Chapter 5 Contract with the Devil

Aurelia stood frozen, her eyes fixed on the black SUV that had pulled up beside her. The tinted windows seemed to stare back like cold, dead eyes.

Before she could react, the doors swung open and two hulking men emerged. Their faces were chiseled from granite, their eyes devoid of empathy.

Without a word, they pounced on Aurelia, grabbing her arms and dragging her towards the vehicle.

"Let me go!" Aurelia struggled and kicked, but they were too strong.

"Shut up and get in," one of them growled, shoving her into the SUV.

The door slammed shut behind her, and the engine roared to life. Aurelia's mind raced as the vehicle sped away into the night.

"Where are you taking me?" she demanded, but the men just glared at her, their faces chiseled from granite.

The SUV screeched to a halt before the Bianchi estate's grand entrance. The men yanked Aurelia out, their grip unyielding.

" Baron awaits you," one of them sneered, dragging her towards the mansion.

Aurelia's heart raced with terror as she was dragged towards the mansion. She felt like a trapped animal, helpless and powerless.

The man's grip was like a vice, their fingers digging into her skin like claws. She struggled and kicked, but they were too strong, too relentless.

"Oh, Dad...please be okay," Aurelia thought, her mind racing with worries about her father's safety. Had they hurt him? Was he still alive? The unknown tormented her, fueling her fear and desperation.

Panic set in as she realized she was at the mercy of these ruthless strangers. Baron's goons were sent to collect her like a debt owed.

Aurelia's mind raced with worst-case scenarios, her thoughts a jumbled mess of fear, despair, and concern for her father.

As they approached the entrance, Aurelia's eyes fixed on the imposing doors, adorned with the Bianchi crest.

The snarling wolf's head seemed to mock her, its eyes gleaming with malevolent intent.

She felt a chill run down her spine as she was dragged inside, the doors closing behind her like a trap.

The opulent foyer was a blur as Aurelia was pulled through the halls, her feet barely touching the ground. She was aware of Baron's presence, his eyes fixed on her like a predator.

Aurelia's heart sank, knowing she was walking into a nightmare from which she might never awaken.

"Dad...I'm coming...hold on...please be okay..." Aurelia's thoughts were a silent scream, her mind consumed by fear and worry for her father's safety.

As Aurelia was dragged into Baron's presence, she felt a chill run down her spine. His aura was palpable, a dark and foreboding energy that seemed to suffocate her.

His piercing gaze was like a cold blade, cutting through her very soul. For the first time, she understood why they called him the most ruthless mafia lord.

Aurelia's eyes narrowed, her anger and fear for her father's safety igniting a fierce determination within her. She glared at Baron, her voice low and menacing.

"Where's my dad?" she demanded, her fists clenched at her sides.

Baron chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Ah, lamb, you're so predictable. Your father's...entertainment, for now."

Aurelia's rage boiled over, and she launched herself at Baron, her fists flying towards his face. "Let me go!" she screamed, struggling against the men's hold.

Baron raised an eyebrow, his expression unimpressed. "You're brave, I'll give you that. But foolish. You think you can take on me?"

"You're no match for me, lamb. But I admire your spirit. You'll make a fine addition to my collection."

Baron's gesture was a subtle nod, but Marco understood it perfectly. He stepped aside, revealing a door hidden behind a tapestry.

The door creaked open, and Aurelia's father, Carlos, was dragged in, his eyes sunken, his face bruised.

Aurelia's heart wrenched in anguish. "Dad!" she screamed, struggling against the men's hold.

Carlos's eyes locked onto hers, filled with a mix of pain and apology. "Aurelia, I'm sorry...I didn't mean to—"

Aurelia's rage reignited, and she fought against the men's grip, her eyes blazing with fury. "You monster! Let him go!"

Baron's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with malice. "Before you call me a monster, ask your beloved father what he did," he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.

Aurelia's gaze snapped to her father, her eyes searching for answers. Carlos's face contorted in anguish, his eyes filling with tears.

Carlos's voice was barely audible, his words laced with shame. "I...I took his money, Aurelia. I thought it would solve our problems, but...I was wrong."

Aurelia's eyes widened in horror, her mind reeling with the implications. "You took his money? How could you, Dad? What did you do with it?"

Carlos's face contorted in anguish, his eyes filling with tears. "I gambled, Aurelia. I thought I could win big and pay off my debts and give you and Ann the life you once lived, but...I lost everything."

Baron chuckled, his laughter like a cold breeze. "Ah, Carlos, How...amusing. You stole from me, Carlos. You thought you could outsmart me?"

Carlos's eyes dropped in shame, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was desperate, Baron. I didn't think I had a choice."

Aurelia's voice trembled with anger and disappointment. "Dad, you lied to me! You promised me you'd stop gambling, but you didn't! Now look what's happened!"

Carlos's eyes dropped in shame, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry, Aurelia. I'm so sorry. I don't know what to do."

Baron's laughter grew louder, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "Ah, the drama. The tears. It's almost...entertaining. But enough. You've entertained me long enough, Carlos. Now, it's time to pay the price."

Aurelia's eyes filled with tears as she dropped to her knees, her hands clasped together in a desperate plea. "Please, Baron, let him go. He's my father, my only family. I'll do anything, just don't hurt him."

Baron raised an eyebrow, his expression unimpressed. "Anything, lamb? You'd be surprised what people will do when desperate. But I'm not interested in your pleas. Your father made a choice, and now he must face the consequences."

Aurelia's voice cracked as she begged, her words pouring out in a torrent of emotion. "Please, have mercy! He's not a bad man, he's just weak. He didn't mean to steal from you. I'll take his place, I'll do whatever you want, just don't punish him for his mistakes."

Baron's gaze never wavered, his eyes cold and calculating. "You'd take his place? How...quaint. But this isn't about punishment, lamb. This is about debt. And your father owes me a great deal."

Aurelia's tears fell like rain, her body shaking with sobs. "Please, I'll do anything. I'll work for you, I'll pay off his debt, just don't hurt him. He's all I have."

Baron's expression remained unyielding, but a hint of curiosity crept into his voice. "Anything, lamb? That's a bold claim. I wonder...are you willing to back up your words?"

Aurelia's eyes locked onto Baron's, her gaze fierce and determined. "Yes, Baron. I'll do anything. Just name it."

Baron's eyebrow arched, his interest piqued. "Very well, lamb. I'll give you a choice. You may either sign a contract, or you may refuse, and face the consequences."

Aurelia's heart raced with trepidation, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios. "What kind of contract?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Baron smiled, his lips curling up in a cruel grin. "A one-year contract, to be exact. You'll be my...pet, for lack of a better term. And in return, I'll let your father go free."

Aurelia's eyes widened in horror, her mind reeling with the implications. "You can't be serious," she whispered, her voice trembling with fear.

Baron chuckled, his laughter like a cold breeze. "Oh, but I am, lamb. I am. And you'll do well to remember that. Now, let's get down to business, shall we?"

He snapped his fingers, and Marco produced a contract from thin air. Baron slid it across the desk, his eyes gleaming with triumph.

"Sign it, lamb. Sign it, and your father will be free to go. Refuse...and well, let's just say I have ways of persuading people to do what I want."

Aurelia's eyes scanned the contract, her heart racing with fear. It was a one-year contract, all right. And it was packed with clauses and conditions that made her blood run cold.

She looked up at Baron, her eyes blazing with defiance. "I'll never sign it," she spat, her voice firm.

Baron raised an eyebrow, his expression unimpressed. "Ah, but I think you will, lamb. You see, I have something that will...motivate you. Something that will make you sign that contract in a heartbeat."

And with that, he snapped his fingers again, and the door behind Aurelia opened with a creak. She turned to see what was behind her, and her heart stopped in her chest.

Ann, her little sister, was standing in the doorway, her eyes wide with fear. And behind her, Baron's goons were waiting, their faces chiseled from granite.

"Sign it, lamb," Baron whispered, his voice dripping with malice. "Sign it, or they'll pay the price."