Heartbeat of the Ruthless Criminal (English Version)

Chapter 13

Walking back to the mansion, I felt like tears were just on the brink of spilling over, my drenched T-shirt still dripping with seawater.

That darn Henry, I had believed he was a gentleman, but he turned out to be as ruthless as his two bosses. He's terrible! They're all just awful!

In Darius's room, I took a long shower to wash away the salt and frustration. I remained locked inside for the rest of the day, only emerging around 5:30 PM. Since my own undergarments were still damp from earlier, I had no choice but to wear one of Darius's boxer briefs. Thankfully, it was a bit loose on me, and I layered three T-shirts to conceal the fact that I wasn't wearing a bra.

Upon entering the kitchen, I found Arel seated at the table, facing a large tray filled with various vegetables.

"I've been waiting for you. Why did you only come out now? Come over here and help me cut these string beans for cooking!" Arel grumbled upon spotting me.

I promptly walked over and took a seat in an empty chair.

"Don't bother with a knife; you might hurt yourself. Just do it like this, use your hands to snap them," Arel instructed, demonstrating how to cut the string beans without a knife.

As I worked on chopping the string beans, Arel tended to the other vegetables, placing some in the refrigerator and peeling others with a small knife.

"By the way, Kierra, I've noticed something. Why do you always wear your boss's clothes? Don't you have anything else to wear? Also, where do you sleep? Where is your room located?"

Arel fired off his questions, catching me off guard.

"Speaking of which, Arel, can I ask if Larco scolded you yesterday for us going into that room?” I shifted the conversation to avoid his inquiry. I couldn't forget the fear on Arel's face as he knelt in front of Larco because of a minor mistake.

I couldn't help but wonder. Were Larco and his henchmen truly that merciless, that even a small mistake requires kneeling and trembling in fear? It seemed excessive, but then again, what else should I expect from criminals? I still couldn't erase the memory of Darius's cold-blooded killing of those three men from my mind.

"What else? Thankfully, I only got a sermon. Larco is different when he gets angry, he becomes violent! That's his thing, so all the people here on the island are afraid of him,"Arel responded.

His words left me puzzled. "What do you mean? Is there actually a condition like that?"

Arel nodded slowly. "When Larco gets stressed and angry, I've noticed his violent tendencies, so I suspect he might have a condition known as..." He hesitated, trailing off.

I was taken aback by his words. The memory of Larco's intense anger and his forceful slap across my face when I had just arrived on the island flashed vividly in my mind. His anger was evident in his eyes.

"So, you're saying Larco might be a psychopath?" I gasped, my hand involuntarily covering my mouth in shock. "Oh my gosh! He's incredibly dangerous!"

Arel shook his head at me. "No, it's not like that, what are you saying! But, just don't pry into it."

"But how did you come to the conclusion that it's a medical condition? Are you a doctor?”

Arel glared at me. "Why? Do I need to be a doctor to recognize that violent behavior when someone gets angry is a problem?" He replied with irritation.

I furrowed my brow and decided not to press the matter further.

Once we finished preparing the vegetables, Arel skillfully cooked the dishes while I observed him, while contemplating his earlier words.

When the food was ready, I helped set the table for the remaining island workers.

"Take a seat and eat; I'll call them," Arel instructed, patting me on the shoulder.

"I'll eat a bit later, once everyone else is done. I'm still quite full," I lied. In truth, I was hungry, but I was uncomfortable about joining the group because of my skimpy outfit and the uncomfortable stares from some of them.

I decided to just leave the mansion.

The sun was sinking lower, casting long shadows across the island as evening approached. I strolled along the beach, hoping the tranquil surroundings would help clear my mind. Lost in my thoughts, I hadn't realized I had walked to the edge of the island where the forest began. A sudden sense of unease gripped me, causing me to halt – not because I was at the edge, but because I noticed what seemed like shadows of people behind me.

I turned around abruptly.

Before me stood two men, one of them was the pervert who slapped my behind yesterday.

Fear surged through me. "W-Why?" I stammered, my voice quivering. My intuition told me something was very wrong.

Despite the fading light and dim surroundings, the sinister grins on the men's faces were unmistakable as they exchanged knowing glances and nodded at each other.

Instinctively, I took a step back, but one of the men closed the distance rapidly, his fingers wrapping around both my arms while his other hand covered my mouth.

"Go ahead, hold her. I'll go first, and then it's your turn!" the perverted man said with a lecherous grin.

I struggled with all my might, attempting to break free from his grip, but no matter how hard I fought, his hold remained unyielding.

"We're in for a treat, my friend! You were right, she's still so fresh and young!" the man holding me said. Their disturbing laughter sent chills down my spine.

"I told you, she's definitely still warm and ready since she's so young!" the pervert chimed in, his leering grin fixed on me as he began undoing his belt.

I trembled in fear. I fought and writhed, desperately attempting to break free from the man's vice-like grip, but my struggles were in vain.

"The scent, man, she smells just like a baby! It's making me even more excited, damn!" The man sniffed my neck and licked it, making me sob in horror.

One of the men had already begun removing his pants. Just as he was about to lower his underwear, a barrage of gunshots erupted, piercing the air where I stood. The man clutching me released his grip, and a cry of pain echoed through the air.

Trembling, I forced my eyes open. To my astonishment, the man who had held me moments ago was now on his knees before me, writhing in agony and tears after being shot in the foot.

"Go back inside the mansion. The boss has just arrived, and he might be looking for you," a voice commanded. It was Henry, who had appeared on the scene and fired the shots.

Despite the dimness as evening approached, I could clearly see Henry's serious expression as he lowered the gun.

I was too stunned to respond, but I managed a nod.

I sprinted back to the mansion, my breath ragged as I entered.

As soon as I entered the door, I was met by a group of men, some just coming out of the kitchen while others were carrying large wooden boxes and taking them into a room.

Anxious, I made my way toward Darius's room. Just as I reached for the doorknob, someone grabbed my arm, and I let out a gasp of surprise.

"Where have you been?" Larco's grave expression met me, his brows furrowing when he saw my tear-streaked face. "What happened to your eyes?"

I averted my gaze, trying to free my arm from his grip.

"L-Let go, I'm going inside the room," I stammered, my voice quivering with fear.

But Larco only tightened his grip on my arm even more.

"If I ask you something, you better give me a straight answer!" He tilted my chin upward, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Tell me why you were crying! If you don't tell me, I'll take you straight back to the basement!"

I winced as his grip intensified. I could no longer suppress my sobs.

"B-Because your two men, they are trying to rape me!" I answered loudly, tears streaming down my face.

Upon hearing my response, Larco's serious expression transformed into a fierce and angry look, and he immediately let go of my chin.

I gasped as he suddenly yanked my arm.

"W-Wait, where are you taking me?" I stammered, tears blurring my vision. Dread filled me.

What if he brings me back to his men and they harm me!

I fought against his hold, my attempts to break free proving futile as he tightened his grip even further.

We reached the group of men, and Larco finally halted, though he still didn't release me from his grasp.

"Tell me who among them! Point them out to me!" He demanded, his tone laced with a dangerous edge.

All his men stopped what they were doing and looked at us, with some of them showing fear on their faces.

"T-They're not here, they're outside," I quivered, my voice trembling in response.

Upon hearing my response, Larco tugged on my arm, guiding me out of the mansion.

But just as we stepped outside, we were met by Henry, who was about to enter, causing both Larco and me to halt.

"I already put them in the cell boss," Henry said, briefly glancing at me.

"Bring them out now and bring them here!" Larco quickly replied with emphasis.

Henry nodded and quickly left. Larco and I were left standing at the entrance.

"W-What are you planning?" I asked, feeling anxious. I knew he was referring to those perverted men. But why did he send Henry to bring them out?

Larco looked at me, pausing for a moment before a chilling grin spread across his face. He drew nearer.

"I want to show you how I punish those who deserve it, Miss Gabriel."

I swallowed hard, trembling in fear at his words.

"P-Please, have mercy on me! Don't let them harm me! Please, I beg you!" I pleaded tearfully, looking up at his face. I didn't care if his men were watching me; I was desperate.

Larco stared at me, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of emotion in his eyes. It seemed like he softened momentarily, but it quickly disappeared, replaced by a chilling grin.

"And why would I do such a thing?" he asked, lightly caressing my face. "Fragile..." he whispered, using his thumb to gently wipe away the tears that flowed down my cheeks. "When a fragile object is broken, it becomes dangerous as it may cause harm."

I couldn't fully comprehend what he meant, but I was terrified. So terrified. I had no allies on this island, and I knew that even if they tortured me here, no one would come to my rescue.

"Darius is not here, and he might not return until tomorrow. Go to my room, take a bath, and don't go outside. You're mine tonight. Is that clear?" Larco said once again.

Caught in my distress, I vigorously nodded in response.

Without waiting for Henry's return, I hastened away, my steps quickened by fear. My body trembled as I moved. Instead of heading to Larco's room, I chose to stay in Darius's room.

Upon entering the room, a sense of relief washed over me. Swiftly, I secured the door's lock and proceeded to the bathroom for a shower. I still felt disgusted by the touch of that perverted man on my neck.