DAMIEN'S P.O.V“Useless! Fool!“ My voice boomed across the room in anger. I couldn't hold back the anger in me as I slammed my hands on the table spiking the drink across the files.What do you mean by you can't find Tracey?“ I barked, my anger flaring above the roof.“I'm sorry boss, but, it all happened too quick and I—““Don't you dare complete that sentence, Marcus.“ I snapped shutting him off. “Do you get the gravity of the situation? Do you know what's at stake by losing her?“ I yelled, and Marcus ran a hand through his hair.“I'm fucking asking a question, Marcus!““Yes boss, but, I swear, it wasn't intentional.“ He raised his face up, his eyes desperate for a search of understanding. "The car started acting up and I stepped out, trying to check for the fault, when I felt something, like... a prick on my neck.“ He paused, raising his head “ Then everything went black. When I woke up, the car was gone, and she was gone."I froze, my blood running cold. "What do you mean a needl
Tracey's P.O.VDon Pablo had left the room after bombarding me with tons of questions I didn't have answers to.I could the slight irritation on his face when I said I was a mere collateral to Damien and nothing more. I knew I wasn't giving him what he wanted to hear, but of course, was I meant to lie to please him?I had no idea who he was or what he wanted.For an old man, it was ridiculous that he was speaking obsessively over getting Damien's attention.I turned around to look at the unfamiliar surrounding I was placed in. The cobwebs on the ceiling, the dusty air, and even the stack of sacks around made it seem like an abandoned storeroom.I couldn't help but wonder what part I had to play in all of this and why the old man who called himself Don Pablo had decided to kidnap me instead of going over to Damien himself.So now, he had made me a pawn in his dirty game and I took a deep sigh and gradually began to realize I had no choice but to accept my fate.It was obvious Damien w
“Isabella, listen,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady even though my heart was pounding. “I don’t want you to get in trouble, but if you can just find a way to get me out of here, quietly, I promise I would leave, and no one will ever know you helped me.”She frowned, her small hands twisting the hem of her dress nervously.I pulled closer to her, my bruised hands finding their ways into hers, squeezing them slightly. “But the storeroom is locked from the outside, and Papá keeps the keys with him...” She muttered batting her eyelids against each other.Of course, he does. There's no way he'd drop the key so carelessly.“Do you know where he keeps the keys?” I asked, trying not to let my desperation show.Isabella nodded hesitantly. “Sometimes, he leaves them on the table in his office. But there are guards outside... and I’m scared.”I felt a pang of guilt hit me on my chest. She was just a kid, and here I was, about to drag her into something she had no business being involved
I wiped my hands on my apron, my feet aching from the double shift at the small Italian restaurant where I worked. The dinner rush had been brutal, with tons of impatient customers and endless orders, and my boss, old Mr. Romano, had insisted I cover for someone who called in sick. I didn’t mind the hassle of the restaurant. Work was my escape from my complicated home. When I was finally done, I pulled the apron over my head, sighing in relief of a well-served day. Soon, it would be payday, and I could finally give Rosie that little notebook she’d been asking for. Rosie, my younger sister who was just nine, loved to draw. Her sketches had a way of bringing beauty to our messy life. I quickened my steps, eager to get home and see little Rosie and Mom. My relationship with Dad wasn’t great ever since I caught him cheating on Mom. His temper had been flaring more often lately, and I didn’t want him to lash out at me. Mom always thought I was at fault for hating my dad. She doesn't kn
Damien leaned back in his wheelchair, assessing me like a prize he'd just won. “I assume you understand why you’re here.” “My father owes you money, and I told your men I’d come with them if they left my sister alone,” I said, forcing myself to hold his intense gaze. I could see a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as soon as the words left my mouth. It was cute. Cuter than intended especially for a man so evil. “Foolish!" He snorted, audible enough for me to hear. I folded my hand into a fist “Look, I don’t care what you do to me. Just leave my family alone.” He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused at the audacity. “You’re willing to sacrifice yourself for them?” “I wouldn't be here if I wasn't,” I retorted. “Five days. That’s how long your father has to pay me back. If he fails…” His gaze darkened. “consider yourself dead. Do you understand?” “I understand.” I nodded, my heart pounding hard. “Good. For now, you’ll stay here. My men will show you to your roo
I paced the room anxiously, biting my nails. The hours were ticking by too quickly, and I had no escape plan in mind.Damien’s words replayed in my head: “There’s a party tonight, and I want you to get ready, you're tagging along.” He had meant it as an order, but all I heard was an opportunity.Maybe my only chance to run.I had just twenty-four hours left, and waiting for my father to show up with the money was pointless. A million dollars? He’d never come through. I couldn’t stay here anymore.I sighed, tugging at the hem of my plain black pants and simple white top. They weren’t formal, but they were the most comfortable clothes I could find from the small wardrobe Damien had given me.I glanced at myself in the mirror, running my fingers through my damp curls to push them out of my face. A knock sounded on the door, I froze, my heart leaping into my throat. For a moment, I thought about not answering, but I knew better. Damien wasn’t the type to be kept waiting.“I'm coming,” Da
Tracey's POV The ride back to the mansion was silent. Neither Damien or I had said a word to each other. I knew i had messed up, big time and he didn't look like he wanted to hear a word from me. Not like i had anything to say either. So, I sat there, frozen, with tears rolling down my face. My throat was hurting from trying to hold back the sobs, and my chest felt like it was being squeezed. I shut my eyes, hoping to block out everything, but all I could see was him. The Italian standowner, his terrified face as he lay in a pool of his own blood.... Damien's man had killed him right in front of me. Just like that, With no hesitation, no second thoughts. And now, I didn’t know what to feel. Should I be grateful that Damien saved me? Or sick from witnessing it all? The car jerked suddenly, pulling me from my thoughts. I shifted, trying to find some kind of comfort but, Damien noticed and his hand shot forward gripping my arm. “Don’t move,” he muttered coldly and I swallowed hard
Damien's POVI leaned back, trying to keep my temper in check. “If it were that simple, don’t you think I would’ve done it by now? And let’s not forget, Skylo, I asked you to get me her fucking father or my fucking money...not some fucking teen girl who can't control her damn emotions. What the fuck do you expect me to do with a fucking child, huh?” I groaned frustrated by it all.He chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. “She was fun and challenging, I thought she'd bring spice into your boring life, you know. And she's actually doing a great job stressing you nuts right now”“Shut up,” I snapped, running a hand through my hair. Skylo tilted his head, and he gave me a slightly serious expression “You can't keep her locked up forever, What's the plan here? Wait until Daddy dearest comes crawling back?”"I don't intend to.""Look, Damien. You’ve got options. Kill her and be done with it, or—”“Don’t test my patience,” I warned, getting infuriated by the thought of it. “Killing her is off
“Isabella, listen,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady even though my heart was pounding. “I don’t want you to get in trouble, but if you can just find a way to get me out of here, quietly, I promise I would leave, and no one will ever know you helped me.”She frowned, her small hands twisting the hem of her dress nervously.I pulled closer to her, my bruised hands finding their ways into hers, squeezing them slightly. “But the storeroom is locked from the outside, and Papá keeps the keys with him...” She muttered batting her eyelids against each other.Of course, he does. There's no way he'd drop the key so carelessly.“Do you know where he keeps the keys?” I asked, trying not to let my desperation show.Isabella nodded hesitantly. “Sometimes, he leaves them on the table in his office. But there are guards outside... and I’m scared.”I felt a pang of guilt hit me on my chest. She was just a kid, and here I was, about to drag her into something she had no business being involved
Tracey's P.O.VDon Pablo had left the room after bombarding me with tons of questions I didn't have answers to.I could the slight irritation on his face when I said I was a mere collateral to Damien and nothing more. I knew I wasn't giving him what he wanted to hear, but of course, was I meant to lie to please him?I had no idea who he was or what he wanted.For an old man, it was ridiculous that he was speaking obsessively over getting Damien's attention.I turned around to look at the unfamiliar surrounding I was placed in. The cobwebs on the ceiling, the dusty air, and even the stack of sacks around made it seem like an abandoned storeroom.I couldn't help but wonder what part I had to play in all of this and why the old man who called himself Don Pablo had decided to kidnap me instead of going over to Damien himself.So now, he had made me a pawn in his dirty game and I took a deep sigh and gradually began to realize I had no choice but to accept my fate.It was obvious Damien w
DAMIEN'S P.O.V“Useless! Fool!“ My voice boomed across the room in anger. I couldn't hold back the anger in me as I slammed my hands on the table spiking the drink across the files.What do you mean by you can't find Tracey?“ I barked, my anger flaring above the roof.“I'm sorry boss, but, it all happened too quick and I—““Don't you dare complete that sentence, Marcus.“ I snapped shutting him off. “Do you get the gravity of the situation? Do you know what's at stake by losing her?“ I yelled, and Marcus ran a hand through his hair.“I'm fucking asking a question, Marcus!““Yes boss, but, I swear, it wasn't intentional.“ He raised his face up, his eyes desperate for a search of understanding. "The car started acting up and I stepped out, trying to check for the fault, when I felt something, like... a prick on my neck.“ He paused, raising his head “ Then everything went black. When I woke up, the car was gone, and she was gone."I froze, my blood running cold. "What do you mean a needl
Don Pablo’s POVThe moment I walked into the room, I saw her—Tracey, Damien's little pawn.She was nothing like I had imagined. I expected a fierce, bold woman, someone with fire in her eyes. Instead, she was there, looking like a fragile, scared teenager curled up in the corner, trembling. Her hazel eyes were red and puffy from crying, and her small frame shook as she tried to shrink even further away from me.As I stepped closer, her soft sobs grew louder. They were the kind of cries that could touch even the hardest heart."Please... help me," she whispered, her voice barely audible.But I wasn’t here to help her. This wasn’t about saving anyone. It was business. Pure business between me and Damien Black.Most people must be wondering why a legend in the Mafia world like me would be obsessed with Damien Black.But, how do I tell them? My obsession with Damien Black started years back, when one of my Hamburg shipments disappeared. Twenty crates of weaponry, gone without a trace. M
Auction me off?I couldn’t wrap my head around it. How could Damien think of this as a solution?Selling me to who exactly? My dad? It was no longer news that man wouldn't bat an eye even if I was shot dead in his presence.And me agreeing to serve as collateral was all because of Rosie and not him.I blinked, trying to process what Ryan had just said about the situation being complicated,How complicated was it for Damien to result in bidding me off?“Get up, Tracey,” Ryan’s firm voice ordered, lacking its usual bite. I could tell he was also not okay with this.“Don’t... don’t do this,” I whispered, my voice unexpectedly shaky.He sighed, crouching beside me on the floor, I could tell his eyes were filled with pity and regret “I'm sorry Tracey, but, you should know I have no say in this.As he spoke, a lump formed in my throat, and I swallowed it down, my eyes reddened from the reality of the situation. There was no way breaking down right now, in front of Ryan would help in any way
Tracey's P.O.V"Stay here and don't move an inch." He ordered giving me a stern look. His silent treatment was back on and I hadn't even gotten him to answer any of my bugging questions. I shut my eyes, my mind racing with thoughts. What had Damien decided this time?The thought of Damien pulled me back into the bathroom scene and an involuntary shiver ran through my spine. My legs squeezed shut imagining his sinful gaze on me.I could feel myself dripping wet already, I crouched to the floor, rubbing my legs together for some relief. Fuck! Why was I getting turned on by him even when he wasn't even here? This... this wasn’t me. Damien Black was doing something to me, and I hated it.I swallowed hard, letting the sweat creep down my forehead. I've never felt like this in my entire life. I longed for some relief and knew with Ryan in the room, there was no way that was going to happen.I peeked at the door, certain he was fully engrossed, still speaking to whoever it was that was at
Tracey's P.O.VWaking up the next morning to the morning rays sliding through the slightly opened curtain, I groaned out of bed, raising my head up to see Ryan standing by the window side. "Good morning Ryan" I yawned, "What are you doing here?" I asked but instead of a response, he looked down at me, making me look at myself too.Argggh! I slept off with the towel on. He shook his head, turning to the door "The boss wants you to get dressed." He said coldly as he hurriedly twisted the door knob in a bid to leave. I frowned. Ryan didn't even respond to my greetings.That was weird. If it was any other of Damien's men that spoke to me with such a cold tone, and acted in such a manner, I wouldn't be surprised, but this was Ryan, the guy had been incredibly nice to me since we met.What happened? Was he finally aware of what my father took from Damien? Something tells me it wasn't just about the money anymore.From the look of the aesthetic of this house, and with all I have seen so
Tracey's P.O.V“You called me,” he said, and I could see a wide smirk plastered on his face. “I didn’t call you to… to… do this!” I stammered, my cheeks heating up from shame. I didn't know how to react. My brain couldn't think of anything else but to run! But where the fuck was I supposed to run to? Damien didn’t move. His gaze was still on me, taking in every part of me. My body trembled, partly from anger and partly from the fact that I had no clue what was running through his mind as he sat there. Wasn't a gentleman supposed to turn away, respecting a woman's privacy? But hell no! I knew better. Damien was no gentleman. “Damien… leave… please...” I managed to mutter, though my words rolled out in a shaky, rumbling manner. I wrapped my arms tighter around my body, desperate to shield myself from his shameless eyes that refused to look away. Despite asking him to leave, he didn’t. Instead, he wheeled closer, making me step back until I was against the wall. “Why so
Tracey’s P.O.V“What the hell was that for?” I screamed weakly, glaring at Ann as I tried to squeeze the cold liquid out of my soaked hair and clothes. I could hear the echo of my shaky voice bounce through the room as I spoke.I didn't know what I had done for Ann to do such to me, but, It was unwarranted of her. My body was still weak from the electric shock and now, I was trembling from the chills of the water too.Ann was just standing there with her smirk widening “What was that for?" She chuckled, repeating my exact words in a mocking tone, "Oh, dear Tracey, you should be thanking me. I just saved your sorry little life.” She said and tilted her head forward, to give me an innocent look. “You looked so peaceful on the floor, I almost left you there.”I clenched my fists, trying to keep my anger in check. Ryan told me I wouldn't be seeing much of Ann around, because, Damien had given her a month off her duties. So I was kinda worried about why she was back?? And worse in my r