Chapter 3

~~Oriana~~.

My eyes blinked open, “Ahhh” I groaned, my entire body ached, I tried to sit up but my eyes doubled.

What the hell, “Cassie” my voice sounded foreign, hoarse even. I saw a glass of water by the side of the bed, without thinking twice I grabbed it and gulped it down.

Finally, My throat regained some moisture, I touched the back of my head, it felt like I had been run over by a truck.

What the hell happened?

I took in my surroundings, the walls were darker than the walls of the two day luxury suite I had booked. The room gave off a masculine aura, the sheets were black, grey chandeliers gave a dim light, giving the room an even more mysterious energy.

Last night's event immediately flashed back, I had just finished from court and was going back to the suite.

Gasp

“Murder.” The words shot out faster than I could think, I had just witnessed a murder.

I pushed myself off the bed, ignoring the pain coursing through my body, I dragged myself off the bed to the oak door.

I pushed the knob, it didn't budge, “who's there. Let me go out of here” I banged on it, screaming out of my lungs.

My lungs ran out of air very quickly, I paused, letting my breath fall steady. I had to be rational about this. Venice was the heart of Italy and very much the center of crime, so it wasn't difficult for some local crime boss to make me disappear.

The lock clicked, I took a step back, scanning my eyes quickly through the room for anything that could be used as a weapon. The knob turned and with a creak the door finally opened.

I clutched the pillow I had settled for tightly, an old figure wearing a white overall with a stethoscope hanging off her neck.

“I would let go of the pillow If I were you” her voice was old, she walked straight in, dropping the tray she held on the bed stand.

My eyes followed her from behind, watching her every move carefully, “I don't have time for games, come child. Let's get this over with” she sounded bored.

“Where am I?” I finally found my voice.

“Sept tour” she said like it was nothing.

I burst into a full blown laughter, clutching my stomach tightly, “that's impossible” I said in between laughs, ignoring the irritated look in her gaze.

“Everyone knows, Sept tour is the exclusive home of the Mafia King and Lord. Ciro Conti,”

She looked at me like I had grown three heads, “And who do you think brought you back?” She raised a brow.

“Impossible” I stuttered, my brain short circuited. A face flashed into my memory, hitting like a tidal, that slow upward curve of those devilish lips, those jaws, those reddish eyes that felt like they were peering right into my soul.

I stumbled back, two words ringing repeatedly in my head, “I'm dead.” I muttered.

“Not on my watch. Now come, I have much to do.”

My eyes darted to the door, a plan quickly took root in my head,

“Don't even think about it.” That old voice snapped.

I numbly sat beside her, processing everything that was happening. I had to get out of here.

“How are you feeling?” She prepared a syringe, flicking it twice.

“Like I was mulled by a mob”

“Good. At least you're feeling something, those fools overdosed on you.” she snorted.

No wonder I lost consciousness, I was drugged.

“Right or left arm” she raised the needle

“You're not putting whatever that is into me” I spat.

“It's the antidote to the drug in your system. You'll stop breathing in the next five minutes” she said flatly, like she wasn't talking about a life.

“You poisoned me,” I said sharply.

“I didn't. But whatever you say, four minutes.”

My heart was beginning to burn, I could feel my head spinning, my breath quickened,

“Three minutes” that cold voice echoed again like a death countdown.

Fuck it. I stretched out my arm, something warm sipped into my body, my breath steadied.

Chills ran down my spine, at my close brush with death.

“Brava ragazza” [Good girl] a voice, cold as steel spoke from behind, I lifted my head to the source.

A figure came out from the shadows, dressed in all black outfits, the Chandelier casting a light on his devilishly handsome face.

Ciro Conti.

My nails dug into my palm, having sent the likes of him to prison for years, who would have thought that one day I would end up in the hands of the king amongst them all.

“Leave us”

She bowed and walked out without looking back.

My toes curled as he walked closer to me, “what do you want?” My words came out firm, not betraying the turmoil going on inside me.

“My brave little one” he reached out, I smacked his hand away before they could touch me,

“Keep your hands to yourself” I spat, “why did you kidnap me. I could have you arrested for this.”

Amusement flickered in his eyes, “Have me arrested?” He pursued his lips.

“You may be a Mafia King, Mr Ciro. But the law is still operative and I will make sure you rot in jail for your crimes”

His lips titled upwards, “I’d love to see you try”

“Let me go,” I gritted out.

“You're merely a visitor kitty,” he spread his hands, “I didn't chain you to the bed…” he paused, “yet” he finished.

“Detaining a supposed visitor is illegal. Not to mention murdering a citizen of Italy” I clamped my mouth shut instantly, I knew my rambling will one day get me into trouble, but not get me killed.

His grin widened, “I was starting to think you lost your memory or something. That would have been a pain” he stretched.

He sat on the sofa, opening a drawer. Colour drained from my face the moment he pulled out a gun and placed it on the table, then pulled out a document and placed it beside it.

“I…I… didn't see anything.” I stuttered, my heart beat rising.

“Calm your horse kitty. You haven't given me a reason to kill you yet.”

“Stop calling me that” I gritted out.

“Whatever you say doll” a low chuckle left his lips. He was enjoying this.

I can't die, not yet. I bit down on my lips.

He handed me the document. “You have two choices. That or death” the playfulness from earlier disappearing into nothing, replaced by a sharp edge and precision that cut right through the air to lock onto me.

Written in bold were the words

“Marriage contract”