Chapter 5

Xavier

Ariana stood there, looking at me like she had suddenly forgotten how to speak English. I knew there was something peculiar her the moment I set my eyes on her.

The mere thought of her being connected to that bastard made my blood boil. She looked too innocent to be tainted by such a fucking veil person.

I grasped Ariana's shoulders, my eyes locking onto hers.

"Ariana, what do you know about Arturo?" I demanded.

Her eyes widened, innocence and confusion written across her face. My gut twisted with anger and concern.

My patience was running out. My fists pounded on the desk. “How are you connected to Arturo? Are you here spying for him? What do you have with him?”

The last question was highly unnecessary, but I felt like I needed to know. She flinched everything I shouted. Her fear just made my desire for her double.

“He is my friend!” She blurted out.

I scoffed, ”Your friend? You expect me to believe that? You think I'm stupid?ʼ’ I leave my seat and in a second I'm inches away from her. She takes a step back, holding her eyes shut.

“Please believe me. We've been friends since we were kids.”

My hand found her hair. I tugged on it lightly, it looked like she was going to break if I did it any harder. “There is no way I'd believe that bastard would kill a man over a girl who was his friend. You and that bastard are fucking, admit it!”

“What?” Her voice tinged with irritation. “Arturo and I have been friends since we were kids. How could be sleep with someone who he hadn't seen in ten years.”

I gulped hard. She was right. I had Enzo look into her. Her life has utterly unremarkable. She was sent to a boarding school in Switzerland when she was just ten years old. That means she was truly Benicio's daughter, which made her the enemy.

"Ariana, listen carefully," I said, my tone firm but controlled. "Arturo is poison. He's been--"

Ariana's face paled. "He's been what?" Ariana's eyes sparkled with tears.

My heart wrenched. I gazed into her terrified eyes. Her irritation was so attractive. The girl was magnetic. My attraction to her was so wrong but felt so right. If what she's saying is true, it means she actually has nothing with Arturo.

But that doesn't seem to be the same for him. He has sentiments towards the girl. She could be my way in, my trump card I can use to destroy Arturo once and for all.

“So what should I do with you now?”

Her eyes flashed with anger and irritation.

“Let me go! It's the least you can do after murdering my whole family.”

Her defiance infuriated me. Did she have any idea who she is speaking to?

My hand found her neck. She's fragile, just the way I like them. “I am your savior. Your father was a disgusting traitor. If I wanted, I would snap your neck in half.” She placed her small hands on my hands trying to pry them open. Her strength was no match for mine.

“My father was a good man. He was honest, he was the best dad.” Tears well up in her eyes and I almost feel bad for her. Keeping her alive is the only favour I'll be doing her. Anything more will be a stretch.

“Let me go!” she groaned, still struggling to get free.

I did as she requested, I let her go. She fell to the ground like a rose. “You're a monster! You're the devil.” She dragged herself on the floor trying to get far away from me. I strode towards her. “I'm am the devil Aria. If the devil saves puny little girls, then I am he.”

Her eyes twitched, fear consumed her whole body.

I stretched my hand towards her. She threw her face in the other direction. I held her face up, her eyes were full of hate and I didn't blame her. I murdered her whole family. “You're at my mercy now Aria. You'll beg for your life. You know, you actually have your father's eyes.”

That only seemed to infuriate her more. She swung her tiny arm at me but I held it before it could get to my face. She was feisty. Her anger made me want to annoy her more.

Tears welled up in her eyes again. She bit on her lower lips.

“I could put a bullet in your head if I so pleased.”

“Then do it!” She barked out. Ariana spoke even when she was paralyzed with fear. She was relentless. Now I was fully convinced that this was Benicio Morales' daughter.

“I can't possibly do that princess. You're my property now. You have an important purpose Aria. I can't possibly kill my leverage. At least not now.”

“What do you want from me?”

“Everything,” I said in all honesty. She was everything, I wasn't letting go of her anytime soon.

“Your father stole over $5,000,000 from me. I intend to take every cent from you. I will tear you apart, and put you back together. For the next year, you'll be mine for the taking. Except you have $5,000,000 stashed some where, then I'll be happy to take that from you.”

I lied. There was no amount of money that would make me let go of her.

She stayed quiet for a while. Like she was contemplating, “I--I don't have the money but I'll get it for you. Please let me go.”

I gazed at Ariana, her porcelain skin and striking features captivating me.

"Ariana, I can protect you from all the hungry wolves out there who want to devour you. But it comes with a price."

Her eyes sparkled with desperation.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I want you here mama. You'll be by my side. You're my pet now mama. I will posses your whole body, your soul, and everything that makes you, Ariana Morales.” My desire for her had grown with each passing moment.

Ariana's lips parted, her breath catching.

"As what?" she whispered.

My smile was deliberate, calculated.

"As my pet."

I watched her process the implications.

"You'll belong to me, exclusively, for one year. You'll do as I say, when I say it."

My smile widened.

Ariana's gaze locked onto mine, searching for reassurance.

"But what do I have to do?" she asked, stalling.

My eyes roamed over her, claiming her.

"You'll pleasure me. Whenever, however I want."

Ariana's face flushed.

"And if I refuse?" she whispered.

My expression turned cold.

"You won't."

She bit back her words. “And after one year? Will you let me go?” The girl was still in the mood to bargain for her freedom. I loved her spirit so much. So much so that I wanted to break it. I wondered how long she could keep up this tuff girl act.

“Yes mama. If you'll be alive by then, I'll let you go.”

A wry smile spread across her face, ”I want that in writing Lucky. Daddy never liked empty promises, and I Lucky, am my father's daughter.’’

All the colour drained out of my face. She looked so scary, yet so fucking attractive. This little girl is making me loose my shit.

“Okay.“ I finally said. The look in her eyes was so intimidating, even for a heartless murderer like myself. “I'll have Camilla bring the contract tomorrow. You're mine now mama. Mine!”

My protection, my pleasure, my property.