THIRD PERSON POV“What is wrong with you? I said let me go this instant!” Camilla angrily shouted as she struggled to pull her hand out of Bella’s tight grip.“You are hurting me let go you demented fool.” Camilla’s face was red with anger, her cheeks burning as if they had been set ablaze. Bella felt a deep satisfaction as she took in the sight of her frustration.“I still haven’t heard a single word of apology from your filthy mouth so, No!” Bella snapped with a smirk on her face.“Is this a freaking joke to you! Take your diseased hands off me or you will not like what I’ll do to you!” Camilla’s jaw tightened, her eyes filled with fury as her free hand clenched into a fist.The guards stood awkwardly at the side exchanging uncertain glances between them. They didn't know what to do. Were they supposed to step in? Was that even allowed?The answer was unclear but none of them wanted to be stuck in the middle of a personal banter between women. And they cursed their luck for being st
BELLAI was painfully bored.With a lazy expression, I flipped through the endless sea of channels on the TV, barely paying attention to anything that popped up on the screen. Sprawled out on my bean bag like a starfish, I sighed hoping anything interesting would capture my attention.After what felt like an eternity of mindless scrolling, I gave up and settled on an animated movie. Just as I started to enjoy it, a loud knock shattered my brief moment of peace.I groaned in annoyance, rolling my eyes as the doorknob twisted. A maid stepped inside, her gaze sweeping over the room. She offered a small, polite smile when our eyes met but I could tell she had been sent here to say something that I’m certain I wouldn’t like.“What is it this time?” I asked, my tone dripping with boredom as I stared at her.She cleared her throat, shifting slightly as she averted her gaze to the floor. “Sir has asked for you to join him for dinner downstairs,” she said, her voice clipped and professional.I
VINCENTThat was exhilarating.Watching her squirm beneath me sent a thrill through my veins and gave me a high I never knew I needed. Every second of being in complete control, of bending her to my will was intoxicating.She was different and disobedient. No one had ever dared to defy me, let alone look me in the eye and throw my authority back in my face. I was used to unwavering obedience, to people trembling at my presence, their fear settling in before I even uttered a word.But her? She wasn’t afraid. And the defiance she displayed was foreign, so infuriating and it only made me want to break her even more.I smirked, the memory replaying in my mind like a song on repeat. She had always been bold, unafraid to speak her mind even when she knew I could make her disappear with a mere snap of my fingers.She was something else.The way she had crumbled beneath me was intoxicating. At first, she fought, stubborn as ever. But the moment she started shaking, begging, her body betraying
BELLAI know I’ve said this a million times already, but I’m so over this.Tired of being locked up. Tired of staring at the same four walls like some caged animal. Tired of not feeling the sun on my skin, not meeting people who could hold a decent conversation.And, God help me, I was tired of wearing the same damn clothes every single day.Vincent dared to snatch me from my life, but he couldn’t even let me have a decent wardrobe. All I had were the pajamas he “graciously” took from his maids and the gown I was wearing the day he kidnapped me. It was insulting. A girl needs options! If I was going to be held hostage, I should at least get to look good while suffering.I flopped onto my bed with a dramatic sigh. “I’m a lady, for goodness’ sake! How am I supposed to survive without my necessities?”If Vincent was going to keep me here indefinitely, he could at least have the decency to take me back to my house so I could grab my things. My shirt and pants, my dresses, hell, even my pa
BELLAA gasp escaped my slightly parted lips as his hands glided over my back, the warmth of his touch sending a shiver down my spine.It was electric, almost magical the way his fingers brushed my skin before carefully pulling up the zipper of my gown. Our eyes remained locked in the mirror and suddenly, the air between us felt charged, humming with untamed energy.“Beautiful,” Vincent murmured, his deep, husky voice rolling over me like a velvet caress.I couldn’t disagree. The gown hugged my body in all the right places, making me feel like someone entirely new, someone powerful, elegant, and untouchable. Yet, standing this close to him, I felt anything but untouchable.Then, he stepped closer, pressing his body against mine.My breath hitched, my pulse hammering wildly in my chest as our eyes held each other in a heated exchange. His gaze darkened, his pupils dilating as something unspoken flickered across his face, something raw, something dangerous.I barely had time to react be
VINCENT“I asked a fucking question. What the hell happened here?” My voice was like ice, slicing through the thick tension that hung in the air.The gathered guards visibly flinched, their shoulders stiff, their faces pale with barely concealed fear. They looked like frightened prey, their eyes darting between each other in silent panic, none of them daring to step forward.My glare hardened. The longer they stayed quiet, the more my patience thinned.“Will you speak,” I hissed through gritted teeth, “or do I have to make you bleed it out?”The threat lingered in the air, heavy and suffocating.Before anyone could answer, the front doors swung open and Bianchi stepped out, his presence thick with danger.The guards quietly stepped out of the way as he walked as he walked toward me. His aura was dark and heavy with an unspoken lethal promise, yet his expression remained eerily calm. Too calm.“What is this?” My voice was low, laced with a cold fury that sent another visible shudder th
BELLAWhat did he think I was? A fucking hand trophy? A pretty little ornament to dangle on his arm while he paraded around, soaking up attention?Then why the hell bring me to a party if I wasn’t even allowed to enjoy it? To laugh, to drink, to actually exist?Vincent had been dragging me around all night, dictating every move like I was some wind-up doll designed to nod, smile, and obey. And the worst part? I was still smiling, that sweet, practiced expression stretched across my face like a mask, hiding the irritation clawing at my insides.Why was I even humoring him? The bastard had made it clear. Be polite. Stay close. Like I was a damn child who needed supervision.My fingers itched to peel away from his grip, to vanish into the crowd and remind him that I wasn’t something to be kept.He was talking to a man about something related to a contract and I groaned at the back of my mind as I listened to the same boring business talk over and over again.Why can’t they talk about som
BELLA The fear rolled off him in waves. He yanked his hand from mine, making a desperate run for it. But he never stood a chance, Vincent was on him in an instant. The sharp crack of a slap echoed through the space, followed by a grunt of pain. Before he could recover, Vincent’s fist connected with the same cheek, harder this time. A sickening crunch followed. Raymond stumbled from the impact, his face contorted in agony, but the coward in him saw an opening and he bolted. Too bad for him, Vincent was faster. I took off after them, my pulse racing as we all burst into the gala hall. The moment we crossed the threshold, Vincent snatched him by the collar and yanked him backward with so much force that he hit the floor with a brutal thud. Gasps rippled through the elegantly dressed crowd, but nobody moved to stop what was unfolding before them. Vincent didn’t hesitate. He straddled Raymond, his fist crashing down, again and again, each blow fueled by righteous fury. Blood splatte
BELLAI was brooding in my room, trapped in a cycle of anger and helplessness.I hadn’t stepped out since last night. Even breakfast had been brought in by the maid, which I barely touched.I refused to see him.The bastard who should be rotting in prison for his crimes. The murderer had no right to walk free, let alone keep me locked up like a prisoner in his home.The door swung open without warning. I didn’t bother turning around. I kept my back to the intruder, staring at the empty wall like it held all the answers to my misery.“Looks like someone’s having a bad day.”His voice grated against my nerves.I turned slowly, my expression twisted into a scowl.Vincent.“What are you doing here?” I spat, my voice dripping with venom.He leaned casually against the doorframe, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. “Calm down, princess. This is my house, remember? I can go wherever I want.”Smug and Infuriating.I clenched my jaw, refusing to engage any further. I wasn’t in the mood to d
BELLA’s POV“If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be here anymore. I’d still be rotting away in jail, and you… you’d continue to suffer in ignorance.”“I can’t believe this!” I exclaimed, my voice shaking.I really couldn’t believe it. All this time, I had blamed my dad for abandoning me, convinced he had chosen to walk away from my life. But the truth was far worse. He had been suffering while I resented him. I had let Vincent manipulate me into hating the only real family I had left.I felt so stupid.Vincent had played me like a fool. He had wrecked my life, stolen my trust, and as if that wasn’t enough, he had tried to kill my father.He was a monster.“I know this is a lot to take in,” my father said gently. “But it’s the truth. If not for Santiago, I would have died in that prison.”That name. Santiago. It sent a jolt through me. Why does that name sound so familiar?“Do I know him?” I asked, frowning. “The name, it feels like I’ve heard it before. And how did he do it? How did he
BELLA POVA knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I had been lost in my head ever since I ended the call with my father, running through every possible way I could convince Vincent to let me leave. Meeting my father felt like an impossible dream, but I had to try.The door creaked open, and Alessia stepped inside, as composed as ever in her neatly pressed uniform.“Good evening, ma’am. Don has asked you to join him for dinner.”My heart lifted at her words. Finally, a chance to talk to Vincent. I must find the right moment to bring it up. Hopefully, he is still nice.“Thanks, Alessia. I’ll be down in a few minutes.”She nodded politely and slipped out, closing the door behind her.I hurried to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and splashed cool water onto my face. My hands gripped the sink as I looked up at my reflection.I looked better.Healthier.My skin had a glow that wasn’t there before, and the exhaustion that once weighed down my face had faded. Whether it was the ex
BELLA POVCould my life get any worse?Probably. I am the most unfortunate human to ever walk the earth so, I’d rather not find out.As much as I hated to admit it, I was settling into a routine at this house, this miserable, suffocating place that I refused to call home.Every day had started to blur together. Breakfast with Vincent, a walk around the estate, movies, overthinking, plotting ways to escape, and doom-scrolling through social media to watch other people live the life I wanted. A pathetic existence, really.The real shock, though? Vincent gave me back my phone.That alone was suspicious enough, but even weirder was the way he had changed. Gone was the arrogant, overbearing version of him I had grown used to. Now, he spoke to me like I was fragile like I mattered. And I hated that it confused me. It made me question everything.Still, there was another problem, he was barely around anymore.“Where the hell does he keep disappearing to?” I muttered, flipping onto my stomach
THIRD POV“I want a clean job, Bianchi. Hit hard and fast. Take our best men and get me that bastard, there shouldn’t be any mistakes.” Vincent said through gritted teeth, his voice laced with barely contained fury.His body burned with rage, and the only thing that could satiate it was the blood of the fool who dared to strike at him once again using underhanded tactics.“I must show him what happens when he crosses me,” Vincent continued, his fists clenching at his sides. “I’ve been too lenient. He needs to learn… no, he will learn that I will always be above him.”Bianchi gave a sharp nod. “He messed with the wrong man, Don. I’ll drag him here myself.”Without another word, Bianchi turned on his heel and strode out of Vincent’s office, his expression set in stone. Downstairs, a dozen of their best men were already waiting, weapons checked, eyes sharp.Bianchi smirked as he surveyed them. “Hello, boys. Ready to have some fun?”“Yes, sir!” they answered in unison, excitement cracklin
BELLA“I’m going crazy,” I mumbled, kicking my feet against the mattress in frustration.None of this makes sense. I must be losing my mind. How does a man go from being the most insufferable human on the planet to someone… nice?Vincent was rude. Vincent was mean. Vincent had the patience of a malfunctioning time bomb and the arrogance of a king who conquered a kingdom just to burn it down for fun. That was the Vincent I knew, the one I tolerated at best and loathed.“So why, in the name of all things logical, was he being sweet earlier?”I groaned, rolling onto my stomach and burying my face in my pillow before mumbling into the fabric, “Is he possessed? Is there such a thing as a nice ghost?”Then I scoffed. Who was I kidding? Even a ghost would take one look at his body and decide, Yeah, no thanks. Not worth the trouble.Vincent was a walking disaster, a wrecking ball that had single-handedly turned my already messed up life upside down. Kidnapping me, dragging me into his stupid
VINCENT POVI let out a low chuckle, wincing slightly as the movement pulled at my freshly stitched wound. “So you do care, after all,” I teased, my voice laced with amusement.Bianchi scoffed. “Care? Please. I’m just looking out for myself. If you kick the bucket, guess who has to clean up the mess? Spoiler alert, it’s me, and I’m not interested.”I smirked as I tilted my head slightly. “You sure? You’d make a decent boss, Bianchi.”“Absolutely not,” Bianchi deadpanned. “I enjoy my life. I like my tailored suits without bullet holes. I like sleeping without one eye open. And most importantly, I like drinking my whiskey without wondering if it’s been poisoned.”I chuckled again, shaking my head. This argument with Bianchi never gets old.“Do I need to remind you that you are my second in command and you are already in danger?.”“Yeah, yeah.” He said dismissively.Bianchi leaned forward, his tone shifting to something more serious. “But in all honesty, we can’t let something like last
THIRD POV“Don, keep your eyes open. Don’t fucking close them!” Bianchi’s voice cut through the chaos, sharp with desperation as he slammed his foot on the gas. The tires screeched against the pavement, the city lights blurring into streaks of neon as they tore through the streets. He had been in situations like this before, but this was different.Vincent was shot. Vincent.The man Bianchi thought was untouchable, unstoppable, invincible.His hands clenched the steering wheel so tightly. He risked another glance at Vincent, but the sight nearly sent his stomach plummeting. Blood seeped through his jacket, spreading and soaking the fabric until it clung to his body like a second skin. His normally sharp, defiant eyes were half-lidded, his head tilted slightly, as if sleep was winning the battle he barely seemed to fight.“Vincent, keep your goddamn eyes open!” Bianchi barked again, his voice cracking with urgency. But Vincent didn’t react.Didn’t even flinch.His breathing was shallow
THIRD POV The door flew open, slamming against the wall with a loud bang, and Bella yanked at the chain binding her wrists. The cold metal bit into her already raw skin, but she didn’t care. “You asshole! Get me out of this shit!” she snarled, her voice dripping with rage. A maid stepped into the room, unaffected by Bella’s fury. She barely reacted, only blinking before setting a tray down at the foot of the bed. Then, without a word, she approached Bella. Bella’s face burned with embarrassment. As if it wasn’t enough that Vincent had left her looking like she’d just been fucked, now he dared to send a maid to witness her naked and chained like some helpless prisoner? Her anger surged. “What are you doing here? Why did that bastard send you?” she growled, tugging violently against the restraints. The maid remained calm, pulling a small key from her pocket. “Please stop struggling, ma’am, or you’ll hurt yourself. I’m here to free you.” Bella stilled, breathing heavily, wat