Chapter 1 The Devil's Claim

Kyra

I return from the grocery store, but when I reach the gate, my blood runs cold. Thugs are all around the house. One of them is holding my dad by the neck. I drop the basket, cover my mouth, and hide behind the wall, shaking.

 If I make one wrong move, they’ll see me.

“I’ll pay you tomorrow, I swear,” my dad begs.

The thug laughs cruelly. “Look at this lunatic old man. Do you think we’re falling for your lies again? Either you sell this house… or you die.”

“Dad!” I cry, my voice trembling.

The thugs turn to me. One of them grins and starts walking my way.

“No, Kyra!” my dad shouts bitterly 

“Well, well,” the thug sneers. “Forget the old man. Look at this little treasure.” His eyes are full of hunger.

“Take me instead!” my dad says. But then he starts laughing like he’s gone mad!

“Dad?” I whisper.

“Help me, daughter!” he mocks, stepping closer.

“Is your daughter a virgin?” one thug asks.

My dad nods with a twisted smile.

It feels like the ground disappears under me. This can’t be my dad. Not after fifteen years of raising me

“No! You can’t do this Dad!” I scream.

“Don’t ‘Dad’ me,” he spits.

I always knew he was not normal, but I never thought he would go this far. Fifteen years of raising me mean nothing to him now! Even though I'm not his biological daughter, this is far!

“He’s crazier than I thought,” one thug mutters, grabbing my arm hard.

“Your debt is cleared, old man,” another says as they drag me to their car.

I fight, I scream, but they tape my mouth shut. One of them makes a call.

“Yes, she’s a virgin… prepare the auction. She’ll sell for a fortune.” He smirks at me.“Of course, she’s beautiful. I’d keep her myself, but money comes first.”He laughs like he’s lost his mind and hangs up.

Soon, we stop in front of a big dark building. Only candles light the windows. They pull me inside. Masked men sit in rows, staring at me like wolves.

“She’s a virgin,” one thug announces, throwing me to the ground.

“Fuck, I’m horny right now, put her up for sale!” a masked man shouts.

My body shakes, but the bidding starts.

“Ten thousand.”

“One hundred thousand.”

Then I hear a deep voice through the noise.

“I’m having her.”

The room falls silent. Before I can even look properly, he’s already in front of me. Smoking and his presence make the others shrink. He pulls the tape from my mouth, and I finally see him clearly 

Tall. Muscular. Covered in tattoos and scars. Black hair falling over dark, and merciless eyes.

“Fuck it’s Steven!” someone whispers.

Steven stares at me “Will you come with me?”, he asks, extending a hand

“Of course, Steven, you can have her,” the thug blurts, nervously.

“You’re in my way,” Steven growls.

The thug moves aside trembling 

Steven grabs me and drags me out. “Get in,” he orders, pointing at the car.

Terrified, I obey. He drives recklessly, smoke filling the car. His scarred, tattooed arms grip the wheel, and I don’t dare speak

Every bump on the road gives me chills. I want to beg him to slow down, but my voice is stuck in my throat.

We reach a mansion, also lit by candles. A woman waits at the door like she knows what’s coming.

“Take care of her,” Steven says before disappearing into the dark hall.

The woman grabs me harshly. “Take off your clothes.”

“But—”

“No questions.” Her tone leaves no room to argue

When I hesitate, she rips my clothes off herself. She drags me to the bathroom, scrubs me roughly in the tub until she’s satisfied, then forces me into a revealing pink nightdress..

“I’m not wearing this!” I cry.

“No talking.” Her glare is terrifying. I give in, shaking, and she pushes me into another room before locking the door.

The room is full of candles. Chains and strange adult tools hang on the walls. Goosebumps race across my skin.

“Sit down.”

The voice comes from the shadows. Low and commanding.

I freeze.

“I said sit down!” It’s louder this time.

I obey, shaking. Steven steps out of the dark, shirtless now, his chest broad, his tattoos gleaming in the dim light. My eyes linger on him too long before I realize.

“Good girl,” he says.

He kneels in front of me, brushing his thumb across my lips. Then he leans down, his breath hot against my neck. My pulse is going wild

“Look at me.”

I try, but his eyes scare me. He grabs my chin, forcing me.

“I said look at me.”

I meet his gaze, trembling.

“Good girl.” His hand slides to my neck. “Are you really a virgin?”

“Why—”

“Answer me!”His thunderous tone gives me the shivers 

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Good.” His hand moves lower, under the nightdress. My body shakes, but not only from fear!

Why is my heart betraying me? Why is my body reacting to this monster?

Then his phone buzzes.

“Fuck.” He swears before answering it outside the room 

I breathe hard, my eyes scanning around the room. Chains. Whips. Masks. It's horrifying 

The door is unlocked. My chance.

My knees are weak, but I run anyway. If he catches me, I’m dead.

I sneak out and reach the living room. To my luck, the front door is open.

“Master! Your girl is escaping!” the woman screams.

But then I hear Steven’s voice through the air, deep and calm.

“Let her go. She can run as far as she wants… I’ll still find her.”