Trapped.

Chapter 2: Trapped

Julian’s head throbbed as consciousness slowly returned. He blinked, his vision swimming before focusing on a ceiling that was way too fancy.

He sat up, a wave of dizziness hitting him. This wasn't his dorm.

He was in a massive bedroom, all sleek lines, glass walls showing a terrifying view of the city below, and cold marble floors. It was dead silent.

Then it all came rushing back…the alley, the men, the car. Caesar.

He threw the silky sheets off and froze. His hoodie and jeans were gone, replaced by soft, expensive-looking pajamas.

Someone had undressed him while he was out cold. A hot flush of humiliation burned his cheeks. His bag, his phone…everything was gone.

Panic seized him. He scrambled out of the bed, his legs feeling like jelly, and yanked the bedroom door open.

The hallway was just as opulent and just as empty. He tried every door he passed…a bathroom, a closet, another bedroom…all locked tight.

Finally, he found the elevator. Hope surged for a single second before he saw the sleek panel beside it. Please provide your fingerprints.

“Oh, fuck,” he whispered, his hope shattering. The elevator needed a fingerprint. This wasn’t a penthouse; it was a cage, worse than any jail.

“Looking for the way out, huh?”

The smooth, familiar voice made Julian jump. He spun around.

Caesar leaned against the hallway wall, looking infuriatingly calm. He was dressed in a simple black shirt and trousers, but he wore them like a king.

Broad-shouldered, with a sharp jaw and slick black hair, he was disgustingly handsome. And a total dickhead.

A slow, predatory smile spread across his face. “You looked pretty when you were panicking. A real damsel in distress.”

“You’re a psycho!” Julian spat, his fear turning into anger.

“Why did you kidnap me? When I get out of here, I’m going straight to the police!”

Caesar actually laughed, a low, chilling sound. “And what do you think they’re going to do, little one? My family is untouchable.”

The reality of his situation crashed down on Julian. He swallowed hard, his throat dry. “Okay, just… just let me go. Please.”

“No,” Caesar said, his voice final. “I can’t, and I won’t. When I want something, I get it. And right now, I want a new toy.”

He pushed off the wall. “Breakfast is ready. Get your ass downstairs or you starve.”

*****

Julian’s pride told him to refuse, but his stomach had other ideas. He sat at the massive dining table, shoving food into his mouth like he hadn’t eaten in days. He couldn’t help it; he was starving.

Across the table, Caesar ate slowly, his dark eyes never leaving Julian.

The silence was heavy and awkward. Julian kept his gaze fixed on his plate, feeling those eyes on him like a physical touch.

“Whatever you’re thinking, you better spill it out,” Caesar said, breaking the silence.

Julian took a shaky breath, trying to play it cool. “I just… I find it weird that you’re bothering with me. Why?”

“Got into criminology to investigate your brother’s murder. That’s quite clever, Julian.”

Julian froze, a piece of toast halfway to his mouth. His blood ran cold. “How did you…”

“If I want to know anything, I will,” Caesar smiled, a cold, knowing curve of his lips.

“You study criminology. You had a brother named Patrick. You only have classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Am I right?”

The words came out as a bare whisper. “How long have you been watching me?”

Caesar chuckled softly. “Oh, Julian. You are so naive.” He took a sip of his coffee. “Your brother thought he could outsmart me, too.”

That was all the confirmation Julian needed. Anger overrode his fear. “Did you kill him?” he asked, his voice trembling with rage.

“If I did,” Caesar mused, tilting his head, “do you really think you’d be alive right now?”

He placed his cup down with a soft click. “I’m making you an offer. You stay here with.”

“No! I don’t want to spend another minute here with you!”

“My rules are quite simple,” Caesar continued, as if Julian hadn’t spoken at all.

“No sneaking around. No leaving the house. No calls. No questions. And you don’t get to run away, unless you want me to break your fingers.”

“You’re going crazy!” Julian fumed.

“For you, of course,” Caesar said, his gaze intense. “

In return, I will tell you everything you want to know about your brother, the Mafia, and his… suicide.”

Julian wanted to say no. He wanted to scream it. But he was desperate. He had come too far, and this monster was his only link to the truth.

He felt the fight drain out of him. “Fine,” he whispered, hating himself for it. “I’ll take it.”

Caesar stood and walked over to him. He leaned down, his lips brushing Julian’s ear as he whispered, “Good. There are punishments if you break any of the rules, you know. So be a good boy.”

He walked away, leaving Julian sitting there, a cold dread seeping into his bones.

‘What have I gotten myself into?’

*****

The bedroom he was given was nice, way too nice, stocked with everything to keep him comfortable. But it was still a prison.

He tossed and turned, sleep refusing to come. The need to do something, to find a clue, anything, was a physical itch under his skin.

He slipped out of his room, the marble floor cold beneath his bare feet.

He moved silently, testing doorknobs. Most were locked. But one, at the end of the hall, was slightly ajar.

He slipped inside. It was a study…dark wood, a massive desk, shelves lined with books. His heart hammered.

This was it. On the desk, among scattered documents, was an old, familiar phone. Patrick’s phone.

Slam.

The door shut behind him. Julian’s blood turned to ice. He turned slowly.

Caesar stood in the shadows, his expression unreadable. “I told you no sneaking around. You broke your first rule.”

He stepped into the light, his voice dangerously calm. “Failing your first test. I told you, broken rules get punishment.”

He took another step closer. “Go to your room. I will come to you soon. I get to decide what I do to you.”

Terrified, Julian didn’t need to be told twice. He hurried back to his room, his mind racing with terrifying possibilities. What would a cruel Mafia heir do to him?

*****

It felt like an eternity before the door opened again. Caesar stepped in and locked it behind him with a soft, final click.

He walked over to the light switch, dimming the lights until the room was bathed in a soft, ominous glow.

Julian stood stiffly, trying to look braver than he felt.

“Face the wall. Hands on the desk,” Caesar instructed, his voice still eerily calm. He hadn’t even raised his voice. “Not a word unless I ask.”

“You’re kidding, right?” Julian let out a nervous, disbelieving chuckle.

Caesar just waited, arms crossed over his broad chest. He lifted a single, perfect eyebrow as if to say, Are you done?

“I… don’t…” Julian hesitated, the fight dying in his throat. Swallowing his pride, he turned and bent over the desk, placing his hands flat on the cool surface, his position leaving him feeling exposed and utterly vulnerable.

“Hold still. You take your hands off that table, and I start again.”

Julian’s heart was beating so fast he felt lightheaded. He heard the distinct, terrifying sound of a belt buckle being undone.

The soft hiss of leather being pulled through loops.

“You want the truth, Julian?” Caesar’s voice was a low murmur behind him. “Well, the truth is earned. One rule at a time.”

The first strike landed. It wasn’t as hard as he’d feared, but the sharp sting of leather on the thin pajama fabric made him wince. A gasp escaped his lips.

“You’ll feel the sting,” Caesar said, his voice a dark promise.

“That’ll remind you who owns your obedience. Let’s see if you’re worth the thrill of breaking.”

The belt came down again. And again. Julian squirmed, a confusing heat building in his body alongside the pain.

He was feeling too much at once….humiliation, fear, and a sickening, thrilling pleasure that made him want to scream. Why does a part of me want him to keep going?

Caesar stopped at five. “That’s just a little punishment. Break the next rule, and it will be worse.”

“I’m sorry,” Julian whispered, his throat tight with unshed tears.

“Prove it. Kneel.”

The command was absolute. Julian slid from the desk onto his knees, head bowed, hot tears finally spilling over and tracing paths down his cheeks.

Caesar used a single finger to tilt his chin up, forcing Julian to meet his gaze.

Those dark eyes searched his soul, seeing every shameful, conflicted emotion.

Without another word, Caesar turned and walked out, leaving Julian alone on the floor to drown in his own confusion and tears.

*****

The next morning, Julian woke up sore, confused, and humiliated. Every slight movement reminded him of the previous night.

“Fuck,” he cursed furiously at himself, punching the pillow. “Why don’t I just leave?”

But he knew why. On the breakfast table, alongside his meal, was a note. His phone was still missing.

Day 2 - Keep obeying and you will get to see what your brother was hiding.

He had to stay. He had to know.

Later, a bodyguard appeared at his door. “Sir, the boss wants you downstairs.”

“Alright,” Julian muttered. “I’ll be there.”

Caesar was waiting in the living room, his intense gaze following Julian as he walked down the stairs.

On the center table sat a simple cardboard box. Julian’s breath hitched. Scrawled on the side in marker was a name: Patrick.

His brother’s name.

Inside, he found a worn journal and a small red velvet box.

Julian looked at Caesar, his voice shaky. “Did my brother work for you?”

“Don’t jump to conclusions. You haven’t checked everything,” Caesar replied, his expression unreadable.

“Your brother didn’t just know me, Julian. He loved me, in his own twisted way. Oh, Patrick… he was so naive.”

“Liar!” Julian snapped, fury rising in him like a tide. “Don’t you dare talk about my brother like that!”

With trembling fingers, Julian opened the red velvet box. Inside, nestled on black silk, was a simple, elegant ring.

He picked it up, turning it over in the light. Etched inside the band were two letters.

C & P.

Caesar and Patrick.

His world tilted on its axis. He looked up at Caesar, his eyes wide with horror and disbelief.

Caesar gave him a small, sadistic smile. “You came here looking for a killer. What if I was his lover?”