6

CHRISTOPHER ROMANO Point of view

The car rolled through the gates and up the long driveway. I sat in silence with my eyes on the girl beside me. She pressed herself against the window as if distance would save her.

Rosalina.

She thought she could walk out. She thought she had a choice.

My jaw tightened. Foolish. Reckless. She had no idea what kind of danger she had thrown herself into.

The Cruz gang would have cut her open if I hadn't arrived. They would have left her body in the street like trash.

I warned her. I told her she wouldn't last ten minutes outside these walls. She lasted less than five.

The car stopped in front of the mansion. The driver got out quickly, opening my door first. I stepped out, adjusting my cuffs, keeping my expression unreadable.

"Out," I ordered without looking at her.

She hesitated, her hand gripping the leather seat. For a moment, I thought she might refuse. My eyes cut to hers, sharp, warning.

Her lips trembled. She slowly slid out of the car.

Good.

I started walking up the steps. She followed behind me with her footsteps unsteady. My men closed in around us, silent shadows.

Inside, the mansion was quiet. Too quiet. Only the sound of her shaky breaths filled the hall.

I didn't stop until we reached my office. I pushed the door open and stepped inside. She hovered in the doorway like a frightened child.

"Close it," I said flatly.

She froze. "W-what?"

My eyes narrowed. "The door. Close it."

Her hands shook as she obeyed, shutting us inside together.

I walked to my desk, placed my hands on the polished wood, and looked at her. She stood near the door with her arms wrapped around herself with her eyes wide.

Pathetic.

"Do you understand what could have happened tonight?" My voice was low, controlled, but sharp as a blade.

Her head dropped. She didn't answer.

"Look at me when I speak."

Slowly, her eyes lifted to mine.

"You think this is a game? You think you can walk out of here without consequence?" I stepped around the desk, closing the space between us. "You could have been dead in that street. Do you realize that?"

Tears filled her eyes. She shook her head. "I-I just wanted to go home..."

"Home?" I let out a short, humorless laugh. "You don't have a home anymore, Rosalina. The moment you stepped into my world, your old life ended."

She flinched as if I had struck her.

"Do you want to know what would have happened if I hadn't followed you?" I leaned down, my voice close to her ear. "The Cruz mafia would have carved you open, piece by piece. And you would have died begging for mercy."

She squeezed her eyes shut as a tear slip down her cheek.

"Do not cry," I snapped. "Tears won't save you here. Obedience will."

Her eyes flew open at my words. Fear swirled in them, but also anger. I saw it, small but burning.

Good.

I straightened, folding my hands behind my back. "From this moment on, you will not leave this house without my permission. You will not question my orders. You will not run. If you disobey me again..." I paused, letting the silence hang heavy. "I won't save you next time."

Her lips parted. "So I'm... your prisoner?"

I studied her face. "Prisoner. Guest. Protected. Call it what you want. But you belong here now."

She shook her head quickly. "No... I don't belong here. I never asked for this. I never wanted....."

I stepped closer, my shadow covering hers. "You are alive because of me. That means your life is mine to protect... or destroy."

Her breath caught. She pressed her back to the door, trapped.

For a long moment, I said nothing. I just watched her. The rise and fall of her chest. The way her hands clenched into fists. The defiance in her eyes even through her fear.

Most people crumbled under my gaze. She didn't. Not completely.

That made her dangerous.

That made me find her interesting.

Finally, I spoke again, softer this time. "You will eat. You will sleep. You will stay in this house. And you will follow my rules. Do you understand?"

She swallowed hard. "I... I understand."

I tilted my head. "Say it properly."

Her voice shook. "I understand... Mr. Christopher."

I raised an eyebrow. "It's Romano to you."

Her lips pressed together, but she nodded. "I understand... Romano."

"Good."

Silence fell again. The fire in the fireplace cracked softly, the only sound in the room.

She looked at me then, truly looked, her eyes searching for something. Humanity, maybe. Mercy.

She would find neither.

"You are strict," she whispered, almost to herself.

I allowed a faint smirk. "Strict keeps you alive."

Her eyes dropped to the floor. She hugged herself tighter, shivering though the room was warm.

For the first time since the street, I let myself breathe. The danger was gone, for now. She was safe. Under my roof. Under my control.

But my gut twisted with something I didn't want to name.

Why did I go after her?

Why did I risked a confrontation with the cruz mafia for one reckless girl?

I should have let her die. It would have solved more problems than it created.

And yet... I didn't.

I couldn't.

"Go to your room," I said suddenly, turning away from her. "Sean will take you."

She hesitated, as if expecting me to say more. But I didn't look back.

The door opened. Sean appeared, silent as always. Rose slipped past me quickly, her head bowed.

The door closed behind them, leaving me alone in the quiet office.

I poured myself a drink, staring into the dark liquid.

This girl. This foolish, stubborn girl. She didn't understand what she had stepped into.

And maybe that was the problem.

Because the more she fought me, the more I feel that dangerous pull inside.

I tightened my grip on the glass until it nearly cracked.

No. I can't allow it.

She was mine now. But not in the way she thought.

Mine to control.

Mine to protect.

Mine to break, if I had to.

I took a slow drink as my eyes stared at the fire.

The Cruz mafia will definitely not forget tonight.

I am sure they will come back.

To be continued