Chapter 2

Lucy POV

Once again, the sack was thrown over my head. Antonio wished for a dramatic facial reveal. There was no longer anything unique about me. My brown eyes no longer had that glimmer of mischief, love, and crazy enthusiasm, and my brown skin no longer shone with youth and pleasure. However, my dark curls remained the same. Curly, kinky, untamed, and wild. They were sweet and velvety as they cascaded from my back to my waist. Over time, my physique had transformed. Even after all the terrible things I had to go through to obtain it, I liked the hourglass figure I got from my athletic build.

The door opening jarred me out of my reverie. Although I could hear someone enter, the stairs were perfectly quiet, thus I was unable to identify the newcomer's gender.

"Son!" Antonio applauded. That clarifies my concerns.

"What do you want, Antonio?" I felt a little chill at the sound of the fresh voice. The Italian accent in the words, together with how deep, velvety, and dominating it was, shook me to my very core. I was a little pleased that he spoke so harshly about his father.

"Now, son - "

Don't refer to me as that, Antonio. You've lost track of where you are," his kid said. My face crept a little grin from behind the sack. I enjoyed him.

Guardiamo oltre (let's ignore it). Before I was yanked up to stand and forced to kneel in a certain location, there was a sound of fingers cracking.

I was forced to stare up at an Adonis reincarnation after having my bag removed and my hair pushed back. He had midnight-black hair that fell in a part of his onyx eyes, which was lengthy in the center but short on the sides. Deeply tanned complexion, full pink lips, and a jawline with a five o'clock shadow. He was dressed in a black suit with a white shirt beneath that had the first three buttons undone, revealing some tattoos. His hands were encrusted with silver rings, some of which had black jewels. Both hands and backs of both had tattoos. I was intrigued by the creative swirls since I was ignorant of the whole tattoo. Not if he made the decision to remove his shirt. Something to which I would not object.

I had strange ideas that caused unpleasant memories to come to mind. I forced all of my eyes to shut firmly.

"I don't want it," Antonio's kid said in response. "You are nothing so you feel nothing."

I didn't even flinch or retaliate. I was used as an object for so long that it didn't bother me. Those types of remarks didn't bother me as much anymore. They had been repeated to me several times.

"There, you flatter Luca," I said. You must take it; you don't have to desire it, Antonio remarked.

"Allow me to clarify, Antonio. Antonio's son Luca said with a deadly calm voice, "I do not want some whore you purchased. That word stung, now. It brought up spooky recollections for me. I slumped, relying on my two guys to support me while I fought back a panic attack. I inhaled gradually. The timing wasn't right now, Lucy. You're free, right? You're done. Breathe, breathe, breathe. Although I see how pitiful she is, our mafia owns her. She's worth billions," I found it perplexing.

"Explain," Antonio commanded.

She had a net worth of 5 million pounds, but when she was given to me for a lower price, she "went missing," and her value increased to 55 million pounds. She's now worth more than 2 billion euros thanks to her time with one of my trusty allies. So, Luca, it is entirely up to you to decide what is best for her. She also signed some papers here making her yours legally.

The fresh knowledge had my head racing. Me? billions of dollars? If Luca just sold me, the situation may be over.

Luca remarked, "I could just sell her to the highest bidder," confirming my assertion.

You could, but you haven't looked into what she is capable of. Why throw away something so valuable? Antonia prompted. Of what he said, I was aware. I didn't want to remain with Luca, but I also didn't want to be sold to some conceited jerk.

What will it be, Luca?" Use my little spitfire to your advantage, take the girl, or sell her for cash," Antonio had stepped up close to me throughout our conversation. I didn't flinch or react as he ran a palm over my face.

I could move, obey commands, and kill like a statue. It would be difficult for me to regain enough of my former self to murder Antonio, but that jerk would perish like everyone else who had harmed me. At that point, I wished Luca would pick me up. I could murder his father if I got near enough. I took solace in knowing that Luca would be OK with his father's passing even if I did succeed.

Even though I didn't like him and never will, I enjoyed that. Father-like son may be at play here. I discovered that it is best to only put your faith in those who share a certain darkness with you. I pray to God that I never find that person since I haven't yet.

Luca peered over my body with his pitch-black eyes while the room remained silent. I was wearing shorts that I had knotted at the waist since they were a bit too large for me and a ripped soiled T-shirt. He made no disclosures. There was no indication that he would retain me—something I pleaded with him to do—or that he would sell me. It sucked that I couldn't read him. In this room, I could read every person. Antonio was shaking his side and seemed anxious. The guards sometimes cast glances at me out of curiosity.

I was kneeling on the floor, my body motionless. I was dead inside. Had been since the "safe house" will be for the rest of my life. There are just some things you go through and never come back the same.

"I'll take her on one condition," Luca finally stated. A wager. Smart.