Chapter 7

Beth's POV

My eyelids fluttered open as I looked in astonishment at my surroundings. It was the early hours of the morning and I tried to place where I was as I was in an unfamiliar place but I couldn't do so.

The pressing thing on my mind was how badly my head was throbbing and the fact that I was in a strange bed that wasn't mine.

I tried to get up which I immediately regretted as it only got worse and I collapsed back on the bed quickly.

I had to be content with inspecting my surroundings from the bed and the first impression I got was favourable. Scary in a way but favourable.

I was in a grand king sized bed which was just as spacious and majestic as the room. It was just as I imagined a British princess room would be.

Everything from the wardrobe to the oval mirror screamed wealth and grandeur.

Suddenly the events of the previous night flooded my mind and I gasped as I remembered all that happened.

My hand instinctively went to my pocket to see if my phone was on me but it grazed my side and slid off. I looked down in horror to see that I wasn't in my clothes and was instead in a pyjamas.

I could only arrive at one conclusion. After I had been knocked out by Nico, he had carried me with him and changed my clothes while I was unconscious.

He had seen me naked and heaven knows what vile things had crossed his mind or what he had done. Thankfully I didn't feel anything below so I knew that I wasn't defiled at least.

Still, the idea infuriated me and I leaped out of bed and walked towards the door. My head had stopped throbbing which was a good thing. I twisted the knob but it didn't budge. After two more attempts, I accepted the fact that I was locked inside.

“Hello, is there anyone there,” I called out

My ears perked up as I heard a faint noise outside and I knew that there was someone standing outside the door.

“Hey, I know that you are there. Could you open the door for me?”

Instead of approaching footsteps, I heard the person walk away and the steps grow faint.

“Hey! Let me out!” I yelled, banging on the door.

“Nico! I swear to God I'm going to kill you if you don't let me out of here.”

This time I heard footsteps approaching and from the sound, it was more than two people.

The door creaked open, revealing two stern-faced maids. One carried a tray while the other stood with her arms crossed.

“Miss, you need to calm down,” the older one said firmly. “Shouting won’t help.”

“Let me out!” I snapped, but she shook her head.

“Not until you’re dressed. Boss’s orders.” She said, placimg a neatly folded dress on the bed.

The younger maid stepped forward. “We’ll help if needed, but please cooperate.”

I realised that it was futile to argue so I kept quiet and had to be content with glaring at them. As they turned to leave, the older maid added, “You’re expected downstairs soon, should we help you bathe?”

“I'm fine. I can manage on my own,” I replied coolly.

She took the hint and closed the door behind her. I went to the bathroom and was out after thirty minutes.

I took my time dressing up as it seemed that everything a lady could want to look good was in the room. Naturally, I wondered who the room belonged to as it showed that the lady had a great taste.

I was soon done and went to the door, this time it was open and I took a deep breath as I stepped out of the room.

I was immediately met by three maids who showed me down a spiral staircase. From the way they shadowed me, I knew that it was on Nico’s order, probably so I don't run off somewhere.

When I reached the bottom, Nico was already waiting in the sitting room. His back was turned as he stared out a floor-to-ceiling window. The staff scurried away without a word as their work was done.

“Hey, what am I doing here?” I snapped as I saw that he wasn't ready to acknowledge my presence.

There was little to no reaction from him at first until he slowly turned to face me, his gaze was icy and I took a step back uncertainly.

“You’ve really done it now,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. He held up a sleek tablet. “We are trending online.”

“I didn’t ask for any of this. You’re the one who dragged me here against my will.”

He stepped closer, each word like a strike. “Do you have any idea what you've cost me? The attention you've brought to Cosa Nostra. The other groups who would be looking to upstage us now.”

I refused to back down. “You are the villain.”

Nico’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he closed the distance between us.

The air between us felt charged, like a storm about to break. “Villain?” he repeated, his voice low but laced with venom. “You don’t get it, do you? I’m not just the villain—I’m the one who decides if you leave here alive.”

I stiffened but refused to look away. “If you think you can scare me, you’re wrong.”

A humorless chuckle escaped his lips as he leaned in, his face inches from mine. “Scare you? Beth, you’re already scared. You just don’t want to admit it.”

I glared at him, refusing to show weakness. “Why am I here, Nico? What do you want from me?”

“You,” he said bluntly, his tone leaving no room for misinterpretation. “You put yourself on my radar, and now you’re my responsibility. You don’t get to walk away from this mess without answering for it.”

I swallowed hard, my defiance faltering slightly. “So what? You’re keeping me here as a prisoner?”

His smirk was ice-cold. “Exactly. And you’ll behave like one, or I’ll remind you why I’m not a man you cross.”

He straightened, his expression shifting to one of command. “Now, get ready. We’re going out.”