Kidnapped By My Mafia Protector

I stirred awake, blinking against the soft rays of sunlight streaming in through the tall windows draped in white curtains.A dull throb pulsed behind my eyes, growing sharper with every movement. I rubbed my temple gently, trying to remember what happened—and where the hell I was. Then suddenly, pieces of yesterday’s events came rushing back. Each one clearer and sharper than the last. I sat up too quickly and gasped when cold metal cuffs tugged at my wrists, dragging me back down against the plush pillows. I was shackled like some prisoner in a five-star cage.I didn’t know for how long I'd be tied to this luxurious bed, but my stomach growled loudly, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since yesterday. My throat was dry, and a bitter taste coated my mouth. I was still fiddling with the cuffs, testing for any weakness, when I heard a knock at the door. Before I could react, it swung open.Diego Romano stepped inside.He looked like sin wrapped in grey sweatpants that hung low on his waist.

I walked into the conference room with Diego guiding me by the hand. He said he didn’t want to risk leaving me alone with strangers in the house. As if I couldn’t handle myself. I would much rather spend time with the house staff—or even Maria—but he wouldn’t hear of it. His decision was final, as always.The conference room was silent and cold when we stepped in, the kind of silence that wrapped around your skin and made you shiver. Four men were already seated around the sleek mahogany table. Three of them were strangers, unfamiliar faces laced with tension and secrets. The fourth was Eli, Diego’s second-in-command. They had been whispering amongst themselves, voices low and urgent, but the moment Diego entered, silence fell in the room like a guillotine. Something in the air felt wrong, like the faint scent of smoke before a fire. I couldn’t name it, couldn’t place it, but I felt it crawl along my spine the second we walked in. Still, I didn’t dwell on it. I wasn’t familiar with t

ElenaThe city felt blurry, hazy, like I was watching it all through a fogged-up window. Skyscrapers zipped by, streets full of life, but I couldn’t focus on any of it. My mind wasn’t here. It was with him. With the unknown.When I asked Diego to show me his world, I didn’t know what I was inviting in or what I was asking for. I thought I was ready. But as we drove through the heart of New York City in his sleek black BMW, the excitement twisting in my stomach began to mix with something sharper….. fear.He hadn’t told me where we were going. Just said, “Get dressed, wear something that makes you feel powerful.”I did as he asked without any question, even though a part of me wanted to crawl under a blanket and disappear. But if I was going to survive this, whatever this was….. I needed to understand the rules.We finally pulled up in front of a warehouse on the edge of Brooklyn. It looked abandoned - gray, rusting, windowless. The kind of place you cross the street to avoid.I turned

ElenaI never knew a man so dark, powerful, and dangerous could bring me so much comfort. The events of last night felt like a dream. He was strong and soft at the same time, and the way he held me spoke volumes without needing to say a word. We found solace in each other’s arms. I felt so relaxed, at peace, my mind drifting back to the events at the club. I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips when I remembered he spared that man’s life because of me.Maria caught the smile on my face. "What’s making you grin so hard this morning?"I shrugged, trying not to blush. "Nothing."She raised a brow. "Nothing usually doesn’t make someone beam like that."I ignored her teasing tone, focusing on breakfast. In the time I’d spent here, Maria had become my best friend, my confidant, a maternal figure. I absolutely adored her, and I knew she’d tease me endlessly if I spilled what I was really thinking about.He left my room early this morning, careful not to wake me. But I felt him. I

ElenaThe day after our little shopping spree had been cold, silent, and distant. We'd had fun - laughing, teasing, even flirting. I'd felt a spark, something almost real beginning to form between us. I loved how I felt about it and I was confident he felt it too.When we got home, he excused himself to go make a call, and he was in his study for hours. I have never been in his study, even after exploring almost everywhere in the house. When he came back down for dinner, he was polite, attentive even, but distant. Like he was somewhere far away. Tense. Guarded.Part of me wondered if I had done something wrong. Had I been too forward? Too comfortable? But then I’d catch him looking at me with something soft in his eyes, and I’d tell myself it wasn’t me. Still, something felt off.With the masquerade ball just a day away, I should be happy about this sudden change, right? Maybe he wanted to call the wedding off and I could return to my father, my friends, my old life. So why did the th