All Chapters of THE MAFIA KING'S STOLEN BRIDE : Chapter 11 - Chapter 17

MILENE'S POV My trembling hand rested on the smooth sheet, the white of my skin standing out against the red. I shivered and started breathing too fast again. Nicolas sat down on the bed beside me, making it sink under his weight. He wore nothing except a knife holster strapped across his chest. His muscles and scars spoke of strength and danger. I looked away, my teeth chattering. Nicolas reached toward me. “Don’t,” I said weakly, then more firmly, “Don’t touch me.” His dark eyes locked on mine, his gaze full of meaning. He leaned closer until his face was all I could see. “After everything you’ve seen me do today, you still dare to defy me? Don’t you think giving in to me would make things easier for you?” His voice was calm and soft, almost like he was curious. “Yes,” I whispered. His eyes flickered, as if he were disappointed. “But I would rather feel pain than give in to you, Nicolas.” He smiled, his expression dark. He reached over me again, and before I could react,

NICOLAS'S POV This little bird seemed desperate to get out of my cage, only to end up flying right into Daniel’s. Her eyes and face still showed traces of her earlier panic, but she lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes at me. She was trying to act tough, like she could play with the big boys. I walked into the room slowly. Her shoulders straightened in a show of defiance, but her hand clutched the sheet around her body, fingers shaking against the red fabric. My eyes stayed on her as I placed the clothes on the bed. Her sweet scent drifted toward me, faint but noticeable. It smelled like vanilla, as if she’d been prepared for her wedding night. My nostrils flared. “Trying to escape my cage, little bird?” She shot me a sharp look. “You seem to like birds a lot.” “I enjoy breaking them.” Her lip curled slightly, but even then, she was beautiful. I could guess what she was thinking that I was the kind of man who tortured small animals for fun. “I’m not that kind of monster,”

MILENE'S POVEven the next morning, the pizza felt heavy in my stomach. At least now, my nerves were on edge for a different reason than fear. I thought about eating another piece for breakfast. I needed all the energy I could get to figure out how to outsmart Nicolas. Even though I’d been sheltered, I knew Nicolas wouldn’t arrange a video call with my family unless he had something terrible to show them. I barely slept last night. Nicolas hadn’t locked my door when he left, but I didn’t try to leave. I was afraid it might be a trap. I was still too shaken to think of an escape plan that would actually work. I put on the satin nightgown, even though it felt like giving Nicolas a small win. But I knew I had to pick my battles wisely if I wanted to survive. When I heard footsteps outside the door, my body tensed. I stood up from the bed, ready to face Nicolas. But instead of him, Luca Russo came into the room. His brown eyes moved over me, and I wrapped my arms over my chest befor