Escape

Leonardo's POV:

My gaze swept across the stage when the emcee announced the next girl, and that's when I saw her.

Emma; the beautiful waitress from Vincenzo's nightclub, the girl who almost ended my generation with the knee to my groin.

The same Emma who had rejected and stolen from me at Vincenzo's nightclub left me with throbbing pain and wounded pride. Now, she stood vulnerable, clad in red lingerie that hugged her curves, showcasing her beauty; a particular part of me sprang up.

Her emerald eyes met mine, sparkling with fear. She looked different tonight

Stunning, Sexy, and captivating.

A spark of possessiveness aroused in me. No one else should see her like this. No one else should touch her.

Inovan's voice echoed in my mind, "Tonight's auction will be legendary, Leo. You in?" I had hesitated, but now I was grateful I'd followed him.

As the bidding commenced, I remained detached, observing with calculated interest. The men around me salivated, their eyes roaming over Emma's body. My jaw clenched, teeth grinding together, I had the urge to put a bullet through their heads.

Why did they think they could claim her? She was mine.

The bidding escalated, and I raised my card, my voice firm. "One million dollars."

Gasps filled the room. Emma's eyes darted wildly with fear, her lips parting in a silent scream. She knew I wasn't bidding out of kindness.

I nodded, confirmingmy bid of one million dollars.

Marco, my longtime rival, emerged from the shadows, his gaze locked onto Emma. "I'll raise that to two million."

My jaw clenched.

"Four million," I countered, my voice even.

The emcee's voice rose, excited by the intense bidding. "Four million dollars. Do we have a four-point five?"

I glared at Marco. Emma's eyes pleaded with me, fear creeping into her expression.

Inovan intervened, his voice low. "Leo, perhaps—"

I raised a hand, silencing him.

The room fell silent, tension hanging in the air. Emma's shoulders tensed, her face pale.

"Nine million," I smiled relaxing into my chair as my gaze locked onto Marco.

The room erupted into chaos and Marco's face turned beet-red, his eyes bulging.

The emcee's voice trembled. "Nine million dollars, do we have ten?"

The room hung in suspense. Marco stormed out of the room, his eyes flashing with anger.

"Sold to Leonardo Rossi for nine million dollars," the emcee announced.

I approached the stage, my movements deliberate.

Her shoulders tensed beneath my touch as I led her off the stage, and the emcee handed me a file. I pocketed it, my grip on Emma's arm tightening.

"What now?" she whispered, her hands clamped together.

I smiled, my expression cold. "You will find out soon enough."

At my mansion, I dismissed my butler, leaving Emma alone in the room.

I needed a moment to collect myself, my mind racing with anticipation.

When I returned, Emma paced back and forth.

"You're safe now, Emma. You belong to me," I said, my voice low.

"Why did you bid on me?" She turned, avoiding my gaze.

"For the same reason, all of those men did." I walked towards her.

"Don't," she whispered, her voice trembling, walking away from me.

My grip on her arms tightened, my fingers digging into her skin. She struggled, but I held firm.

"What are you doing? Let me—" her voice trailed off as I pulled her close, my lips claiming hers, shutting her up. The kiss was fierce and possessive, and Emma's eyes flashed with anger, but for a moment, she didn't push me away.

I inserted my tongue into her mouth sucking the soft full lips. I was caught off guard by her knee into my groin, followed by a punch to my jaws, so hard I thought they had fallen off.

"What the fuck!" I groaned as the pain shot through my body and my anger flared.

I grabbed her wrist twisting them behind her back. She cried out in pain as I slammed her against the wall.

"You think you can hurt me and get away with it?" I snarled, my face inches from hers. "You are mine now, Emma and you will do as I say or you will suffer the consequences."

Her eyes flashed with defiance, but the fear were visible.

"You will regret ever crossing me."

I whispered, my voice dripping with menace.

I walked out of the door out of the room, slamming the door behind me. She just ruined my mood.

"Stay here!" I ordered my men.

I stormed over to the patio, snatching a cigarette from my pocket. I lit a cigarette, my hands shaking as I took a deep drag.

As I exhaled, my fist clenched fueled by her audacity. How dare she defy me? I was Leonardo Rossi, the most feared man in the city of Italy. I always got what I wanted.

I was amused when I remembered her eyes that wanted to burn me alive, a fire that I wanted to extinguish.

I enjoyed challenges, and Emma's defiance sparked something within me.

Just as I began to calm down, one of my men approached, his voice hesitant. "Boss, she's gone."

I turned, exhaling smoke, my eyes narrowing, putting off the cigarette. "What?"

"She escaped through the veranda into the garden," he replied, his eyes darting away.

I growled "Find her. Now,"

My men rushed out of the house, their footsteps echoed with urgency.

"And no one touches her. She's mine to deal with"

She has guts trying to escape me. I stormed towards the control room