Hayden's POV
It had been over an hour since the chaotic, surreal scene at my wedding. The image kept replaying in my head like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from. Guests gasping in shock, my father’s cold, stoic face as he practically handed me over like a pawn in some twisted deal. The black SUV hummed steadily beneath me as it sped away from the disaster I left behind. Two of Vincenzo’s bodyguards sat in the front, their presence silent but intimidating. Their dark suits and earpieces made them look more like secret agents than criminals. Beside me, Vincenzo sat with the calm, composed authority of a man who always got what he wanted. The subtle scent of his expensive cologne mingled with the smell of leather seats, and it made my stomach churn. I forced myself to stare out of the tinted window, watching the blur of city lights fade into distant hills. My thoughts were chaotic. How could my father do this to me? Did he even care about what would happen to me? I didn’t know whether to cry or scream, but I did neither. I refused to give Vincenzo the satisfaction of seeing me unravel. "What’s on your mind, Hayden?" his smooth voice cuts through the silence. I pretended to not hear him, keeping my eyes fixed on the window. A sudden warmth on my thigh makes me flinch violently. His hand rested there, firm and possessive, sending a jolt of panic through me. Memories from last night flash in my mind—memories I’m desperate to forget. Heat rose up to my face, burning it in shame. “The sooner you start talking to me, the better for you,” he murmured, his voice soft but filled with warning. His lips curled into a small, dangerous smile that sent a shiver down my spine. I swallowed hard, my heart pounding against my ribs, but stayed silent. The SUV finally slowed as we turned onto a long, winding driveway lined with towering trees. My breath caught as the mansion came into view. It was massive. Opulent. A fortress disguised as luxury. The towering iron gates stood like sentinels, gleaming under the faint glow of the driveway lights. Surveillance cameras were mounted along the walls, their lenses swiveling like watchful eyes. The car glided to a stop near the front steps, and a bodyguard promptly opened the door for me. His expression remained stone-cold as he gestured for me to step out. My legs felt like jelly, but I forced myself to move. Vincenzo exited the SUV behind me, his presence heavy and inescapable. The mansion loomed before us, its grand entrance framed by towering marble pillars. On the right side of the compound, a shimmering swimming pool stretches out like a miniature lake, reflecting the soft glow of garden lights. On the left, a meticulously maintained garden blooms with vibrant flowers, their sweet fragrance wafting through the air. Despite the beauty, the place felt cold and ominous. A prison wrapped in gold. The massive front doors swung open, revealing an interior that was even more breathtaking. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting shimmering light across marble floors. Plush carpets muffle our footsteps, and expensive artwork adorns the walls—paintings that probably cost more than my entire life savings. Women I quickly identified as maids greeted us with polite bows, their eyes carefully avoiding mine. I could see the tension in their movements, fear that clung to the air like smoke. I was led through a series of lavish hallways until we reached a private room. The door clicked shut behind me, leaving me alone in eerie silence. The room was luxurious, furnished with a king-sized bed draped in silk sheets, a velvet armchair by the window, and a chandelier that sparkled like a cluster of stars. But despite its elegance, it felt suffocating. The steel-reinforced door and bulletproof windows was a stark reminder that this wasn't a sanctuary but a cage. Immediately I began pacing back and forth, my thoughts racing. What would happen to me now? Was I going to be enslaved to a mafia boss for the rest of my life? Anger bubbled beneath my fear. I never asked for this. I didn’t agree to this. My father may have sold me like I was nothing, but I wasn’t going to let Vincenzo control me without a fight. A knock on the door jolted me from my thoughts and my heart raced. "Hayden, open the door," Vincenzo’s voice commanded from the other side. I froze instantly, indecision paralyzing me. "I said open the bloody door!" he snapped, his tone sharp and unforgiving. Taking a shaky breath, I forced myself to turn the knob. The door creaked open, revealing Vincenzo. His dark eyes locked onto mine instantly. Stepping inside, he closed the door behind him with a deliberate click. I had to keep myself from flinching at the sound. His expression was unreadable as he approached me, each step slow and calculated. I instinctively backed away until my back hit the wall. His presence was overwhelming, filling every inch of the room. I wanted to disappear, to melt into the walls and escape his piercing gaze. His hand brushed against my chin, tilting my face upward. "Next time when I ask you to open the door, you do so without hesitation. Do you understand me?" His deep voice rumbled, "Y-yes, I understand," I stammered. I tried and failed to keep my voice from trembling. "That's a good boy," he murmurs, his tone was disturbingly gentle as he let me go. Even despite the distance as he backed away I couldn't feel an ounce of relief. "Now, I've got business to attend to.” He said, “When I get back, I want you to be ready." "Ready for what?" I asked, my voice barely audible. He didn't say a word, just smiled— sending chills down my spine—before turning away to leave. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts. I sank onto the edge of the bed, my breath coming in shallow gasps. What did he mean by "ready"? The possibilities swirl in my mind, each one more terrifying than the last. Three hours later; The sky outside was dark, casting long shadows across the room. I hadn’t moved from my spot. My mind was a chaotic mess, but one thing has become clear—I couldn’t let myself be a prisoner forever. I refused to be Vincenzo’s pawn. A sudden noise outside catches my attention. I rushed to the window and peered out. Vincenzo’s car had returned, its sleek black frame gleaming under the mansion's lights. My pulse raced as I watched him step out, flanked by his bodyguards. They disappeared inside, and moments later, a knock came onto my door. This time, I didn’t hesitate to open it, revealing Vincenzo standing there with that same unsettling smile. "Now that's a good boy," he remarks mockingly. As he stepped inside, I moved swiftly, pulling the knife I’d hidden behind my back. My hands trembled, but I held the blade tightly, refusing to show weakness. "I want to go home. ow!" I demand, my voice strong despite the fear coursing through me. He looked nonplussed however, tilting his head. "This is your home now, Hayden. Don’t you get that?" "This isn’t my home!" I snapped in defiance. "Oh really?" He chuckled darkly. "Where’s your home then? With your dad who handed you over to me like you were nothing?" His words hit me like a punch to the gut. My eyes stung with unshed tears, but I refused to let them fall. My momentary lapse in focus cost me. In a flash, Vincenzo lunged at me, disarming me with terrifying ease. The knife clattered to the floor, and before I could react, he pinned me to the bed. His body pressed against mine, his face mere inches from mine. "You’re going to learn, Hayden," he murmured, his voice low and dangerous. "Fighting me is useless." I thrashed beneath him, my breaths coming in ragged gasps, but his grip was unyielding. Tears of frustration blurred my vision. I hated how powerless I felt, but one thing remained certain—I wouldn't stop fighting. Not now. Not ever. “Don't you ever pull a knife against me. There will be punishment for acting out like this. But you're getting a free pass just this once." He said while gazing at my lips. Suddenly his lips pressed against mine, sucking it with so much intensity, I lost complete control as I let him undress me, I watched rip his shirt off, revealing his chiseled abs. My eyes followed the line that trailed down his abdomen. Suddenly being trapped with him wasn’t such a bad idea. I could feel my mouth salivating as he kissed my body all the way down to my waist. It was quick and before I knew it he had slipped my pants off my hips. Vincenzo’s eyes gleamed in amused knowing as moans left my lips with his ministrations. "Do you want me to stop?" The plea left my lips brokenly, "N-No!" And at that moment, I felt his tongue on my dick. I begged him not to stop as he sucked on it with a lot of intensity. Within moments my vision went white and my thighs trembled as I rode a wave of orgasm crashing suddenly against me. My dick felt tender and sensitive against Vincenzo’s warm mouth. He was swallowing my come, I realized with no small amount of embarrassment. Then swiftly after he stood up with a pleased smirk on his face. "Goodnight Hayden." Surprise filled me as I watched him saunter off without even trying to have his way with me. When he left I heaved a large sigh and buried my face in the pillow next to me. I couldn't help it, I kept remembering how good that felt, I knew I wanted more of it, every day.Hayden’s POVThe room felt still, like the walls were holding their breath. I stood in the middle of my father’s study, the photograph of my parents still on the desk, the weight of everything pressing down on me. The scent of old leather and wood lingered in the air, wrapping around me like a memory I never got to make.I stared at the ring on my finger, the Romano crest catching the soft glow of the lamp, and tried to convince myself this was real. That this was mine now. That I belonged here.But then I heard the door creak open behind me.I didn’t need to turn. I felt it. His presence filled the room like smoke. Cold and familiar.“Hayden.”His voice was low, a little rougher than usual. I turned slowly to see Vincenzo standing there in the doorway, his hands tucked into the pockets of his coat, his eyes locked on me like he’d been watching from the shadows for hours.“You found it,” he said, stepping inside. “T
Hayden’s POV Two Weeks Ago The rain poured down, thick and relentless, soaking Me to the bone as he walked through the dark, buzzing streets of Miami. My shoes splashed through puddles, the cold biting at my skin, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my chest. My mind was a whirl of disbelief and horror while my heart dragged against the weight of what I had just found out from Antonio, that he wasn't my true father. My real parents were murdered by my uncle. He killed them. He killed my parents. My heart still throbbed from the pain, the weight of the truth heavy on my shoulders. There were so many questions. I stopped walking for a moment, standing still under the flickering streetlight. The rain had only grown worse, but it wasn’t the cold that froze me now. It was the truth. A car’s headlights blinked in the distance, cutting through the rain,
Hayden’s POVThe metallic scent of blood clung to the air like smoke after a fire. My hands were shaking, warm and stained red. The gun—still clutched tight between my fingers—felt heavier than ever. I didn’t hear anything at first. Not the rain outside, not the murmurs around me. Just silence, broken only by the echo of that final gunshot still ringing in my ears. Antonio’s body was sprawled on the cold marble floor behind me, lifeless. A smear of crimson trailed beneath his head, pooling slowly. I turned around and looked at him one last time. His mouth was slightly open, eyes blank, still wearing the same smug expression I’d hated since I was a boy. Only now it was frozen in death. I stepped forward. My boots left red prints on the floor. A few of Antonio’s guards stood at the base of the stairs, frozen, unsure of what to do. Their rifles lowered. They looked at me—not with hatred, not with vengeance—but something closer to… respect.
Hayden’s POVThe sound of the door slamming behind Antonio echoed in my ears. I was alone now. My hands were bound, but the ropes didn’t feel tight enough to keep me from escaping. I could feel the anger building up inside me. He thought he had me cornered. But he didn’t know me like Vincenzo did.The minutes dragged by, but I knew I had to act. I wasn’t going to wait for him to come back. I wasn’t going to wait to die. I was going to make my move.My heart was pounding in my chest as I struggled against the ropes. It took everything I had to break free. My wrists were raw, but I managed to loosen the knots just enough to slip my hands out. I looked around the room for something I could use. There, just behind the door, lay one of the guards. The gun was close. Too close.With a swift movement, I grabbed it, holding the cold metal in my hand. The feeling of power was fleeting but satisfying. I could feel my pulse quicken as I stood and crept
Hayden’s POVThese two idiots. They really thought they could double-cross Vincenzo. As if they’d ever stand a chance. And now? Now he was coming for them, and they knew it.Antonio’s face went pale as he slammed a trembling hand on the table. “How is that even possible?” His voice cracked halfway through the question.“It—it must’ve been deactivated,” Jason stammered, eyes darting back and forth. “They must have a hacker on their side. The men we sent to infiltrate the safehouse where Vincenzo was hiding… they’re all dead.”He didn’t even say it like a report. More like a confession. His voice was hollow, full of horror. He sounded like he’d seen the devil himself.I laughed under my breath, but it came out dry and bitter. These fools had no clue what kind of monster they poked.“Jason, you son of a bitch!” Antonio roared, charging at him. He slapped him so hard, Jason was thrown to the floor, crashing into a chair on the way do
Antonio's POVAh, the sweet smell of victory. I'd finally done it. I’d cornered Vincenzo De Luca, made him vulnerable, and now, Hayden was the key to everything. His pain, his suffering, everything had led to this. I could almost taste the power I was about to take.I turned back to look at him, hanging by chains from the ceiling, his body swaying slightly, exhausted and drained. A pathetic sight. I couldn't help but chuckle."Oof, are you falling asleep, Hayden? Don't pass out just yet. I still need you," I said, walking up to him, slapping his cheek lightly, just enough to make him stir. Hayden’s head rolled back slightly as his eyes fluttered open, his voice thick and slurred. "Screw you, Antonio," he muttered, like he was half-drunk, the words slurring together.I raised an eyebrow, feigning shock. "That's no way to talk to your father, now is it?" I clucked my tongue, shaking my head. "I thought I raised you better than that." I stepped forward, smirking. Hayden’s eyes narrow