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"You little, pathetic bitch! How could you fail?"

Simmons roared, pacing around our family's large living room. He struck a vase off of one of our shelves, sending it flying across the room. I clenched my eyes shut as it shattered against the floor. I couldn't even bear to look at him; his eyes were bloodshot, he had a large vein jutting from the side of his neck and his forehead, his skin was turning an unpleasant shade of pink. I had seen Simmons angry plenty of times, but never to this extent. He took some of our rare china and smashed it on the floor in a fit of rage. He was like a toddler throwing a tantrum, it would be embarrassing to watch if it wasn't so scary.

My parents watched helplessly from the sidelines, their arms crossed in front of them, their heads bowed in shame as if they were trying to ignore the entire scene erupting before them. Simmons screaming wasn't even the worst of it; this man was a fan of torture and mutilation to those who "fail" him. My real punishment was yet to be sentenced. I kept my eyes downcast at my feet, watching his shadow lurk around the room. Simmons then stormed up to me; I flinched as I felt his presence close in. His hand grabbed my cheeks, squeezing hard as his fingers dug deep into my skin. He jerked my head up, still gripping my face. He was absolutely livid, and I was beyond petrified. He had the look of absolute bloodlust in his eyes.

"The cross was right there, and you lost it," he growled, his face inches from mine. "No excuses, you had a mission and you failed." He stepped back, releasing his grip on my face. He started to unbuckle his belt. "Turn around and get on your knees."

My heart leapt fearfully to my throat. My parents' gaze's shot up then, they appeared absolutely mortified. Would Simmons really humiliate me that way in front of my family? I reluctantly obeyed, turning around slowly and squatting down to my knees. I held my breath, listening to the sound of his leather belt snap in his hands.

"Lift up your shirt," he ordered, taking a bold step forward.

I now realized what he was going to do, but this alternative offered me no comfort. I lifted up my shirt from behind, exposing the bare skin on my back. Without hesitation he pulled his hand back and brought the belt down hard. The crack as it hit my skin echoed through the house. I let out a grunt of pain, my eyes instantly prickled with tears. He brought his belt down again, harder and faster. The buckle struck my skin this time; I could feel warm blood starting to pool and drain. I sucked in desperately for air, my hands now trying unsuccessfully to grip the floor.

"You failed! You had the cross, and you let it get away! Do you have any idea what that was worth, you bitch?" He shouted, bringing down his belt again, and again, and again.

I cried out in pain, feeling the flesh on my back practically screaming for relief. I had no idea how many times he had struck me, but I knew this punishment was far from over. Simmons is a sadistic man, he didn't stop until he was certain whoever "wronged" him would never do it again. Even with the excruciating pain, I felt angry. My father was the one who ended up owing this sick man, and now I was paying for it. He stuck me again, this time hard enough to make my vision go black for a moment. Spittle drooled from my mouth as I flopped down to the floor. I heard Simmons draw out a heavy sigh, like he was the one breaking a sweat. His boots stomped around me, circling me like I was easy prey. I panted heavily, my eyes blurred with tears, and my back radiating with pain.

Simmons kneeled before me. He shot out his hand and grabbed a fistful of my hair and forced me upward. "You're lucky that I'm in a good mood today," he cooed cynically, "I am going to give you a chance to redeem yourself." I waited for him to continue on, biting my lip hard enough to nearly pierce my skin. "My contacts have tracked down the whereabouts of the cross, not that the cross has any use now. It has already been used by Sullivan." He let go of my hair and straightened up. "The cross of St. Dismas was the key to unlocking something unfathomable to an insect like you. In Scotland there's a cathedral by the name of St. Dismas Cathedral; that location has the secret to discovering the biggest treasure of all time."

It was almost amazing how quickly Simmons' mood changed. He was now walking casually around the room, his temper from before was completely gone. I tried to sit up but my back throbbed in pain. On the bright side I wouldn't ever have to wear a backless dress again after the scars I'm sure this was going to give me.

"Tail Sullivan and his team, and Rafe Adler as well. Find out all the information you need to find out where the treasure is hidden. Contact your father when you find it, I'll take care of rest."

Without knowing what came over me I opened my mouth. "What treasure is it?"

Simmons paused, almost surprised that I even had the gall to speak after the beating me just gave me. A sinister smile spread on this face, one that made my blood run cold.

"Henry Avery's of course."

I pulled my jacket tightly over my body, trying to get warm as the icy wind cut through me. Just moving my arms caused my back to throb in pain. My mother did everything she could to patch me up, but the damage was already done. It hurt so bad just to put clothes on, but Scotland was freezing this time of year so I didn't have a choice. I hiked for miles, feeling my feet start to protest from the constant friction on my heels. Finding the cathedral was easy enough; just follow the sound of dynamite going off. I was told that Nadine's way of doing expeditions was blowing everything to smithereens. I shook my head at that, that woman was careless, did she have no idea of the history that she was reducing to rubble.

I made my way to a graveyard covered in tombstones with all kinds of different pirate emblems. I couldn't stand the pain in my feet and my back any more, so I sat down on one of the tombs, resting my fatigued body for a moment. I stared down at my hands, feeling weak and unconfident. How was I going to sneak my way past Shoreline, and whoever else was working with Sullivan? There were separate parties working against each other, and throwing me into the mix just made everything clash more.

Masculine voices were carried in the wind, shaking me from my lethargic state. I sprung up, whirling my head around to find a tombstone big enough to hide behind. I lowered myself to the ground, letting out a groan as my clothes rubbed against my back and irritated the wounds. I wasn't sure how much more of this I could keep up. I had only just gotten to Scotland this morning and I was already feeling winded.

"Here's some Scripture for you – 'Be sure your sin will find you out.'"

I paused. I was certain that I knew that voice, it just sounded so familiar. I was afraid to move without being spotted to get a better look.

"Nope, bad dates."

Another familiar voice, who was out here?

"Yeah well, the swords are a match."

I could hear shoes crunching in snow and grass walk past me. I placed my hand over my mouth to muffle the sound of my breathing. Whoever was out here was interested in swords and tombs. If they were after Avery's treasure, what are they doing so far away from the cathedral?

"Sam, c'mere," one of the voices called.

Sam? No, it couldn't be-

"What, did you find it?"

I had to take a look now to see if I was hearing correctly. I crawled slowly out from behind the tomb to see Sam and Nate standing in front of a large tomb with a skull in the middle. I didn't think I would find those two again, but whatever they were doing out here, it looked like they were beating Rafe's men to the punch. I watched them study the skull, muttering back and forth to each other. Nate then turned the skull to face left. All of the sudden the sound of gears started cranking, and the ground beneath us began to rumble. From behind the tomb stairs opened up, leading down under the Earth. I watched them, amazed as they quickly made their way down the stairs and out of sight.

I finally came out hiding, taking my phone out of my jacket pocket. If Simmons wanted progress, that's what he was going to get. I got off easy with the lashing on my back, if I fail him again he's probably going to cut off my hand or cut out one of my eyes. Just thinking those dark thoughts made bile rush to my throat. I swallowed it down and readied my phone to take a picture. I zoomed in on the tomb, showing the details of the skull, the name Benjamin Bridgeman, and the dates: 1659-1699. I took a separate picture of the stairs leading down to an unknown pathway. I sent the messages to my father, waiting to see what he'd say, or give me an update on Simmons' attitude.

Father: Looks like you found something

Me: Not me

Two men I met at the Rossi Estate, they were working with Sullivan

Father: Follow them don't lose the trail now

Simmons wants to start seeing results

I don't want him to hurt you again

Me: Show him the pictures

I brushed off my father's words; trying not to think about more ways Simmons could torture me for his sick pleasure. I headed down the stairs, hoping I didn't fall too far behind Nate and Sam. I followed the path, noticing that whatever was under this cemetery looked like catacombs. It was unbelievably dusty under here, and had a musty smell from being closed up for ages.

I felt as if I was wandering through elegantly carved archways and statues for a while, until I started hearing their voices again. I slowed my pace, hoping to catch them in the middle of a discovery. I didn't get my hopes too high thinking it was the treasure. That would be way too easy. I walked through a door and saw the guys standing in front of three statues depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. They were analyzing it thoroughly. I went to hide behind a pillar, trying to be sneaky – something that isn't my strong suit. I ended up accidently kicking a piece of stone on the ground, sending it sliding across the floor.

Sam whipped his pistol out and spun toward the pillar, where I was hiding behind. Dammit, I had startled them and gave away my position again.

"Who's there?" Sam demanded.

I hesitantly walked out from behind the pillar, my hands raised above my head. I saw his face light up with recognition as he lowered the gun. Nate did the same, his eyes growing wide as my face began to register.

"Well I'll be damned," Sam stated almost breathlessly, "it's you, the pretty girl from the auction."

Pretty? I looked awful. My hair was a mess, my eyes had horrible dark circles from lack of sleep; my cheeks were red from the cold weather outside. I felt suspicious if he was just trying to butter me up to get my guard down.

"How did you find us?" Nate asked, bewildered. "You know that we don't have the cross anymore, right? It contained a clue leading us here, that was its only value."

"I know," I replied, "this isn't about the cross now."

Sam put his gun away. "Then what is it about now? Did you miss us that bad?"

I smirked. "Cute," I droned sarcastically. "You don't have to play dumb, I know about Henry Avery's treasure."

Nate shot Sam a glance, now worried as if Avery's treasure was a secret just between them. I lowered my hands, wishing I had been more suave when I entered this place.

Nate shook his head, drawing a heavy sigh. "We're already competing against Rafe, we can't afford to have someone else trying to take it from us. This treasure means more than you think."

"I'm not interested in the treasure, myself. I'm just gathering information on its whereabouts for someone else," I explained. "Trust me, I wouldn't be here if I didn't have to be. You two saved my life back in Italy, I don't want to cause you any more trouble."

"That doesn't change anything, I'm sorry."

I was at my wits end with how many obstacles I've run into since the Rossi Estate. Tears of frustration welled in my eyes as I slowly felt myself losing control again. Just the thought of going back home empty-handed to Simmons made me feel like I'd be physically ill.

"Are you expecting me to beg?" I exclaimed, shrilly.

"I'm sorry, but my brother's life is at risk if we don't find that treasure."

"My life is at risk, too!" I paused a minute to wipe my eyes, sniffling and cursing myself for getting so emotional. "I don't need all the treasure, I just need to know where it is. Maybe my boss doesn't want it all. I know Rafe well, maybe I can help you with him."

"What do you mean?" Sam asked.

"Maybe I can distract him or throw him off the trail for you guys. I know neither of you know me, and what I'm asking is a lot, but please… I…" I placed my hand on my shoulder, feeling the pain from the welts on my back radiating. "I'm desperate here…"

Sam gave Nate a look and a shrug, and Nate pinched the bridge of his nose in thought. I waited, feeling vulnerable from crying and acting like a whining fool in front of two (nearly) complete strangers.

"Okay, okay, fine-"

I ran over and hugged Nate without thinking. The truth was I was beyond grateful, and this decision was actually saving my life. I hugged Sam too, who seemed a little taken aback from the sudden embrace. He placed his hands on my shoulders awkwardly. These men kept saving my life, I wasn't sure how I could ever repay them. This wasn't exactly how Simmons wanted me to go about finding the treasure, but this was my best option now.

"I'm going to snoop around and see if I can find Rafe, or run into Shoreline." I started to head back through the catacombs.

"Wait – Nadine's army is pretty ruthless, you sure you'll be okay?" Sam called after me.

The corners of my lips tugged into a ghost of a smile. "Trust me, we're old acquaintances. I'll give them a reason to hold their fire. Just see what you two can dig up on Avery."

I continued on. The brothers thought I was out of earshot, but I heard them talking to each other as I left.

"Hell of a woman, huh?"

"Sam, will you focus on what we're doing please?"

I couldn't help but smile.

"Keep moving!" The Shoreline soldier's thick accent demanded into my ear. He gripped my bicep uncomfortably, forcing me through a secret way in the catacombs. I tried my best to appear like I was afraid, but to be honest I felt really giddy. For the first time things were going my way.

"Wait here-" He ordered, leaving me outside of a door. I could hear Nadine and Rafe talking inside, it sounded like they were having a "mild" disagreement. The soldier interrupted them, they talked for a moment, and then next thing I knew the soldier was escorting me into the room.

Nadine's eyes narrowed on me in recognition. Rafe's eyebrows raised in surprise seeing me in an underground catacomb in Scotland of all places.

"Leave us alone for a minute," Rafe told Nadine. Nadine gave me a scowl, ramming her shoulder into mine as she left. Well, she definitely still hates me.

"Hi, Rafe."