Chapter 6— I own you now

Valentina's POV

Marbles stretched beneath my feet, smooth and shiny under the warm chandelier lights above. The walls were lined with dark wood and expensive artwork while the high ceiling managed to make everything grand and intimidating.

This was a fortress and I was already caged in.

There was no escape for me.

At the thought, a chill ran down my spine and Isa turned to me at once. “Scared, princess?”

“I'm no princess,” I scoffed as I looked around the mansion, “I am Valentina.”

Isa only shrugged as she grabbed my hand, leading me through the various hallways. “Where are you taking me?” My voice was barely audible as exhaustion was wearing over me, “where do I sleep tonight?”

Isa stopped in her steps immediately and turned to me. “With the Don.”

“What?” My eyes widened as I pulled out of her grip. My heart thumped inside of my chest as I shook my head, “no. I will not. I'll not do that. I'll not do anything with him. I do not want this!”

Isa scoffed as she watched me, “that's enough drama. Come with me.”

“No…”

“You're not sleeping with the Don, I didn't mean that,” She finally spelled out and chuckled, “if the Don wanted you tonight, he'd have never left us.”

On our way back, Nikolai had taken another vehicle at a stop because he had something to attend to. Does that mean… I only get today for him to stay away?

What happens tomorrow?

At the thought, a shaky breath ran down my spine before we reached the bedroom and my eyes widened in awe. The room was bigger than our whole house.

Okay, maybe not literally but I was staring at the biggest room ever.

Painted in cream, a large bed sat at the center, dressed in dark sheets and pillow so soft they looked untouched. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretch across one wall, the heavy curtains pulled halfway to reveal the glow of the city lights outside.

A plush rug softened the marble floor just beneath my feet while a sleek vanity, polished wardrobe, and soft golden lamps made the room look expensive and carefully designed.

“Your room,” Isa said as she dashed right behind the wardrobe and reappeared with a first aid kit in her hands. “Show me your ankle, Valentina.”

I settled on the bed and pulled my gown upwards and the ankle appeared, swollen and reddened. At once, Isa got to work and I shut my eyes trying to fight back the pain as she applied ointment.

She then raised her head to me, “this is going to hurt.”

“What?” The words barely left my mouth when she twisted. A cry tore from my lips as a crack echoed through the room, my ankle snapping back into place while pain shot through every nerve.

“That's all,” she returned the kit and tilted her head, “rest well, Valentina.”

And immediately I was all alone. Every scene from yesterday flashed in my eyes immediately. Camila escaped, leaving me. Dad used me as a collateral and here I was married to a Don that didn't even care enough to introduce me to the house.

What was I even saying? Did I expect that from a mafia Don? A bitter laugh left me as I adjusted on the bed. Why did Nikolai marry me? What was I about to be used for?

To give him heirs? Or something worse?

The thought sent a shiver through me and I shut my eyes. And perhaps I was too tired because everything faded around me as I fell into a deep sleep.

The next thing that woke me up was voices.

“She wouldn't last, Don.”

“She would be protected.”

“If ambush comes Don,” the voice twisted into something familiar, “I had to hold her down. A bullet could have hit her. She was trembling,”

A soft laughter followed Isa’s words, “I for sure don't want to be the one to train her.”

“She's awake,” the voice followed as soon as my eyes snapped open.

Nikolai stood in front of me, dressed in black, the clean fabric stained with drops of blood.

A scream burst from my lips as sleep vanished instantly.

“What… what happened?”

Isa leaned against the wall while another man stood beside her, silently watching me. “She’s exactly as you said,” he murmured.

“Leave us.” Nikolai ordered.

The room suddenly felt smaller the moment they obeyed. My fingers clutched the hem of my gown as fear tightened around my chest.

What… I thought he wasn't coming back tonight? Why was he here? What does he want?

Darkness gleamed in his eyes as he stepped closer, stopping by the bed. “Get down, Valentina.”

My heart slammed in my chest as I instinctively moved backwards, eyes wide, “what…”

“Now.” Nikolai's voice was final, a quiet reminder of the same authority he gave back at home. I sucked in my breath, trying to steady my racing heart as I slowly moved down the bed.

“What… do you want?”

“A lot,” Nikolai smirked as his eyes ran over me, slowly like he ravished every bit of fear he was putting inside me until his eyes finally met mine.

“Come closer.” He ordered as he found a spot on my bed, his predatory eyes focused on me. When I didn't move, his eyes narrowed with a glitter of annoyance and I forced myself to move.

Each step felt endless until I stood only inches from him— Miami's most dangerous mafia Don.

Mum would be terrified if she was alive.

“The gown did a great job,” Nikolai grabbed my gown and I almost flinched as he played with the fabric. “Its job is done.”

That… meant.

I shuddered, forcing myself to not believe that, “what do you…”

“Strip, Valentina,” Nikolai's next order boomed in the air and my eyes widened.

Everything around me stilled as my limbs went numb. He wanted to see me… naked? And… what happens after?

Sex.

Of course sex, Valentina.

A sob rose to my throat at the thought. How was I supposed to give myself to a man I met less than 24 hours ago? That wasn't who I was.

“Now.” His voice tightened with impatience and that made my hands move.

I bit on my lip fighting back every cry as I slowly took my hands to the zip. It took lots of effort but I finally caught it and zipped it down.

Slowly, I grabbed the shoulders pulling down my dress until it dropped right at my ankles, leaving me in my bra and panties.

Heat burned in my cheeks, diffusing to every part of me while my gaze fell to the floor.

“The rest?”

“What—” a tear finally dropped as I raised my head and found Nikolai's. They met mine firmly, not wavering, his command clearly visible in his eyes.

My hands moved, grabbing the hook of my bra and in a click, it came undone, my boobs dropping right to my chest.

My eyes went shut immediately, shame soaking up every fibre inside of me and for a fleeting moment, I wondered what he was thinking. Was he enjoying humiliating me? Or that's just how it's done in their world.

“Good,” Nikolai breathed out and just as I opened my eyes, his fingers brushed my nipple. A gasp escaped my lips as my eyes widened, shock and unfamiliar heat colliding inside me.

Nikolai withdrew his hands and stood before I could say a word, a smirk gracing his lips, “I own you now, Valentina. You are mine. Get used to it,” he grabbed my jaw forcing our eyes to meet.

“And that means I own this… all of this,” he whispered, released my jaw and turned around.

“Get some rest,” as soon as he was out, I crashed to the floor immediately and slowly, the tears fell.