A Game of Secrets

A Game of Secrets By S.L Wisdom and S.J Noble Copyright Statement Copyright © 2023 by S.L Wisdom (Sophie Salter) and S.J Noble (Sarah-Jayne Waldron). All rights reserved. The right of S.L Wisdom and S.J Noble to be identified as the Authors of the Work has been asserted by them in accordance with The Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which is it published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser, without the express written permission of both authors, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review This is a work of fiction. The events described in this book are fictitious; any similarities to actual events and persons, dead or alive, are entirely coincidental. Paperback ISBN: 9798393111205 eBook ASIN: B0C34SWQGN Cover design by Francessca Wingfield Editing by Ria Hockey at Moon and Bloom Editing “Tell me every terrible thing you ever did, and let me love you anyway.” Edgar Allan Poe Trigger Warnings This is a comprehensive list of contents warnings that may have an effect on you when reading this book. Please continue at your own discretion. Murder Torture Knife play Child Abuse Kidnapping Domestic Abuse Rape Non Con Battery Death MMMF This book is intended for readers 18+. Enjoy. Prologue Sila s 18 years earlier “Son!” I hear my father shout as I finish my dinner. I know he wants me for another training session, his hold over me is the only reason I listen and obey his commands. Every day he threatens my baby brother, I know his threats are not to be taken lightly. Last time I goaded him, he showed me the depth of his cruelty by harming my mother. I knew that day I'd never lay a hand on a woman like he did. I leave my room and address him, if I don't do even this correctly I'll feel his wrath. “Yes Father, what do you need?” I ask in an even tone. My father replies sharply, “It's time you learned how it feels to take another's life. It will make you a man and it will ensure our legacy survives.” I nod, not quite sure how to reply but knowing that refusal isn’t an option. “Follow me, Son.” I follow him down to the training room, it’s soundproofed for our privacy, or so he said. I know better though, it’s soundproofed so he can keep his depravity a secret, whether the focus of his depravity is deserved or not. I struggle to contain my visceral reaction to the room. I turn to one of the tables, pretending to look at the macabre array of tools on display, when in fact, I’m trying not to lose my breakfast. The memories of all the ways to kill a man play like a cinema reel in my mind. From peeling flesh to gouging eyeballs from their sockets. He has shown me how to keep a man alive at the same time as bringing him close to death both mentally and physically. The first time he brought me here, I vomited. He slapped me so hard I fell in it and he made me watch from my puddle on the floor. Everytime I heaved or made a whimper he slapped again, harder than before. I quickly learnt how to stay silent in a room that was made to contain screams. Once I get my reactions under control, I turn and try not to flinch as he barks, “Sit, Son.” I move to sit in the chair that I always sit in, the one beside him, “No Son, you are going to sit in the executioner seat today, as you will be the one to seal the fate of this traitor.” I’ve avoided looking at whoever has the misfortune of being in the room with us today, my gaze glued to the floor. Slowly, bringing my eyes up to see a man, beaten and tied to a chair. I also see my fathers capo; Theo Rossi. The look in his eyes is predatory, he’s as eager to watch me kill this traitor as my father. Standing behind Theo is my best friend, Lincoln ‘Linc’ Rossi, my brother in all but blood and Theo’s son. I hate Theo like I hate my father. What man would willingly put his child through this? But here we are and there is nothing we can do to change our fate now. I realize that’s why Linc is here, if I don't do this he'll pay the price. My father will use him to make me regret not following orders. My father sees my sudden realization and smirks as he says, “Now boy, you need to begin as I'm sure you have figured out the price you and the Rossi’s will pay if you don't.” “Who is he?” I ask, needing to know that this man is someone deserving of this torture rather than an innocent man who has been caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. “Who he is won’t change his fate, boy! Are you questioning me? Shall we see how your friend feels about it?” my father says with malice in his eyes. I look at my friend, he nods, giving me the support I need, silently telling me that when it's done, he'll be there to avenge what they have made us do. With that last thought of justice, I feel a change come over me. The weak stomached little boy who walked in here has gone. I straighten my back, lock my humanity away and turn to our traitor, the lamb that is the sacrifice in this inhuman ritual. In this man’s death, I will be reborn. I read about this torture technique, it comes