Chapter 6.

Cassandria POV.

Looking up at this huge mansion, I nod in appreciation. It is gorgeous. Modern and sleek. Floor to ceiling windows complete with privacy glass. The walls are white, the front door is a double door in black. The three steps leading up to the front doors are made of white quartz. I look up and there is an enormous window just above the front door.

There are up-lights against the walls. It looks cold, masculine, clearly a bachelor pad. Andros opens the door and ushers me inside.

I step inside and just wow. The interior is clean and shiny. The marble floors shine and the walls are white, with modern artwork hanging from them. The entry way has two stairs cases that join to a platform at the top complete with glass panelling. I feel sorry for whoever has to keep them clean.

There is a lounge area with black area rugs and a huge open fireplace. Definitely a bachelor pad. It lacks warmth, and that lived in feeling. I follow Andros under the arch of the stairs and into a catering kitchen. Everything is steel and chrome. The windows open out like doors that fold in on themselves to give the illusion of more room.

Walking through the bustling kitchen and to the right, we come to another room; it is the same generic style throughout. Monochrome with clean lines and not a speck of dust in sight.

I can hear music the closer we get to the open windows. The garden, however, is totally different for a house like this. It is green with various plants, trees, and flowers. The only part of this place that feels warm and homey.

I follow behind Andros as he leads me down a paved path and I stop to get a look at the back of the property and my breath catches in my throat. There are long balconies that connect to each room. Similar to a wrap-around porch on a farmhouse, but this is above instead of being on the ground. Looks can be deceiving, that’s for damn sure.

But it’s the view that does it for me. The hills in the background add a touch of calm. I turn to face the way we are heading and I can see the LA skyline and it is beautiful for a concrete jungle.

“Wow, it is a view.” I say, and Andros chuckles as he walks closer to me.

“What would you change?” he asks, knowing what the company does. After all, I plan and design most of the work for the contracts.

“Well, I would give the interior some colour, make it warm and inviting. It’s too sterile. There are no personal touches. I mean, our family home was always warm and welcoming. I get it, it’s a modern design but the odd pop of colour will make it feel better. Your house is your home and it should feel lived in.” I say and he nods his head. I know he doesn’t understand, but I do.

The interior of Matteo’s home feels barren, just like I am. I shake my head to rid that thought. Not today, Satan, not today.

Andros takes my hand in his and squeezes it. I know he knows something is wrong, but I do what I’m great at. Mask it with a fake plastic smile and push it aside.

“Come on, the party is down here,” he says and for that, I’m grateful that he didn’t press on the issue. The closer we get, the livelier the atmosphere becomes. There are kids running around, adults milling chatting, some are sunbathing on the lounges and in the cabanas that are around the Olympic size swimming pool. Complete with water spouts and is that? Oh wow, he even has water flumes. God, I loved going down them as a kid.

There is also an outside bar with a straw roof and little bar stools by the bar. Everyone is chatting and laughing, having a good time. The smell of BBQ fills the air and the laughter of the kids who are playing games.

“Where is Lola?” I ask, and he points to the little goddess catching some rays in her bikini. I smile as she relaxes.

“Oh, erm, I think I will.”

“Care for a drink?” I turn and see Matteo standing there, watching me. I look him up and down, not so subtly, I may add. But damn, he is gorgeous. He is wearing baby blue shorts and a white linen shirt on his feet are converse. Who would have thought that the mafia king can dress so casually? He still looks good enough to eat. I gulp as I meet his hazel eyes. I didn’t notice them properly on Friday night, but wow.

The greens and browns are out of this world. He has flecks of gold in the green and I could stare at them forever.

“Water or soda will be fine, thank you.” I say, my voice quiet as I look back down. Get it together, Cass. Jesus Christ, I’m pathetic.

“Follow me,” he says and I look at Andros, who has walked away to go and see Lola. Why that little snake! Oh, he is going to fucking pay for this!

I follow behind Matteo like a little lost puppy and I hate how I feel right now. I hate that I am so fucking weak; I hate my life; I hate what has been done to me and most of all; I hate …

“Here Cass,” he snaps me out of my thoughts, handing me a bottle of ice cold water, which on a day like today is needed. I thank him and take it, beginning to feel uncomfortable and awkward in his presence.

“I won’t hurt you Cass, I’m nothing like Curtis.” My head snaps up and my eyes go wide. I gulp and take a small step back. I eye him warily. He knows, he fucking knows what that monster and his men did to me, what they are still doing to me in my head. I need to leave. I need to get out of LA. Hell, out of America.

“I need to leave.” I turn and walk away, but he grasps my wrist and I freeze. My mind is flooded with images of the abuse, but I push them away, starting to lose my composure. I pull my wrist free and I run like a horse out of the starting gate.

My heart pounds and tears blur my vision, the cruel laughter fills my head. My screams, my pleas, falling on deaf ears as I’m beaten, raped, tortured. My legs begin to buckle as the barrier in my head bursts and I scream as I feel every kick, every punch, every brutal thrust, every slap, every strike splitting my skin open.

“Whose a good little whore? Take it bitch open wide for them as they fuck you raw.” I feel the sting and the humiliation from the three of them. I gag. I’m trapped, locked in the abuse. I pray for death to take me. This is no way to live.

“Cass, Cass, come on little one, come back to me,” that voice I know that voice. My vision clears and see blue eyes staring back at me. I look around, panicked, waiting to see him and his men waiting for them to come into view.

“It’s ok, I’ve got you.” I’m trembling. I can’t do this. I can’t do this again. I scream and thrash to get away as the faces come into view. The menacing smiles and their cruel and unyielding words. Being pinned down as my clothes are ripped away from my body.

I lash out like a caged beast. Wanting to get away to try to protect myself. I can fight, I can die fighting. Anything is better than feeling what they are about to do to me.

When I feel a sting, and everything goes black.