Chapter 5

Lily's POV

I woke up with a pounding headache. My head felt like it had collided with concrete slabs repeatedly.

I groaned moving my hand to hold my head but it wouldn’t budge. I could feel restrains on my hands. My legs too. The hell was going on? I blinked my eyes open. Blurry. I could barely make out the white bulb hanging off from the ceiling. I blinked a bit more allowing my sight to slowly return to me. Once clear I looked down at myself. My hands and feet were tied firmly to the chair I sat on.

I yanked at the ropes but nothing. The more I struggled the more the ropes dug into my skin. I groaned at the burn.Where the hell was I?

“Wakey wakey princess. We’re having visitors soon.”

I looked up to see a built man standing by the door. His attention was on his phone for a moment before he pocketed it. Only a steel table and another cair separated us.

I clenched my eyes shut trying to recall how I’d gotten here. The last I remembered I was in my living room and Dad….

Dad. He’d sold me off like a piece of meat. I opened my eyes to gaze at the man in the room. I remembered hitting him then getting hit. My chest heaved. Today was such a shitty day. I bit down on my lip to suppress the tears that had begun to well up.

“Please,” I called his attention. “Just let me go.”

He chuckled, walking over.

“I’m afraid that’s not my call princess.”

“Who even are you?”

“Now what would you use my name for? Only friends of mine know that.” He took a seat.

“It’s not like I can do you much damage.”

He smiled. It was a simple lip smile. “Luca Russo, or the Bull. But that’s designated to people who aren’t so friendly with me.” Luca leaned forward. “I wonder where you fall.”

“Neither.” I breathed. “Your issue is with my dad isn’t it? I have nothing to do with this. Just…just let me go. Please.”

Luca sat back. “Guess your spunk left right after I knocked you out. Sad. It was fun to watch.”

He stood up turning his back to me.

“You can’t keep me here, you know?” Luca looked over his shoulder with a raised brow.

“Oh?”

“Someone will report me missing and have the police on you guys soon enough.” I bluffed. Even I didn’t believe that. I was as forgettable as waiting for paint to dry. I’m pretty sure my boss would be glad to finally get rid of me.

Luca had paused.

Did it actually work?

Then he laughed. It was a deep type of humour that I couldn’t even sorry for. We both knew I sounded ridiculous. Luca rested a hand on the chair to steady himself.

“Pet, nobody’s coming for you. Not your dad. No one.”

I hesitated at the mention of Dad. Could I defend him even now? Why would he call the police when he was the one who sold me off in the first place. God, life was shit. I bit down on my lips again. I wouldn’t cry. Not just yet.

“Who the hell are you guys anyways?” I asked instead.

Luca sat at the edge of the table facing me. The light ccasting an ominous look on his face

“We are the Moretti Family.”He said. His voice held a pride I couldn’t quite place.

I blinked.

“Who?”

Luca did a double take. “The Moretti Family?” he repeated. “You don’t know?”

“Never heard of.”

He scratched the side of his head adjusting his position on the table. I could see he was struggling with this new development. “The biggest mafia family in the city? Owner of the Moretti Enterprise?”

I shook my head in reply.

“Really?”

“I have a day job.” He scoffed. “Between bills and other--”

Luca stood on his feet. “I can’t believe this.”

“Besides, what does a mafia family want with me?” I asked. I needed as much information as I could on this sucker. But the actual question I couldn’t quite get off my mind was how on earth did Dad get tangled with the mafia.

“That’s not a question for me to answer.” He replied.

“Where's—”

The door opened, and in came the same devilishly handsome man that had sat in my living room. He had sharp, angular features and dark, piercing eyes which seemed to gaze into my soul.

His jet-black hair was slicked back roughly as if it had been put together in a hurry. His brow deepened and I could see the scar across his left eyebrow. I knew I was in a life and death situation but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit the scar made him hotter.

I shook my head. Bad timing. The man who had pointed his gun at me walked in behind him, followed by a woman with long dark hair swept across one shoulder. Her green eyes glazed over me briefly.

“How is she?” He asked Luca.

“She’s something else, the pet.”

“The kick in the balls wasn’t enough blood rushing? Did she warm up to you like your little poodles?” The wiry man teased.

“Shut the fuck up before I make YOUR blood rush.”

I caught the woman rolling her eyes. We met eyes, I danced mine away. Their boss raised a hand to silence the bickering. He took a seat in the chair opposite me. His grey eyes searing into me once again.

“I'm sure you know why—” He started.

“Who are you?” I interrupted.

A muscle on his face twitched slightly. His gaze seemed to darken. Every nerve in my body signalled a distress call.

“If you enjoy living, I suggest you don’t do that again.” his voice was low. I sank deeper in my chair. He wasn’t easy to deal with like Luca had been.

I swallowed. He continued. “I’m Dante Moretti. Welcome to my home.”

I fought the urge to snap back. Home?

“I’m sure, you’re aware of your purpose here.”

“My father borrowed from you and since he can’t pay. I’m collateral. Leverage, if you will.”

“Good.” He smiled, eyes not leaving mine.

“How long do you think it’ll take before someone comes looking for me?”

He smirked.

“Don’t worry your little head about that. No one will look. The authorities know better than to go snooping where they shouldn’t.”

“What do you want from me?” I kept his gaze. Even though it made me tremble in fear at the possibility of being killed here.

“She looks like she’d be a great in bed.” The wiry man licked his bottom lip, eyes undressing me where I sat. I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. The look disgusted me.

“Do you ever not think with your balls Matteo?” The woman commented.

“One kick from her and his baby maker’s toast.” Luca joked along.

“Your dad has an ultimatum of 72 hours. If he doesn’t pay me before they’re up…” Dante’s gaze dipped briefly before returning to my eyes. “I’d probably sell you off to a brothel where eyou can pay me back for every fuck you take.”

I shuddered, trying to find my voice.

“Can’t I just pay you back…some other way… I promise, I--”

“I own you.” his voice was plain. “So you do as I say.”

“No, please.” I croaked, tears barelling down my face. Dad wouldn’t save me. He wouldn’t because he couldn’t. The very moment he’d lost his job about a year ago, I’d been doing it all.

“72 hours from now. We shall see.” He stood. The woman opened the door waiting.

“Wait.” I stuttered as I watched him leave. “Please you can’t do this to me. Please let me out.”

Matteo had a wide grin as he stepped out, Luca’s face was undecipherable but the woman. I knew that look. Pity. It made my stomach tank. My throat tightened further. The heat on my face increasing. I didn’t deserve this. I didn’t. Why was I suffering for his mistakes?

I questioned myself further in my mind but my lips repeated the same demand over and over.

“Let me out.”