: A Deal with the Devil
Eva sat silently in the back of the sleek black car, her fingers gripping the edge of her dress. The city lights flickered outside the tinted windows, blurring into streaks of gold and red as the vehicle sped through the streets.
She stole a glance at the man beside her. Alexander Ricci. His name echoed in her mind like a warning bell. She had heard it before, whispered in hushed tones among James' men. He was dangerous. Powerful. A man who built his empire on blood and fear.
And now, she was in his possession.
The silence was suffocating, and the uncertainty gnawed at her. Finally, she forced herself to speak. "Why did you do that?" Her voice was quiet, but the question carried weight.
Alexander didn't immediately answer. He sat relaxed, one hand on the wheel, the other resting on his thigh, but there was a tension in his jaw. "Because James is filth," he said simply. "And I don't tolerate filth."
Eva frowned. That wasn't a real answer. "That doesn't explain why you—"
"Why I took you?" His voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it. "Let's get one thing straight, Eva. I didn't 'rescue' you. I took you because I don't like men like James profiting off women like you."
Women like her.
Her stomach twisted. "I'm not—" She stopped herself. What was she going to say? That she wasn't a whore? That she never chose this? It didn't matter. In the world Alexander belonged to, labels stuck, whether they were true or not.
The car slowed, turning onto a long driveway lined with towering iron gates. Eva's breath caught as the estate came into view—an enormous mansion surrounded by high walls and armed guards. The car pulled to a stop, and a man in a black suit opened the door for them.
Alexander stepped out first, then turned back to her, waiting. She hesitated. Walking into that mansion meant she was truly in his world now. No turning back.
But where else would she go?
With a deep breath, she stepped out.
The inside of the mansion was just as intimidating as the man who owned it—marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and a silence that felt heavier than words. As they walked through the grand hallway, Eva felt the weight of the guards' eyes on her. Judging. Watching.
Finally, Alexander stopped in front of a door. He pushed it open, revealing a spacious bedroom. "This is yours now."
Eva blinked at him. "You're… giving me a room?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Did you think I'd throw you in a cage?"
She didn't answer. Maybe she had.
Alexander stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "Listen carefully, Eva. You are safe here. No one will touch you unless you want them to. No one will hurt you. You owe me nothing. But…" His voice darkened slightly. "That doesn't mean you're free."
Her heart pounded. "Then what does it mean?"
He studied her for a long moment. "It means you belong to me now."
A chill ran down her spine.
Alexander turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the massive room. The door clicked shut behind him, but Eva didn't move. She just stood there, staring at the space around her.
She had escaped one prison… and walked straight into another.