Catrina's Pov

Hulk appeared the moment Tiny pushed me out of the room. He glanced at me with a frown and pulled me to himself. 

“Seems Vincenzo has gotten quite a prize.” I could feel the stench of his breath and I wanted to slap him across the face so hard that he would never try to pull me to himself again.

His eyes fell on my cleavage and he licked his lips. 

“I will be having a taste of you…soon.”

Not even in your wildest dreams.

But my eyes couldn't even mirror my audacity. 

His free hand roamed to one of my breasts and he squeezed it so hard that I helped into my gag. 

“I wonder what you taste like down there…” his hands fell to my butt cheek, squeezing it. “But I won't be wondering for long.”

He pulled away and dragged me.

I was repulsed. Whatever this place was, I didn't belong to it. It was a nightmare that I needed to wake up from. Suddenly, I missed even my miserable life back at home. Even though Ricardo had fucked me for six months and left with my life's savings, that horror was better than this. 

The passageway was lonely, cold and frightening. The only sound I heard was the thumping of Hulk's boot against the tiled floor and the beating of my own heart against my chest. 

Finally, we stopped in front of a door. After some ritualistic knock, it was opened. The room before me was dim blue, smoky, and filled with naked girls. They stared at me as Hulk led me through. 

It looked like an underground sex club - the type I had only read about in books. 

Sounds of moans, whips, and pleasurable cries filled the air and my skin cringed. Hulk dragged me on, leading me to a much quieter space. Another ritual knock and the large door opened to reveal an Italian man sitting on a chair made of gold, a cigar in his hand. 

He didn't need an introduction. 

That was Vincenzo Morano.

His eyes trailed me the moment I stepped in with Hulk. He dusted his cigar on an ashtray and lifted a flute of champagne.

“This is her, boss,” Hulk said, forcing me to my knees.

He studied me for a while. “Take off the gag,” he instructed. 

“Yes, boss.”

Hulk marched behind me and loosed the gag over my mouth. I didn't wait for him to say anything before I spoke. I fancied the earlier I told them the truth, the better for me.

“You've got me confused,” I said. “I'm not Maria De la Fonte.”

Vincenzo lowered his brow. Maybe he was seeing it now. I could look like her but I wasn't the person she's looking for.

He beckoned for Hulk.

“Marco, do you see it?”

Marco stared at me. “It's undeniably true.”

“But she isn't.”

Yes. You have the wrong woman. Please, let me go.

“It's even better.”

He was smiling. 

“Stand,” he told me. 

I obeyed quickly. He stood up and walked over to me until he was just a breath away. He traced my cheeks, down to my lips with his gold ring.

“Do you know why you're here, Catrina Lombardi?”

The question shook me. He knew who the hell I was. My heart began to race. 

I shook my head. “I haven't done anything wrong,” I pleaded.

He scoffed. “Not according to the records.”

The records. 

“Marco.”

Marco stepped away and returned with a log book. He threw it at me. 

“Catrina Lombardi, you owe me five hundred thousand dollars.”

My heart leapt. 

No. He was mistaken.

I flipped through the log book and paused when I saw my name and ID with a signed contract.

My heart fell into my stomach.

Ricardo!

I fell to my knees. 

“I didn't take this loan,” I tried to explain. “My boyfriend - Ricardo - he took it in my name.”

He pulled me up. “Whose name is in the log book?”

“Mine,” I cried. 

“Do you have five hundred thousand dollars plus my interest?”

My eyes welled as I shook my head. “I didn't.”

His fingers brushed the tears off my cheek. “You're too pretty to be crying, Catrina.”

He pulled me forward, my almost-nude chest collapsing against his. 

“How are you going to pay money?”

More tears streamed down. “I…I have a sick daughter.”

A slap landed across my face. “Wrong answer.”

My lips trembled. “I-i don't know.”

He stared at my cleavage. “I'll tell you how.”

He pulled the gown off my shoulder until my breasts dangled free, facing him. He cupped them, squeezing them so hard that I felt hot between my thighs. Then he pushed his lips against mine, licking my face. He stopped in my ear and whispered.

“You're mine now. You will pay every cent of your debt by working for me.”

I fought back the tears. 

“You have no words except ‘yes’. Do you understand?”

I swallowed bitter bile. “Yes,” I forced out the word. 

He stared at my form again and returned his gaze to Hulk. 

“Take her to my room. Tonight she's mine. Tomorrow, she'll return to Charlotte Fontaine.”

“Yes, boss.”

Hulk pulled me away. I tried to resist and plead with Vincenzo. I was seeing Julian St Clair tomorrow. Maybe he could help me with some money to pay the loan.

“Please,” I begged. But a slap from Hulk swallowed the rest of my plea. 

I was done for. How do I start living this life? How many years would it take me to pay off five hundred thousand dollars and the daily increasing loan interest?