Chapter three

Elara’s POV

The leather seat felt too soft for someone like me.

I sat stiffly between two stone-faced men, my hair still wet and sticking to my skin. I couldn't breathe well. Not even a coat was given to me to make me feel warm.

I sat straight up, my mind running back to him.

Dante Caruso.

The man who bid one million for me without blinking.

I knew who Dante Caruso was. Everyone in the city did. He didn’t need an introduction. He was a feared mafia Lord in Italy. But I'd never seen him before.

How could I? He was in places I could only dream of being.

I'd often overhear people say, “ The Caruso's are monsters. But you see the heir, Dante Caruso…He's the demon himself. You mess with him and you’re dead before sunrise.”

And here I was.

Bought, Owned by him.

*********

When the car finally pulled up to the mansion, my breath left my body.

Not because it was beautiful. But because it was terrifying too. Nothing I'd ever seen.

I watched as the car in front stopped and Mr Dante Caruso stepped out first, buttoning his suit jacket. I didn't see his face this time.

Two men grabbed my arms and pulled me out of the car. I didn’t even have time to think.

Mr Dante walked into the mansion, and we walked behind him.

Dante’s voice cut through the air, quiet but commanding not looking back.

“Get her cleaned up,” He said, turning to another direction.

He stopped briefly, and turned to look at me, “And.. one more thing..”

His eyes were locked on me, His expression didn’t change, but his voice dropped lower.

“Don’t try to run away.” He said.

I wasn't planning to.

“Yes, sir…” I whispered.

His eyes lingered on me for one long, suffocating second before he walked away.

Then, I was pushed through a door and down long, empty hallways. I felt like I was walking into a prison.

Finally, the bodyguards finally stopped in front of a door and opened it without a word.

Inside the room, a woman waited there. She looked at me with a warm smile.

She handed me a thin robe and pointed to the bathroom.

“The girls will get you cleaned up. Come.” I nodded and followed her. Her voice was sweet and it made me feel safe.

Something my mother wasn't capable of.

Immediately, two girls walked up to me and started undressing me. I felt quite uncomfortable, but I put on a little fake smile.

We went into the bathroom and I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked a mess.

My hair was still wet and stuck to my face. My eyes looked tired and scared. I even tried to breathe deeply, but my chest felt heavy.

Now I know why he asked me not to run. Because right now, I felt like running away.

But I thought about Mira. I needed to be strong for her.

The maids bathed me, dressed me, and I noticed they tried not to look me in the eye. I didn’t blame them.

When they finished, one whispered:

“He wants you in his room.”

I froze. “Who?”

“Mr Dante.” The other replied.

I swallowed deeply.

Of course he did. What else were girls like me good for?

I was put in a red robe and was escorted again by the two bodyguards.

I kept my steps steady down the long hallway even though my insides were shaking apart.

What could he possibly want to do with me?

When we reached his door, they left me alone.

I knocked softly.

“Enter.”

I obeyed.

Dante sat on the edge of the bed, elbows resting on his knees, his gaze dragging over me slowly. I looked down and wrapped my arms around the robe.

“Come closer,” he said.

My feet moved before my brain registered anything.

When I stood close enough to smell his cologne–dark, cedarwood–he took my hands and looked me in the eye. I'd never been put in such a situation before, it made me feel something.

His hands traced down my arms as he stood up, pulling me closer.

His dark eyes still locked on me.

It was like he was studying me, trying to understand what I was.

“What's your name?” He asked me, softly.

“Elara,” I murmured.

He smirked a bit.

“You understand why you’re here, Elara?” He asked me.

I swallowed hard.

“N-no.” I stammered.

“Speak up,” He demanded.

“No sir.” I replied.

He nodded once.

“I bought you for a purpose,” he said quietly.

“What purpose?” I asked, my voice trembling.

He didn’t answer right away. He just let go of me.

After a moment, he said, “You Elara, will help me continue my family.”

I blinked.

“Y-your family?”

“Yes. I need an heir. Time is against me.”

He watched me slowly as I tried to process his words.

He wanted me… to carry his child? And what did he mean by time was against him?

“What… what do you mean by that?” I asked quietly. “Why don’t you have time? Are you”

“Stop.”

The word shut me instantly.

His jaw tightened just a little.

“You don’t get to question me,” he said. “Not about my life. Not about my reasons.”

“I’m sorry, sir,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I didn’t mean to”

“You did,” he cut in. “But I’ll ignore it. Once.”

“If you accept, you'll be here till your delivery, Elara. I'll let you go once you give me an heir. And also, I'll pay you to carry my heir.” he replied.

“Sir, I”

“Fair deal, if you ask me Elara.” He said, his voice persuasive.

This wasn't a decision to make on the spot. I had to think about it.

“W-why… me?”

His eyes didn’t move from mine.

“Because I choose you.”

There was silence for a while.

“And I will protect you while you’re here. You will also follow my rules.” he said quietly.

I nodded.

“Rule one: you don’t leave this house without my permission.”

I nodded.

“Rule two: you obey me when I speak.”

Another nod.

“Rule three: you don’t lie to me. Ever.”

“Yes sir.”

He studied my face, his expression unreadable.

“You want something from me too? Elara.”

I blinked. “Sir I– no”

“What did I say about lying?”

I swallowed hard. “I have a younger sister.”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“I left her with my mother,” I whispered. “She’s… not safe with her. If there’s anything you can do, anything at all, to make sure she’s—”

“No.”

The word was sharp and final.

I flinched.

“You are not in a position to ask me for favors,” he said coldly. “You want me to protect your sister, then obey. That is how you earn anything from me in this house.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You will think about what I said,” he told me.

I didn’t know what thinking would even change. Did I have a choice here?

He continued,

“You have one day. Not more.”

“One day?” I whispered.

He nodded once.

“If by tomorrow, you agree,” he said, “your life will be protected. Your sister will be safe. You will be under my name. Under my roof. And no one will touch you.”

My heart squeezed at the mention of Mira.

“And if I say no?” I asked quietly.

He leaned slightly closer not touching me, but close enough to feel the heat from his presence.

“Then you will learn what happens to people who refuse me.”