Chapter 33

Laura's POV

The air here was natural, clear and untainted by city life. It was expected since we were surrounded by mounting trees. This was a good place to dump a dead body without getting caught. Something tolde he used it for that purpose.

I squared my shoulders, forcing my trembling legs to move, refusing to let him see how scared I felt.

Kelvin was already a few steps ahead, walking hurriedly in a direction and leaving to scamper after him with my not so long legs.

The deeper we went, the more I realized how completely cut off from the world we were. The trees towered overhead, their thick branches stretching wide, casting eerie shadows against the dim evening sky. The only sounds were the crunch of our footwear against the wet soil and the occasional rustling of leaves.

I had been so focused on keeping up with Kelvin’s long, hurried strides that I didn’t even notice the house until we were right in front of it.

And when I did, my breath hitched.

It wasn’t just a house. It was a freaking fortress.

It was perfectly nestled amongst the trees and its dark brick walls blended into the night. Tall iron gates framed the front, and the windows were tinted just enough to give the place an ominous feel. It was designed to be hidden. What was this man hiding here? I swallowed hard.

Kelvin didn’t pause. He strode forward, pushing open the heavy wooden doors like he owned the world.

I hesitated, my feet refusing to move for a brief second.

This was the kind of place people walked into and never came out of.

And yet, I followed.

The moment I stepped inside, I was hit with warmth. Not just from the heated interior, but from the sight that greeted me.

There were people.

Servants, from the looks of it. Dressed in crisp uniforms, moving with quiet efficiency, tending to the space with practiced ease.

The tension in my shoulders loosened slightly.

So, I wasn’t alone.

I wasn’t trapped in some secluded dungeon with a man who barely saw me as human.

Kelvin handed his coat to a waiting maid without a word, his posture as rigid as ever. The butler, because of course there was a butler, bowed slightly.

"Welcome back, sir," the man said smoothly, his gaze flickering briefly to me but not lingering.

Kelvin didn’t acknowledge the greeting. Instead, he turned to me, his expression unreadable. "You’ll be staying here from now on."

I stiffened. "Excuse me?"

He ignored me and addressed the butler instead. "Prepare a room for her."

I opened my mouth to argue, to demand answers, but something in his sharp, cold gaze made my voice wither before it could even form.

I couldn't disregard his order in front of everyone.

A young woman stepped forward, her demeanor polite but cautious. "This way, miss."

I hesitated, then finally forced myself to follow.

I'll grind him out for this later. He won't be placing me in the middle of nowhere to rot and die a virgin. Well, I wasn't exactly a virgin if you think about it.

The maid led me up a grand staircase, the polished wood gleaming under the dim chandelier lights. The entire place was unsettlingly quiet, save for the soft patter of our steps.

She stopped in front of a large oak door, pushing it open without hesitation.

"This will be your room," she said with a polite nod before stepping aside.

I walked in cautiously, half-expecting a prison cell, but what I saw stole my breath.

The room was stunning.

High ceilings, dark mahogany furniture, and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the dense woods. A plush king-sized bed with deep blue sheets sat in the middle, looking like a dream. The Aldoracco knew how to spend their blood money.

A fireplace crackled to one side, filling the space with warmth. Heavy drapes framed the windows, and an elegant vanity sat in one corner. The room was designed for comfort, for luxury.

But all I could think about was how easily it could become a cage.

With a sigh, I kicked off my shoes and flopped onto the bed, my body sinking into the soft mattress.

I needed to rest, to figure out what the hell Kelvin was thinking.

But just as my eyelids began to droop, I heard a soft shuffle.

I snapped upright, heart hammering. Did the bastard wiretap this room too? He was a pervert if he did!

The room was supposed to be empty.

I swallowed hard, scanning the dim corners. Or had someone slipped in while I wasn’t paying attention?

I had no doubt that being the wife of a mafia lord came with dangers, but I was quickly getting exhausted. I needed to get myself a weapon.

My eyes darted around the room. The fireplace poker? Too far. The glass perfume bottle on the vanity? Better than nothing.

Moving as quietly as possible, I slid off the bed, gripping the cold glass in my hands.

"Who’s there?" My voice was steady, but my pulse was racing. No one responded. I heard more shuffling.

I tightened my grip.

I seemed to have stopped breathing as I inched closer to the wardrobe. The room was eerily silent except for the occasional shuffle coming from behind the wooden doors.

I held the perfume bottle tighter, my palms damp with sweat. If it was Kelvin trying to mess with me, I was going to break this damn thing over his head.

I reached out, fingers grazing the handle—

“BANG!”

The door swung open violently, slamming against the wall. I barely had time to react before an old man stumbled out, his hands trembling as they gripped a gun.

A gun!

I threw myself back, my body instinctively preparing to fight or flee.

"Who the hell are you?" I demanded, my voice steadier than I felt.

The old man’s gaze flickered to the perfume bottle clutched in my hands. His lips twitched as if he found the idea of me fighting him with that laughable.

“I should be asking you that intruder. Who the fuck are you are what are you doing in my house?”