Chapter 3

Vito's POV

"Wait… a kiss?"

She looked shocked, her lips parting slightly, but I didn't stop. I moved in closer, my breath ghosting over hers, watching the way her chest rose and fell in uneven pants.

Just as my lips were about to claim hers, my phone rang.

I clenched my jaw, muttering under my breath, "Perché cazzo mi chiami?" (Why the fuck are you calling me?)

Annoyed, I yanked the phone from my pocket and answered sharply. "Set the flight first thing tomorrow. And don't fucking disturb me again, dumbwit." I hung up before the idiot on the other end could respond.

Slowly, I turned back to her, she was frozen, her wide eyes filled with something between fear and disbelief. Her hands clutched the fabric of her dress like it was the only thing keeping her standing.

I smirked. That's exactly what I wanted.

"Already scared?" I taunted, tilting my head.

She shuddered. And then, finally, the tears she had been desperately holding back slipped free, trailing down her flushed cheeks.

"Please… let me go," she choked out, her voice barely a whisper.

I scoffed, shaking my head as I turned away, reaching for my drink. The ice clinked against the glass as I took a slow sip, savoring the burn of whiskey against my throat.

She sniffled, her body trembling like a leaf.

"So soon? You didn't even last twenty-four hours, and you're already shaking, doll." I leaned back in my chair, watching her crumble with amusement.

"Where's the fucking tough girl now?"

Her lips trembled as she swallowed hard. "I don't know anything," she whispered. "Please! I swear, I'm not who you think I am. I'm just the girl you knew in the past… the girl doing her internship before we crossed paths."

Her words triggered something deep inside me, dragging me back to the past.

She wasn't lying about that part.

I had met Ortensia when she was eighteen, an intern at the hospital. Back then, I wasn't part of the mafia. I had no idea what this life was. I was innocent. But fate had other plans.

I was an apprentice at a sculpting studio when a gunfight broke out between rival gangs. I got caught in the crossfire. A bullet lodged itself in my shoulder. I would have bled out if it weren't for Ortensia. She was part of the emergency response team that arrived to check for survivors. She saved my life.

We bonded… I was twenty-two and young and dumb. She was eighteen, bright and full of life. We liked each other.

I remembered the dates we went on, the way she laughed, how I could barely afford much back then, but she never cared.

But then my world shattered when I got a call. My brother had been shot by the same gang responsible for the crossfire and he didn't survive.

I lost my mind. The grief ate me alive. Then Ricardo came. A man who told me the truth or at least, what I thought was the truth. He said Ortensia's father was responsible for my brother's death. That she had been sent to spy on me because her father believed I was working for one of his rivals. I felt betrayed

Ricardo offered me a choice: stay weak, or come with him and become powerful enough to take revenge.

I left with Ricardo and I never said a word to Ortensia, not even a goodbye. I hated her for being a spy.

But I always watched her. And when her useless, gambling-addicted brother sold her, I knew I had to intervene.

Not because I cared. Because I was the only one who would break her.

I stared at her now, still crying, still sobbing. Then the maid entered, carrying a tray of food.

I had ordered it. Because if I was going to make Ortensia suffer… She needed to eat to strengthen her for all my taunts.

"Eat."

I preferred her compliance, but she shook her head, refusing.

"Don't get on my bad side, doll. Fucking eat the damn food," I said, banging the table.

She flinched, her hands trembling as she reached for the cutlery. I smirked, watching her. She was obedient when she was scared.

When she finished eating, I called for Enzo, my right-hand man.

"Domani sarà una lunga giornata. Mostra a questa bambola la sua stanza." (Tomorrow will be a long day. Show this doll her room.)

He nodded, and I left for my own room. I needed a shower.

I pulled off my clothes, stepped into the bathroom, and let the warm water wash away the activities from the day. Once done, I wrapped a towel around my waist and stepped out only to freeze.

Ortensia was sitting on my bed and our eyes locked. She gulped, her gaze flickering down to my bare chest, lingering a second too long before she caught herself.

"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I must have taken a wrong turn and ended up in your room."

She climbed down from the bed, preparing to leave, but I grabbed her wrist and shoved her back inside.

"Are you fucking kidding me, doll?" I taunted, my grip firm but controlled. "Are you really sure this was a mistake? Or did you purposely come into my room? Don't tell me you already miss me."

I smirked, waiting for her reaction.

She yanked her hand from mine and pointed a trembling finger at me.

"Listen to me, you must be out of your mind to think I have some stupid thoughts about you. You suck," she spat out before she could stop herself.

Then, realizing what she had just said, her eyes widened. She blinked rapidly, like the words had escaped her mouth before she could even process them.

I chuckled darkly.

"My number three rule states that you will show me respect at all times. You will not question my authority. Disrespect will be punished. You'll do as I say, when I say it. Your pleasure, your pain… everything about you is mine to decide."

She swallowed hard, her lips quivering as if she wanted to take back what she had just said.

"I… I didn't mean…" she stammered, her voice shaky.

I stepped closer, towering over her, watching the way her body stiffened under my gaze.

"Now, you will be punished," I said smoothly, my voice laced with dark amusement. I dragged my fingers lazily along my jaw, tilting my head as I studied her. "What better punishment will suit the night?"

Her breath hitched, her eyes darting to the door for an escape she knew wasn't there.

"Plea…se," she whispered, the word barely escaping her trembling lips.

I smiled dangerously. The kind of smile that told her she had no way out.

"Go on and strip naked, doll."