even more pained.

"I said leave, not contradict me you idiot." He growls back but it was different it wasn't angry but panicked.

"Who are you calling an idiot, I said I was staying so just get over it. You said you worked hard to get me. Well here I am whether you like it or not, I will stand beside you. I decided that the moment I jump in front of the sniper bullet." I argue back.

"You're a moron, you were just shaking with fear not long ago do you want to die that bad living in my world? Why the hell would you stay?" Ren was yelling now his face red.

"Because I fell in love with a big idiotic conceited jerk whose mood changes as fast as turning on a lightbulb." I shout back turning my head to look away and face the head board. I had finally said how I felt.

"Ren!" The door to the room slams open as Maliki and Mike shout for Ren. Barging in the room.

"Bad news my lord!"