5: A Wolf's Den

VALENTINA'S POV

"How is she?" 

I was hearing voices.

"You can rest assured. There are no severe damages. She just needs to rest and in a couples days will be up on her feet."

"Matteo." I heard the authoritative tone of a man call. 

"Yes, Don."

"What about him?" The don, as I heard he was called, questioned.

"He has been locked up in the confinement room for now." Matteo said, and from the voice I could tell it was the man from before. "What about her?"

"She's good. Just waiting for her to wake up." The don said.

I was too weak to open my eyes, even though I was fully awake.

"I'll leave the boy to you. Don't kill him, yet." The don stated before I heard footsteps distancing. Then a breeze of masculine cologne wafted into my nostrils, I had to hold myself from moaning. "I guess, I didn't warn you enough, of you refused to run at the first hint." He said, and his voice, like stone dipped into water. 

That was how low and gruff it was. It sent shivers down my spine that I nearly shivered. I had to control my urge to shudder.

His finger caressed my nose.

I still didn't recognize this man, but he seemed to know we quite well. 

"Don." A man, called. "Ms. Sabrina has arrived. Should I let her in?"

"Tell her to come in." He said. His tone could make any lady's toe curl.

The sound of stiletto heels, announced the woman that was approaching. Her heels echoed in the already silent room.

Then finally, silence.

"Why did you come to see me?" The don questioned.

"I can't come to see my soon to be husband?" Sabrina or whatever her name was stated.

"I never mentioned that I was going to marry you, but I see your father is one stubborn man, and you follow his footsteps." I heard the sound of liquid pouring into a container.

"Why do you keep denying me?" Sabrina questioned with a weak tone.

Was I allowed to roll my eyes while they were still closed or was I going to be noticed.

But, I had to ask though was this the way wealthy people behaved?

"Our marriage has been arranged since when we were kids. Why can't you just accept?"

Silence. I thought I heard a cricket crick, even though it was in my head.

"It's because of her isn't?"

Who? I nearly cocked a brow because I voice became more audible, as though she was looking in my direction.

But I couldn't be so sure.

"She's even laying on your bed, you've never given me that chance."

Why was an unconscious woman being dragged into this?

"Who is she?" I heard fast approaching steps but it suddenly stopped.

"Don't do anything stupid Sabrina. Have made myself clear enough."

Someone staggered.

He'd pushed her a little.

Now that wasn't nice.

"You've never cared about me. Do you fucking know how much that hurts?"

"Go find yourself a man that will, Sabrina." He simply stated.

"My dad has said he wants to have a word with you. It's not about me." She said, I opened my eyes slightly and noticed she handed something like an invitation letter over to him.

"It's for the event. You can bring her as well if you want to. But..."

What else?

"I'm not giving up yet." She said causing me to sigh. 

"I just hope you won't regret it." His tone wasn't caring at all. That was a warming.

She then walked away without saying another word, closing the door behind her.

"Are you done watching?" He suddenly asked causing me to snap my eyes close. "Don't try to pretend, I noticed your body shift slightly."

I sat up with a pout on my face.

"I didn't want to be dead before my time..." I trailed off. "You." 

He smirked.

"Now, how would I want to kill my own stripper? We haven't gotten anywhere yet."

I blinked.

"You were the one looking for me in my boyfriend's apartment." I said while he cocked a brow.

"You still accord him as that?" He asked, his eyes darkening a bit dangerously.

I sighed. "Ex boyfriend."

"I'm sure you heard me and one of my men discussing earlier about him." He said.

"What are you going to do to him?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Don't get too curious sweetheart." He said. "For your own good."

Woah.

That shut me up.

"Don." A knock came on the door. "Marco Moretti has arrived sir."

Marco Moretti? The twenty year old artist that painted the most popular and outstanding painting of all time?

"I'll be downstairs soon." Mr Russo responded.

"I'll inform him." And with that, he was out.

Mr. Russo then turned to me.

"I'll be right back sweetheart." He said, before heading out of the room.

I laid back down, contemplating about life and how I ended up in the arms of a Don. 

That was the name used to refer to a master mafia.

It kind of reminded me of all the romantic books I used to read but in this case, it's reality.

Bored, I decided to get out of bed.

I knew I wasn't supposed to be but I was curious. Where was I?

Getting out from the room, I walked down the corridor. The tiled floor was eccentric and glossy. 

It seemed to me like I was in a mansion.

I was getting unhealthily curious

As I proceeded towards the direction of the staircase. I heard murmurs.

"...she knows too much and it's not something I can risk."

"That's why I'm marrying her. The note she read seemed to get to her. The fear in her eyes is something to remember."

Marriage?

I didn't understand. Who were they talking about.

I peeped from the corner.

"Are you sure about this Mr. Russo?"

I mistakenly hit something and heard a glass shatter unto the ground.

I jumped... 

Oh my gosh I was so doomed. The glass looked really expensive.

What was I going to do.

With the silence that followed, my presence was obviously alerted.

"You shouldn't be out of bed, paloma," a husky voice rumbled from behind me.

My breath hitched. 

Don Russo stood there, a dark silhouette against the faint hallway light.

His eyes, the color of storm clouds, narrowed.

"M..mr. Russo." His eyes dropped to the shattered glass on the floor.

He chuckled darkly. "Eavesdropping I see."

"I.. didn't...I wasn't..." I stepped back as he took predatory steps towards me, till my back was against the wall.

I gulped when he leaned in.

"What did I say about not getting too curious?" His breath tickled my neck, a sardonic smile played on his lips. 

I remained silent.

And that predatory smile played on his lips.

"Fortunately, you're an asset." He looked at me. "Remember these eyes at the event?"

Our eyes met, and the way his eyes pierced into my soul, caused flashes of that man's eyes to play in my mind. How could I possibly forget?

"You...you were..." Lost for words, I could only stare in shock.

"That's right sweetheart." He said, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. "Assets don't disobey. A smart asset," he continued, his voice dropping to a low growl, "knows her place."

Panic clawed at my throat. I was trapped in a gilded cage with a predator, playing a game I didn't understand. But one thing was clear, fear wouldn't save me. I needed to be smarter.

"Then tell me, Don Russo," I met his gaze defiantly, "what exactly is my place?"

He smirked sinisterly. "Smart girl."