Chapter 5

Aurea’s POV

Before I could even process the danger or stand back up, a large, warm hand reached down and grabbed me.

  Before I could even find my voice to scream, his other hand came around from the front. His long, thick fingers locked tightly around my waist, his grip bruising as he pulled me backward, forcing me up onto my knees until my spine was crushed mercilessly against his solid chest. I was entirely trapped in his embrace.

"Let go..." I choked out, the words barely a rasping, pathetic whisper in the silent kitchen.

He didn't listen. Instead, he buried his face deeply into the crook of my neck, inhaling my scent with a heavy, ragged intake of air. A wave of complete, dizzying confusion crashed over me. The scent radiating off him was entirely darker, laced with a faint hint of fresh rain and premium tobacco.

"Shh, little bird," a voice murmured against my neck.

My breath completely stopped. It was a deep, gravelly baritone that sent a shiver down my spine.

"You shouldn't be wandering around the house like this," he whispered, his grip on my waist tightening until it was downright bruising. His rough, calloused fingers slid slightly upward, tracing the delicate satin bow at the center of my waistband. "Especially not in these cute little thing. Do you have any idea what you look like in the dark, Princess?"

Tears of pure frustration and fear stung the backs of my eyes. I weakly reached back, my hands frantically pushing against his iron forearms. "Please... let me go..."

Then, just as suddenly as he had trapped me, the overwhelming pressure completely vanished. The heavy hands released me, retreating back into the darkness.

The sudden rush of cool kitchen air hit my damp skin, violently breaking the spell of my paralysis. I spun around on my knees, my eyes wide as I desperately reached out to grab him or see his face.

But I found absolutely nothing.

The space behind me was completely empty. The dark kitchen swallowed any trace of his existence, leaving only the deafening silence. I scrambled to my feet, turned on my heel, and ran.

I sprinted out of the kitchen and tore down the dark, labyrinthine corridors at full speed, the soles of my bare feet slapping frantically against the freezing floors. I didn't stop, until I lunged into my small bedroom, slamming the heavy wooden door shut behind me. I turned the deadbolt instantly, the sharp click of the lock echoing like a gunshot in the small space. Pressing my back flat against the solid wood, I slid down to the floor, buried my face in my knees, and eventually cried myself but sleep couldn’t find its way to me.

 morning came too fast, the bright sunlight filtering through my small window did absolutely nothing to ease the sickening knots in my stomach.

I stayed in my room, sitting cross-legged on my mattress, clutching my mother's silver necklace tightly against my chest. Today was the staff’s official off-day, but I couldn't relax. Every time I closed my eyes, the memory of that gravelly voice and the heavy hand on my waist made me feel completely sick to my soul.

Who was that? The question tore through my mind. Leo had said the brothers were in Milan. There were dozens of security guards, drivers, and groundskeepers in this fortress. Any one of those powerful, faceless men could have stalked me into the dark.

A sharp, frantic knocking on my bedroom door made me jump straight out of my skin.

"Aurea! Open up, it's me!" a voice hissed from the other side.

I rushed over, unlocking the door to find Rita standing in the corridor. Her face was completely pale, her eyes wide with a frantic, breathless energy that instantly made my stomach drop.

"The Masters are back," Rita gasped out, her hands fluttering nervously as she stepped slightly into my room. "They just returned unexpectedly, and the entire house is in a total frenzy."

My heart slammed against my ribs.. ,”You mean... the Rossi brothers? But today is our off-day..."

"Yes! And their schedule completely changed," Rita practically whispered, clutching my forearm. "The upper staff is being called in for immediate preparation. Mrs Jade asked me to call you.”

"I need to quickly change into my formal uniform," I said, my voice shaking as I gently pushed her toward the door. "You go ahead, Rita! I need to get ready, I'll catch up with you in the kitchen in just a few minutes."

"Just be careful, Aurea," she warned before turning on her heel and hurrying down the hall.

The moment she left, I scrambled to change, frantically smoothing down the stiff fabric of my apron. My mind was racing at a million miles an hour, completely consumed by Rita's terrifying warnings. I couldn't be caught hiding in my room if the staff was being summoned. I rushed out of my bedroom, slammed the door, and flew down the long corridor.

Distracted, terrified, and entirely consumed by my own internal panic, I rounded a sharp corner at full speed—and collided violently with what felt like a solid, unyielding brick wall.

The impact sent a jarring shockwave through my frame. I stumbled back several steps, completely dazed and clutching my forehead as a dull throb began to form. That's impossible, I thought frantically, my mind struggling to compute what had just happened. There isn't a structural pillar in the dead center of this hallway.

Slowly, with trembling breaths, I tilted my head upward.

My breath caught completely in my throat, Velarius Rossi was standing directly in front of me, towering over my small frame. A cold, predatory amusement shone brightly within his piercing grey eyes, and a dark, wicked smirk played on his perfect lips.

"Ti sei persa, principessa?" (Are you lost, princess?) he growled.