Prologue

“If you go in there, you might never come out alive.”

She wished she’d listened, because the moment she met with the devil himself— Axel Salvatore Rossi.

Everything changed…

It wasn’t just a nightclub like she had expected. It was something more— dark, a bit dull and filled with nasty old men who were eager to stick their fingers and cocks inside the half naked girls dancing on the poles.

Olivia felt the urge to throw up. Her eyes glanced around the whole place, wondering how her sister had managed to work in a place like this. The strong smell of alcohol and cigarettes whipped her nostrils as her legs carried her through the unfamiliar environment.

“Who’s she?” She halted immediately when she heard the question. Her eyes went directly to the man who had asked, not her, but the person who was taking her to see him— the man who her sister worked for.

“Isabella’s sister.” The kind stranger who was helping her responded, “She wants to meet Sir. Ace.”

She watched him stare at her with his left eye, the only one he had left. Olivia clutched her little bag tightly, feeling the heat his stare sent through her body.

“She can’t meet him.” Her shoulders slumped. She needed to, her mother’s life depended on it, “You know well enough than to bring her here.”

“She knows what to expect.” The man helping her retorted, his voice convincing, “I’ve told her everything and she’s ready to take the risk.”

Olivia swallowed. The way they kept talking about “this man” was a bit scary to her. Who was he? And why did he command so much respect and attention? And the fear? Wasn’t he human just like the rest of them?

“I’ll need to inform him.” The one-eyed man finally accepted, lowering his voice a bit, “He’s having a meeting that can’t be interrupted. You know how it is.”

The other man nodded, turning around to give Olivia a glance as the one-eyed man turned back to leave. Beads of sweat broke on her forehead and tension took over her whole body.

If she hadn’t gone this far, she’d already be out of there and back on the streets to her hometown. But, her mother… she was doing all these just to save her.

And her sister, Isabella. Since she left to find greener pasture six years ago, neither of them had heard from her until the last year. She had sent them a letter, and the address written on it was the nightclub Olivia stood now, waiting to be reunited again…

“You can go in now,” she didn’t know when he reappeared, ushering them into a darker, secluded area, “The boss is waiting.”

She gave a little nod, her hands suddenly shaky. Her legs followed the lead of the man in front of her, while training her mind to prepare for the worst.

But, the moment they walked in… it was the exact opposite of what she’d expected.

Three men sat around a table. And two others stood behind them, wearing dark sunglasses and suits. Thick smoke filled the air and the strong smell of drugs hit her nostrils, making her feel suffocated.

It felt like this part of the club was for VIP’s only, because everything appeared different and more exquisite than the other places she’d passed.

“Grant...” A husky voice called before they could settle in fully, “Who’s she?” Olivia had lost count of how many times she’d heard that question since she got there. But this time felt different. It was the voice… the man…

She raised her head, pushing her gaze through the men who stared at her and only fixing it on the only one who caught her attention.

He had dark hair, piercing green eyes that bore through hers, and a sharp nose. Olivia allowed her eyes wander further to his lips— full and tempting. And that strong jawline. It had to be him, the one and only Axel Salvatore Rossi. The man her sister had warned her about in her letter…

“What’s your name, Kitty?”

His voice was deep, possessive yet calculating. A tug from the man who had helped her made her realize that she was the one he was referring to.

“M…Me?”

He arched his eyebrows at her, and she notice the scar above the right one.

“Tell him your name.” The man whispered, his head slightly bowed and hands firmly placed in front of his torso.

She swallowed, retrieving her gaze to place somewhere else, “I’m— I’m Olivia… Olivia Flynn.”

He didn’t say anything. Neither of them did. The only thing that was done in the next few minutes of silence was the puffing of smoke into the already filled air.

“Olivia…” he repeated, allowing the name sink in as he pushed his body forward in his seat. “So, you’re Isabella’s sister.”

She nodded, oblivious of what her reply was about to throw her into. It didn’t sound like a question. It was a confirmation.

His eyes stared at her, taking in every single detail. Her clothes were rumpled and faded, but her body made them look good. Her hair was supposed to be wrapped in a bun— but it was already messy. He saw a resemblance with his ex worker, and he knew she was telling the truth. Maybe part of it.

“What do you think?” He asked the man next to him, whose eyes and thoughts were already feeding on her, “Should I keep her, Viper?”

Viper ran his tongue over his lips, unable to keep his lustful thoughts away. “Those tits are perfect.” He gave out hungrily, “If you don’t want her, then I’ll have her.”

Olivia took a step backwards. She didn’t know what they were insinuating, but she knew darn well that they were making lustful gestures and remarks about her body.

“I only came here to find my sister.” she whispered, her eyes giving away the fear she felt, “Please, I was told she’s here and I just—‘’

“—You’ll be fine, Kitty.” his voice was scary when he interrupted, and she saw him narrow his eyes at her and snap his fingers in the air.

Danger! Her mind screamed at her. Olivia tried to bolt away, but was caught from behind. It was the same man who had helped her, he was the person who was holding her down firmly. 

And that was when she knew… her sister wasn’t bluffing in her letter when she warned her not to look for her. Isabella had warned her that the world she found herself in was dangerous and untrustworthy. And she hadn’t understood anything until now…

“Let go of me,” she cried, her bag slipping down her hands and dropping to the floor, “You said you’ll help me find my sister.”

Axel’s eyes narrowed. He had waited for this moment. And just when he hadn’t tried searching, she walked right into his trap… what an easy catch.

“Grant.” his voice deepened when he called out, “You know what to do. Take her.”

“Nooo.” She shuddered, her whole body fighting with resistance. But he was too strong. Olivia kicked and scratched, but not a single effort was helpful.

Her eyes caught sight of one of the men walking towards her. His hands raised his jacket slightly and she saw a gun safely tucked in his pants. It was a warning. She knew.

“Please, let me go.” She pleaded, her tears already flowing down her cheeks, “I just… I just want my sister.”

Axel turned his eyes away, his fists clenching. He tried to steady himself, puffing smoke from his pipe and turning to Viper to continue their conversation.

Olivia felt a needle go into her skin, sharp and piercing. She screamed, but it was useless. Slowly, her body began to give in. Her eyes started closing and the next thing she saw was darkness enveloping her.

“I warned you, Liv. I warned you not to find me.” She heard her sister’s voice speaking, but it was already too late.

The devil got her now. 

And she was never going to escape him.