One

TALIA

 

Ugh.

I cringed internally at the feeling of sand-like texture in my mouth. It wasn’t a very pleasant experience and I tried to make my limbs move, my eyelids open, but it was much too difficult. My mind wavered between the realms of sleep and reality and I let out a sigh, turning my head to get more comfortable on the bed.

 

The sounds of a clock ticking drew me in and it echoed all around my head. Time was non-existent, but slowly questions arose in my mind.

 

Why did my nostrils hurt so much, like I’d just inhaled a bowl of peppers?

What was that scent?

How did I get back home? I couldn’t remember for the life of me what had gone on the night before.

 

“Wake up doll. I don’t like being kept waiting.”

 

The sound of that unfamiliar deep male voice hit me. Then, my eyes flew open.

 

Wincing at the blooming headache, I slowly sat up on the bed, trying to get my limbs to cooperate. It was shaky but I managed it.

 

The sight that met me was a strange one.

Looking around me, I noticed the blue walls of the room. Black and gold curtains framed windows through which sunlight would stream in to my left, were it daytime. But it was night, and the vibes became even more eerie when I noticed the ticking sound didn’t come from any clock I could see, but instead from a man’s foot tapping on the ground.

 

“What the…” I trailed off, realizing I wasn’t back in my apartment, or in my boyfriend John’s penthouse. “Where am I?”

 

“You’re in my home, doll. Eyes up. Look at me,” he ordered, and I found I couldn’t disobey.

 

When I met his eyes, I could see coldness in them. Unfortunately for me, he was deadly handsome, and set my heart beating fast.

 

That wasn’t the only thing I noticed and I let out a gasp of recognition.

It was him. The one who came in with his men guns blazing at the agency.

 

The memories flashed through my head, memories I had thought— had HOPED were just a dream.

 

That night, I had arrived from my job escorting an old man who had become a regular of mine to the opera of all places. Still wearing an expensive evening gown which I had to rent, I went to my boss Ludovic’s office to collect my nightly pay, preparing myself mentally for his shenanigans when he unfailingly tried to get me to sleep with him.

 

Being an escort wasn’t what I wanted in life, but I had grown up poor. I had few opportunities in life, and when I couldn’t get a call back from the numerous temp agencies I applied to at 17, I turned to this work to get ahead in life.

 

Before I could knock on Ludovic’s door that night though, something happened.

The escort agency was suddenly under siege as screams and gunshots filled the air. Before I knew what was happening—

 

A hand gripped my chin and forced my head up, and I was pulled back into reality as the firmness of the hand didn’t leave me alone. I was left staring into the most beautiful yet dangerous eyes I had ever seen.

 

“I believe I told you to look at me, doll. Don’t test my patience,” he hissed and I swallowed, trying to find courage to speak, to tell him anything. But I couldn’t.

 

My tongue leaden in my mouth, I felt his hand stroke my cheek.

“Do you know who I am?” He asked in a much calmer voice, and I shook my head in response. “Let’s just say I’m one of those men you don’t fuck around with, doll. Lorenzo Gallieni.”

 

My heart skipped. I’d heard of that name but only in stories. There was NO one who didn’t know of Lorenzo or the Gallieni Mafia in this part of the world. This city was HIS, and he was the Don to steer clear of, one of the most feared with even the police and military in his pockets.

 

What did someone like him want with someone like me? I was nothing, just a mere escort trying to live.

 

“You see,” Lorenzo continued, still stroking my cheek as I trembled. “Your boss, Ludovic’s been owing me quite a sum. Five hundred thousand dollars, to be exact. And he has failed for five fucking months to pay me back. Now I’m sure you know where you come in.”

 

My body broke out in hives. The Gallieni Mafia weren’t one to take prisoners. What did my stupid boss’ debts have to do with ME? Why did I have to be involved in this?

 

“N-No,” my eyes were watery and I sniffed as my voice broke. “Please, I don't know anything about this. Please just let me go-“

 

His thumb covered my lip and I couldn’t finish the sentence. His hands were still so gentle, yet his eyes were so cold that it left me shivering.

 

“Your boss has asked me to take whatever I fucking want to clear his debts. So I have chosen. And he was glad to give you to me, among other things.”

 

No.

My eyes widened and tears rolled down my cheeks. I couldn’t believe my ears.

Suddenly Lorenzo released my cheek and retracted his hand, standing to his feet. Then, without warning, he tossed something at me, and I flinched when it landed on the mattress, right beside me.

 

It was a dress, I could see the spaghetti straps and lace trim, it’s silky sheen drawing my eyes to take it in.

 

“Get dressed,” he ordered. Only then did I find it in me to speak.

 

“I have nothing to do with this. I can’t be involved. I’m not the one owing you money. Ludovic-”

 

“Ludovic is dead.”

 

Those words were delivered with gravel to his voice. The pit at the bottom of my stomach became heavier with terror filling my veins.

“And you will be careful to not end up the same way, doll. Get dressed, or I will make you.”

…