Chapter 1 About The Book

Please take the warning seriously, this story is not about your everyday romance. This will at times turn DARK with explicit contents that you may not be comfortable with. And if you don't like sensitive subjects this may not be good book to read for you. It's for above 18 and especially for the readers who think that they can handle such Hero. Antonio Rossi is definitely not a safe hero and is hard to love. But you know, how we love to hate them!!!! No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission of the author. CAGED- A Dark Billionaire Captive Romance © A. Gupta 2022. All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. FULL SYNOPSIS Erica Kidnapped. Sold. Caged. I should’ve known. But with the monster I was familiar with locked in a mental asylum I stopped looking over my shoulder. And that’s when the real monster in a Armani suit, with beautiful face and a dark accent decided to haunt my dreams and every waking moment. Antonio Rossi. He bought me for the reasons unknown and now I’m a captive in his billion dollar cage. It has cliffs and forests and river. It has everything but the peace and freedom— two things I have dreamed of since childhood. He is ruthless in his quest to make me understand who’s the master of my faith. He says that I belong to him, that he owns me. And he promised me retaliation for every rule break. His every touch burns me and leaves me thinking maybe he’s right which only makes me hate him with every fibre of my being. But he forgot that I made a promise too. The day he locked me in his cage I promised him that I’d make him beg on his knees and at the end of this nightmare I’d wake up with a smile on my face. Antonio Ruthless. Monster. I am the monster nightmares are made of. The part of me that was human died a long time ago and now I live for vengeance and blood of my enemy. My name is enough to bring my enemies to their knees. I’m the real villain walking among the innocents. There’s nothing and no-one that would stop me from getting the blood that I was owed. Except her. And she tries. Oh, how she fûcking tries. She doesn't know that she's a pawn in a game unknown to everyone but me. She's a collateral— a sacrifice I chose, but she hasn’t accepted it. She rattles the bars of her cage every chance she gets, disobeys me and earns a punishment for every insult she throws my way. The fight for freedom in her eyes makes me furious, it burns me. It makes me fascinated too which is really not a good thing for her. Because if I decided to spare her life then she would be a lifelong captive in my cage Also check out my other books here... BRIDE TO BE and His Broken Princess.

Chapter 2 Prologue

WARNING : This is NOT a traditional romance. It contains disturbing subject matter, including kidnapping, Dom/Sub, Bd.sm, dubious, sensitive content and non-con, as well as graphic sexual content. If you have even slightly sensitivity regarding Dark Heroes who like to Hurt Heroines, please do not read it. It also includes voyeurism and humiliation. You have been warned. This is a work of fiction intended for a mature, 18+ audience only. The author neither endorses nor condones such behaviour in real life. Prologue I stood in the middle of the stage with the man announcing my physical attributes. Color, size, weight, status of my virginity and the fact that I had been here before and that I punched two men then. I silently cursed Dane and the reason I had chosen to go out with him. I hadn’t been as interested in him as much as I was in the way he had looked. He was good looking and reminded me of a certain man that I wouldn’t particularly mind killing and offering my virginity to at the same time, who has hair as dark as midnight, a big hulking body and an Italian accent. And not to forget those dark brown eyes with yellow rings in them that glow like fire. Like a black panther or maybe a Jaguar. Do jaguar have eyes like that? The first time I had met the man, who had dominated my thoughts ever since, he had looked like he was on the verge of killing me. And the second time I had met him in Chicago where I currently was, he had saved me— which was surprising, because we have each other. Yeah, it was just my luck that I was in lust with a man I hated. The third time I had met him he had looked like he was seconds away from bending me down on the bonnet of his car and fûcking me for all to see. Well, now was not the time to think about that arrogant arsehole with a panty melting accent but then I was in this situation because of him. If it hadn't been for him I wouldn't ever have been interested in Dane. So I hate him more for it. And I hate Dane. And most of all I hate myself. My big sister, Summer, was right when she had said someday I would end up getting myself in trouble that I couldn’t get out of. “Considering her virginity is still intact, I am guessing the last buyer didn’t have what it takes to tame a woman like her.” The auctioneer said bringing me back to the present, making a few men chuckle. “Last time she was sold for ten millions but then we didn’t have so many new attendees.” The auctioneer paused and looked at a list in his hands and said, “But today we have some of the richest men here who deal in oils, explosives, weapons and ammunition. So we will start at five millions for this stubborn and fierce woman that will make a good pet to tame.” I tuned him out after that as I narrowed my eyes in the blinding light that was pointed at me. I was aware of my nakedness and the fact that several men were looking at me. It was humiliating but I had long ago learned to ignore what I felt. I knew how to push my emotions in a box and close the lid so they won’t bother me. The only person who was allowed to see my emotions and who knew how I felt was my big sister. Speaking of whom, last time it was her because of whom I got out of here unscathed. It was my brother-in-law, Gabriel Wolfe’s love for my sister that had made him contact Brandon Carter who had paid the price to whisk me to safety and back to my sister. And right now I was betting on him to be here to do it again. Now he wouldn’t even have to be told because he knows me and I know that he was a good man and in love with his wife, Ellison, who was Gabriel’s sister/daughter. But as the minutes ticked by and the bid reached fifty millions, for the first time since this fûcking night had begun fear started to creep in. I swallowed thickly as my eyes frantically searched the crowd for the familiar face and blue eyes of Brandon. Men after men bid on me. I heard some of them voicing out what they would like to do to me and my stomach knotted. Fuck. I should have taken my chances with those gàngbàngers. And then the voice I never thought I would hear, said loudly, “Eighty millions.” I knew that voice like I knew how much I hated the effect it had on me. I squinted in the dark but I couldn’t find him in the sea of dark faces. The auctioneer repeated the bid. And went on with his once and twice and then said, “Sold for eighty millions.” I stood there, watching and waiting. And then a man walked out of the shadows in a black suit with black goggles that shielded his eyes but he wasn’t the man behind the voice who had bid on me. Because that voice comes attached with a pair of glowing brown eyes. That voice had starred in my dirty dreams and helped me to get off in the darkest of nights, especially after my nightmares— which I knew was twisted, but then I never said I was normal. I frowned as the man who came to stand near the stage and the auctioneer went to him. They talked for a few brief moments and then the man turned to me. Now as his face illuminated from the overhead light, I recognised him. He was the same man I had seen with the arrogant arsehole both the times. He was in his late twenties with dark brown hair and square jaw, but he wasn’t who I was looking for. His boss was the one who made my pulse jump and my skin taut. The man came forward and waved at me to come to him as he held out his hand. I narrowed my eyes on him but then looked around the room full of men, another girl was already being pushed on the stage and the man standing before me made a noise of impatience. Not having any other choice I slipped my hand in his and he carefully pulled me down from the stage. As we started to walk, I said, “It would be very nice if you offer me your jacket.”“I would’ve. But he said to bring you as you are.” He replied, looking ahead. I looked at him. “Where is he?”“Outside.” That’s all he said. “What’s your name?” I asked, trying not to fold my arms to cover my brèasts even as my mind screamed at me. But how would it help when I had been naked for the last few hours since I entered this building. “Ephraim.” He answered. “Ephraim.” I tried his name on my tongue. It felt foreign. “What does it mean?” I asked. I have seen him a number of times, exactly three, each time that I met his boss. His eyes finally came to me at my question but he didn’t look down from my face. I wouldn’t have cared, knowing men are prone to give into their animalistic urges but his eyes never wavered. “You are looking at me like I asked you how far is the sun?” He looked away and said, “147.66 million Km. And I am surprised that you want to know the meaning of my name. It’s fruitful, by the way.” Before I could comment on it and show my own shock at the fact that he knew the answer to my last question, we came outside. Ephraim slightly touched my arm and nudged me in the direction of a blacked out limousine that stood to the right. He opened the back door for me and after a slight pause I slipped in. The moment I did, I became aware of two things. It was cold inside the car. And that the man I was obsessing over for months now was the one who made me keenly aware of how much nâked I was. Antonio Rossi. He sat there in a dark Armani suit, looking just like the way I remembered him and as he appeared in my dreams that always left me wet and needy. With the same sharp jaw and same feral eyes. And the commanding presence that made me want to do something stupid, just like the other three times in the past. But damn, he had been provoking too, and I had learned the hard way to not give up. Never give up. Now, I licked my lips, searching for words that wouldn’t come out, sassy or rude or anything other than grateful and praying he won’t provoke me again into saying something that would make me look like an ungrateful brat. I looked at him, meeting his yellow brown eyes as I said, “Thank you for saving me.” For a moment he just stared at me, looked at me like I was insane and then his lips slightly twitched and he said, “You seemed to have some kind of misconception, diavola.” He leaned forward and before I could even blink, he grabbed my arm and pulled me on his lap. “I didn’t save you. I bought you.” And a moment later I felt the sharp prick near my ear before everything went black. A. Gupta

Chapter 3 1. I Hate Men

Erica “I am hungry.” I complained as we exited another shop of many we had visited in the past hour. “You weren’t complaining when you were gushing on all those onesies.” Summer, my elder sister said as we crossed the road, each of our hands were filled with several shopping bags. “But that’s not what we were doing just now!” I replied. Don’t take me wrong, I love my sister more than I loved anything in the world except my little nephew— god, that damn kid was too adorable, but I have had enough of her looking at the barely there lingerie. I knew she loved her husband and I have an inkling of what goes between them but I refused to participate in it in any way. Gag. I said, “You both were drooling over those lîngerie pieces like hungry perverts. Think about my sensibilities. They are like my brothers!” I heard Amelia snickering softly. The ever quiet and shy best friend of my sister was starting to come into her own person since she married a Duke of her own. Raphael Wolfe, twin brother to my own brother in law— Gabriel Wolfe. I turned around abruptly, making Summer almost smack into me and pointed my finger in her face. “And you are my sister. Isn’t it enough that I had to practically wait and check before I enter a room so I won’t be walking on my brother in law banging my sister that now you have to buy these scrapes in my company, that you’ll wear to do the said banging.” Summer gave me a narrowed eyed glare. But I knew that she loved hearing about her relationship with her husband. They were so in love that the picture they made sometimes hurt my heart. No, I wasn’t saying it in a bad way. I loved my sister something fierce, I’d die for her and I knew she deserved everything. She deserved the man who worshiped the ground she walked on but sometimes my heart longed for what she has, and it hurts only because I knew I could never have what she had. There were only a few men like Wolfe brothers and I didn’t think I’d meet one, not in this lifetime at least. And even if I met him I was sure I’d piss him off even before he even got a chance to fall in love with me. Not that I wanted to fall in love. I knew from the very beginning that love wasn’t in the cards for me, what with me hating on every other man. All I expected from men were violence and disappointed, and the one thing I wanted was to experience the type of sex I have read in books and seen in movies. Nothing else. “So what!” Summer walked around me as she said, “I won’t stop enjoying myself because of your said sensibilities. I enjoy sèx with my husband and it’s great, especially when something séxy is involved.”“Ughh…” I made a gagging noise. “Don’t be a spoilsports.” Summer said and nudged my shoulder as she added, “And I wasn’t the only one, Amelie was there too and she have got quite a taste for these….”“May be, if Rica got someone to show them to, she’ll be interested in buying them too.” Amelie suggested and pursed her lips when I turned to glare at her. “Oohh… I like this idea…” Summer remarked. “We should find my little sister a man who can help untwist her pànties.” I snorted. But Summer chose to ignore me as she continued, “Amelie, now you’re going to meet all the handsome, British men, all sorts of lords, right? Why don’t you find my sister a Duke of her own.”“If you don't stop talking then I swear I’m going to kîll you.” I threatened my sister and stomped further away, leaving them behind. I was hungry and I didn’t want to talk about men. In my life men were capable of doing only two things: damage and séx. And most of them combined the two which led to nights filled with fear and days in a haze. “She really needs some loosening.” I heard my sister saying to her best friend. “See, how relaxed you are. I wonder if it’s because of Raphael. If my sister only knew what she was missing she wouldn’t be adamant about not wanting to fall in love.” I scoffed to myself. I wouldn’t bet on it. I hated men, especially entitled ones who think that they could do anything. If I could, I’d personally show every man out there that they were nothing without their money and their inherent strength just because they were men. I hadn’t realised that I had left them both behind lost in my own thoughts. I turned and snapped, “What the hell is holding you up!? They both glanced up and my sister admonished, “Oh god, she’s worse than my little baby when she’s hungry.” They came toward me and she said, “Fine, go on..” Summer gestured at an Italian restaurant down the road as she said, “Find us a table, we’ll be there.” I left those two because I was too hungry and I knew both of them were lost in love with their husbands so they had quite a lot in common to talk to. I made my way toward the Italian restaurant and already my stomach growled in anticipation. Besides my sister and nephew, I loved food. I wasn’t much on being slim and not a fan of dieting, I loved eating good food and didn’t care about anything as long as my stomach was full. Other women showed their anger in denying the food, I didn’t. I showed my anger with my actions and words which had got me in many problems in the past but I preferred it that way. If something is bothering me I do something about, I do not believe in wallowing in self pity. I did it once... The restaurant was warm with the hub-bub of the patrons and soft music was playing in the background. It looked inviting and the aroma of food was delicious, pulling me in. As soon as the place was cleared, the waiter showed me the table for two and I asked him to place another chair. I picked up my menu and went through the drinks. Some of them I didn’t even understand so I had to G****e them. I settled on the waiter’s suggestion. The waiter brought my drink and some complimentary bread to go with it. I was sipping on my drink and relaxing when my sister and Amelie entered the restaurant. They found me right away and made their way toward me. “What are you drinking?” Ami asked as they sat down. I checked the menu again and answered, “Its called Aperitivo. It’s an Italian drink,” I shrugged. “The waiter suggested it while I wait for food.”“So what did you order?” Summer asked. “A plate of red sauce pasta. Large Pizza. And a lasagne casserole.”“Umm… I don’t think we three will be able to finish all that, Rica.” Ami replied. I frowned at her and said, “Oh, no. That’s all for me.” I take my food very seriously. “You guys order for yourself.” I ignored the look she gave me and my sister only smiled. “Don’t worry. She’s fine.” When we were almost finished with our food, Summer asked, “Hey, guys… do you want to have something else?”“No. I am done.” Ami replied, wiping her mouth delicately. She was quite at home being a Duchess if someone asked me. She excused herself as she stood up and said, “I’m going to use the bathroom.” I burped, not delicately at all. I said, “You do that, mate. I’m going to go to that pretty display with those little sweet thingies.” . I hummed to myself as I pondered the delicious display, everything looked so pretty. “May I help you, ma’am?” I looked up at the man behind the counter, and gave him a smile. “Yes, please.” I pointed at the display and said, “Pack this one of each flavour.” And then my eyes fell on the two pieces that looked mouth wateringly delicious but I didn't think I had ever eaten it before. I read the label before it. Tiramisu cheesecake. “I will have that too. Both of them.”“Sure, ma’am.” I stayed there near the counter and pulled out my phone as I waited for my sweet treats to be packed. I checked the messages and replied back to some of the girls back at the college in Chicago. It has been sometime now since I came to London to visit my sister. I’d had a great time with my nephew and my brother in law but suddenly I wanted to go back to my dorm and live the life of an ordinary girl with ordinary problems like why these dating apps didn't have the type of men I need. I absently noticed two large men in black coming to stand beside me. Their backs were to me so I couldn’t see their faces but I could see that they didn’t belong in this warm environment with the way they conducted themselves. Living with Gabriel, I knew what bodyguards looked like and these two definitely checked all the boxes as I could detect the bulge of pistols in their sides. And one glance toward the glass door confirmed my theory when I spied more men outside standing guard. But I was unable to find the person these men were protecting. “Excuse me, Ma’am..” I turned toward the man behind the counter who had taken my order and smiled at him. “Here is your order “ He pushed the box toward me and said, “Ma’am, we are sorry about the Tiramisu cheesecake, they just got sold out.”“Sold out. I saw them and ordered them. How can you give it to anyone else?” I asked, feeling my blood boil for it was totally unacceptable behaviour. “Who did you sell it to? Isn’t it first come first serve?”“Ma’am, you can choose something else...” He trailed off when I narrowed my eyes on him. “Did you get paid more than the actual price for it?” His eyes widened. “As immoral it is, I will pay double. Give that to me.”“No, ma’am, that’s not—”“If you are scared then tell me who it is, I’ll talk to them myself.” His shoulders slumped and he nodded, looking relieved. He pointed at someone standing on the other side of the two towering giants in front of me. I didn’t care, I pushed in between the large men and came face to back with a man who was trying to steal my desert. I tapped his back and said, “The dessert you are paying for, I ordered it first.” The man stiffened at my touch and started to turn around but before he could face me, I was hauled back by one of the giants and he growled down at me. “Step back.” I jerked his hand off me, glared at me and snapped back, “Touch me again and I’ll kick you in the balls.” His eyes darkened and I was sure he was about to punch me in the face when I heard the cool, silky voice from behind me. “What's going on?” A. Gupta

Chapter 4 2. He’s Dangerous

Erica “What’s going on?” I turned back around to face the owner of that cold and smooth voice, like silk, and said, “What's going on is that you are trying to steal my dessert.” I was glad that the words escaped me in a rush without me pausing and looking at him because when I did look up at him I realized in that moment I wouldn't have been able to speak even to save my life if I had seen him beforehand. I took him in slowly. The man was big and it wasn’t just his height and the wide berth of his shoulders, it was the way he carried himself in that dark suit with silver linings that he wore like a second skin. His face was clean shaved, lips smooth and turned up in a natural arch but it wasn’t a smile more like curled in curiosity of a jungle cat before he jumps at the rabbit. And out of nowhere came a thought that if I faltered even for one single second then he would think of me as a rabbit and consume me whole. His jaw was squared, strong, which was clenched shut and visibly cut as if made of marble. The nose was pointed straight and chiseled. The skin was naturally tanned in color and he looked beautifully masculine with his short raven dark hair, standing out differently among the other men. “I paid for it.” The man said in his deeply accented voice. “I saw it first.” I replied automatically, even though I was enamored by his beauty I wasn’t going to lose. “Seeing and buying are two different things, Miss.” The way ‘miss’ rolled off his tongue was like a curse. I narrowed my eyes at him and gritted out, “I was going to pay but apparently this man,” I gestured at the man behind the counter, “is too chicken shit to tell you no to your face.”“And for that very fact he’s not stupid unlike you.’ My temper flared and I could feel my sister admonishing me at the back of my mind, saying ‘Rica, anger isn’t always the right way to express yourself.’ I ignored my sister’s words and stepped forward, gritting my teeth, I hissed at him. “Wearing branded suits doesn’t give you any right to bulldoze your way in the world. And specifically not me.” Those shrewd eyes narrowed at me, looking contemplative and calculating at the same time. His lean fingers tapped against his leg in a rhythm of two tips, one tap and two tips. The golden watch wrapped around his wrist glinted in the overhead lights and if I wasn’t mistaken there were real diamonds on his cufflinks. “I have seen men like you and people might’ve been intimidated by your wealth but I’m not one of them. So why don’t you take a hike and let me enjoy my dessert.” I leaned closer and said, “Looking at you, I don’t think you need it. With all the bitterness dripping off you, two pieces of dessert won’t make a difference.” I watched as his jaw worked and even though there was no sign of his temper on his face, the rhythm of his fingers changed on his leg and his voice was more chilled than before as he said, “Pick up the bag, Kaze.”“That’s mine!” I shrieked, uncaring of the audience. Ignoring me, the man picked it up. “Keep your bloody hands off it.” I threatened and the man paused looking uncertain as he looked at me and then turned to the man who stood in front of me with all the bearings of a king. I glared at him, ignoring the tingle of warning that went up my spine at the way he glared at me. “Take your minions and leave.” I said to the man, folding my arms across my chest. After a long moment, he leaned closer, his head dipped and he said, “I might be bitter, but considering the curves you have in all the wrong places, I suggest you cut in your intake of dessert.” I bit down on my tongue as I felt my whole face heating up, without thinking I pulled my hand back to slap him but just before my hand could connect with his cheek, he grabbed my wrist and pushed me back just as his uniformed guards took protective stance on either side of him as if ready to shoot me on the spot. His voice was low and dangerous as he said, “I don’t know if I should applaud your brave stupidity or put you down on your knees and show the world what happens when someone dares to go up against me.” Believe me when I say that I had never felt the kind of rage I felt in that moment, looking at this stranger. Even when my sperm donor— aka my father, tortured me and made me pay his gambling debts, I never felt the need to murder him the way I wanted to this man standing in front of me. Feeling cornered, I looked for something to elevate my anger and unfortunately for this arrogant arsehole, a waiter that was passing nearby caught my attention. With a sly smile, I plucked the glass of coke from his tray and threw it at the man. He rewarded me with a thunderous expression and the hold he had on my wrist tightened to the point I was sure he would break my bones then and there but as always my sister came for my rescue, “Rica!” She called out, her voice high pitched with alarm. And the man’s eyes turned to my sister and Ami. As he turned, his eyes flashed bright yellow like fire for just a second before turning to light brown and darkening. “Mr Rossi!” Summer exclaimed. She tugged the scarf from her neck and tried to dry his suit jacket. “Let me help you, Antonio.” Finally he released the death grip on my wrist, I knew there would be a bruise there come tomorrow but I didn’t give him the satisfaction by rubbing my aching flesh and showing him my weakness. “Mrs Wolfe.” He nodded in greeting and then softly grabbed her hand unlike the way he had almost crushed mine and stepped back from her touch. “It is okay.”“I see you have met my sister.” Summer said, trying her best to fracture the tension, giving me a glare. “Your sister.” Antonio stated as if testing the words, his dark eyes glanced at me, jaw still clenched. “Fascinating.” He murmured like it was some kind of revelation to him. “Would you like to join us? I’m sure Gabriel would be happy to meet you.” Summer said, making me pause as from her words I was starting to gather that they knew each other. “Not today. Maybe some other time.” He nodded in farewell and then turned around, his hand going to the brown paper bag but before he could grab it, my hand shot out and I snatched it away. When he looked at me, I plastered a wide smile on my lips and said, “I will be so happy to tell my brother in law that you bought us dessert.” I turned to my sister, ignoring him completely. “Come on, let’s go.” Grabbing both Ami’s and Summer’s hands, while tucking the brown paper bag under my arm, I tugged them away from the man whose eyes I could feel stabbing through my skull. I turned my head sideways to glance back and when I saw his face that looked like he was just a second away from ordering his men to kill me, I winked at him. “I swear, Rica, if he shoots you from behind, I won’t even cry.” Summer said as if reading my mind. “I don’t want to die.” Ami said. “I could feel him seething, and he looked dangerous too.”“Oh, he is dangerous alright.” Summer said. “Oh come on, what is he? Another duke?” I asked, not caring whoever the entitled arsehole was. “Nope. Not a duke, dear sister.” Summer turned to face me as she pulled me to a stop and said, “He is the Italian mobster, who deals in illegal weapons and he is also the one who kinda saved the day back when Gabriel, me and Raphael were in danger.”“Then, he is a friend.” I said. “No. He is not.” Summer answered. “He just had an interest in killing the Mexicans and he has some sort of cold, friendly type rivalry going on with Ellison’s husband Brandon, but he is not particularly a friend, Rica. And now I have the feeling you have turned him into an enemy.”“Oh…” I murmured but then shrugged, “Well then, he’ll probably go back to Italy to mob around and we are not going to see him again. So chill out.” It was the universe who took my words as a challenge. That bîtch was always after ruining my life. A. Gupta

Chapter 5 3. No one, Except Me

Two months later... Erica I sipped my wine and wondered if I would be able to finish my assignment and also be able to get at least four hours of sleep before I’d have to wake up and attend my early morning class. God, I hated Sunday nights because they lead to Monday and the burden it brings, but this Sunday was particularly awful and all the credit goes to the man sitting in front of me. When I had swiped right, my decision was made on the basis of his deep brown eyes but now this close and when he opens his mouth I realise my decision was a total bust, just like this date. Drake was a senior manager in the bank he worked for, and he lived in an apartment building that his father and uncle owned. He was a nice guy, six feet tall and on the lean side with a clean shaven face. But still he didn't light any kind of spark inside me. For one, I didn't want to jump across the table and kiss him. All I felt was boredom and the urge to go to my dorm room, shed all my clothes so I could sit in the shower and forget about the outside world, to tune it out and listen to the rush of water in my ears. For some reason the last few days had felt oppressing, like the walls around me were closing, like the dark whispers and groans and filthy murmurs were just a breath away from crowding me and suffocating me. “— it would be great. My mother would like you.” I sputtered on my wine and put the glass down as his words registered. “Whoa...” I held up my hand. “Dude...” he blinked those brown eyes at me. I licked my lips and tried for a softer tone. “Drake, I don't think this is going to work out between us.”“But you can't know this. We are only on our first date.”“Well, I know.” Because I don't feel anything, even a fraction of what I felt for those yellow brown eyes that haunt me regularly. “Don’t take it personally, you are a nice guy. But this isn't going anywhere.” I stood up, finished my drink and then opened my clutch to pay the half of the bill. I put enough money on the table that I hoped would cover my half. “But, Erica—” He called out after me but I was already walking away from him, my mind filled with the long list of things I have to do. But unlike other times, I wasn’t so unfazed with another failed date. This time it filled me with a hollowness that I couldn’t shake. I should be accustomed to this, nothing ever made this emptiness inside me fill with something warm. I was more like a cold human shell, I don’t know why I even bother anymore. I should’ve learned it a long time ago that I was beyond broken. Not the type of broken that could ever be pieced together but the type of broken in which my parts were missing never to be found and the type of broken that I knew that something was wrong with me. So wrong that the only thing that gives me solace was tearing pain that makes me forget about how broken I am. Walking alone in the cold night didn't help my raging thoughts and the need for pain blasted through me. I was only a block away from my dorm building as I slipped my hand in my purse and pulled my phone out. There was only one person who could pull me out of this funk I was in. So, I dialed my sister, only she didn't pick up. Her voicemail kicked in and she asked for the person to leave the message. I tried again but this time before it could’ve even rang, someone snatched it from my hand. I whirled around my hand cocked back to hit the person but before I could, my hands were wrenched back and a man with a goatee and sharp grey eyes stood in front of me. “Now, now, pretty girl.” The man holding me captive said into my ear, his fingers tightening on my wrists. I opened my mouth ready to scream when his hand covered my mouth and said, “Don’t try anything stupid. We just want your money and maybe a little bit of fun.” He snaked his arm around me and gave my breàst a quick squeeze. I bit down on his palm and slammed my heel on his toes. He let out a vicious growl as his hold loosened. I twisted to run but the man in front of me grabbed me by my hair and dragged me across the road, his destination was clear in front of me. A dark alley. I screamed as loud as I could and got punched in the face. I grunted, seeing dark spots dancing in front of my eyes. The man with the goatee snatched my purse from me and said to his partner. “Hey man, let’s leave her alone. We have the money.”“No.” The jackass replied and I blinked to get a better view, my cheek and temple throbbing from pain, and saw him. He was mean looking giant with a crooked smile and leering eyes. “I want to play with her.” Fucking men. Thinking that women are their plaything. “Ever heard of consent, douchebag.” I snapped at him and as predicted he came toward me with rage on his face, I took the opportunity and slammed my elbow in his gut, just where I knew his kidney was. He doubled over and then I pulled my knee up and smashed his balls in. He howled in pain. I didn’t wait to gloat over, I ran. My mind went to my purse and my phone, I paused just for a second but then said hell with it and stumbled out of the alley. I heard their pounding footsteps and made the mistake to look over my shoulder and that’s when I slammed into something solid and warm. I turned around with a low growl. Not another douchebag. I swear I’d had enough for one night. I looked up and up and met the pair of eyes that I wasn’t prepared for. I never thought I’d see him again and here in these cold and dark streets of Chicago. I was content with him visiting my dreams and sometimes nightmares to change them into dreams but not in reality. Strong hands came to my arms to stabilize me, those yellow brown eyes looked down at me, and then lifted to look over my shoulder. I watched as those yellow rings blazed in the depths of brown and then his gaze came back to me. He lifted his hand and I cringed back. His expression turned thunderous, but his touch was gentle as he swiped at my lower lip. I winced slightly, but didn’t say anything, maybe I was still in shock of what happened to me or what could’ve happened or for the simple fact that the man I was fantasizing about was here in front of me, all the way from Italy. I watched with wide eyes as he looked down at his thumb which was now smeared with my blood. His voice was silk cold as he said, “No one gets to make you bleed.” He slipped his thumb into his mouth and I gasped as if he just stroked me between my legs. He turned me around and pulled me flush against his chest. I swallowed, my heart racing now for entirely different reasons. He surrounded me like a mountain, he was so big. His unique scent filled my nostrils. Smoky, with a hint of sage. My eyes had closed on their own accord because they snapped open at his command. “Open your eyes.” I watched as the two men in black uniform forced my two attackers on their knees. And then my attention went to Antonio’s hand that he held out and I stared at in confusion, until he said, “Elijah.” I watched as another man stepped forward and placed a pistol in his open palm. “Watch what happens when someone makes me angry.” I frowned but let out a soft scream when two shots rang out. He put a bullet directly between the eyes of the two men— my attackers, who then slumped sideways in the middle of the road. I knew violence. I have seen and experienced it, but I had never seen something like this. The two uniformed men hefted the dead bodies and then went out of sight. I tried to turn around but Antonio tsked and I froze against my wish. “Remember, no one. Except me.” And then he was gone. It was late at night when I was back in my dorm room that I had realized what he had meant by his last words. No one gets to make you bleed. No one. Except him. The meaning of his words should’ve made me cold and nervous, but it only excited me and made me warm and tingly. I realized that the first time we had met, I was the one who got the last word but this time it was him. The thought filled me with annoyance and I promised myself next time I meet him— whenever that would be, I’d be the one to leave him speechless. A. Gupta

Chapter 6 4. Entitled. Arrogant. Arsehole.

Erica It had been two weeks since he appeared out of nowhere and saved me that night. And now as I went from one place to another I couldn’t help but look for him. I didn’t want to but there was this itch inside me that I couldn’t ignore, a need that wanted to look into those yellow brown eyes and set them afire. And I just knew how to do it but the arrogant arsehole hadn’t shown his face, not once. And for some reason it felt like a bad omen. A long silence before something bad happens. The darkness from which a white ghost appears out of nowhere, making a mess of a normal life. “Back to earth, Rica.” I looked up from my cup of coffee and met Ellison’s eyes. She had come to meet me for a quick coffee on her way to pick up her daughter from school. She and I became friends when her husband saved me from being auctioned off to some lunatic by buying me himself. Yeah, that’s the world that revolves around me. Being a sister in law to a well known Kingpin— Gabriel Wolfe, who runs New Orleans and born to a man whose greed took him down, put me in a position where it was normal getting abducted and such. Speaking of... I remembered what my sister had said about Antonio Rossi having some sort of fascination with the woman in front of me. I met Ellison’s eyes and asked, “What do you know about Antonio?” The only indication of her surprise was the slight arch of her brows as she asked as casually as one could. “Why do you ask?” I shrugged. “Curiosity.” She said, “I don't know much about him. I just met him twice and both times it put Brandon in a bad mood.” She tilted her head looking at me thoughtfully as she added, “And, don't you think he's a little too old for you.”“I am not interested in him in that way.” I shot back quickly and neglected the voice that mocked me inside my head. “I just wanted to know. So, how old exactly is he?”“Why don’t you ask him yourself?” I frowned at her. She gestured behind me and I turned around to see a man walking away from the counter and I’d know him anywhere with the men walking around him in black uniforms like he was the president himself. Without thinking I stood up from my chair and all but ran after him. I heard Elle calling my name but I just wanted to know why he was there that night and how he could just kill men in the middle of the street, save me and disappear as if nothing happened. But by the time I came out of the little cafe he wasn’t anywhere to be seen. I walked down the sidewalk looking for him in a throng of people but he was nowhere. I circled around, my eyes searching... but it was useless. “Hey!” I turned to see Elle coming after me. “Damn it, Rica! You can't just go running away like that.” She walked to me slightly gasping for breath. She held up her phone and said, “I have to go and pick Alice, but we will talk about this later. Okay.” I nodded and gave her a hug. She looked at me with conflicting eyes and hesitated a little before she said, “Look, don’t do anything and don’t get involved with him okay. I am getting late, but we will talk about this.”“Of course.” I replied and added, “Just don’t tell Summer anything.” . Later that night something unexpected happened. I was taking a shower, literally sitting on the tiled floor and counting one to hundred, trying to control the tremors running through my body. My body was going into withdrawals, I haven't drank in two days and neither have I popped pills that gave me the resemblance of peace from my rioting thoughts and also prevented me from acting upon my frequent need of pain. Just when I was about to give in to the need and stand up to go to the washbasin cabinet where I’d find the object that would relieve my need of pain, I heard something out in my room. I knew I shouldn’t, considering my fate wasn’t in good terms with me, but I grabbed a towel, wrapped it around my body and went out to inspect. Not two steps into the room I paused because there on my bed was a long stemmed flower resting on a small piece of paper. Dripping all over the floor I walked to my small bed, picked up the flower in one hand and the paper with another. It was a daffodil. A white one. Interesting. There were only four words written on it, and even though it was clear to me what it meant I was still in confusion. And not to mention I was questioning to myself how the hell did he get in here because I knew without a doubt that it was him. Antonio. I looked at my door and could see  that it was still locked from the inside. I focused back on the slip of paper between my fingers and read the small message on it. “Sunday. 20:00. Be ready.”“You arrogant son of a bitch.” I muttered to the empty room. “What makes him think I’ll even agree for... whatever the fuck this is..” . I didn’t sleep the rest of the night. I was too twisted up inside as my mind kept rounding around a certain Italian mobster. And when the morning came I spent the whole day with a bad temper which got me thrown out of two classes and I bunked the other two because of the headache I was getting from trying to focus on the subjects when all I wanted was to sleep. When I was entering my dorm, Gina, the only girl I talked to, called after me. I stopped and waited for her to catch up. “It’s been four days, you haven’t asked for more of that stuff I last gave you.” Yeah, that’s probably the only reason why I talk to her. I thought about my last night freak out in the shower and even though I wanted to ignore the hungry need, I couldn’t. I said, “Give me what you got.” She shot me a smile and pulled her bag to the front. Rummaging through it, she said, “Couple of Es are left. But I managed to get my hand on the real deal.” She handed me two transparent packets. “That’s two thousand.” A bitter voice at the back of my mind reminded me like every other time that I was misusing the money Gabriel and Summer sent me, but the need to get rid of those slimy voices from my childhood was greater. I pulled out my wallet and gave her the money. When I reached my floor and walked to my apartment, my steps slowed as I saw a bulky form of a man standing near my door. “Excuse me.” The man turned and I instantly recognised him when I saw his face as he was the one who had handed Antonio the gun that night. But I couldn’t remember his name and before I could’ve asked, he nodded at me in greeting and said, “Miss, this is for you.” My eyes dropped to the boxes he held for me. White colored just like the daffodil with a golden ribbon tied around it. “What’s that?” I jerked my head at the boxes but didn’t step forward to take it from him. “Capo said to relay this message to you..” I narrowed my eyes and he cleared his throat looking uncomfortable. “’If you aren’t ready, my men will pick you up as you will be at that time.’”“He said that?” I bit out, taking a threatening step toward him. He cleared his throat again. “Yeah. And a piece of advice, Miss, he means it. Literally.”“Get out.”“Miss—”“I said get the fuck out, or I’ll call the security guard.” He didn’t look at all bothered by my threat. I stood on my tiptoes, too furious and pumped up as I gritted out, “You know what, tell your fucking boss to have the balls to come here himself instead of sending his lackeys. And instead of breaking into my apartment, knock like a real fucking man and wait for an invitation. Also... Tell him I said, ‘Fuck you’ and if that’s not clear enough. I am not coming tomorrow.”“Capo won’t like it.”“Too bad. I don’t fucking care.”“You will. He doesn’t like anyone disobeying a direct order.” Entitled prick. Men. All freaking arseholes. I don’t know why I was attracted to him in the first place. I grabbed the man by the collar and pulled him down. He looked surprised like I was crazy, told you not normal. I said, “And, I don’t like following them. I hate men like your boss. Entitled. Arrogant. Arseholes. Let him know women might be too eager back at his homeland but this one is not. It will take more than a dress and a pair of shoes to make me go out with him.” I said the last part because in the books the boxes always had a dress and a pair of shoes. Then I pushed past him and opened my door, slamming it shut in his face as I disappeared inside. Hello guys, please don't forget to comment and give gems to the book. Also check out BRIDE TO BE and HIS BROKEN PRINCESS, leave comment and reviews on the book page in About the book. Thankyou. A. Gupta