~~~ The moment Sophia realized what she said, some of their course mates were sending snickers and warning glares their way to reduce their voices or shut up. “You got kidnapped? How?” Maya whispered. “I'll tell you about it later. Please, I need to read my Nana's letter,” She began to search for the letter in her bag. Maya and Alessia stared at each other before nodding slowly. "Okay," They chorused. “Thanks” Sophia whispered and tore open the white envelope. She then unfolded the note and started reading, her eyes running over the tired handwriting of her Nana. Soph, You had me worried for days after your sudden disappearance hope when you read this, you’re in good health. I hope you're as okay as I was told. But you know, I’m a bit upset with you. You didn't tell me you were going to fly out of the country with your boyfriend for important work with him. You didn't even tell me you had a boyfriend. How about your studies then? I hope you'll be able to adjust wit
~~~ SOPHIA SMOOTHLY RAN her fingertips over the books arranged neatly on the black shelf in Chase's room as her eyes roamed over them. She didn't know Chase used to read books. How would she know? The times she used to be in the room, it wasn't of her own accord so she never noticed. But that day, she had taken herself there. To the lion's den. To thank him for her Nana and allowing her to go to college. He wasn't in the room yet. Probably still working, but she was ready to wait for him. He had considered her future and finally let her study and also stopped her Nana from worrying too much about her. Not to mention the surgery. Sophia's heart fluttered at those little gestures. Maybe he wasn't as bad as she portrayed him to be. He wasn't the villain in her life. A book caught her attention, and Sophia gently took it out of the shelf to inspect it. It was a large book. On its cover, was a suit looking as if someone was wearing it along with a hat above something like an invi
A low chuckle rumbled off Chase's chest. Another thing he had done since Sophia's presence back in his life. “If you already knew, then why did you ask?” He slid the sleeveless strap of her jumpsuit down her arms, and the upper part of the cloth fell around her waist. Foolish Sophia. She slapped herself mentally. She wasn't meant to show him that she knew. “You murder people. You traffic drugs and people. They are all sins in the eyes of the Lord,” If questioning wouldn't work for her, then maybe using the Lord against him would work. But, oh boy, Sophia Bennett was wrong. Chase understood clearly what she was trying to do. She wanted to annoy him with her silly questions so he would loss interest and let her go. But she didn't realise just how much her trying to be smart turned him on. It made his need to be buried inside her grow. "There's nothing like sinning in our world, Gattina, “He slowly raised one of her legs and slid down the trousers of the jumpsuit. “We fuck who the he
~~~ SOPHIA CHEWED ON her nails in nervousness as she sat in the college cafeteria waiting for her friends while she stared into space, oblivious to her surroundings, and the curious stares thrown her way, overthinking her decision. It had been two weeks since she was allowed to attend college, and she had planned her escape together with Alecia, Maya, and Roman, Alecia’s twin brother. She didn't know if it was the best thing to do but she knew it was going to take her away from Chase and the dangerous surrounding they lived invite wasn't only Chase that bothered her. Lucas' issue was also bothering her terribly. He had completely shut her down and treated her worse than he used to do before. "A penny for your thoughts?” A familiar cheerful voice came behind her, and Sophia let out a sigh before turning to the source of the voice. "Alecia, Maya, hello,” She then turned as they both settled down in the booth opposite her. "What's wrong?” Maya asked. “You don't look completely okay
~~~ CHASE'S FOOTSTEPS HALTED the minute he stepped his foot inside the mansion, and his eyes fell on a particular innocent teenager perched on the floor in the middle of the living room. She had her books sprawled all over the coffee table and some on the floor with her pencil stuck between her lips while she stared into the space, obviously thinking. Definitely about her escape plan. Chase handed his suit coat to the guard beside him and tugged off his tie too before passing it to him along with his waist coat and cufflinks, silently telling him he knew where to take it. Once the guard left, Chase rolled the sleeves of his button down to his elbow and slowly took steps towards her, the sound of his shoes echoing in the silent room. She still hadn't noticed him nor the sound his shoe was making. Once Chase stood behind her, he curled his fists into a ball on remembering her plan to escape. Why not give her more reasons to escape then by fucking her there? It would be a win-w
{"Kitten"} That minute, Sophia's reasons to escape and run away piled up. She knew she couldn't continue living that kind of life. Earlier when she had returned home from college, she had second thoughts about the whole escape plan but everything had disappeared into thin air the moment Chase did what he did. That was going to be the last time she would let him touch her. ~~~ Sophia stared at her reflection in the mirror and a small smile slipped through her face. She was finally going to achieve her freedom. She was dressed in a baggy Tee shirt and pants along with a face cap while her hair was stuffed into the cap. She was in the back room in the hall where the college program was taking place while everyone was outside. Sophia looked down at the wristwatch wrapped around her wrist. 13:59. Just a minute more. She thought with a wider smile. The moment the watch stroked two, the loud shout of a gunshot rang through the building, followed by the screams of people an
~~~Sophia froze, feeling blood rushing to her ears. It couldn't be true, right? "What - what are you saying? Where is he? Who did it? Maya? Alecia? Where are they? I- I -," Chase was standing in a corner, watching the drama unfold between Sophia and Roman. It made him even more angrier. Sophia wasn't even looking his way. Her whole attention was solely fixed on Roman. "He-Cha-,"Before Roman could complete his sentence, Chase’s fists connected with his face, and a gasp eluded Sophia's lips. He hadn't touched him since he walked into the room. He had only allowed one of his men to torture him and beat him up. He only wanted to do it when Sophia was awake. "Cha-chase,” Sophia called out. Chase didn't turn to look at her, he only stared down at Roman. He snapped his fingers at one of his men standing in the room, and another bulb was illuminated in another corner of the room. Sophia's eyes fell on the particular spot where the light was switched on, and a louder gasp left her lips
Roman and Alecia’s parents. "Roman, who did this to you? What did you do to the Don?” His mum cried out. “Where-Where's your-,"Her remaining words turned into a low gasp when she saw the bodies hanging over the wall.” A-Alecia," Chase ignored the crying woman and stared at Roman dead in the eye. “Do you know your biggest mistake in this life? Wanting someone that was already taken was your biggest mistake and look what it has caused you. If you didn't eye my property or try to help her escape, I’m sure you would have been roaming around the streets of Italy freely. Your sister would have been alive. Her best friend would have been alive. You wouldn't have to be killed and your parents would not have to be buried alive," "Chase,” tears leaked profusely from Sophia's eyes. “Please no,” She shook her head. “Please don't do this. They-this. They are all innocent. Don’t drag them into this. Please," "No, Gattina,” Chase turned to her. “I swear we all wouldn't have been here if you didn
Alessandro turned to her with dark angry and stormy grey eyes. “It ended the moment I found you in the arms of another man that night," Valerie buried her face in her palms before letting out a sigh. "Fuck, Ale-," "Alessandro" He cut her in. "You'll call me Alessandro the same way my bosses do," "I'm more than a boss to you, Ale" She resisted the urge to go to the front seat and seat on his lap like she used to do. “We’re in love! You said you love me!" "You said the same but chose to cheat on me" Alessandro's fists were clenched at the sides as he remembered the taunting image of seeing the woman he loved in another man's arms. “You looked clearly in love with that bastard!" "Don't- don't call him a bastard. Nick isn't a bastard, "She said. "Great,” He mumbled under his breath. "Fucking great," "Listen to me, Ale" She whispered out before leaning in. "I-Nothing is going on between Nick and I, I swear. He-he used to be my friend a long time ago. We-," Alessandro cut her off wi
~~~ SOPHIA'S EYELIDS FLUTTERED open as the warm feeling of strong arms enveloped her body. She looked up, only to be met with the sight of a handsome sleeping Chase. Her eyes locked on his face and she couldn't pull away. She stared at the way his hair fell over his forehead giving him a boyish look, the way his long, thick and full lashes rested over his cheekbone had her staring in awe. The moment her eyes fell on his thin lips, the images of all the times when he used to kiss her flashes across her mind. How could someone so cruel, violent, and brutal look so peaceful while asleep? She tried to move away, but Chase's arms pinned her down tighter. "Morning, Gattina," Chase's eyes fluttered open. {"Kitten"} Sophia's stomach did a flip-flop. If she thought his voice was sexy, then his morning voice was much sexier and hoarse. "M-,"She placed her palms on his chest. “Morning," "Did you sleep well?” Chase slid one of his arms underneath his head while the other still rema
~~~ "Cosa vuol dire che non si trova da nessuna parte? Trovalo. Sarò al magazzino tra pochi minuti," {"What do you mean he's nowhere to be found? Find him. I’ll be at the warehouse in a few minutes."} Sophia's eyelids fluttered open at the familiar sound of Chase's voice, and she looked around her surroundings. They were all in a car with the driver driving and she was in Chase's arms. For how long had she slept after the doctor took her blood sample? She couldn't even remember how she even fell asleep. Chase looked towards the guard at the front passenger's seat. "Chiama la villa. Ho bisogno di un'altra macchina che mi porti subito al magazzino," {"Place a call to the mansion. I need another car to take me to the warehouse right away."} The man nodded. “su di esso, Don,” He then pulled out his phone and dialed a number. When the person on the other end picked, he spoke. “Ti manderò la nostra posizione. Manda un'auto e i nostri uomini per scortare Don al magazzino," {"
~~~ SOPHIA SLID INTO the back passenger's seat and looked up at the guard that had opened the door for her. “Thanks” He said nothing. His Don never allowed any of them to talk to her unless necessary and in times like that returning her good gesture was unnecessary and uncalled for. He only kept his stoic expression on and shut the door. He went around the car to sit in the front passenger's seat while the driver roared the car engine to life. Sophia looked beside her and found Chase seated there, staring at her. "Hey" Chase nodded at her and plastered a grin on his face as he took in her whole appearance. “You look pretty as always,” She was dressed in a pink length summer dress with a round neck. Her hair was parked into a low ponytail, and she had no makeup on. Sophia blushed and looked down on her lap. “Thanks” “Come” Chase smiled at her, signaling to her to move closer with two of his fingers. “Come” Shyly, Sophia moved a bit close to him, but Chase had other plans.
~~~ Ever since that time, she hadn't been the same. Her nightmares had changed from that of her parents to similar ones she had earlier. Her cheeks were hollow, and she had thinned down. She abruptly stopped attending college. She preferred the safe confines of her room and her food was always taken to her in there. The only thing she was grateful for and happy about was that Chase hadn't showed up in front of her after that terrifying and traumatising night. Once when Valerie had gone to check up on her, she had told her that Chase flew out of the country for work and still wasn't back yet and Sometimes, Sophia even prayed for him to just die and never return. As Sophia's eyes landed on the covered skin below her shoulder blade, a loud voice at the back of her mind screamed at her to leave her hands at her sides and not uncover the skin to look at the scar, but her hands happened to develop a mind of their own. Sophia's hands reached up and one pulled down the shirt she was wear
~~~ Hey!!! As for the last chapter, I apologise in arrears to you all for not leaving a warning of physical and mental abuse, especially to those who may find it triggering and traumatising. I love you all❤️ ~~~ SOPHIA'S EYES SLOWLY opened, and she found herself in a dimly lit room, tied with a chain to a bedpost. She tried to struggle free, but the chains weren't budging one bit. She got tired, gave up and laid down back on the hard mattress as tears trailed down her cheeks. When she closed her eyes, all she saw was the bloodied bodies of her three friends, then the mental sting of the scar below her shoulder blade. "Soph," Her eyes snapped open and she sat up immediately when she heard a very familiar voice. Just that, it wasn't as cheerful and happy as it used to be. It was cold, laced with hatred and malice for no one but her. But then, the owner of the voice was meant to be dead, right? Sophia was sure she was dead. She had seen her body with her own eyes. She h
Chapter 39~~~{"Kitten"} "I-,"Sophia shook her head. “I’m not part of this world. I’m not a sinner," "Oh yes, you are!” He roared and pulled her on his lap, not letting go of her hair. “You were born into this world. Agosti was born into the mafia. Giovanni was born into this world. They both signed up for it," "No. You-you're lying. Mama and Papa worked as-they-papa worked in a bank. He told me so when I was little," A laugh rumbled off Chase's throat. “Bank? Poor little Sophia thinks her fucked up father works in a bank,” He laughed again, throwing his head back. Sophia only watched him in sheer horror. Once Chase was done laughing, he smiled at her. “Your papa never worked in a bank. He did the same thing I did. He killed people, raped women, trafficked people and drugs. He did much more worse than I've ever done," Sophia's lips parted. "You- ahhhh,” She screamed when she felt something hot with a pointed tip pressing against the skin below her shoulder blades. It was bu
Roman and Alecia’s parents. "Roman, who did this to you? What did you do to the Don?” His mum cried out. “Where-Where's your-,"Her remaining words turned into a low gasp when she saw the bodies hanging over the wall.” A-Alecia," Chase ignored the crying woman and stared at Roman dead in the eye. “Do you know your biggest mistake in this life? Wanting someone that was already taken was your biggest mistake and look what it has caused you. If you didn't eye my property or try to help her escape, I’m sure you would have been roaming around the streets of Italy freely. Your sister would have been alive. Her best friend would have been alive. You wouldn't have to be killed and your parents would not have to be buried alive," "Chase,” tears leaked profusely from Sophia's eyes. “Please no,” She shook her head. “Please don't do this. They-this. They are all innocent. Don’t drag them into this. Please," "No, Gattina,” Chase turned to her. “I swear we all wouldn't have been here if you didn
~~~Sophia froze, feeling blood rushing to her ears. It couldn't be true, right? "What - what are you saying? Where is he? Who did it? Maya? Alecia? Where are they? I- I -," Chase was standing in a corner, watching the drama unfold between Sophia and Roman. It made him even more angrier. Sophia wasn't even looking his way. Her whole attention was solely fixed on Roman. "He-Cha-,"Before Roman could complete his sentence, Chase’s fists connected with his face, and a gasp eluded Sophia's lips. He hadn't touched him since he walked into the room. He had only allowed one of his men to torture him and beat him up. He only wanted to do it when Sophia was awake. "Cha-chase,” Sophia called out. Chase didn't turn to look at her, he only stared down at Roman. He snapped his fingers at one of his men standing in the room, and another bulb was illuminated in another corner of the room. Sophia's eyes fell on the particular spot where the light was switched on, and a louder gasp left her lips