Chapter one: The proposal

Lexi’s Pov:

The room was suffocating, thick with tension and fear. My pulse hammered in my ears as I stared at the man sitting across from my father’s desk. Giovanni Santino. His name alone made my stomach churn with dread. He lounged in the chair, far too relaxed for someone who had just issued a death threat. His eyes gleamed under the dim lights of the study, cold and calculating.

“I’m a patient man, Ms. Thompson,” Santino said, his voice calm, almost casual. “But patience only goes so far. Your father owes me twenty million dollars, and I’m here to collect.”

I swallowed hard. My father sat slumped in the corner, a near-empty glass of whiskey dangling from his fingers, his face ashen and hollow. He wouldn’t even look at me. Twenty million. How the hell were we ever going to pay that? The debt had started small,a few bad bets here and there,but it had snowballed into something monstrous. And now… now it was life or death.

“Please,” I croaked, stepping forward to shield Kayla, who was trembling behind me. “We just need more time. A week. I’ll find a way to get you the money.”

Santino raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. He motioned to one of his men—a huge, brutish figure with a gun hanging at his side. The man stepped forward, leveling the barrel of the weapon right at Kayla.

“No,” I gasped, my heart leaping into my throat. “Please, don’t! She’s got nothing to do with this!”

Kayla whimpered behind me, her fingers gripping my arm so tight it hurt. I could feel her fear as strongly as my own, the room suddenly feeling too small, the walls closing in.

“Perhaps we take your sister instead,” Santino said, as if he were discussing what to have for lunch. “A warning, to show we mean business.”

“No!” I fell to my knees, desperation bubbling up inside me. “Please, I’ll get the money. Just give me a week.”

The silence that followed was unbearable. Santino stared down at me for what felt like an eternity, his lips curling into a slow, twisted smile.

“One week,” he finally said, his voice soft but deadly. “If you fail, there will be no more second chances.”

I nodded frantically, my chest heaving with relief as Santino and his men finally left. The door clicked shut behind them, My legs gave out, and I collapsed into a chair, my hands shaking.

The next couple of hours passed in a blur. My father didn’t say a word, just kept drinking, sinking deeper into his own guilt and shame. Kayla stayed in her room, too scared to speak. I could feel the hopelessness pressing down on me, and I had no idea how we were going to get out of this.

“Maybe we should go out,” Kayla finally said, her voice small but firm. “Just for a while. To clear our heads.” we could also talk to one of dads good friend…Mr Williams , he comes there quite often “think he might be able to give us a loan or at least know someone who could help us”.

At first, I resisted. How could I even think about going to a party when we were in this mess? But Kayla insisted, and she definitely had a point..My dad’s friend might be able to help us with some loan so we could get out of this mess. plus, the last thing I wanted was to leave her alone with her thoughts. So I agreed.

We dressed up, or at least Kayla did. She slipped into a shimmering silver dress, while I opted for something more muted. My mind was still spinning with thoughts of debts, threats, and guns as we arrived at the party. The estate was grand, filled with the kind of people I used to feel comfortable around the wealthy elite. Now, I felt like a stranger in their world, weighed down by a secret I could never share.

The music was soft, elegant, with low lighting casting a warm glow across the room. I hovered near the bar, sipping a drink I barely tasted, while Kayla disappeared into the crowd. I told myself I’d stay for a little while, just to keep an eye on her, then I’d drag us both home.

That’s when I felt it , someone watching me.

I turned, my breath catching as my eyes locked onto him. He stood across the room, tall and broad-shouldered, with an air of confidence that made everyone else seem invisible. His dark hair framed a chiseled face, his eyes piercing and intense. He didn’t look away, didn’t even blink.

And then, he was walking toward me.

“Care for a dance?” His voice was deep, smooth, and it sent a shiver down my spine.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” I said, my throat dry, I am actually here to get some sort of help from a family friend. As I spoke with him, my hand seemed to move on its own, slipping into his. Before I could think twice, he led me to the dance floor. His hand settled on my waist, pulling me closer as the music shifted into something slow, sensual. His touch was warm, and as we began to sway together, I felt my body relax against his.

“You seem like you could use a distraction,” he murmured, his breath hot against my ear. I didn’t know how to respond. Something about him unnerved me, but I couldn’t deny the pull. The way his fingers traced small, lingering circles at the small of my back sent electricity coursing through me.

“Maybe,” I whispered, feeling my pulse quicken under his intense gaze. There was something about him something dangerous, but irresistible.

Just as I started to lose myself in the moment, my phone buzzed in my purse. Reluctantly, I pulled back, glancing at the screen.

I don’t feel safe. Please come outside.

It was from Kayla.

Panic flared in my chest. “I—I have to go,” I stammered, already pulling away from the stranger’s hold. He looked at me, confused, but I didn’t wait for a response. I needed to find Kayla.

I pushed through the crowd, my heart racing as I hurried outside. The cool night air hit me, and I looked around frantically. Kayla wasn’t anywhere in sight.

“Kayla?” I called, my voice tight with fear. “Kayla!”

I took a few more steps toward the side of the house, my pulse pounding in my ears, and then—darkness.

A sharp blow to the back of my head sent me crashing to the ground. I tried to scream, but a hand clamped over my mouth, rough and unrelenting. My vision blurred, my legs gave out, and before I could fight, strong arms dragged me into the shadows.

last thing I heard was the sound of a car door slamming shut and tires screeching away.