AmaraThe soft light of dawn filters through the heavy curtains, casting a faint glow across the room. I stir, the warmth of Matteo’s body pressed against mine anchoring me in a way that feels new but not unwelcome. His arm is heavy across my waist, holding me close, his breath warm against the back of my neck.I lay there, perfectly still, trying to piece together the whirlwind of emotions from last night.Last night...I can’t stop the small smile that tugs at my lips as the memories wash over me. Matteo wasn’t just his usual intense, possessive self. He was tender, his hands moving over me with a kind of reverence I didn’t think him capable of. Every touch, every kiss, every whispered word had been filled with something deeper, something raw.He made love to me.The thought makes my cheeks heat, and I press my face into the pillow, trying to hide the smile that refuses to leave. Matteo Dragonetti, the man who once terrified me, the man I thought was incapable of softness, had shown
MatteoI push open the heavy oak door to my father’s office, a rare smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. It feels strange on my face, unfamiliar, but not unwelcome. The sunlight filters through the large windows, illuminating the dark wood of the room and the collection of books lining the shelves.My father looks up from his desk, his sharp green eyes locking onto mine. He leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest, and a smirk spreads across his face.“Well,” he drawls, his voice tinged with amusement. “That’s a look I haven’t seen in a while. What’s put you in such a good mood, son?”I blink, taken aback. “What are you talking about?”He chuckles, the sound low and knowing. “You’ve got that look. The same one I used to have when your mother managed to get under my skin.”“Dad,” I groan, dragging a hand down my face.His smirk widens, and he gestures to the chair across from him. “Come on, Matteo. Don’t leave me in suspense.”I step inside, closing the door behin
AmaraThe night air is cool against my skin as Matteo leads me toward the dance studio. His hand is on my lower back, guiding me silently through the quiet halls of the estate. I glance up at him, trying to read his expression, but his face is unreadable, his green eyes fixed ahead.“Why are we going to the studio?” I ask, breaking the silence.“You’ll see,” he says, his tone giving nothing away.I narrow my eyes, suspicious. Matteo isn’t exactly the type to indulge in surprises. Whatever this is, it’s already making my chest tighten with anticipation.When we step inside, I’m greeted by the soft glow of the lights reflecting off the mirrored walls. The space feels warm and intimate, and my eyes catch on the small table in the corner with a bottle of wine and two glasses. My pulse quickens.“Matteo,” I say, my voice tinged with uncertainty. “What’s all this?”He smirks, closing the door behind us. “You’ll find out soon enough, princess. But first…” He reaches for my hand, pulling me t
NadyaThe room is warm, but I still feel the cold right to my bones. It’s the kind of cold that settles deep in your chest, the kind that doesn’t leave, no matter how many blankets you pile on. I pull the thick quilt tighter around my shoulders and stare at the door, waiting. Always waiting. It’s been days since I was brought here. Days of silence, of healing, of waiting for the other shoe to drop. The man—Markus, they called him—hasn’t come to see me since that night.Not that I want him to.The others, the ones I saw briefly in the chaos, were rough and violent. Markus was no different. He didn’t hurt me, but there was something about him that made my skin crawl and my mind race. The cold gleam in his eyes, the casual way he spoke about violence—it reminded me too much of where I came from.I rub at my wrist absentmindedly, the faint marks from bindings long gone but the memories of them vivid. The sweater’s sleeves are soft, pulling over my hands like a shield. I hate the quiet. I
MarkusI shut the door to Nadya’s room harder than necessary, the sharp click echoing in the quiet hallway. The girl is driving me up the fucking wall and it's the first time I've seen her since I brought her here.When I walked in, I expected quiet, maybe some timid gratitude or at least compliance. Instead, I got fire—buried under fear, sure, but it’s there, smoldering behind those wide, guarded eyes.Nadya. She’s not like the others we’ve pulled out of hellholes like that. Most of them are broken by the time we get to them, but she’s clinging to something. I know what it is: the hope that her father will come for her.The idea grates at me, and I roll my shoulders, trying to shake off the irritation. Hope like that will only get her killed. If she clings too hard to the idea of being rescued, she’ll never learn to survive. And survival is all that matters in this world.I stalk down the hall, my boots echoing against the polished floors as I head toward Matteo’s office. I need a fu
NadyaThe hallway is deadly quiet as I slip out of my room, the heavy door clicking shut behind me. My pulse thrums in my ears, and my breath comes in shallow, careful exhales. Every creak of the floor feels deafening, every shadow stretching too far.I don’t know the layout of this house—mansion, really—but I know it’s big. Too big. Too many doors, too many chances to get caught. But I have to try. I’ve been here long enough to know the people who brought me aren’t like the ones before, but that doesn’t mean I trust them. Trust is dangerous, and I can’t afford it. Not now.The faintest sliver of moonlight spills through the tall windows, illuminating the corridor ahead. I keep to the walls, my bare feet silent against the cold marble floors. Every muscle in my body is tight, ready to bolt if I hear so much as a whisper of movement.Just get outside. Find a way past the guards. And then—what?My chest tightens at the thought. I don’t have a real plan. My only goal is to get back to M
MarkusThe TV is on, but I’m not really watching it. Some action movie with too many explosions and not enough story—exactly the kind of mindless distraction I thought I needed tonight. My boots are up on the coffee table, a glass of whiskey balanced on my knee, and the low hum of the house fills the silence around me.For a moment, it feels almost normal. Like I’m not sitting in a mansion full of secrets, with a girl upstairs who doesn’t trust me any more than I trust myself around her.The phone buzzes on the armrest, and I glance at the screen.Lukas.“What?” I answer, my tone sharp.“Nice to hear your cheerful voice, brother,” Lukas quips, his usual sarcasm bleeding through the line. “You busy?”I take a slow sip of whiskey, savoring the burn. “If you count sitting on my ass as busy, then yeah.”“Well, get ready to move that ass because I found something you’re gonna want to see.” His tone shifts, the humor fading. Lukas doesn’t drop the jokes unless it’s serious.I sit up straigh
NadyaI can’t sit still. My body feels like it’s buzzing.Breakfast was quiet, Markus watching me like a hawk, his sharp green eyes assessing every move I made. He didn’t say much, but I could feel the weight of his thoughts, the questions I know he wants to ask.Now, alone in my room, the walls feel like they’re closing in. My pacing quickens, my bare feet padding softly against the floor.The posters. The money.My father is looking for me. Not out of love or concern—that’s not his way. No, this is about power and control. I know the way he operates, the way he turns everything into a transaction. People are assets, pawns in his endless games. And me? I was always the crown jewel, the perfect little doll to parade around when it suited him. The air feels heavy as I stop in front of the window, staring out at the sprawling garden below. The Dragonetti estate is beautiful, in a way that feels almost suffocating. It’s a stark contrast to the cold, brutal efficiency of my father’s com
MarkusI close Nadya’s door behind me, my chest still rising and falling from the high of her falling apart under my mouth. Her taste lingers on my tongue, sweet and intoxicating, and I drag a hand through my hair. She’s my new favorite addiction. Every time I see her unravel beneath me, it’s like a shot of adrenaline straight to my veins. I’ve tasted power, blood, and control my entire life, but nothing compares to the way she shatters for me.It’s pathetic how much I already crave more of her. The way she clutches onto me, how her lips part with those little gasps—it’s like she was made to be ruined by me.I can’t believe I was trying to avoid this. Her. It’s fucking laughable.Shaking my head, I adjust my sweats and head down the hall, the cool air doing little to calm the fire still burning under my skin. Just as I turn toward the stairs, one of Matteo’s men approaches.“Boss wants you in his office. Lukas is already there.”Great. If Matteo’s calling us both in, it’s either a sh
NadyaThe first thing I notice when I wake up is the scent. Markus’ cologne is all over the pillows, warm and woodsy with a hint of something darker, something unmistakably him. My fingers tighten on the fabric as reality sinks in.Last night happened.I sit up slowly, the covers pooling around my waist as I press a hand to my chest. My heart is racing—not out of fear, but something else entirely. I don’t want to name it, don’t even want to think about it too hard. If I do, I’ll lose myself in the mess Markus left behind.But still, my mind replays every moment, every touch, every word. The way his lips moved against mine, the way his hands gripped me like he couldn’t bear to let go, the way he looked at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.I shouldn’t feel this way. Not about him. Markus is dangerous, unpredictable, and yet… last night, he was none of those things. He was gentle, almost tender, in a way I didn’t think he was capable of.My cheeks heat as I remembe
MarkusI lift her off the ground, her legs wrapping around my waist as I carry her to the bed. Her tank top rides up, exposing more of her soft, pale skin, and I have to fight the urge to rip it off her.“Markus,” she murmurs, her voice soft and hesitant.I pause, my hands gripping her thighs as I look down at her. “What is it, Nadya?”She smiles faintly, her fingers brushing against my cheek. “You’re not as scary as you think you are,” she says, her voice teasing but warm.I chuckle, the sound rough. “Don’t tell anyone,” I say, my smirk widening. “I’ve got a reputation to uphold.”She laughs softly, and the sound is like music, light and carefree in a way I’ve never heard before. It’s beautiful, and it’s all for me.I lower her onto the bed, her hair fanning out around her like a halo. She looks up at me, her eyes wide, the faintest hint of uncertainty shadowing her expression. I brush my knuckles over her cheek, reminding her she’s safe.“You’re beautiful, you know that?” I murmur.
MarkusThe door clicks shut behind me as I stride into my room, the dampness from my shower still clinging to my skin. The towel I used to dry my hair sits discarded on the floor, and I’m pacing, my mind a whirlwind of anger and frustration.She was jealous.That thought has been gnawing at me ever since I left her room. Nadya, my fierce, stubborn Topolina, was jealous. Over me. Even after I spelled out in graphic detail why I’m the last person she should want, she still looked at me like she couldn’t decide if she wanted to slap me or kiss me.I rake a hand through my hair, my bare chest heaving as I try to calm the storm inside me. She wants me. The knowledge is like a double-edged blade, cutting through my defenses while carving deep into my control.What the fuck am I supposed to do with that?I glance at my reflection in the mirror, the hard lines of my face twisted in frustration. My jaw clenches as I remember the way she looked at me earlier—her blue eyes blazing, her cheeks fl
NadyaI storm into the gym, my hands shaking as I wrap the tape around my knuckles. Anger burns in my chest, but I don’t even know why I’m this furious. Markus isn’t mine. He owes me nothing. But that doesn’t stop the bile rising in my throat when I think about the way he smelled last night—like perfume, sweat, and sex.The scratch marks on his neck didn’t help either.I pull the tape tighter, ignoring the sting as it bites into my skin. My movements are jerky, uncoordinated, and the anger bubbling beneath the surface isn’t helping. He had the nerve to come into my room, to sit beside me and offer comfort, while reeking of another woman.Does he even care about how that makes me feel? No, of course not. Why would he? I’m nothing to him. Just some damaged little thing he’s stuck babysitting because he felt guilty.I grab a pair of boxing gloves and slip them on, trying to channel my rage into something productive. When Markus walks into the gym a moment later, his expression is neutral
MarkusI slam the door to Lukas’ office harder than necessary, the wood rattling in its frame. He doesn’t even flinch, his boots propped up on the desk, a whiskey glass dangling from his fingers. His eyes flick to me, then back to whatever bullshit report he’s pretending to read.I, on the other hand, am ready to crawl out of my fucking skin.“Do you ever do anything useful, or is this just your default setting now?” I ask, stepping inside.“What crawled up your ass?” he asks lazily, not bothering to look up again.“You know damn well what,” I snap, crossing the room to stand in front of his desk. “I need advice.”Lukas arches a brow, finally deigning to meet my gaze. “Advice? From me?” He snorts, setting his whiskey down. “Must be a bad day if you’re coming to me for help, brother.”I glare at him, but it only makes his smirk grow. “It’s Nadya,” I grit out, my fists clenching at my sides.“Of course, it is.” He leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “What’d she do
MarkusThe gym echoes with the sound of Nadya’s labored breaths and the soft squeak of her sneakers against the mat. She’s been pushing herself harder each session, her determination a force to be reckoned with. Even though her body is still catching up to the hell it’s been through, her spirit is unrelenting.“Come on, Topolina,” I taunt, circling her. “Is that all you’ve got?”She glares at me, wiping the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand. “I’m saving my strength for the moment I crush you,” she snaps, her thick Russian accent making the threat sound a little more serious than it should.I smirk, rolling my shoulders. “You couldn’t crush me if I handed you a sledgehammer and stood still.”Her lips curve into that defiant little scowl that always makes something inside me twist. I don’t let myself dwell on it. She squares up again, her stance solid but still rough around the edges. She’s come a long way, though. A month ago, she could barely keep her balance. Now? Now
NadyaThe gym smells faintly of leather and sweat, the air heavy with the lingering tension from our earlier sparring session. Markus stands a few feet away, adjusting the gloves on his hands as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. But there’s nothing natural about him—not his sharp green eyes, not his towering frame, and definitely not the dangerous air he carries around like a second skin.I can’t stop watching him.He moves with a quiet confidence, each motion calculated and precise, like a predator sizing up its prey. Even now, leaning against the punching bag with a towel slung over his shoulder, he looks like he’s ready to strike at a moment’s notice.It’s unsettling how easily I can pick out the details: the way his hair falls slightly into his eyes when he tilts his head, the sharp angles of his jaw that seem to be carved from stone, the tattoos curling up his forearms.Markus isn’t just a man. He’s a weapon. A deadly, beautiful weapon.And I hate that I notice.I sip
MarkusNadya moves across the mat with precision, her blonde hair tied up in a messy bun that’s starting to come undone. Strands fall loose, framing her delicate face, and I catch myself staring for too long. Again. I grit my teeth and glance away, pretending to adjust the gloves I’m wearing, but my eyes betray me, snapping back to her almost immediately. She’s doing the warm-ups I taught her, her small frame moving with surprising grace despite the tension I know she’s carrying. She’s wearing a simple tank top and leggings, but there’s no hiding the lithe, graceful figure beneath, a body that could’ve belonged to a ballerina. But I know better. Whatever dreams she might have had died the moment someone decided she was better suited as a commodity.I lean back against the wall, arms crossed, watching her. It’s not the first time I’ve caught myself staring, and it won’t be the last. There’s something about her that draws my eye—something fragile but not breakable, delicate but not we