Chapter 3

Bella’s POV

My heart hammered as I lay back, the shock of what I'd witnessed shaking my whole body. 

'No, no, no,' I rasped, my voice a gauze thread, panic rising. I needed to get away from here—anywhere but here. Instead I turned and fled down the hall on the force of fear, my legs moving faster than they ever had. I walked into my room and slammed the door behind me, leaning against it, taking breaths, the frantic thud of my heart beneath my palm.

Luca had told my parents I wasn’t allowed to have any electronics with me—no way to reach the outside world, no one to call for help. But I’d hidden the phone away in my suitcase. It was my only link, my only chance of survival in whatever nightmare I'd stumbled into.

I opened up my suitcase, shaking hands, and I ran my fingers through the clothes until I felt the phone. My fingers shook as I dialed the number of the only person I trusted, someone who could help me—if he’d even answer.

The phone just rang, and with every ring, my desperation increased. Finally, a voice crackled on the other end.

“Hello?” His voice was cold, distant.

My breath hitched. “I need to get out of here… please. You need to, My voice trembled when I said, “Luca… he just beat someone up. I think he might… kill him. I could barely form the words, as if saying them would somehow render them more real.

There was a long, heavy silence. Then he sighed. “Isabella… you signed a contract. You knew what you were getting into. This is the rule of the Mafia.”

I swallowed hard, my stomach twisting. His words sunk in like a punch. The Mafia. This wasn’t a story or a rumor—it was real, and I was trapped in it. I'd been so foolish, believing that I could cope with Luca, that he was anything other than. But he wasn’t.

'Go fuck your rules,' I spat, my voice cracking. “I’m telling you, this place… it’s messed up. 'You have to save me, I'm going to die if I stay here any minute. 

Another heavy silence. I could hear his breathing through the other end of the line, as if he was taking my threat to heart.

Finally, he spoke, his voice a murmur. “Fine. I’ll see what I can do. But I can’t make any promises. Until then, just… keep your head down. Be vigilant. Don’t do anything that’ll make him suspicious.”

I pressed the phone to my chest, attempting to calm my speeding heart. I breathed, gaspingly, reminding myself that I wasn't alone. He’d help me, somehow.

Suddenly, the doorknob rattled, and my heart stopped. But then I threw the phone to my bed, buried it in clothes, and then turned around just as the door swung open.

Luca stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him. His face was flat, eyes empty, but with something there, just under the surface, something of the evil.

“Bella,” he said, his voice smooth, almost gentle. “I’m sorry if I scared you earlier. He took a step closer, and I found myself backing up, my stomach churning.

“Frightened me? I must admit, though, I sounded like a mouse. “You nearly killed a man.”

Luca’s gaze hardened, and he sighed, crossing his arms. “That man stole from me, Bella. In my world, loyalty and trust are everything. Betrayal has consequences. I'm sure you get it. You are also from the Mafia. 

I shook my head back, back, back, back till the headboard hit my thighs. “How… How could you do that? Just… hurt someone like that?”

Luca tilted his head, studying me with a look of mild amusement, as if he found my reaction endearing. 'Bella,' he whispered, 'I understand this is a surprise.If you’re obedient, if you follow the rules, then I promise you’ll have nothing to fear. You could even… enjoy it here. His eyes darkened, his gaze trailing over me in a way that sent a shiver down my spine.

“Enjoy it?” I whispered, shaking my head. “You mean… if I obey, I get to live in this nightmare without punishment?

He laughed softly, but it wasn’t a kind laugh. It was cold, slicing the edge of a blade. “That’s one way of putting it,” he said. “If you show loyalty, if you prove you’re trustworthy, then yes. You’ll be safe, and you’ll live a very comfortable life. 'But cross me' His voice trailed off, but the implication hung in the air, heavy and black.

A pebble settled in my throat and I looked away, trying to hide the terror in my eyes. “What about… what about my family? I dared to ask. “Do they know what’s really happening here?”

Luca’s gaze flickered, a brief flash of something I couldn’t quite place—pity? Guilt? But just as quickly, it was gone. 'Your family doesn't question my authority . They know nothing about my business. And I intend to keep it that way.”

I swallowed hard, the realization settling in. My family never learned who Luca was, or what life he lived. They thought I was safe here, that I was with someone who cared about me. How could I have let them believe that?

Luca reached forward, his fingers coming out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re beautiful, Bella. And I want to have this life with you, if you'll have it. I can provide you with things that 99% of the people only dream of.

I flinched away from his hands, but held my body tense, not daring to allow him to see my fear. “I don’t want your… gifts, Luca. I just want to be safe.”

He chuckled, a sound that made my skin crawl. “You’ll be safe, as long as you stay close to me. Remember that, Bella. And remember His fingers ran down my shoulder, his hand clamping just hard enough to make me flinch. “This is your home now. There’s no going back.”

My heart dropped, but I nodded, not wanting to lose control, my voice. “I understand.”

Satisfied, he released me, his gaze softening slightly. “Good. Now get some sleep. Well, tomorrow is another day, and I've got plans for us.

With that, he turned and left, the door slamming behind him, leaving me to the silence of my room.

As soon as he was gone, I collapsed onto the bed, wrapping my arms around myself as I tried to steady my breathing. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away, refusing to let myself break down. Not now. I needed to stay strong, to stay alert, just as I’d been told.

I glanced at my suitcase, where the phone lay hidden beneath layers of clothes. I didn't know if he would, or anyone, would. But I needed to keep that piece of hope, however small it was.

So there I sat in the dark, staring at the ceiling and silently promised.

I would escape this place if it killed me. I would get out of Luca's world, get out of him. And in the meantime I would play his game, ride it out, ride it out till the day I could bust out.