Chapter Four: Into the Lion's Den.

Ethan escorted me as he led me down a long corridor. We stopped in front of a door, and he pushed it open without a word before stepping aside so I could enter. “This is your suite,” he said calmly.

I stepped inside and paused. I already understood how the place worked. They would give me comfort, space, and the illusion of freedom. None of it changed the truth.

“You will find everything you need,” Ethan continued,“Dinner will be brought up. You are expected to rest.”

I nodded. “Understood.”

Ethan stepped out and closed the door behind him.

I entered the bathroom, gripped the sink, and leaned forward, splashing my face with water.

My mind replayed the arrest, the deal, the way they looked at me. Now I stood inside their world.

They think they can use me. My jaw tightened. They don’t know me.

I showered fast, my eyes fixed on the door the entire time.

When I entered the bedroom, I sat on the edge of the bed, the silence pressing in.

I closed my eyes tightly. “Not now.”

I lay back, controlling my breathing until the tension eased just enough for me to rest. 

A sharp knock pulled me out of it.

My eyes snapped open instantly. I sat up and moved to the door without hesitation as another knock followed.

I opened it to find Ethan standing there. “Good morning,” he said. “Training begins in one hour. Don't be late. Matteo does not tolerate it.”

“I won’t be.”

He nodded once and stepped back, leaving me to prepare.

I dressed quickly, tied my hair back, and stepped out without hesitation.

Ethan waited for me, and without a word, he turned and led the way. 

“This way,” he said.

Matteo stood at the center, hands behind his back, watching me.

“You’re two minutes late.”

“I’m here now.”

“I don’t repeat warnings.”

“Today you'll be taught how to defend yourself with a gun,” he said.

He placed a gun in my hand, positioning a fake mannequin target.

I adjusted my stance and aimed.

“Your posture is all wrong,” he said.

“Then show me.”

He walked over to where I was and stood behind me. The heat of his body radiated against mine as his hands were wrapped around my waist, adjusting my stance. I froze.

 At that moment, I knew one thing was certain. Matteo was infuriating. And that made him dangerous.

“Relax your shoulders,” he murmured, his voice low. 

“No, not like that. Let your body move with the gun, not against it.”

I swallowed hard. “Like this?” I whispered, adjusting my stance.

He shifted behind me again, guiding my arms gently. “Better....but your grip is too tight. Loosen it just a bit.

“Focus,” he said.

The bullet left the gun, hitting the target center. I kept my expression neutral but Matteo's intense gaze made it impossible to relax.

“Not bad,” he said, his lips curling into a smile. “You might have potential…if you survive my training, that is.”

“I'll survive.”

I lowered the gun slowly, controlling my breathing.

Matteo did not look at the target. His attention was on me.

“Again.”

I fired the gun and hit the target.

“Better.”

He reached for the gun.

His sleeve shifted slightly, exposing his wrist.

My gaze was fixed on what I saw. The mark caught me off guard. I had seen it before. I just didn’t know where.

Matteo took the gun from me, snapping me out of my gaze.

“Are you listening?” he asked.

“I lost focus.”

He placed the gun back in my hand.

“Again.”

This time, I tightened my grip, raised the gun, aligned the shot, and fired.

Matteo watched in silence.

“Good.”

“Training ends here. Ethan will take you back.”

As I gathered my gear, Matteo's eyes caught mine across the room.

He leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, blocking my exit.

“You did well today,” he said.

“Thank you,” I replied, firmly.

“But... you're hiding something.”

“I–”

“Don't bother denying it, I see it in your eyes.”

“Keep your secrets if you want,” he said. “But understand something Alexis...”

He paused.

“....in my house, nothing stays hidden. Not for long.

“Don’t be late tomorrow,” he added without looking back.

“Understood.”

he turned and walked away.

Ethan stepped forward from the side. “This way.”

We stopped outside my room.

“You did well,” Ethan said.

“I did what was required.”

“That’s the only thing that matters here.”

“Good to know.” I replied.

We stopped outside my door.

Ethan reached for the handle, but I intercepted.

“Does he train everyone himself?”

Ethan glanced at me. “No.”

“Then I should feel special?”

“That would be the wrong conclusion.”

I leaned slightly against the wall. “He doesn’t seem like someone who has interest in me.”

“He doesn’t.”

“Then why me?”

Ethan held my gaze for a moment, measuring the question.

“You were not brought here by chance,” he said.

“I figured that much…I’m asking what makes me worth his attention.”

“You will find out what you need to know when it becomes necessary.”

“Has anyone ever left this place?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“How many?”

“That is not your concern.”

“I thought so.”

Ethan stepped closer and opened the door. “Get some rest. Training resumes tomorrow.”

“One last question.” I asked.

“The mark on his wrist,” I said. “Has he always had it on him?”

Ethan’s expression changed.

“Yes,” he said.

“That is more than you should ask,” He said, then turned to leave.

I entered my room, slamming the door behind me.

I sat on the bed, replaying the moment I saw the mark on Matteo's arm.

“That can't be,” I muttered.

Now I understood something I hadn’t before.

This wasn’t random. It never was. And Matteo knew it.