Trust

Shadows flickered along the cold concrete walls, stretching and twisting with the dim overhead light. Serena’s wrists burned from the rough rope biting into her skin, but she refused to wince. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

Across from her, Lucian Moretti lounged lazily in his chair. He has poured himself another glass of whiskey. Which he held in one hand watching her like a predator toying with its prey. His dark eyes gleamed with something unreadable but she could see a smirk playing at his lips.

He was waiting for her to break and she understood that and she was not planning to.

“I hope you’re comfortable,” he finally said, his voice smooth filled with amusement.

Serena lifted her chin, her emerald eyes burning with defiance. “I’d be more comfortable with a knife in my hand.”

Lucian chuckled, swirling his drink. “Would you use it?”

“Try me.” she arched a brow. 

His smirk deepened. “That’s what I like about you, dolcezza,” he murmured. “You’ve got fire.”

Serena pulled at her restraints, testing their strength but they didn’t budge, someone had tied them too well. “You didn’t bring me here for small talk. What do you want?”

Lucian leaned forward, his movements slow and deliberate, as if savoring the moment. “I want your father to suffer.”

Serena kept her expression blank, but her heart pounded. She needed to let him see she wasn't important “You think using me will break him?” She let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “Then you don’t know him at all.”

Lucian’s smirk didn’t waver. “Oh, I know him,” he murmured. “Better than you think.”

His hand reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek. The touch was featherlight, almost teasing, yet it sent a chill through her. She clenched her jaw, refusing to react. “I wonder,” he mused, tilting his head, “what it would take to break you?”

Serena met his gaze head-on, fury burning in her veins. “You’ll never find out.”

Lucian chuckled and stood to his full height. “We’ll see.” 

Without another word, like a robot, he turned and walked out of the room, locking the door behind him.

Serena exhaled slowly. She was a bit afraid but her anger surpassed all other feelings. In the darkness, she promised herself that she was going to make him regret ever taking her.

Serena had spent hours in the dark, her wrists were aching and her mind was racing. She replayed everything she knew about Lucian Moretti. She had heard he was Ruthless and Calculating but most of all, Dangerous. He wasn’t just another enemy in her father’s long list of rivals, he was the kind of man who didn’t play fair.

This heighted her sense of urgency and she needed a way out fast. Few minutes later, the sound of a door unlocking made her pulse jump. The heavy metal creaked as it swung open, and a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped inside. Not Lucian. One of his men.

“Boss wants to see you,” he grunted.

Serena didn’t move. “Then he can come get me himself.”

The man sighed, stepping forward to untie her. The moment the rope loosened, she shot up, slamming her forehead into his nose. The crunch of bone filled the room, and he stumbled back with a curse with blood gushing from his face.

She ran out and her bare feet were silent against the cold floor as she sprinted down the dimly lit hallway. She didn’t know where she was, but it didn’t matter. She just needed a way out.

After about two turns and another different hallway she came to a dead end. Retracing her steps, she pushed forward with her heart hammering. Then she hit something solid.

Arms like steel wrapped around her in an instant, halting her escape. Heat radiated from the body trapping hers. She twisted, struggled, but the grip was unyielding. It was Lucian.

He sighed, as if this was nothing more than a minor inconvenience. “Going somewhere?”

Serena clenched her teeth, twisting in his hold, but he didn’t budge.

“Let me go,” she hissed.

Lucian chuckled. “And miss the fun?”

Before she could protest, he swept her off her feet and tossed her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing.

Serena let out a furious shriek, pounding her fists against his back. “Put me down, you bastard!”

Lucian smirked, carrying her back down the hallway. “You should be thanking me, dolcezza. I could’ve let Marco handle you. He’s… less gentle.”

Serena stiffened. She had no doubt he was telling the truth. Lucian kicked open the door to the same room she had been tied in and dumped her onto the bed, not the chair this time.

She scrambled up, glaring at him. “What now? Another round of mind games? Or are you just trying to rape me?” 

Lucian tilted his head, watching her with that same unreadable expression. “I have an offer for you.”

Serena crossed her arms. “I’d rather rot.”

Lucian’s smirk returned. “You haven’t even heard it yet.”

She scoffed. “Let me guess. You want me to betray my father?”

Lucian’s gaze darkened. “I want you to destroy him.”

Serena’s breath caught.

She had expected threats or Torture. Maybe even death. 

But this, he was asking for an alliance? This was something else entirely.

She narrowed her eyes. “Why would I ever help you?”

Lucian took a slow sip of his whiskey before answering. “Because your father isn’t the man you think he is.”

Serena laughed with sarcasm and the sound came out bitter. “And I’m supposed to trust you?”

Lucian set his glass down and leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Trust me or not, dolcezza, but by the time I’m done, you won’t just want to help me.” He smirked. “You’ll beg for it.”

Serena rolled her eyes , but for the first time since she got here, uncertainty crept into her mind.

She didn’t trust him of course but she wasn’t sure she trusted her father either. And that terrified her more than anything