The morning sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains of Sasha’s room, casting a golden hue on the polished marble floors. Despite the warmth of the Italian sun, a chill had settled deep in Sasha’s bones. The impending gala, where she would have to wear the mask of Dominic’s obedient wife, loomed over her like a storm cloud. The uncertainty of what this event would reveal gnawed at her, and she had no doubt that something darker simmered beneath the surface of this business affair.
She stood by the grand mirror in her room, gazing at her reflection. Iris, with her usual brisk efficiency, had already laid out the gown for the evening—a striking, deep crimson dress, fitted and designed to draw attention. Everything about it screamed elegance, yet all Sasha could see was how it turned her into a perfect doll, a showpiece for Dominic to parade. Her thoughts drifted to the night before. Dominic’s words—“You’ll learn to embrace this life”—echoed in her mind, sending a shiver down her spine. He was wrong. She would never embrace this. No matter how much he tried to mold her, no matter how tightly he tightened the chains around her, she refused to lose herself in his world of control and danger. But for now, she had to play her part. She needed to understand the world she had been thrust into. And that meant staying close to Dominic, even as his presence threatened to suffocate her. A knock at the door jolted her from her thoughts. Iris entered, carrying a small velvet box in her gloved hands. She placed it on the vanity and stepped back with a quiet nod, her eyes cast downward. Without a word, she left the room, leaving Sasha with the box. Sasha stared at it for a moment before opening the lid. Inside lay a delicate diamond necklace, shimmering in the morning light. It was beautiful, but it felt like a collar. A symbol of the ownership Dominic had over her. She clenched her fists, resisting the urge to throw it across the room. But she couldn’t afford to make a scene, not yet. Not when she was still figuring out how to survive in this web of lies and power. The door opened again, and this time it was Dominic. He stepped inside without knocking, his gaze immediately locking onto her. He looked different this morning—his suit sharp and immaculate as always, but there was an added intensity to his presence. His eyes, dark and predatory, traced over her as if assessing his property. “You look… acceptable,” he said, his voice low, though his eyes lingered a little longer than usual on her form. It was as close to a compliment as she was ever going to get from him. Sasha bit back a retort, keeping her expression neutral. She wouldn’t let him get under her skin. Not today. “Wear the necklace,” Dominic instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument. Sasha glanced at the diamonds glittering in the box, her chest tightening. She didn’t move, not immediately, and for a moment, the tension between them crackled in the air. Dominic’s jaw clenched, but instead of pushing her further, he stepped forward, taking the necklace from the box and clasping it around her neck himself. His fingers brushed against her skin as he fastened the clasp, sending an uninvited shiver down her spine. His touch was cold, calculated, like everything about him. When he stepped back, the weight of the diamonds felt heavier than they should have. Another shackle, another reminder of her situation. “There,” Dominic said, satisfied. “Now you’re ready.” Without another word, he turned and walked toward the door, pausing only briefly to glance over his shoulder. “Remember, Sasha. Tonight, you represent me. Don’t forget that.” She didn’t respond, merely watching as he left the room. As the door closed behind him, she let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. The gala was just hours away, and she had no idea what awaited her. But one thing was certain—she had to keep her wits about her. The car ride to the gala was a quiet, tense affair. Dominic sat beside her, his eyes scanning the streets of the Italian countryside as the villa they had been staying in faded from view. His silence was oppressive, as if he was already deep in thought, plotting and scheming. Sasha’s nerves were frayed, her mind running in circles as she tried to prepare herself for what lay ahead. She turned to look out the window, trying to distract herself with the passing scenery. The sun was setting, casting the vineyards and rolling hills in a golden light, but even the beauty of the Italian landscape couldn’t ease her anxiety. Every mile they drove brought her closer to whatever Dominic had planned, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something sinister awaited her at the gala. When they finally arrived at the grand estate where the event was being held, Sasha’s breath caught in her throat. The mansion was even more opulent than Dominic’s own, its towering stone walls and sprawling gardens a testament to the immense wealth of its owners. The driveway was lined with luxury cars, and an army of suited security guards stood watch at the entrance, their sharp eyes scanning every guest who arrived. As the car pulled to a stop, Dominic turned to her, his expression unreadable. “Remember what I said, Sasha. Stay close to me. And don’t do anything foolish.” She swallowed hard, nodding. There was no room for mistakes tonight. Dominic had made that clear. They stepped out of the car, and immediately, all eyes were on them. Dominic, with his powerful presence and air of authority, commanded attention. But it was Sasha, in her crimson gown and glittering diamonds, who drew the whispers. She could feel the weight of their stares, the curiosity, the speculation. She was a mystery to them—a new player in a world where everyone knew everyone else’s secrets. Dominic took her arm, guiding her up the grand staircase and into the lavish ballroom. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfumes and cigars, the murmur of conversation a low hum beneath the soft strains of classical music. Everywhere she looked, there were faces she didn’t recognize—men and women dressed in the finest designer clothing, their smiles sharp and their eyes watchful. Sasha stayed close to Dominic, just as he had instructed, her heart pounding in her chest. This world was foreign to her, but she could sense the danger lurking beneath the surface of the polished exterior. These people weren’t just wealthy—they were powerful, ruthless. And she was walking into their den, unarmed and vulnerable. Dominic moved through the crowd with ease, exchanging pleasantries with various guests, his hand never leaving the small of Sasha’s back. She could feel his possessiveness in every touch, every glance. He was marking his territory, making it clear to everyone in the room that she was his. But as they made their way through the crowd, Sasha couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched. Not by the curious eyes of the other guests, but by someone else—someone more dangerous. She glanced around, trying to pinpoint the source of the unsettling feeling, but there were too many faces, too many strangers. Suddenly, Dominic’s grip on her arm tightened, and she looked up to see him speaking with an older man—a man with silver hair and cold, calculating eyes. The conversation between them was quiet, but tense, and Sasha could feel the shift in Dominic’s demeanor. Whoever this man was, he wasn’t just another business associate. “This is Luca Moretti,” Dominic said, his voice low as he introduced the man to her. “An old friend of the family.” Sasha forced a polite smile, though something about Luca made her skin crawl. His eyes lingered on her for a moment too long, as if he was appraising her, sizing her up. “She’s beautiful,” Luca said, his voice smooth and oily. “You’ve done well, Dominic.” Sasha’s stomach turned at the way he spoke about her, as if she were nothing more than a trophy. But she kept her composure, reminding herself that she was playing a role—a role she had no choice but to play. Dominic’s smile was tight. “She’s exactly what I need.” The conversation moved on, but Sasha couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. The way Luca had looked at her, the way Dominic had tensed—there was more to this meeting than just business. And as the night wore on, that sense of impending danger only grew stronger. As the gala continued, Sasha found herself standing alone near the edge of the ballroom, watching the crowd from a distance. Dominic had been pulled away into a private conversation with Luca and a few other men, leaving her to fend for herself. She hated the way she felt—like a caged bird, trapped and helpless. But as she stood there, watching the elite circle around each other like predators, a realization began to dawn on her. She might be trapped in Dominic’s world, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t learn from it. If she was going to survive, she needed to understand the game they were playing. Her eyes drifted across the room, landing on Dominic’s tall, imposing figure. He was deep in conversation with Luca, their faces tight with tension. Whatever they were discussing, it wasn’t good. And Sasha knew that, sooner or later, she was going to be caught in the crossfire. But she wasn’t going to go down without a fight. Not anymore. As the night wore on, Sasha resolved to find out the truth behind Dominic’s world—and how to break free from it. Even if it meant stepping deeper into the lion’s den.Sasha’s heart pounded as she watched Dominic disappear into a side room with Luca and the others. She had never seen him look like this before—tense, on edge, his usual mask of control cracking around the edges. It unnerved her more than she cared to admit. Whatever conversation was happening behind those closed doors wasn’t just business, it was personal. And dangerous.She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. This was her chance. She could either stand here, waiting like an obedient trophy wife, or she could seize this moment to learn more about the world she had been thrust into.Her eyes scanned the ballroom. The guests continued to mingle, sipping champagne and exchanging polite pleasantries, but she knew better than to be fooled by the surface-level elegance. Underneath the glitz and glamor, there were power plays happening all around her. She could feel it in the air—danger lurking beneath every whispered conversation, every knowing glance.Sasha straightened her p
Sasha’s heels clicked softly against the polished marble floors as she followed Luca to a secluded corner of the ballroom. The opulence of the room seemed to dim, the glittering chandeliers and elegant music fading into the background as the tension between them thickened. She kept her expression composed, but every fiber of her being was on high alert. There was something unsettling about Luca—something that made her skin crawl—but she needed answers, and he was the key to unlocking Dominic’s secrets.Luca led her toward a narrow hallway, away from the crowd, and stopped beside a tall, intricately carved door. He pushed it open, revealing a lavish private lounge beyond. Dim lighting cast shadows over velvet armchairs, a fireplace crackling softly in the corner. It was intimate, almost too intimate, and Sasha’s pulse quickened as she stepped inside, acutely aware of the danger.“Much better,” Luca said with a smirk, closing the door behind him. The click of the latch sent a chill down
Sasha’s heart pounded in her chest as she stood frozen in front of Luca, his eyes locked on hers with a predatory gleam. She could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating, as the seconds stretched into what felt like hours. Every instinct told her to run, to escape the dark web that was closing in around her, but she forced herself to stay calm.This was a dangerous game, one she had been thrust into without a choice. Now, more than ever, she had to be smart. She had to survive.Luca took a step closer, his smile widening into something more sinister. “You seem a little on edge, Sasha. Should I be worried?”Her breath caught in her throat, but she quickly masked her fear. She knew Luca was testing her, watching for any sign of weakness. If he sensed even a hint of hesitation, he’d pounce. She couldn’t let him see her sweat.“I was just surprised to see you here,” Sasha said, her voice steady as she met his gaze. “You seemed to disappear from the ballroom so quickly.”Luca c
Pain. That was the first thing Sasha registered as she slowly came to. Her body throbbed with it—sharp stabs in her side, a dull ache in her head, and a deep, pulsing bruise on her arm where the man had gripped her. She groaned softly, the sound barely audible in the cold, dark space surrounding her. Every muscle screamed in protest as she tried to shift, the memories of what had happened rushing back like a flood.Luca’s betrayal. Dominic’s fury. The man’s rough hands dragging her away, then the fall.She opened her eyes, blinking against the darkness. Her head spun, disorienting her for a moment as she tried to focus. Where was she? What had happened after she’d fallen?Her heart pounded in her chest as she struggled to sit up, wincing at the sharp pain that shot through her ribs. The floor beneath her was hard and cold, and as her vision adjusted to the dim light, she realized she was in some kind of underground room. There were no windows, only the faintest sliver of light seeping
Dominic’s gaze flicked over Sasha, chained and bloodied, his jaw tightening as rage simmered beneath his cold exterior. His dark, calculating eyes were locked onto Luca, whose smug smile wavered ever so slightly. Luca’s men shifted uneasily, glancing at each other, sensing the silent storm gathering in the air.Dominic took a deliberate step forward, his entire frame radiating a quiet, controlled fury. The room was dead silent, except for the muffled sound of Sasha’s labored breathing as she sat restrained in the chair, her wrists bound, her face pale and drawn.“What’s the matter, Dom?” Luca sneered, his bravado returning as he leaned back, folding his arms. “Upset I found your weakness?”Dominic’s mouth twisted into a humorless smile, his eyes never leaving Luca. “You’ve made a grave mistake, Luca,” he said, his voice low, almost a whisper. “Touching what’s mine? I won’t forgive that.”Luca scoffed, dismissing the threat with a wave of his hand. “You’ve gone soft, Dominic. Everyone
The city lights glowed through the tinted car windows as Dominic and Sasha sat in tense silence. The adrenaline from their escape had barely faded, and the charged silence between them was thick with unspoken words. Dominic’s hand lingered on Sasha’s knee, firm and steady, grounding her through the swirl of emotions she couldn’t contain. They had barely escaped Luca’s grip, and yet, somehow, she still felt the looming presence of his threat.Dominic’s phone buzzed again, and he clenched his jaw, ignoring it this time as he looked out the window. Sasha watched him, her own pulse quickening as she took in his profile—the controlled fury simmering beneath his calm exterior, his protectiveness hidden under his usual impassive demeanor. The lines in his face told a story of a man who had fought for everything he had, who had been ruthless when he needed to be, yet the way he looked at her told a different story—a gentler, conflicted one that she didn’t fully understand.“Dominic,” she fina
The morning sunlight filtered through the high windows of Dominic’s penthouse, casting long shadows across the floor. Sasha stood in the middle of the vast living room, feeling dwarfed by its emptiness. She had barely slept, haunted by Alistair’s revelation, and the painful reminder that danger was never far from Dominic—or from her. She hadn’t yet shared her thoughts with Dominic, but she could feel a shift between them, a silent weight hanging in the air.Dominic entered the room, his expression shadowed, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he spoke. “We need to prepare,” he said, voice steady but lacking his usual warmth. He glanced away, rubbing the back of his neck. “There are places to go, people to talk to. This… alliance my father’s built with Luca, it’s been under my nose, right where I never thought to look.”Sasha moved closer, her voice soft. “Dom, I can’t imagine how hard it is to hear that he’s alive—and worse, working against you. But you’re not alone in this.
The early morning light cast a pale glow over the city as Sasha lay beside Dominic, her head resting on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. The events of the night before lingered in her mind—the weight of Dominic’s past, the terrible revelation about his father’s betrayal, and Luca’s ominous threats. She had promised Dominic she wouldn’t leave him, but a gnawing doubt had settled deep within her. Would she be strong enough to face the demons from his past, or was she only adding to the risk he already faced?Dominic stirred, his arm instinctively pulling her closer. “You’re up early,” he murmured, his voice husky from sleep.Sasha smiled softly, tracing patterns along his chest. “Couldn’t sleep. Just… thinking.” Her tone was light, but she felt the tension in his body, sensed his hesitancy.He tilted her chin up, his gaze searching her face. “What are you thinking about?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper.She hesitated, uncertain how to voice the tangle of emotions chur