“Where are you taking me?”
Aria’s voice shattered the stillness in air at the back seat of the black Maybach. Her wrists were still bound, her ankles too. The ropes dug deeper into her skin, making it itchy and reddened. Her breath remained uneven as fear clawed its way through her lungs. Her question hung in the air, she swallowed softly as she watched the silhouette of her buyer, while he intentionally ignored her. She tried rubbing her ankles together as the itch got unbearable, she wondered why he didn’t untie her. Did he want to savor the fact he bought her for such amount, and was he going to show her off elsewhere? She caught his gaze for a split second at the rear view mirror, one of his hand gripped the leather steering wheel while the other relaxed on the gear. His face illuminated once in a while from the passing streetlights. Despite being his captive, she couldn’t deny his looks. His demeanor was overwhelming, dangerous but yet he was the most handsome man she’d seen in a while. Soon, the tyres slowed as the Maybach rolled to a slow stop in front of a massive wrought iron gates. Her gaze rose slowly to watch the tall gates like it was some damn castle in Merlin, then it creaked open automatically. The car rolled in, for some minutes all they passed were perfectly trimmed trees, angel water fountains at each corner , almost like an estate. Then they got to a stone mansion that set against the dark skyline like a cathedral. Her stomach churned violently, she soon came to the realization that there was no running from here right now, or even ever. The car halted finally with a little jerk that made her slid off the seat for a split second, he then got down from the car and walked to her side of the door. “Come, little dove.” She threw her gaze away from him, refusing to move from the seat. Suddenly, his hands shot out as he grabbed her by the arm out of the car, then slung her over his shoulder like a bag of cement. Her core throbbed as her breast hit his shoulders, all her hair came pouring down her face as she bounced softly while he took his steps. Then he set her down on the marble steps at the entrance, she staggered slightly but he held her in place. Without pressing the bell, the door shot open and a woman in her mid forties shoved her head out, her hair pulled into a tight silver bun while her emerald eyes gleamed brightly at their presence. “Welcome Master,” she greeted with a polite nod, and excused herself from the entrance as he held her tightly and walked in. “Shall I prepare the west wing?” she asked, Aria’s eyes scoured through the opulent view of the house, the chandeliers, the portraits that seemed like four people only could carry. The dining that was lit with like almost ten candles with variety of meals , and the tall open windows with the moonlight shining through the dark demeanor of the house. “Put her in the velvet room,” He urged, her head snapped back to his command. “She’s yours until I say otherwise. Feed her, give her a bath and don’t let her out of your sight.” He releases his grip on her, Aria’s throat tightened as her stomach churned, he talks about her like she was some dog or cat. “As you wish, Master.” The woman gave a small bow. Then she stepped forward, “I’m Doris, dear. Come along. You’ll feel much better once you’re clean.” Aria looked back at him, his intense stare sent shivers through her. His hands pocketed into his suit pants, and he watched as Doris held her by the shoulder. She turned back and followed doris, her barefoot padded softly on the shiny marble floors of the hall way lit by two chandeliers. “I can bathe myself,” Aria halted the moment they were nearing a king sized bathroom with scented candles lit around it. There was a hot tub the size of a hot spring, steaming with perfumed water. Scented oils wafted in the air, it almost didn’t feel like she was a prisoner. Doris turned slowly, with a kind gaze. “Master Lucian prefers obedience.” So that’s his name? all she heard was the collector. “I’m not his fucking pet!” she snapped. Doris smiled softly, completed unfazed by her defiance. Her hands clamped down on the ropes and she undid them softly, “You’re not the first girl he’s brought here, darling…but you’re the only one he watches.” Aria’s jaw tightened, “what do you mean?” Doris lowered her gaze, untying the last knot. “There were others, pretty girls, wild ones. He kept them for days, weeks even. But none of them had eyes like yours, you’re different.” She picked up a sponge, and dipped it into the water. “You’ll see.” She turned, “Take the lingerie off. I’ll help you into the bath.” Aria’s chest tightened even more, to think she wasn’t the first. What happened to the others? How was she special, did he buy them too? was that his thing? “Tell me…” she stepped closer to Doris, “what happened to them.” Doris’s eyes shifted slightly, like she knew something but couldn’t tell her. Instead she held her arm, taking the tiny arms of the lingerie off her shoulders “Come, let me bathe you…” “No, I can…” Aria was cut off the moment the bathroom door swung open. Then he walked in, his jacket was gone. His white shirt rolled to his elbows, tattoos inked almost completely on his forearms. “Leave us,” He commanded. Doris gave a soft bow and left without another word, closing the door behind her. After hearing the click of the door, his gaze returned to her. Her hands instinctively flew to her breasts. He walked towards her, rolling his sleeves even higher. His forearms flexed the multiples veins that complimented his tattoos, “Get in,”“Hmn…” Aria let out a soft moan as she inhaled deeply, a small smile curled at the corner of her lips. Her hands dug into the railing, gripping tightly while Lucian’s shirt draped over her small frame. His cologne engulfed the air around her, the hem of the shirt brushed her bare thighs as she raised one of her legs to steady her stance. A couple strands of her hair fell on her face as the breeze bristled past her. Her lips grew wider with a smile, seeing the lights all over the city, knowing that people were still out there living their best lives. Aria’s heart still thudded ever since they left the club. She couldn’t stop the rush of emotions, how Lucian’s hand clamped down on her thigh so possessively when Gianni’s hungry eyes wouldn’t get off her.Her hands went down to graze her thigh, before they slid back into the shirt. She caressed her chest, her heart. What was this feeling? Why was she basking in the thrill of Lucian claiming her? Was she starting to love this devil?
“You think Gianni would forgive the little fight that happened here last time?” Domenico muttered as he slammed his car door shut behind him, his voice laced with sarcasm.Lucian’s gaze rested on the flashy sign board that rested on the building before him, “The short bastard doesn’t have any right to offer me forgiveness. Who knows, I might still walk out with all his teeth.” His tone calm, yet echoing with so much pent up anger.He turned softly, his attention drifting to Aria as she slid out of the car. “Why don’t you stay in the car, Aria.” He said softly,Her eyes flickered between the neon lit entrance and his softened gaze, “How bad can it be? I’ve seen worse.” Her lips twitched in a half smile that didn’t reach her eyes.Lucian’s gaze remained on her body, reading her expression for the truth before he let out a soft exhale.“We need to go.” Domenico feet moved briskly towards the entrance, his gaze rested on the sign as he added, “And maybe don’t consider keeping her in t
Twenty minutes later“Where is she?” Lucian paced down the hallway, “I need to get down to the port, but I need to see Sister Maria before we leave.”Domenico glanced at his phone, “I’ve put a call through to the convent, she should be here in….”His voice trailed off when the elevator chimed as its doors slid open. Two of Lucian’s men stepped out first, carrying a wooden chest between them. Behind them, a pair of feet trailed. Her habit pressed neat against her body, with a rosary clenched tight around her hands.Her eyes flickered to the marble floors, the high windows and the open skylit of the penthouse ceiling. “She’s here,” Domenico peeped from the hallway,“Ave Maria…” She whispered, her voice in awe. “Questo posto e bellissimo.” (This place is beautiful)A squeal cut through her surprise, shattering the stillness.“Sister Maria!”Liana’s voice echoed differently with excitement as her little feet moved swiftly down the hall, her curls bouncing with each step she took. Sist
“Ah! Ahhh!” A piercing scream shattered the stillness of the morning.The duvet scrambled off Lucian as he jerked awake, his heart pounded rapidly in his chest as his hand instinctively reached for the gun at this nightstand before realizing it wasn’t danger.“Uncle!” The voice screamed, panic filled the voice so much that it echoed differently. Aria jerked up instinctively, her head snapped to Lucian, whose gaze was fixated on the door, like his ears were straining.“Liana!” He breathed, in seconds he was on his feet. Aria scrambled beside him, her barefoot almost stumbling on each other as they raced for the door. Lucian’s feet moved swiftly in the hallway, his hand pressed hurriedly on the handle of Liana’s room door.“Uncle…” Sobs tore through her throat, as she sat upright in her bed. Her small hands clutched the sheets as her small frame trembled.“Non avere paura, sono qui adesso.” (Don’t be afraid, I’m here now) He whispered as he sat gently on her bed, reaching for her.
“You’ll have a safe word,” Lucian said, his hands moving softly as he dragged the coil of leather across her skin. Her breathing got heavy as her chest rose highly, the whip hummed faintly when he snapped it tight in his fist.“Ah!” A sharp gasp escaped her throat as she flinched,“One word, and everything stops.” His feet moved repeatedly in circles around her, “One word, and I’ll let you crawl back into the light.”Her lashes fluttered against the blindfold, “What word will it be?”“You choose, little dove” He paused his steps as his mouth curved, and his eyes beamed with dark amusement. “But think carefully. Because once you say it, once you spit it past those pretty lips, you’ll make all of this…” His hand flexed upward as he cracked the whip against the marble floor, the sharp sound shattered the silence.“Go away.” He finished, Her mouth let out a soft exhale, and her thighs pressed together as if the sound itself cut through her.“Candles.” She whispered, his brow furrowe
“You’re safe now, nothing will hurt you anymore.” Aria’s hand brushed over Liana’s small frame. Her lashes rested like a fragile angel against her bruised skin, as she curled beneath the heavy duvet. Aria’s eyes darted to the small faint mark circled around her wrist, where Evelina’s men had grabbed her too roughly, or maybe it was Rafael. “Poor thing, I’m so sorry.” She whispered. Then she tucked the blankets tighter, smoothed the stray strand of hair from Liana’s forehead, and her lips collided against her temple in a soft kiss. The sheets writhe softly as Liana stirred, but she remained deeply asleep. With one last glance, Aria’s hand brushed against the door handle as she closed it softly behind her. Before she could turn, another sound shattered the silence in the air, “Hm! Fuck!” A groan echoed in the hallway, Aria’s head snapped to the side, to catch the sound. Her feet padded softly on the marble tiles, as the hem of her white gown trailed behind her,