He smiles. It’s slow, calculating.
"Whatever it is," he murmurs, "if they find out, you know the rules of the famiglia." His eyes darken, his voice almost a whisper. "You. Are. Dead." A shudder of fear runs through me. I flinch. Because I know he’s telling the truth. The moment he takes me back, I am dead. Nobody will save me. I can’t leave Leon. I won’t leave Leon. He needs me. He sees the fear in my eyes. And he likes it. "So you better just tell me why," he says, his voice quieter. "Why did you run away, Ariella?" He leans in slightly, watching me. "Were you scared I was going to hurt you?" His voice is almost teasing, taunting. "Was it fear—after breaking my trust—that made you run away?" I am desperate for a way out. I can see that he wants me to say yes. He wants me to admit I was scared of him. So I do. I nod. Trembling. Avoiding his eyes. He smirks. "Good." He tilts my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. "I like your fear." He says licking his lip. Then, he moves. His hands drop. His fingers find his belt. The sharp click of the buckle echoes. Then his zipper. And suddenly—He's taking himself out. His dick is right there in my face. It is hot and angry. Its veins are bulging right there in my face. I don't know what to do. I'm frozen in place. What does he expect me to do? He then starts brushing my hair with his fingers. As he says, "Be a good girl and open up." " Why are you doing this to me?" I ask him, my voice low as I realize what is happening here. "Why don't you give it a little lick and see how it tastes? I remember how much you loved sucking me off. I mean, what are your options, really?" He's saying this as he keeps on brushing my hair softly, tenderly, as if he actually cares about me. But I know that's bullshit. "I'm giving you a choice. Do you want to go back like a traitor or are you going to go back as my whore? You can only have one." I cannot believe this. I just kneel there wondering what I have to do. All of those options sound like eating cement. None of those appeal to me. "So, what is it going to be?" He asks I can't believe we're having this conversation with his dick out and me on my knees. "If I do this, you let me go? It's already humiliating enough that I have to do this. But if I do this, give me your word that you're going to let me go. Just go back to your life and forget about me." He toots. "I don't know about that, but let's see how talented you are at this. If you can get me to come in your mouth, then I'll honour your deal." "Open up," he commands, his dick inches from my face. His "ick is already leaking pre-cum. He moves closer, "Take your tongue out." He orders. I obey, extending my tongue. He begins to fist himself, then uses his hand to smear the pre-cum onto my tongue. "Swallow," he orders. I swallow. "Open up," he repeats. I open my mouth. "Suck the head, just like that...," he instructs. I take him in, just the tip, then more, and more, each time deeper. Both his hands grip my hair, pulling, anchoring him. I look up at him, trapped, forced to watch him. His breath comes in ragged gasps through his nose. There is no gentleness in his eyes, no trace of affection. Only raw lust and rage, swirling together. Before I can react, he thrusts fully into my mouth. It feels like hours have passed. My mouth aches, and my jaw feels locked. He drew it out, savouring every moment. Each time he neared his climax, he pulled back, teasing, prolonging. I didn't know how to process the experience or the unsettling sensations it had stirred within me – feelings I desperately tried to ignore. Now was not the time. Right here, right now, I was literally fighting for my life, for my freedom, and Leon's. That was my sole focus. I didn't even notice he was done with me, because he kept prolonging his orgasm. When he withdrew out, I used this time to try and release my locked jaws. So, I was both shocked and surprised when he released his cum all over my face, my hair. That was a lot of cum. It was in my hair, it was dripping down my face. I was too shocked to do anything but feel his release all over my eyes, my lids, my mouth. I couldn't even open my eyes. I wasn't expecting this, I just kept kneeling there, shocked, with my eyes closed, as his release dripped from my face. After a bit of silence, I started hearing the closing of the zippers, and I knew that he was putting himself back together. Eagerly, I asked, " So, are we done now? Are you going to leave me alone?" The answer I got was a low chuckle as he said, "Not even close. I am never letting you go, Ariella, ever." I felt my anger rising, "What do you mean? You promised me, you told me if I get you, to come, that you were going to let me go. You said you'd never go back on your word." I accused, frustrated. He laughed again as he said, " You should really pay attention, Ariella. I didn't say if I come, I said if I come inside your mouth, I would let you go. And as we both witnessed, I didn't come inside your mouth. So no, I'm not letting you go." his voice a low, predatory. "I... you... You tricked me." He laughed again, a sound that sent shivers down my spine. "You should have hung onto my dick in your mouth a few minutes ago. If you had, you would be as free as a bird right now." Something snapped inside me. The fear, the humiliation, the injustice of his words... "Fuck you, Asher!" I spat, He chuckled a dark, amused sound. "I'll be enjoying doing that to you every day, in every way." I felt the tears welling up, a fresh wave of despair swallowing me. My face was already streaked with the remnants of his cum. I was a broken mess. Then, his voice, devoid of any emotion, cut through my despair. "So, here's what you're going to do. Listen very carefully, Ariella." He paused, the silence stretching with unspoken threats. "I'm going to give you two hours. In these two hours, I want you to quit your job. And then I want you to go back to your crappy little apartment and pack a bag. Take only the essentials. If something looks like crap, leave it...A man will come to your apartment to pick you up and bring you to the airport. See you in two hours." "No, wait!" I cried, frantically wiping the stickiness from my face with my clothes and arms, desperate to see him clearly. "I'm not going back home. I can't go back there," I said, shaking my head violently. I was terrified. He smiled, a slow, predatory curve of his lips, as he stepped towards me. "Do not worry, Ariella. I'm not taking you back to mommy and daddy. I'm going to give you one of my apartments, and you're going to stay there and be my little beautiful little toy." He smiles patting my wet head, "I'm going to give you everything you ever wanted. Jewellery, money, clothes, anything you ever want. And in exchange, you'll stop using your head, you'll stop using your strength. All I want you to do is look pretty and let me fuck you in any and every way." The offer, presented as a gift, was a gilded cage. He wanted to break me and leave me with a hollow, manufactured existence. "That's not what I want!" I shouted. "I already told you, you have two choices—to die or to have a luxurious life where you pay for your sins. Which one is it going to be?" I didn't give him an answer. I didn’t have one. He smiled, a winning smile, as he started walking away. His hand was already on the doorknob when I realized—he didn't know of the most important detail. "Wait!" My voice was shaky, desperate. "I have somebody who depends on me. I can't leave them." He turned back, his gaze sharp and questioning. "What?" He scoffed. "A boyfriend? What are you going to say next? That you're married?" He laughed mockingly as if the thought of me having a boyfriend or a husband was ridiculous. "No," I said, biting my remark. "Then who is it?" His voice snapped, filled with impatience as if I were wasting his time. I stammered. I didn’t want to say it. I didn’t want to tell him. But I knew—I knew he was going to take me, kicking and screaming if I didn't. There was no way out of this. "What?" He snapped. "And don’t you dare try to run away? From now on, you’re being watched. If you try to run, you’ll pay for it. So don’t even think about it. I’m not losing you twice." I swallowed hard. And before I could stop myself before I could rethink..... "I have a son."I was crouched there, in front of everyone, like I was breaking my own son’s heart right in front of the people I was told to stay away from.I knew everyone was watching.Alan. Dana. Even Rosie, quietly holding her uncle’s hand, was watching her best friend cry. But I didn’t know what to do. I was doing this for him.Because Luca was clear, no Alan, no Dana, no close proximity to any man. And I was already standing here with both of them. This was already not a place I was supposed to be.“I’m sorry, buddy,” I whispered, forcing the words out. “It’s just better this way.”Better if he cries now… than if I have to tear his whole world apart later.“We have to go,” I said, reaching for his hand.But before I could take him, Maria caught my arm.“It’s fine,” she said gently. “I’ll take him.”I blinked, startled.“You will?” My voice cracked.Maria gave me a soft smile. “Yes. It’s not a problem. I’ll take him, I’ll take good care of him, and I’ll bring him back in one piece. If you’re o
I lifted my gaze.“And I’m sorry,” I said.Dana’s eyes were full of disbelief. Hurt. Confusion.“I’m sorry,” I repeated, my voice breaking. “I’m sorry we can’t be friends. I’m sorry I said all those things. I’m sorry I have to walk away from you. I didn’t want this. I swear I didn’t.”I turned to leave. But then, she caught my hand.“Don’t go!” Dana called out, her voice catching. “What’s the hurry?”I didn’t stop walking. She hurried after me. “Listen, really...I’m telling you, we can help you. You don’t have to do this!”I stopped and turned to face her.“Look, Dana…” I began, and then I saw it.I saw it in her eyes. The pain. The confusion. The betrayal. She was hurt.And so was I. But I had to be strong. I had to think about Leon.“I know you’re a great friend,” I said softly. “You’re an amazing friend. I haven’t had a friend like you since...God, probably since I was a teenager. Since high school...”Dana didn’t speak. She just looked at me, eyes glassy.“I’m so glad I got to me
“I know, I know,” Dana said, waving her hand. “It’s no wonder he’s your ex-husband. What kind of an asshole, an idiot... I mean, how did you even get married to that tool?”I just stood there. No idea how to answer her. No words. No excuses. She took a deep breath and kept going, earnest and wide open.“I get it,” she said. “I really do. And I understand why you divorced him. The man is pure violence. That’s why I felt like you and I should talk. Because I’m ready to help you.”Dana looked me square in the eyes.“Whatever it is...whatever’s going on...you don’t have to stay in a violent home. You don’t have to let a man control you like that, okay? I heard those screams too Ariana...”She took my hand again. Held it tight.“You can come and live with me. Just until we figure something out. Alan wants to help you. I haven’t talked to him yet, but I know he wants to.”I stared at her. Her sincerity. Her kindness. Her complete misunderstanding. She didn’t know who Luca was. Not really. A
I couldn’t hold the look. I glanced away, fast. A hush slowly settled over the room as the teacher stepped forward to welcome everyone.I sat still, hands folded tightly in my lap, heart thudding against my chest, not because of Dana, or Alan, or even Maria’s concerned glances from beside me. But because my little boy was about to take the stage.The curtains parted and the first group of kids walked up, shyly waving at their parents. The room erupted in soft claps and quiet laughter. A few names were called out here and there, a mom or dad raising a phone a little higher to record every second.Then I saw him. Leon. He walked proudly onto the stage with Danny, holding their cardboard solar system model between them, glitter stars and foam planets dangling on strings, wobbling slightly with every step.My throat tightened. He was beaming. Absolutely beaming. The teacher introduced their group, and Leon, without an ounce of hesitation, stepped up to the microphone.“Our project is abou
That day had been bad.I didn’t feel like going downstairs. The weight of everything that happened...Luca, Asher, Alan my guilt, my silence, sat too heavily on my shoulders. And I guess Maria knew I wanted to be by myself, because Leon didn’t come up to bother me. Not even once.I stayed there, curled up in the room, until dinner time came. And I knew I had to go downstairs. Not for me. For my son. I didn’t want him to notice anything was wrong. I didn’t want him to sense that anything had changed. Because kids, they feel everything. Even when you smile.So I went downstairs. We had dinner together. We talked about his cartoons and what his action figures were arguing about that day. I laughed when I had to. Smiled when I didn’t want to. Because for him, I could fake sunshine.Later, I bathed him, tucked him into bed, and grabbed his favourite Toy Story book from the nightstand. It was routine. Familiar. Safe. I had barely read three pages when he said it....out of nowhere, with that
Lucas's tone sharpened.“I have people watching this house. Watching your every move..... And remember they’re not watching you because they have something against you,” he said, stepping closer. “They’re protecting you, Ariella. I want you to remember that. They are protecting you.”My chest burned with fury, but I said nothing.“And I will repeat again...your friendship with Dana? That’s over,” he spat. “Do not test me. No more games. You’ll be back in your cage before you can say Asher!”I flinched. I was still mad at Luca. I didn’t want to say yes. I didn’t want to give him that. I hated the fact that I had no power in my life, that he and Asher could just choose how I lived, who I saw, where I breathed, without my consent. Without even asking.Because I had no power I had to nod.He took in my reaction and said, “I’ll take that as an affirmation.”He turned toward the hallway again. “Let me go say goodbye to my little man, and I’ll be out of your way.”And then, just like that, L