Chapter 5

The tension in the room had settled but Elara's mind remained unsettled. She stared at the black dress on the bed, contemplating if she should wear it and go out there like he demanded or not.

But she knew that if she was at all going to escape this place, it won't be with her handcuffed to the bed.

At least he unlocked it.

For now.

His words still rang in her head — " What if it's from you? Will you give me?".

She has no idea what he meant by that neither did she have any idea of what she could have, that he wants.

But she will find out.

The dress he wanted her to wear, was simple. Too simple. Black silk, sleeveless, cut to fall just above the knee. No embellishments or zipper in the back that she could see. It looked like something a man would choose when he wanted a woman to look elegant without looking like she had tried. She hated it.

Her wrist still throbbed where the cuff had been. The skin was red and raw, a thin scab forming along the edge. She flexed her fingers, testing to see if she had them broken. But they were fine.

She glanced at the door,which she almost sure was locked. But she didn't hear the clicking sound when he walked out and he had left her unchained.

That meant something. Either he trusted her not to run — which was stupid — or he wanted her to try. Wanted to see how far she would get before he dragged her back.

The second option felt more like him.

She loosened the towel without ceremony, letting it drop to the floor. Naked in his bedroom. The thought made her feel more vulnerable and she quickly picked up the black dress and slipped it over her head.

Who knows if he had cameras hidden somewhere.

She didn't bother with her hair, or try to look presentable as that was the last thing on her mind.

Approaching the door with small steps, she tried opening the door and to her utmost relief and surprise, it slide opened. Without any restrictions.

She stepped outside but almost screamed and stepped back inside when she noticed two guards at the both side of her door.

But they paid no mind to her and although she hesitated, she continued to walk, away from the room. She quickened her steps when they were out of sight and although she had no idea where the hallway led to, she knew she was in the right path.

They would've stopped her if she wasn't.

As if to confirm her presumptions, a glamorous staircase soon came in sight. Her barefooted legs proceeded down the stairs but she froze at the sight of her abductor when she got to the last step.

Her abductor was stitted in the white couch that was at the center of the living room . Although, his back was to her, she could see he was visibly tensed and there were three other men with him. Two in suits and one in casual clothes.

Before she could sneak back upstairs, one of the men turned to her and the previous calm look on his face turned to a snarl instantly.

Yup, she was very aware of the Italian hostility to her family.

" Come". Lorenzo's voice forced her to move in the opposite direction of where she had in mind. Her whole insides seems to be trembling as she approached these men.

The living room opened up like a cavern—high ceilings, black marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows draped in heavy charcoal curtains that blocked out the night. A long glass table stood in front of the couch, already set with plates, wine glasses, and a single bottle of red that looked expensive enough to buy half a city block.

Lorenzo didn't turn around right away. He sat with his elbows on his knees, fingers steepled under his chin, staring at something on the low table—a tablet or documen, maybe?. The tension in his shoulders was the only sign he knew she was there.

The two suited men watched her like she was a bomb that might go off. The one in casual clothes—a younger guy with tattoos creeping up his neck—leaned back in an armchair and smirked, but it wasn't friendly. It was the kind of look that said he'd enjoy watching her bleed to death if Lorenzo gave the word.

Elara stopped a few feet from the couch. Close enough to be seen and much too far from escaping than she liked.

Lorenzo finally looked up.

His eyes didn't find her's immediately. It drank her appearance, sliding from her bare feet up the black silk to her face. Something dark flickered in them. But she couldn't tell what it was.

"You're" he said quietly.

"I didn't have a choice."

"You'll always have a choice, cara mia." He leaned back against the white leather, one arm draped along the back of the couch. " Though I can't promise it'll favor you"

The younger man snorted. Lorenzo shot him a single glance and the sound died instantly.

"Sit," he said, nodding toward the empty spot on the couch beside him.

She didn't move.

One of the suited men shifted, hand drifting toward his hip. Lorenzo raised a finger, barely a movement, and the man froze.

"I said sit."

Elara's legs felt like lead, but she forced them forward.She sat on the far edge of the couch, as far from him as the furniture allowed. She wasn't going to take any chances with him.

Lorenzo watched her the entire time and when she finally settled, he reached for the wine bottle and poured two glasses.

He offered her one "Drink," he said.

"I'm not thirsty."

His eyes narrowed—just a fraction before setting the glass in front of her"You will be". "Mr Deres?". He motioned to one of the suited man and the said man cleared his throat, before reaching to fetch a suitcase.

Elara watched curiously as he brought out a paper and laid it in front of her, with a pen.

" What is this?". she turned to Lorenzo, who had his eyes on her the entire time. As if wanting to guage her expression.

" You can read, Principessa. I know your papa had you schooled".

Her hands fisted at her side but she turned her attention back to the documents anyway. Her eyes scanned the first few lines before the words blurred together.

Marriage certificate.

Her name next to his. Lorenzo Mozetti Spaces for witnesses, for dates, for seals.

She looked up at him, her breath shallow"You're not being serious."

Lorenzo didn't blink. "I've never been more serious in my life, cara mia."