5

VALERIA

The moment Elena walked into the private room, my breath caught.

I had imagined this….no, that wasn’t true. I had tried not to imagine it. Since the night Marcus brought her to the charity event, her face had lived rent-free in my mind far longer than it had any right to. I had replayed the way she stood beside him, the way her beautiful eyes looked around the room like she didn’t belong in it, like she was too honest for that space.

I had told myself to forget her, but I didn’t succeed.

Now she was here, walking toward Marcus with that soft smile meant only for him. The dress hugged her perfectly like it had been designed with her body in mind. Every step she took felt like a quiet accusation.

She was stunning. Too stunning.

Everything about her was right, the curve of her wathe, she confidence she didn’t even know she carried, the warmth that clung to her like light. I had wanted this woman from the moment I first saw her and seeing her now only confirmed my desire.

Yes, it was selfish.

Yes, it was dangerous.

But at this moment, I didn’t care. I wanted her all to myself.

I stayed seahiddenddden inshadowshadow, watching her as she rushed toward Marcus whennoticedriced the bruise on his face. The way she showed conforrn to him twisted sometugly ugky in my chest.

I hated how easily she cared for him.

So I ended it.

“Cute lovebirds, aren’t they?”

My voice echoed through the room, calm and deliberate.

When the light brightened, I saw the fear in her eyes. It was sharp, honest. It pleased me more than it should have.

“What are you doing heElenaELena asked.

I stood slowly, letting her feel my presence before I closed the distaHer. her body stiffened. I noticed the small shivers she couldn’t control.

She turned to MarcMarcusarcus…what’s going on?”

I smiled faintly. “Re lax,”I said. “I’m not here to hurt anyone. I’m here so we can have a perfect dinner together.” I glanced at him. “Isn’t that right, Marcus?”

He swallowed hard.

,

“Yes.” he said quickly. “Relax, honey. We’re having dinnerMsth Ms. Moretti.”

Elena dlook lookc convinced. “But you said this was going to be a surprise. Just two of us,” she said.

I took my seat directly across from her.

“It’s all part of the surprise,” Marcus said.

She sat down, trying hard not to look at me but she failed.

“I hear you got the art p iece,”I said lightly. “Congratulations.”

Her head snapped up. “You handed it over to me, didn’t you?”

I smiled. Not because she said anything funny, but because she was perceptiIe.

“i told you before,” I replied, “artworks like that don't need to be locked away.” My gaze softened. “And I see your potential, Elena. A wonderful work of art likdoesn’t don’t deserve to be locked away either.”

Our eyes met.

Something passed between us, something dangerously close to understanding.

I broke the moment first, looking away.

“Anyways,” I said, shifting the air back to business. “I’ve already placed an order.I’m sure you’ll love it, Elena.’

The food arrived shortly after. This time, no one spoke.

I watched her closely as she ate, barely touching her meal, her shoulders tense, eyes flicking between Marcus and the guards stationed quietly around the room. She was trying to understand what was happening.

Marcus on the other hand, couldn’t meet my gaze. He buried his face while he ate.

When I’d had enough, myset ,y fork down.

“Marcus,” I said calmly, “I’ll be leaving with my package now. Get my money and you can have her all to yourself once again.”

Elena froze.

“My…what?” she asked, turning toward him. “What is she talking about? What money?”

She didn’t even have time to finish the question.

I nodded once.

One guards guard, Silas, moved immediately.

His arms wrapped around Elena, firm and unyielding. She struggled, crying out, panic and fear flooding her face.

“Where are you taking me? Let me go?” she shouted, still struggling.

here here to the car, Silas,” I said.

He lifted her easily, throwing her over his shoulder as if she weighed nothing.

“Marcus…help!” she cried.

Marcus sat there, his face binied to the table. Then, he stood up abruptly.

“Don’t try anything reckless,” I threatened. “You have thirty days to get my money back. If you don’t, you’ll be responsible for her death.

Elena twisted in Silas’s grip, tears streaking down her face as she looked back at Marcus.

“You promised,” she cried. “Marcus!”

I didn’t wait to see his response, I walked out with my men, my heels steady against the floor.

By the time I reached the car, Elena was screaming, swearing, her voice hoarse with rage and fear. Silas had secured her inside, cuffing her hands to the metal handle.

She glared at me like she wanted to tear me apart.

“Oh don’t look at me like that, princess,” I said with a wide smile. “It was never my intention.”

She groaned, her eyes burning with rage.

“Relax,” I said calmly as I slid into the seat across from her. “I don’t bite.”

“Fuck you,” she spat. “What did you do with Marcus?”

I met her gaze.

“Oh,” I said softly, “your prince charming gave you to me as collateral. Until he pays me what he owes.”

Her face crumpled. “No,” she whispered. “he didn’t.”

I scoffed. “I bet you never saw the shady side of the man you claimed you love. whon that uses his woman as leverage.”

“Marcus loves me, he wouldn’t do that,” she barked.

“Believe what you want, princess,” I Then. then I lowered my voice. “You’re mine now, Elena, and you’ll do exactly as I say.”

The car pulled away into the night.

A few minutes later, the gates of my mawereon was closed behind us.

Elena stiffened beside me as Silas opened the door. The night air brushed her soft skin and I watched her take it in like she might run if she could. She didn’t move until Silas reached for her arm.

I leaned in then, close enough that only she could hear me.

“Be of good behaviour, princess,” I whispered, my lips grazing the shell of her ear. “You’ll find life here much easier that way.”

Her breath hitched.

She didn’t say ,a word but her silence loudlye loud enough.

Silas led her inside, through the marble halls. I didn’t follow immediately. I wanted the house to swallow her first. Let her feel how small she was in it.

I had already chosen her room.

When I finally went up, the corridor was quiet. Too quiet. I pushed the door open without knocking.

Elena stood near the bed.

She had showered as instructed but not the way I had intended. Her hair was still damp, aroundsround her shoulders. She had changed into the nightwear I had left for her, silk, pale against her skin, thin enough to make a point without being indecent.

She looked up when I entered, her eyes sharp and defiant/

“You don’t knock?” she asked.

I shut the door behind me slowly.

“This is my house,” I said. “Everything in it answers to Her”

her jaw tightened. “Including me?”

I stepped closer. One step. Then another. I stopped just short of touching her.

“Especially you.”

The air between us thickened. I could feel her breathing change, it was faster, shallower. I noticed it and she hated it. I liked that she couldn’t hide it.”

“You’re tense,” I said calmly. “Go take a proper shower. Hot water helps.”

“No.”

The word landed hard.

I smiled not too wide, not too cruel.

“Excuse me?”

“I said no,” she repeated, lifting her chin. “You don’t get to order me around like I’m…”

“Like you’re what?” I cut in shortly. “Mine?”

Her throat bobbled.

I tilted my head studying her. “You misunderstand something, Elena. I’m not asking.”

She didn’t move.

For a moment, I watched her, then I reached into my pocket and took out my phone.

Her eyes flickered/ “What are you doing?”

I placed a call, never breaking eye contact.

“Get up here,” I said into the phone. “Then I ended the call.

In less than a minute, the door opened.

Two guards stepped inside, expressionless. They stood behind me.

Elena’s breath caught. She took a step back until the edge of the bed pressed into her legs.

I turned slightly so she could see them fully.

“Now,” I said calmly, my voice low and controlled, “are you going to do as I say…or make them do it for you?”