Chapter 1

Nadia’s POV

A sharp, agonizing pain pierced my skull as I tried to move, but my limbs wouldn’t respond. Slowly, I forced my eyes open, only to meet pitch darkness. Then realization hit—I was blindfolded, my hands and legs were bound tight, and my mouth was gagged with a piece of clothing.

“Mmmmmmm!” My screams came out as muffled sounds. Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed in the darkness, coming to a stop right in front of me. Large fingers roughly grabbed my chin, lifting my head up. I could feel his hot breath on my neck, but because of the blindfold, I couldn’t see his face.

“Tu sei il prezzo, pagherai per tutto,” a deep masculine voice whispered in my ear, his breath fanning my ear lobe. I had no idea what the words meant, but they didn’t sound comforting. I started struggling, trying to break free, but then a hand pressed down on my nostrils. I inhaled something, a mix of flavors and chemicals that blurred my senses.

“Shhhhhhh… sleep now,” he whispered, and then, I blacked out.

* * * *

“Nadia!”

“Nadia, wake the fuck up!”

My eyes snapped open as I recognized the voice calling my name, I looked around and I was at the bar, I had fallen asleep on the counter.

“How can you be sleeping on duty? Do you want to fucking lose your job?” my supervisor, Maddie scolded me.

“I… I am sorry, ma’am. I’ll get back to work.” I rose up from the seat and walked into the bathroom, splashed water on my face. What kind of a creepy dream was that?

I slowly lifted my bangs in the mirror, revealing the scar on my forehead. A wave of emotion washed over me as I recalled the events of the past. I sighed and washed my hands, positioning my golden bracelet properly. I arranged my hair and walked out into the bar. I have worked in the bar for a year now, and so far it’s been great.

“My goodness Nadia! What are you still doing there? The guests in the VIP have been waiting for their drinks, go on.” Maddie scolded again.

“I’m sorry, I’ll go now.” I quickly grabbed the drinks and headed upstairs to the VIP section. The loud music, the smell of alcohol and the dim lighting made my insides feel alive.

“Hello. I’m sorry for the delay.” I smiled warmly and dropped the drinks on the table alongside clean sparkling glasses.

“Please, enjoy. And, press the bell if you need anything, ill be right up.” I smiled at them. They both offered their thanks and i walked away.

I have been taking extra shifts just so I could save up for my tuition f*e. I desperately want to go to college, but my uncle and aunt refused to train me in school, they said I’d be more useful to them at home.

“Hey, gorgeous,” my colleague, Jaxon threw his hand over my shoulder in a friendly gesture. I shuddered and fixed him a stare, he immediately retracted his hand.

“How’s it going?, he asked.

“Pretty well. I still have four hours before I’m free to go.” I responded and he sighed.

“It breaks my heart to see you working this hard everyday. Extraordinarily beautiful women like you should be basking in wealth, not suffering like this.”

I looked at him and smiled. “Unfortunately, I have no wealth to bask in. So I have to work hard for myself.” I responded.

“What about your guardians? They are filthy rich, yet they allow you to work so hard.” He muttered.

“Jaxon, please. I don’t take a dime of their money.” I said, a heavy lump settling in my chest.

I headed to the storage room to grab more drinks, filled up my basket and headed out but stopped dead in my tracks when I heard noises, like someone was sobbing and begging. I quickly walked to the scene but was pulled by Jaxon, who hid by a corner.

“What’s happening?” I asked, my eyes narrowing in the direction of the scene.

“Keep it low, Nadia! Don’t let them hear you.” He whispered.

“What exactly happened?” I asked.

“She offended him, mistakenly served him scotch, instead of whiskey.” He responded, I was confused.

“Who’s he?” I asked.

“Lorenzo Romano.”He responded.

My eyes widened in utter shock. “Lorenzo Romano? The ruthless man? Oh no. We have to help her, he is going to kill her!” I tried coming out but he pulled me back. From what I know, Lorenzo usually comes here, but there’s a private space for him. No one goes in there unless you are chosen to serve him. It’s such a good thing I have never been chosen.

“Just stay here, Nadia. The manager and Maddie are already there. Don’t get involved. He whispered.

I returned my gaze to the scene. The man—Lorenzo, was heading toward the door, his guards followed closely behind him, i thought it was all over until one of the guards grabbed the girl and dragged her along.

“No. No, he’s going to kill her, we have to do something.” I said and dashed out of the corner. But the manager stopped me.

“She no longer works here, so mind your business.” The manager’s cold words struck me like a physical blow.

“I don’t understand sir, they just dragged her away and we are to do nothing?” I asked.

“Do you want to lose your job?” He asked and I shook my head in decline.

“Then shut the fuck up and get back to work.” He snapped, staring daggers at me before walking away.

I stood rooted to the spot still trying to understand what just happened. I was deeply worried for the girl but my hands are tied, there’s nothing I could do.

Ding! Ding!

The sound from the bell in the VIP section rang twice, I quickly rushed upstairs to attend to whoever rung the bell.

It was past seven when I closed from work, I changed into different clothes, signed out and headed to the bus station.

My mind was still heavy from the event earlier today. I scrolled through my phone while waiting for the bus to go back to the Bennett’s mansion.

The bus finally arrived a few minutes later and I entered, found a space close to the window and sat down there, buried in my thoughts. I was consumed by the day’s horrors that I did not even notice the man sliding into the seat across from me.

“What could someone as beautiful as you be thinking about?” I turned my face to the direction of the voice, and my eyes met his, he had this look on his face, one I knew too well. I shook my head and ignored him.

“Come on, it’s not nice to ignore someone like that,” he said, his fingers brushing against my legs. My body shuddered with fear as a scene flashed across my mind—one I have spent years trying to forget.

“Don’t touch me! Are you crazy?” I yelled.

My voice attracted stares from others on the bus. As they looked at him, he had no choice but to immediately recoil and take another seat.

I sighed in relief. The bus finally came to a stop after an hour drive, I stepped out and walked the remaining distance, looking back at intervals to be sure the pervert from earlier wasn’t following me. The mansion loomed closer and closer as I approached. Max, the gatekeeper sighted me from afar and rushed to open the gate.

“Thank you.” I smiled at him and stepped inside the compound.

The moment I opened the door, a wine bottle crashed down, smashing into pieces right in front of me.