Claimed by the Dark

Marianna shut her eyes, her breath hitching as Sandro’s mouth closed around her breast, his fingers kneading her like she belonged to him.

“Anna? Are you okay?” Leo’s voice came through the speaker, threaded with concern.

“Y-yeah... I’m fi—ne,” she stammered, forcing her lips together, trying to swallow the moan that rose in her throat.

“You sound weird. Are you sick?” Leo pressed.

Sandro raised his head, eyes glittering with amusement. He brought his lips close to her ear.

“Are you really okay?” he echoed Leo mockingly—loud enough for him to hear.

Leo’s tone sharpened. “Who the hell is that?”

Marianna’s throat went dry. Sweat trickled down her spine.

“N-no one,” she whispered. Her body trembled, not just from fear—but from the helpless war raging inside her. She wanted to scream. She wanted to run. But most of all, she wanted to hide.

Sandro tilted his head. “Let it out, kitten,” he whispered darkly, and with a sudden sweep of his arm, sent everything on the desk crashing to the floor.

“Anna! What the hell is going on over there?” Leo half-yelled.

She opened her mouth, but no words came. Sandro was on her before she could move, pressing her down onto the desk, her back arching from the cold wood as he loomed over her. His eyes devoured her—dark, unreadable, but seething with something feral.

He wasn’t touching her now. Just staring. And somehow, that was worse.

She struggled, writhing beneath him, but he caught her wrists with one hand, pinning them effortlessly above her head.

“Push me again,” he murmured, his voice low and dangerous, “and I swear I’ll fuck you right here.”

A violent shiver tore through her.

“Anna, answer me!” Leo’s voice cracked through the speaker again.

Sandro smiled. “Tell him goodbye.”

“I—I’ll call you later, Leo,” she said, barely breathing. “Please... just hang up.”

Sandro's fingers grazed her lips before tightening around her throat. She gasped.

“Only an idiot hangs up when he hears his woman moan,” he said, and then—he kissed her.

Not a kiss. A taking. Violent, possessive. His teeth sank into her bottom lip until she whimpered, then he dragged it into his mouth like he wanted to claim every inch of her.

“Please... stop,” she managed.

But he didn’t. Of course, he didn’t.

“Why? Are you a virgin, kitten?” he mocked, his voice low, eyes gleaming.

He bit her again, harder this time. Her lip throbbed as a metallic tang filled her mouth.

“You don’t tell me when to stop,” he breathed into her, “not anymore.”

“Fuck!” Leo shouted through the speaker—and then silence. He’d hung up.

Sandro pulled back, his breath hot against her lips. Her eyes were red, her lips swollen, her whole body trembling.

He just looked at her and smirked.

“You can leave.”

She slid off the desk, barely able to stand. Her knees buckled, her hand clutching the edge for support.

She yanked down her dress, picked up her phone, and turned to him, her voice shaking.

“Fuck you, Sandro.”

“Cute,” he muttered as she stormed out.

~~~NEXT DAY~~~

Marianna stepped out of the mansion, dressed in her usual oversized trousers and hoodie. Her eyes met Marco’s as he stood by the car, flanked by two stoic guards.

She frowned. “What the hell is this?”

Before Marco could answer, Brittany came rushing toward her, nearly tripping over her heels.

“Ma’am—”

“Just call me Anna,” she cut in, brushing a hand through her loose hair.

“I’m sorry, but... you’re not allowed to leave the house dressed like that.”

“Says who?”

Her phone rang.

Unknown Number.

She stared at it for half a second before answering, already feeling her stomach turn.

“Kitten.” That voice. Silk laced with thorns.

Her blood ran cold.

“How the hell did you get my number?”

“I have my ways,” Sandro said smoothly. “Now go back inside and change.”

She gritted her teeth. “You don’t get to tell me how to dress—”

“You don’t want to be punished tonight for disobeying me again, do you?”

He hung up before she could even reply.

Marianna stared at her phone, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “Why does he never let me finish a sentence?”

Fuming, she turned on her heel and stormed back inside.

The maid led her down a long hall and into a room that made her stop cold.

It was a dressing room.

A massive one.

High ceilings stretched above her, and gold accents lined every marble surface. On one side, a sleek vanity shimmered under soft, flattering lights. 

Across from it, rows of designer clothing and shelves of shoes glimmered in perfect order. A large, cushioned seating area sprawled in the center like a boutique lounge.

Marianna blinked, slack-jawed. “He wasn’t kidding when he said he'd do anything for her…”

Before she could fully process it, a poised woman walked toward her.

“I’m Lydia, your fashion instructor. From today forward, I’ll be curating your wardrobe and personal styling.”

Marianna stared at her. “A fashion instructor?” She nearly laughed. “What the hell is going on in his head?”

But she cleared her throat and composed herself. “Fine. Let’s just get this over with.”

---

✦ OAKDALE UNIVERSITY

Three black cars pulled into the university parking lot in perfect sync.

Heads turned. Phones were raised.

When Marco opened the door to the middle car, Marianna stepped out—and the crowd erupted in whispers.

> *“Is that Marianna?”*  

> *“No way—the cute law student?”*  

> *“She looks like royalty.”*  

> *“Check the dress! That’s the new Louis Vuitton silhouette—worth a fortune!”*

Marianna groaned, covering her face with her hand.

“This is what I was trying to avoid,” she muttered as Marco escorted her past the gawking crowd.

“Boss just wants you to feel good,” Marco said flatly.

“By dressing me like a walking luxury ad? Makes total sense.”

They reached the lecture hall, and Marco stood behind her like a silent shadow.

“You’re all like him,” she said suddenly. “Don’t talk. Don’t blink. Always lurking.”

Marco shrugged. “I just don’t talk much.”

Marianna cracked a small smile. “Fair enough.”

“ANNA!” a voice shrieked from across the courtyard.

Jenny barreled toward her.

Marco immediately stepped forward. “Stay back, ma’am.”

“Relax, she’s my best friend,” Marianna said, pulling Jenny past him.

Jenny’s eyes went wide. “What the hell is going on? Who are these guys?!”

“I’m still figuring it out myself,” Marianna mumbled.

Caspian appeared beside them, exchanging a silent nod with Marco.

“Jennifer,” Caspian said smoothly.

Jenny rolled her eyes. “Ugh, you all suck.”

She stormed off.

Caspian chuckled. “Well, she’s going to murder us later. But seriously, Anna, you look... stunning.”

Marianna smiled.

---

✦ LATER – ON THE FIELD

The trio sat on the grassy campus lawn, ice cream in hand. Marco stood a few feet behind them like a trained watchdog.

“I hate this,” Jenny muttered, glaring at him. “Why is he breathing down your neck 24/7?”

“He’s doing his job,” Caspian offered.

“Still creepy,” Jenny snapped.

Marianna smirked and pulled out her phone, tapping into their group chat.

**Anna:** Guys, I need your help.  

**Jenny:** I *knew* you hated being stalked by Mr. Glarey Pants.  

**Caspian:** Chill, Jenny.  

**Anna:** I need to sneak out.  

**Caspian:** To see Leonardo?  

**Jenny:** None of your business.  

**Caspian:** Sorry.  

**Anna:** Please…  

**Jenny:** I’m in.  

**Caspian:** Sigh. Fine. 

**Anna:** I love you both. ❤️

Marianna sighed, dropping her ice cream.

“Ow—my stomach,” she groaned, doubling over.

Jenny immediately played along. “You okay?”

“I think it’s... that time,” Marianna whispered.

“Oh God,” Marco rushed forward. “Are you in pain?”

“I have pads in my bag,” Jenny said. “Come on, I’ll take her to the restroom.”

Marco hesitated.

“I’ll be fine,” Marianna said quickly.

Still unsure, Marco started to follow—but Caspian stepped in.

“What are you going to do, follow her into the ladies' room? Pretty sure your boss wouldn’t want that kind of loyalty.”

Marco hesitated, then grunted and stepped back.

Seconds later, Caspian’s phone buzzed.

**Anna:** Made it out. See you tomorrow.  

**Caspian:** 👌  

**Jenny:** Pick me up. I’m heading home with you**

 

**Caspian:** On my way, my queen. 👑

Caspian pocketed his phone, glanced back at Marco.

“Later,” he said with a grin.

Marco gave him a hard look, then bolted for the restroom.

> *“This is the ladies’ room!”*  

> *“Pervert!”*  

> *“Get out!”*

He ignored the screams and burst through the door—empty.

“Fuck. She tricked me,” he hissed, pressing a comms button in his earpiece.

“Target is missing. Repeat, ma’am is missing. Find her—*or we’re all dead.*”

---

✦ LEONARDO’S RESIDENCE

Marianna’s hands were trembling as she pressed the doorbell.

The silence that followed stretched too long, feeding her anxiety. She hadn’t called him back. Not after what happened. Not after hearing him yell her name while Sandro kissed her like he owned her soul.

The door creaked open.

Leonardo stood there—shirtless, jaw tight, his knuckles raw and scraped.

He didn’t speak. Just looked at her for one long, aching second. Then turned around and walked back inside without a word.

Marianna stepped in, the door closing behind her like a lock snapping shut.

The quiet was worse than yelling.

She followed him into the kitchen, watching as he poured himself a glass of water. The glass clinked against the counter. His hands shook slightly. He downed the water in a single gulp and set the glass down.

The tension in his shoulders made her nervous.

“Leo…” she started.

The glass exploded against the wall, shards scattering like gunfire.

Marianna flinched.

His breathing was heavy now, ragged, barely restrained. He turned to her, slow and controlled, and walked toward her like a lion tracking wounded prey.

She backed away instinctively—until the back of her knees hit the couch and she fell into it.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. Her voice cracked. “I should’ve called—”

He knelt in front of her.

His hands reached up to brush her hair back, tenderly at first—too tenderly.

“Did he touch you?” he asked softly. Dangerously.

She froze. Her mouth opened, but no sound came.

His fingers fisted in her hair. “Did. He. Fucking. Touch. You?”

She nodded. A slow, guilty nod. Her eyes shimmered.

His hand snapped to her throat. She gasped as his grip closed around it—tight, controlled, but brutal.

“Leo—!” she choked out, nails digging into his wrists as she tried to pry him off.

His eyes were wild. Unhinged. Not Leonardo the boy she once knew—but something darker, something broken and burning.

“You’re mine,” he whispered, venom soft. “Mine to touch. Mine to ruin. Mine to protect. Mine to destroy.”