You can’t just kidnap me!

Carissa's POV

I never imagined that my first kiss with my childhood crush would be like this. Forced, dominating, and yet... electrifying.

A small part of me actually found it enjoyable. The way his soft lips moved against mine, his minty breath hitting my face, it was so different from the gentle kisses I’ve shared with my boyfriend.

And that's the problem. I still have a boyfriend, a sweet, caring guy who's been with me through thick and thin. And now I feel like I've betrayed him.

I glance down at the sparkling diamond ring on my finger. No matter how pretty it looks, it feels like a shackle, and I want to rip it off to throw it at Nico’s smug face.

But I know better than to provoke him.

As we pull up to his ginormous mansion, I know in the pit of my stomach that I'm going to hate every moment spent here.

The words, “Welcome to your new home, my dear,” comes out of Nico’s smug mouth.

My thoughts are facing as I scowl at him. "This is not my home. I want to go back."

"Oh, but it is. You're going to be living here with me from now on."

"The hell I am!" I lose my temper. "You can't just kidnap me and expect me to be okay with this."

"Kidnap you?" Nico laughs, and for the first time I get a view of his pearly whites and dimples digging into his cheek. "Don't be dramatic, Carissa. You're here of your own free will."

"Free will?" I scoff. "You literally bought me, forced your lips on me, and dragged me here against my wishes. That's not free will!"

"Ah, yes. Our little kiss," he coos, a smirk playing on his lips as he takes a step forward. "I must say, I quite enjoyed it."

Anger and … something else causes my cheeks to flush. "Well, I didn't. It was disgusting."

"Was it now?" He steps even closer, invading my personal space. "Because I seem to remember you kissing me back."

"I did not!" I lie, cursing myself internally.

"Don't try to deny it, darling." He reaches out and runs a finger down my cheek. "I saw the way your eyes lit up, the way your body responded to mine."

I slap his hand away, glaring at him. "Don't touch me."

He laughs heartily. "Oh, Carissa. You're going to be lots of fun to play with."

"I'm not your toy!" I snarl. "I am not your anything!”

I’m pushed into what Nico calls my room before I can even comprehend what is happening. He is standing there, his eyes roaming over me with a predatory hunger.

He steps closer, and I instinctively take a step back. "I'll never get used to this. I want to go home."

Nico scoffs, his lips wrinkling into a sarcastic sneer.

"Home? You have no home. Where exactly do you think you're going to go?" His gaze is cold as ice. "Back to your pathetic excuse of a father who sold you like a common whore? Or perhaps to your dear brother, who is fighting for his life in a hospital bed as we speak?"

Before I can stop myself, I’m lashing out, my fists hammering at his chest as my eyes go crazy.

"You have no right to bring up my brother! You're the heartless maniac who shot him and put him in a coma in the first place!"

Nico’s expression briefly changes from one of surprise to one of displeasure. "Where did you hear that nonsense?" he snaps. "Your brother was a traitor, a fuck-up who deserved what he got. And your father? He's a murderer, and I'm going to make them both pay for what they've done."

I can’t imagine he thinks my father killed his parents and my brother betrayed him! He is definitely nuts.

He reaches out suddenly and grabs the hem of my gown, and I freeze. "What are you doing?"

"Take off your clothes, Carissa. I want to see what I've bought." He commands calmly, his fingers toying with the fabric.

My eyes flash with defiance. "I am not your pet! I'll die before I submit to you!"

"Oh, but you are mine," he purrs, his breath whispering against my skin. "And I'll make sure you learn to obey me...on your knees, begging for my touch."

I bite my quivering lower lip and swallow hard, trying desperately to keep my cool.

"If you do that one more time, Carissa," he whispers, his voice dangerously seductive. "I'm going to have to kiss you again."

I quickly let my lips go.

"Now," he adds, "get ready and draw yourself. A new dress will be arriving soon."

I’m left staring at the closed door as he turns and walks out of the room. A lovely outfit hangs from a garment bag as the door opens again and two maids come in.

When they grin at me, it’s aloof and icy.

One of the women states firmly, "Mr. Demonio has asked us to bathe and dress you, Miss Carissa," one of the women says in a firm tone.

I give a strong shake of my head. "No, I can do it myself," I protest.

The maids exchange a glance, and then one of them scoots closer. "I'm afraid it's not a request, ma'am. The boss has given us clear instructions to bathe and dress you. We must follow his orders."

I back away, feeling uneasy. "No, I won't let you. This is absurd."

One of them reaches out to grab my arm, and I try to shake her off. But she holds tight.

"We're not going to hurt you, Miss," the other maid says in a calm tone, but I don’t believe her. "We just need to get you ready for Mr. Demonio."

I reluctantly give in and let them wash my hair and scrub my skin. I feel violated the entire time, like I no longer owned my body.

Nico is using these women as pawns, and they're dressing and primping me like a stupid doll.

They wrap me in a soft towel after the bath and lead me back into the bedroom, where Nico is waiting.

I glimpse the outfit they brought, a deep scarlet gown with a slit that is dangerously high and a low neckline.

Nico’s eyes rake all over me, and I can't help but shrink back, clutching the towel tighter around my body.

"Out," he yells at the maids, maintaining eye contact with me. They quickly leave, closing the door behind them, and suddenly it's just the two of us.

"Change into the dress," he orders calmly.

Uncertain of what to do, I pause. He takes two enormous steps across the room and pulls me to the big mirror and before I can even open my mouth.

"If you won't do it yourself, then I'll dress you," he whispers, his hands already working at the knot of the towel.