Owned By The Devil Himself

ORTENSIA “It’s been thirty minutes since we left my workplace, Cayden,” I said, my voice laced with frustration. My stepbrother remained silent, his long strides forcing me to keep up as we walked along the roadside. My legs ached, and I was already exhausted. I scoffed at his silence. Cayden’s arrogance was getting out of hand. He had the audacity to drag me from work to God-knows-where, all because he claimed he had my money in cash and needed to give it to me before he spent it. “Cayden,” I called again, coming to a stop. He finally turned to face me and said, “Chill the fuck out, Ortensia. This is the road to my new place, cupcake.” He licked his lower lip, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. He took a deep drag before exhaling the smoke into the air. I hated that nickname. And I hated him even more for using it. Growing up with a single mother, I had learned to fend for myself. Things only got worse when she married Cayden’s father, another single parent. Unlike m

VITO “Wait… a kiss?”She looked shocked, her lips parting slightly, but I didn’t stop. I moved in closer, my breath ghosting over hers, watching the way her chest rose and fell in uneven pants.Just as my lips were about to claim hers, my phone rang.I clenched my jaw, muttering under my breath, “Perché cazzo mi chiami?” (Why the fuck are you calling me?)Annoyed, I yanked the phone from my pocket and answered sharply. “Set the flight first thing tomorrow. And don’t fucking disturb me again, dumb wit.” I hung up before the idiot on the other end could respond.Slowly, I turned back to her, she was frozen, her wide eyes filled with something between fear and disbelief. Her hands clutched the fabric of her dress like it was the only thing keeping her standing.I smirked. That’s undoubtedly what I wanted.“Already scared?” I taunted, tilting my head.She shuddered. And then, finally, the tears she had been desperately holding back slipped free, trailing down her flushed cheeks.“Please…

ORTENSIA I didn’t look back when I had the chance to escape. I didn’t hesitate. The moment was short, a small window that could close any second, and I had to take it. Only the driver, an older man with a cold look, and Enzo, Vito’s burly, tough-looking guard, were with me. That made it easier. No army of guards, no tight security just them and me. My heart pounded as adrenaline rushed through my veins. I ran. I ran like my life depended on it because it did. The city blurred as I pushed forward. My breath was rough, my legs burned, but I refused to stop. My flats smacked against the pavement expensive, but useless for running. Still, I couldn’t slow down. Not yet. Then, like a miracle, I saw police officers. My heart leaped at the sight of their uniforms. I forced myself to run faster, closing the gap as quickly as I could. When I finally reached them, I nearly collapsed, gasping for breath. “Hey, miss, calm down,” one of the officers said, stepping closer with a concerned l

“Play Space?”I don’t know if I was liking the way this conversation was going honestly, my body was already tensed, I could feel my breathing getting fast, I was suddenly feeling the heat.“Yes Doll, Play Space. Other than guns and rivals, I have other interesting space in my life, and in here you don’t have a say, you just do what you are told” He said and licked his lips.I swallowed hard, I swear I could feel the intensity of his word, they made me shiver, I’ll do what I’m told? Like that’s not what I’ve been doing ever since he bought me like he bought a snack in the auction house.“Ortensia..” he said drawing his words, “kneel” he added, and I gulped, this man was the kind of dominant and want to be the one with the power. I knew I had to obey him, it was not an option.I’ve come to decide that if I want to survive Vito, I have to obey his every command, failure to do so will come a great punishment.I find myself kneeling down slowly, “good girl“ he said and pat my hair, “see h

“I’m sorry,” I said sincerely, “I didn’t mean to Vito,” I added, my voice shaking, my heart in my throat like a guilty child caught with bloodied hands.He breathed and tried to steady his gums. “Leave,” he said softly, like he was trying to hold something bigger than rage down in his chest, like it was boiling and breaking his bones from the inside.But I walked to him, stupidly maybe, stubborn definitely, and said, “I didn’t mean to, please, it was a mis…” I couldn’t even finish my sentence when he snapped like a switch had flipped and all the heat in his veins turned to fire.“I said fucking leave this room this minute, bitch!” he yelled, punching the wall beside him so hard I jumped like I’d been shot. His knuckles split, blood smeared the wall like a warning sign, and I shook… I’ve never seen this side of him. Not this angry, not this lost.The fact that he had punched on the wall and bleed, this shows how angry he was. It wasn’t about me. Or maybe it was. Maybe I was the match t