First Night's Rules

Liora's POV

The black silk robe felt like a punishment.

I tied the thin belt with shaking fingers, the fabric whispering against my bare skin. No bra. No panties.

Nothing but this flimsy shield between me and whatever the Mafia King planned to do with me tonight.

Ogura’s mocking video still echoed in my head. Frigid. Pathetic. Useless. Now another man — far more dangerous — had bought the right to use my body as payment. The humiliation burned so deep I could barely breathe.

Alora was already asleep in the next room, her small chest rising and falling peacefully. I kissed her forehead one last time, whispering a silent promise that I would survive this for her.

A sharp knock sounded.

Maria’s voice came through the door, cold and final. “He wants you. Study. Now.”

My bare feet chilled on the marble as I followed the silent guard down the dimly lit hallway. The heavy scent of roses clung to the air like a warning. Every step felt heavier than the last.

The study door opened.

He stood near the window, broad back to me, a glass of amber liquid in his large hand. The low lighting carved sharp shadows across his powerful frame. When he turned, those icy gray eyes locked onto me instantly.

Silence stretched.

His gaze raked over the thin robe, slow and deliberate, lingering on the way the silk clung to my breasts and hips. He didn’t hide his hunger. He let me see it.

“Closer,” he ordered, voice low and rough with that dangerous accent.

I stepped forward, chin lifted even as fear coiled tight in my stomach. “You enjoy this, don’t you? Breaking women who have no choice.”

His lips curved into something cold and sharp. He set the glass down with a sharp clink and crossed the room in two powerful strides.

One large hand shot out and grabbed my wrist, yanking me against his hard chest. The sudden contact stole my breath. Heat poured off him, his cologne wrapping around me like chains.

“I enjoy obedience,” he growled, fingers tightening. “And you will learn it tonight. Or I’ll make sure you regret every second of this year.”

I tried to pull back, pride flaring despite the fear. “I’m not your whore to command.”

His other hand came up, fingers threading into my hair, tilting my head back so I had no choice but to meet his burning gray eyes. “Wrong. You are exactly what I say you are. Payment for your husband’s weakness.”

The words stung. He knew. Of course he knew about Ogura’s cheating, the mockery, the way I had been laughed at even in death.

“Rule number one,” he continued, voice dropping dangerously low. “You will address me as ‘Sir’ when we are alone. Every time. Fail to do so and I’ll remind you exactly who owns you now.”

Sir. The word tasted like submission on my tongue. I bit my lip to stop the protest.

“Rule number two.” His thumb brushed my lower lip, pressing just hard enough to make my breath hitch. “You do not touch yourself. Ever. Not without my permission. Your pleasure belongs to me. Understand?”

My face burned with fresh humiliation. The idea of him controlling even that made my knees weak. “You’re disgusting,” I whispered, voice trembling with anger.

His eyes darkened. “Good. Anger is better than tears. At least it shows you still have spirit.” He leaned closer, breath hot against my ear. “But spirit gets punished here.”

He released my hair but kept my wrist trapped in his grip. “Rule number three. When I summon you to my bed, you come naked and ready. No hesitation. No excuses. You will sleep there until I allow you to leave.”

Naked. In his bed. Whenever he wanted.

Dread and an unwanted rush of heat twisted low in my belly. After years of Ogura making me feel undesirable, this man looked at me like he planned to consume me whole.

I yanked my wrist, trying to create space. “I hate you.”

He laughed softly — a dark, dangerous sound that sent shivers racing down my spine. “You will hate me more before you learn to crave me, Liora.”

The way he said my name felt intimate. Possessive. Like he was already claiming pieces of me I didn’t want to give.

He finally released me and stepped back, but the air between us still crackled. His chest rose and fell heavily, jaw tight with restrained control.

“Tonight you return to your room,” he said, voice hoarse. “Sleep. Tomorrow the real lessons begin. And Liora…”

He paused, eyes dropping to my lips once more. “If you think about running, remember this — I always find what belongs to me. And when I do, the punishment will make you wish you had never been born.”