Can't Escape the Past

Grey Maledetti efficiently filled my thoughts as I walked from the bus stop to my apartment building. My mind all too eagerly sent me images of his sinful lips, his dangerous eyes, the tattooed lines on his neck and chest that I would love to trace with my tongue…

Yes, I definitely needed to get laid. Lack of sex was clearly messing with my sanity. I couldn't allow myself to follow the same pattern again. I had made enough bad decisions in life, and I had a feeling that one more false move would end with my dead body found in the Hudson River.

Surely, had any waitress I knew learned about my encounter, they would have called me a fool for not taking the tip or accepting a ride home… or both. But I knew better, even if, for some fuck-up reason, dark and madly dangerous men were still my type.

All of them had this appeal, that unique aura that made them irresistible. I'd seen it in Ardian, too; that was what had drawn me toward him. He had appeared kind and gentle at first. I had mistaken his obsession for a will to protect me, and then I realized there was no one who could protect me from him…

I was almost certain that Grey Maledetti was the same, a pleasant façade hiding sheer cruelty. He was an alluring flame, made for a stupid moth like me, but I had no intention of letting myself burn.

“Not ever again,” I muttered, opening the creaking door of my apartment building.

The door closed behind me, and I instantly looked up at the creepily flickering single lightbulb illuminating the narrow corridor. It was a miracle that this building was still standing after far too many provisional renovations. But perhaps I shouldn't have complained about it since this was what made this place affordable.

At one in the morning, the few neighbors I had were already asleep. I ascended the steps, slowly climbing to the fourth floor. The elevator was out of order, but even if it had worked, I would have hesitated before entering it.

Keeping my eyes open had become a struggle, and all I could think of was to crawl under the sheets and rest my head on the pillow. My legs wobbled as I ascended the stairs, and I sighed in relief when I finally reached my floor. I dug out the keys to my apartment and dragged myself to the end of the corridor. Squinting my eyes, I tried to put the key into a hole when I realized the door was open…

My heart leaped to my throat. A second later, men's voices sounded. Shit. Someone was in my apartment. The burglars would have found nothing interesting to steal, but I had a feeling this was not a simple robbery…

Moving back to the stairs, I reached for my phone. Squeezing it in my trembling hand, I managed to dial nine-one-one. I was about to make the call when the door fully opened, and two bulky men appeared on the threshold.

The phone fell from my hand. For certain, they weren't some ordinary burglars. They were dressed in black suits and fine leather shoes. Golden signets shone on their fingers, and the torn skin on their knuckles suggested they liked to use fists. One of them, a guy with black, buzz-cut hair, stepped forward and gave me a cold smile. “You must be Poppy…” He looked me up and down. “We've been looking for you.”

Dread flooded every fiber in my body. “Ardian sent you, didn't he?” I choked out as my hands fisted.

The two men prowled forward, their eyes on me. I inched back, watching as they slowly moved their hands beneath their jackets. Doubtlessly, they were reaching for their guns. I swallowed down my rising panic, then whirled around and lunged for the stairs.

“Get her!” a roar boomed behind me.

I wasted no time looking over my shoulder and focused on storming down. “Help!” I cried, hoping to wake any of my neighbors. “Call the police!”

“Shut the fuck up!” a drunken voice bellowed. Great. So much for neighborly help.

Grinding my teeth, I grabbed the railing and leaped through the balustrade, landing on the lower flight of stairs. I might have sprained my ankle, but I would worry about that later. I sucked in a sharp breath and ran even faster.

“She's getting away!” one of them yelled.

I flew down the final flight of stairs and darted through the corridor. I chose the back door, hoping I could turn into one of the alleys and hide there. I jerked the door open, running out—

My stomach dropped. I froze, digging my heels into the ground. My eyes fixed on the three men before me, blocking my way out. Chuckling icily, one of them stepped forward, a Glock in hand. “Nice try, bitch,” he purred before turning the gun and hitting my head with the grip.

***

Cold was the first thing I felt. Pain came a heartbeat later. My head pounded, probably due to that bastard's hit. Struggling, I slightly opened my eyes, but tried not to draw attention. I could hear two male voices not far from where I was, and I feared what would happen the moment they found out I was awake.

I sucked in a breath, slowly surveying my situation. I was sitting on a chair wearing nothing but my bra and underwear. My hands were tied to the armrests, and my ankles to the wooden chair legs. I lifted my bare feet, trying to protect them from the freezing concrete floor. I must have been in some kind of a basement or a warehouse. Was this Ardian's new, sick way to punish me?

Cold laughter echoed through the room, and I almost flinched. Trying not to draw attention, I slightly lifted my head and focused on the source of the sound. Two men stood on the threshold: a bulky sentinel who resembled one of those who had chased me, and a shorter and leaner guy who seemed oddly familiar.

The short guy rubbed his hands together. “So when can I get my money?”

My body tensed. I recognized his voice. His name was Paolo. He had been recently hired as a kitchen porter at Tavolo Verde. And I'd even been kind to him.

The bulky sentinel chuckled and patted his shoulder. “Soon. Don Bellezza will reward you personally.”

Bellezza? Who the hell was this man, and why had he wanted to kidnap me? I hadn't heard such a name before. I regretfully knew all of Ardian's friends, and Bellezza surely wasn't one of them.

“Yeah?” Paolo smirked. “Hope he gets here soon, though. I heard she's worth a lot.”

The sound of stomping feet echoed from the corridor. My breath caught in my throat as I saw three men entering the room. The first one, a tall, well-built brunette, was dressed in an elegant coat and a tailor-made suit, all white. His massive hand, adorned with golden signets, held a golden cane. It wasn't hard to guess that this was Mr. Bellezza.

The two other men who entered the room seemed to be his private guards. The sentinel who stood next to Paolo bowed down, but the cocky snitch himself looked Bellezza in the eyes and smirked. “Waiting for my reward, sir.”

“Ah… of course.” Bellezza breathed out a laugh before snapping his fingers. He glanced at the guard on his right, and the man stepped forward. “Give the man what he deserves.”

I pressed my lips together, suppressing a scream. I knew what was about to happen. A cruelly smiling guard pulled out the gun. Paolo's mouth opened, but he didn't make a sound. The bullet crushed his head before he could. My stomach roiled as his body fell to the ground.

Bellezza examined his white suit, clicking his tongue as he spotted a few drops of blood. The guard instantly bowed. “I apologize, sir.”

Bellezza shot him a cold glare. “This is the only warning you get. Don't disappoint me again.” He kept his eyes on the guard for a few more seconds before turning toward me. “You may stop pretending.” He chuckled icily. “We all know you're awake.”

Bellezza and his guards stepped toward my chair, and my body tensed. The Don grabbed my chin, lifting it enough to look into my eyes. His were hazel and filled with a wicked glow. A cruel smile stretched across his lips as he crooned, “You're a pretty little thing, aren't you?”

My jaw clenched, but I wouldn't dare speak or react. I had no intention of joining Paolo on the floor with a bullet in my head.

“Your ex-boyfriend offers three hundred grand for you,” he went on as his eyes roamed up and down my almost nude body. “But maybe I could get more… What do you think? Should I call him and negotiate?”

My insides twisted. “P-please… don't send me to him.” I knew he would probably ignore my plea, but I had to try. I had to do something…

He tilted his head to one side, cold amusement curving his lips. “Why would I? Would you offer me more?”

“I can get you money… I swear!” I didn't know how I'd raise such a sum, but I would worry about that later. “Let me go, and I'll—”

He burst into dark laughter. “Let you go? I'm afraid I can't do that.” He ran his tongue over his bottom lip. “But I'm a merciful man. I promise I won't send you to Ardian Cavalieri.” He released my chin and stepped back.

“You…. won't?” I stared at him in disbelief. There had to be a catch. He didn't say he would free me, and that could only mean he had other plans for me. I watched as his cold smile widened, and a shiver danced down my spine. God, he was planning something far worse for me, wasn't he?

Bellezza snapped his fingers, glancing at his men. “Prepare her for tomorrow.”

“Of course, sir,” they replied in unison.

“What… will happen tomorrow?” I dared to ask.

Bellazza's eyes turned to me, menace blazing there. “The night of the auction I host,” he said, wicked excitement lacing his voice. “You will be sold as a prime item.”