Chapter 7 No Mercy In His World

I should have stayed on the streets. I should have frozen to death rather than come back here. Because now, the way Steven looks at me with those black, hungry eyes, feels worse than death itself.

When I glance at the couch, Lola. She never left. She’s probably the one he was kissing minutes ago, her lipstick still staining his mouth.How can someone like her, beautiful, almost untouchable, belong to him?

“Hey, princess,” she says with a smile like a poison. “We met again. I guess we’re destined.”

“Come here, baby girl.” She pats the cushion beside her, pretending sweetness.

“You have to go, Lola.” Steven says,his voice calm but heavy.

“Why? I’m having fun with Kyra,” she says, her eyes glittering with cruelty.

“You know what I mean.” His tone shifts, darker, sharper.

“Whatever.” She scoffs, collecting her bag. But before leaving, she kisses him on the lips. He doesn’t push her away. He pulls her deeper, kissing her until she looks drunk on him. I want to vomit.

When she’s gone, he sits beside me. Too close. I feel trapped, suffocated. He tilts my chin up, forcing my eyes on him. My pulse races dangerously 

“Are you sure you want to stay here?” His cigarette glows as he exhales smoke in my face.

I nod, because my voice won’t come.

“You have no idea what you’re pulling yourself into,” he says, with a cruel smile.“In my world, there’s no such thing as freedom. You’ll live by my rules. You’ll breathe when I let you.”

I swallow hard. “I—I won’t stay long. Just a few days…”

His smirk vanishes. “A few days?” His voice drops to a whisper. “You think you can walk into my house and walk out whenever you like? There’s no exit, cutie pie. Not for you.” He leans in until his lips graze my ear. “From now on, you’re mine. Break a rule, and I’ll break you. Piece by piece. Until you don’t even remember your name.”his words gives me chills 

And then, he disappears, leaving the air heavy and suffocating.

I don’t even get a chance to breathe before his “toys” swarm me. One of them steps on my foot, deliberately pressing harder than necessary.

“Oops,” she says, smiling viciously. Laughter follows.

“That wasn’t a good idea, coming back here,” one hisses in my ear. “You just signed your own death sentence.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” another spits. “Steven didn’t bring you here because you’re special. He likes watching girls break. You’ll be thrown out when you’re no fun anymore.”

“Steven’s not like that…” I whisper, though my voice shakes.

They mimic me cruelly. “Steven’s not like that… You think you know him? He’s the devil himself. You’ll see.”

“Clara! Enough!”it's the older woman who’s always prepared me for Steven’s rooms.

“Ugh, it’s the old hag,” Clara mutters.

“I won’t let you bully her. And if Steven finds out—”

“We’re sorry,” Clara cuts her off with a false bow.

The woman takes me away, into a massive room.

“This is yours while you stay here,” she says firmly.

My mouth falls open. This can’t be my room. I run my fingers over everything, stunned, before throwing myself into the soft bed. For a moment, I let myself drown in luxury.

I don’t know when I fall asleep, but when I wake up, the room is dark. The door opens.

I don’t need to look. I know it’s Steven!

I force my eyes shut, pretending to sleep. But his presence is crushing, magnetic. He steps closer, and I feel his gaze into me. He tucks my hair behind my ear, his hand lingering too long. My heart races dangerously.

He leans down, his breath hot against my skin. “I should take your virginity right now,” he whispers.

I feel the butterflies in my belly 

“I know you’re awake.” His fingers toy with my hair, slow and deliberate.

I keep still, but he doesn’t care. He lies down beside me, pulling me against his chest. His hand slides over my bra, squeezing. I gasp, but he smothers me with his thumb pressed hard against my lips.

“I thought you were sleeping,” he whispers, voice dark and dangerous. His other hand moves lower, teasing, threatening.

“Stop…” My voice is small, breaking.

“I’ll stop if I want to,” he growls, too deep. Too dangerous “You think you can set the rules here? You don’t even have the right to breathe without my permission.”

And in that moment, I finally understand I’m not in his mansion. I’m in his cage!