OLIVIA.

I forced my eyes open. It was painful trying to even open them. My head was spinning, and the sharp pain I felt on my arm threw me back to the cold floor.

The room was dark. Not entirely dark, because I could see a little light from the window peering in. I forced myself to sit upright, noticing that my hands were tied to my back.

Tears began to form in my eyes, again. I remembered everything that had happened. The strong grip on me, the needle that had pierced into my skin, the gun that had been held in my face. I remembered everything.

I had only come to find Isabella. To inform her about our mother's life hanging on a deathbed. But here I was, tied in a dark, empty room with no sight of my only sister anywhere.

I heard a gentle knock on the door and pushed myself backwards, feeling my back touch the wall. They were back. What were they going to do to me now? Was I going to get killed?

I didn't say anything. Even went as far as controlling my heavy breath. I needed to get out of here- alive.

The door knob turned open and I shut my eyes tightly, waiting for the worst to happen. Maybe they were here to end my life. A gun to my head with the trigger pulled would send a bullet through my skull. Ending my life in the most painful yet easy way.

Who were these people? And what was Isabella doing with them? The more important question I had in mind was; What had they done to Isabella? Was she still alive?

I heard footsteps walk in, heavy yet slow. I didn't open my eyes, not even when I could feel a presence right in front of me.

"Open your eyes, Kitty."

It was him. The man who had ordered them to take me. I recognized his husky, authoritative voice. I gritted my teeth, my anger arising then dropping. What was he doing here? Was he the one who was going to end my life?

I slowly opened my eyes. And the first thing that hit them was the bright light from the chandelier he had turned on. I squinted for a few seconds then glanced around, noticing the room was dusty and empty. Only a wooden table stood next to the window.

"Look at me,"

He stood tall, his figure hovering over mine where I sat, my hands still tied behind my back. My lips quivered as I met his gaze, struggling to spill out the right words. I tried to find a weapon in his hands, but found none. I took a little breath of relief, but with fear still hanging.

"Please..." was the only thing I could force out. I needed to beg for my life, "Just- just let me go."

He didn't say anything. I watched him squat right in front of me, his gaze piercing. I noticed the first two buttons of his sleeves were unbuttoned, exposing his hairy chest and a tattoo I couldn't see clearly. He raised his left hand, placing it on my head, his fingers running through my hair.

I held my breath. Fear was gripping me tightly. This man was touching me, and I didn't like it. Didn't want it.

"You're mine, now." A hint of possessiveness danced in his tone, making me shudder slightly. I shook my head, his hands still in my hair, trying to deny those words.

I released my breath, inhaling his scent- a mixture of cedar and sandalwood. "I... I need my sister."

He chuckled, "I also need your sister."

Confusion grew with me, making my forehead crease with worry. What did he mean?  What did he need her for? Wasn't Isabella with him?

He saw my confusion. The curiosity in my eyes, and he pulled back, his gaze intensifying.

"My men are on the search for your sister."

My heart raced. His men? That sounded dangerous. Too dangerous. What had Isabella done to get chased by armed men? They had to be armed- I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me the obvious.

"What did she do?" The fear on my face found a way to creep into my voice. My wrists were starting to hurt from the tight rope, but my heart sank at the realization of the danger my sister had gotten into.

"Isabella took something that belonged to me." I saw the flash of annoyance in his eyes, noticing the change in his tone as he returned his gaze to me, eyes narrowed, "She broke the omertà. And now, you'll have to pay."

My heart fell at that moment. The omertà? What was that? And why was I the one to pay for the sins of my sister?

"I-I don't understand anything." I cried out, struggling to break free from the tight grip of the ropes, it was hurting, "Are you going to kill me now that you can't find my sister?"

His jaw tightened. "You're not going to die, at least not yet."

That didn't give me any relief at all. It only grew my fear even more.

"My mother's dying." A tear escaped my eyes as the thoughts of my mother losing both daughters flashed through my mind, "I came here to find Isabella, to tell her. I need to go back to my mother. There's no one left to care for her. She needs me."

If I'd known this was what I'd be getting into. I'd never have left Willow creek to New Orleans.

The thought of my mother, still lying unconsciously on the hospital bed, alone and unaware of everything that was happening, broke my spirits. I might never see her again. Might never have the chance to touch her smooth skin while feeding the chickens on the farm.

He walked closer to me. I didn't see any change in his countenance. Even though I had expected him to feel sorry for me and change his mind. I wasn't sure if he even had a heart.

"I don't fucking care what's happening to your mother. Or your entire family." His tone was fierce and scary, but eyes were scarier. I didn't wish my enemies to cross paths with this man, not to talk about my sister. He was dangerous.

I sobbed. Knowing that was the only thing I could do. I was trapped. I had trapped myself by walking unknowingly into the lion's den.

What happens to me now?

"You belong here now." He said to me, as if reading my mind, "Until your sister is found, you're never going to leave. Be prepared to please me. I own you now, and every part of you is mine."

He was asserting his rights over me. I was being used as a pawn, a tool. And it was all because of the mistake my sister had made. My life was ruined.

I sniffled my nostrils. This man was going to have me, in every way that he wanted. It bothered me. Because all my life, I'd done nothing but keep myself for the right man. Only to end up with a heartless stranger I knew nothing about.

I heard him snap his fingers, and my heart thumped in my chest. He was alerting them... they were coming to take me away again.

"My hands are hurting." I cried, feeling my eyes already puffy. His eyes went directly to my wrists, still held firmly in place. And for a moment, I thought I saw a flash of anger in his eyes.

A woman walked in. She was middle aged, around fifty, if I could guess correctly. She looked exactly like my mother, and I felt my heart call out to her.

"Rosalie, I'm putting her in your care." He uttered, beckoning at her, "You know what to do. Give her a bath and get her cleaned up for tonight."

The woman bowed slightly, acknowledging his instructions. She walked closer to me, her eyes staring lovingly at mine. I couldn't control my tears, or the pain I felt at the whole situation.

My life was being dictated right in front of me. I no longer had control over it. What could be worse than what I was currently experiencing?

Rosalie took off the ropes that held my wrists bound. I winced out in pain. Everything was awfully painful. My heart, my life, my whole body.

This was it- the end for me.

My peaceful, old life had ended.

I was now dining with the devil, and the first thing he took in return was my happiness.

AXEL SALVATORE ROSSI.

Olivia...

She was exactly the way Isabella had described- pretty, innocent and naive. Gullible too. And the fact that I had her in my custody without even trying hard felt amazing and fulfilling.

After breaking the omertà, Isabella had run off. But I was going to find her. And her sister was going to take all the pains Isabella was absent to receive.

"Ace." Viper called the moment I stepped into the "La Camera del Consiglio" [the council room], "I have news."

I walked to my chair, taking a seat abruptly while lighting fire to my cigarette, "Spill."

"Isabella found her way to La Mano Nera." I frowned, "I heard she tried to give him the item she stole."

My jaw tightened. What was she thinking? Going to my rival with a secret that could ruin me? Isabella had crossed all lines.

"Really?" I took a puff, narrowing my eyes as I thought of the perfect plan, "Where's she now?"

Viper brought out the map. Circling and trailing until it landed on a particular spot. "If we're calculating well, she should be here."

I darted my gaze, sat upright and grabbed the edges of the map. I stared at the name he had marked, "Sydney." 

"That means she's still with it." I thought she'd given it to a family member, maybe her sister, "Manda gli uomini a inseguire lei!" [Send the men to chase her!].

He nodded, standing up and giving signals to a few of the men who stood there. I took another puff, my annoyance growing. Isabella had broken my trust. And now she was going to face my wrath.

Viper returned to his seat after a few minutes of dishing out orders, packing up the map and handing it over to someone else. His eyes turned to me and I held his gaze. I saw the look in his eyes and knew exactly what he wanted to say next.

"How's your new baby? She's so endowed."

I huffed. "She's a bit fragile." My mind went back to her wrists, already red from the ropes she was being tied with. Although I clearly instructed Grant not to hurt her in any way. "I might break her."

Viper chuckled. "I love them that way." Fucking dickhead. He loved naive, slender and fragile women. "I can't wait for you to give her to me while you're done. Please don't suck out all her juices before she gets to me."

For some reasons, that annoyed me. I'd always given Viper women after having them. But this was different. It felt different. I had no intention of sharing Olivia with anyone.

I took another puff, blowing the smoke into the air slowly. "Lei è mia." [She's mine], "I'm not sharing this one."

Viper didn't say anything in disagreement. But I saw the flash of anger in his eyes. I couldn't care less. I was the boss, and I called the shots.

After a few minutes of silence, Viper finally spoke up. "Are you taking Fernanda to the party?"

"No."

"Then I'll take her." I heard the excitement in his voice, "Sophia needs to stay home with our daughter. I can't let them come with me now that they're being targeted."

I didn't say anything. Honest truth was, I wasn't even listening. My mind was a roller coaster of thoughts. And the fact that something that was supposed to be hidden was out there almost in the hands of my rivals was driving me insane.

"I'm taking Olivia to the party."

Viper shot me a look, his eyes widening with surprise. I could tell what he was thinking. He must have thought I was crazy.

"You can't do that, Ace."

I had reached the end of my cigarette. So I threw it down and lit another one.

"Why?"

"You can't just take anyone there." I understood what he was saying, but my mind was made up, "What if she's undercover for Isabella? What if she steals something again?"

I hadn't really thought of that. I pushed my body forward, giving Viper a side look. He was right. But, my mind still wasn't going to change.

"I want to show her a glimpse of the world she's gotten into." I drew a puff, "And what will happen if she dares to cross me. I'm going to use her sister and mother's existence to control her."

He relaxed in his chair, watching me keenly. "And you think that might work? Or even scare her not to snitch on you? Remember, Isabella had the same innocence the first time she came here."

I sighed, running a hand through my beards. "Isabella is trying to get back at me for what I did to her. She's always been fierce. But Olivia... She's different."

I knew it was too early to start differentiating between them, but- Isabella and Olivia were two opposite personalities.

Viper stared at me, his mouth slightly ajar. "Damn Ace. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you've been love struck."

I straightened my posture and countenance. Viper was quick to see through people, but I was too good at hiding my true feelings perfectly.

What I felt for Olivia wasn't love. It was anger. Revenge. Lust.

Anger, because Isabella had done me dirty, and tried to hide her sister away from my reach.

Revenge, because I was going to make her pay. For every single pain I'd suffered since her sister's betrayal.

Lust, because Olivia's body was tempting. And I knew deep down she was still untouched- Isabella had mentioned it and I believed after seeing her.

And tonight, I was going to have her, her body beneath mine. And I was going to thrust in and out of her while making sure she felt nothing but pain... rather than pleasure.

"Ace?" I hadn't heard him call me. I was too deep in my thoughts, imagining how I was going to take my little kitten.

I shifted in my seat, feeling my hand burn slightly. I had reached the end of my cigarette, again.

"Thinking about her?" I shot him a look, biting down my bottom lip.

"No."

"You're getting hard." I shifted my gaze to my pants. And damn... he was right even though I hated to admit.

"Can't wait to have her, I know. I looked forward to it too." I gave him another cold glare, and he quickly added, "Until you made it clear that you won't be sharing. I bet her pussy would taste amazing."

I gritted my teeth. He had no right to imagine what my girl would taste like. But hearing him say that made my cock grow, threatening to tear through my pants.

I needed her, right there. I couldn't hold it anymore. My legs pulled me up from my seat, and I found myself heading to the door without warning.

"Ace." Viper called after me, "Where are you off to? We haven't even concluded the dealings yet."

"That can wait." I responded without looking back, "But I can't."

I walked out, heading straight to the room I'd instructed Rosa to keep her. The door wasn't locked, but there was no sign of her when I entered. Until I heard voices inside the bathroom. Hers and Rosa's. And I heard laughter, her laughter. It sounded like soothing music to my ears.

I pushed the door open without warning. And my eyes met with hers. She sat in the bathtub, her upper body uncovered. I saw the fear in her eyes when she saw me, and the way she quickly tried to cover her breasts with both hands. I noticed the way she immediately stopped laughing and talking with Rosa. Her scared, unhappy gaze held my fierce eyes.

"Leave us, Rosa." I thundered, peeling off the sleeves off my skin, "Right now."

OLIVIA.

Madam Rosa was very kind. And I found myself opening up to her after a few words and talks. She had a similar vibe to my mother, and it made me miss my mom even more.

"You'll be fine, honey." Her voice calmed me down. And her hands wiped off the tears on my face. But, I still felt heavy.

"Is he usually like this?" I asked her as she took off my clothes. I felt a bit ashamed, standing there, naked in front of her. I felt like a little child about to be bathed by her mother.

"You don't have to be shy around me, dear." She noticed my shyness, "And, No. Axel isn't usually like this."

Axel... I wondered if he allowed just anyone to call him that.

I sighed, her hands leading me into the bathtub. The water felt very warm, and I found my body relaxing.

"Most of the girls I usually attend to are either wounded, or half breathing." She uttered, making me arch my brows in curiosity, "But, you're perfectly fine. And you've got-''

"- most of the girls?" I didn't mean to interrupt her, but I was curious. I sat fully inside the bathtub, feeling the warm water cover my whole body, "There's other girls besides me?"

She kept quiet, obviously aware that she'd spilled too much. Her hands grabbed the sponge next to the bathtub, and slowly, I felt them scrubbing my skin.

"Is he going to kill me?" I asked. That had been on my mind for the past few minutes.

Madam Rosa sighed. "You're overthinking, dear. Just relax."

"I can't just relax." I forced out, unable to hide my pain, "My sister's missing. And he told me something about her breaking the omertà. I don't even know what it means."

I felt her hand stop for a moment. And I turned back to look at her, catching the hint of fear in her eyes. It sounded like I'd said something wrong- something that reminded her about something, or someone. Whatever it was.

"Did- did I say something wrong?"

She shook her head, her hands resuming what she was doing, "Is your sister Isabella?"

My eyes widened. She knew her. 

"Yes." I cried out, hoping she'd be willing to tell me more things she knew, "Do you know her."

She nodded, "Yes."

I felt a tear at the corner of my eye. My sister had definitely been here. Maybe she had even slept in this room.

"Do you know anything about her? Where could she be? Why are they searching for her?"

She shook her head, indicating she had no idea. But I saw the look in her eyes. She knew something. She was hiding something.

"Madam Rosa," I called disappointingly, hoping she'd tell me more, "Please, tell me-''

"-You're a special girl, Olivia." She cut me off, her voice firm, "Axel definitely has good plans for you. I've seen the way he's been treating you."

I scoffed. She definitely hadn't seen how he had ordered his men to tie me up and inject me. If this was special, then I didn't want it.

"You're only saying that to make me feel better." I sulked, slumping my body further into the bathtub, allowing the water to go a bit above my breasts. "He's using me to get revenge on my sister."

Madam Rosa kept scrubbing in silence, her lips tightening. "Your sister stole something from Axel. An item that can destroy him." Her words caught my attention, and I turned to look at her keenly.

She continued, "He's after her, and she's been missing for weeks now. The rest of the council wanted him to go after you, since you're the target Isabella gave. But, he refused... until you showed up here on your own."

I swallowed. This was all too much and confusing. Isabella had given me off to him as a target? That means he knew about me even before I came here. And what had she stolen? Why did she steal from him knowing how dangerous he was?

I sat up straight in the bathtub. I needed to hear more, know more. "What did she steal from him?" But Rosa was done talking. I could tell from the way she ignored my question.

"You need to let go of your curiosity." She splashed water all over my back, rinsing out the soap suds, "Axel won't hurt you if you don't try to interfere in his matters."

I pursed my lips, thinking hard. Something wasn't right. There were things that were hidden from me. And I needed to find out.

I felt Madam Rosa's hands move all the way to my arm holes, and I raised my hands up, thinking she wanted to wash them. But she tickled me.

I laughed. It was the first time I'd ever laughed since I got there. But she'd made me do it so easily.

"You need to make sure you don't lose your smile." Her face was bright, and she smiled at me, "It's the only thing they can't take away from you-''

She was interrupted. The door to the bathroom suddenly opened without warning and the first thing my heart did was skip in fear.

Axel walked in. And the moment our eyes locked, my smile disappeared. Fear returned, alongside my sadness. They came back with his presence.

"Leave us, Rosa." He thundered. I watched him take off his sleeves in a hurry, his gaze holding mine, "Right now."

I swallowed hard. Madam Rosa bowed slightly, carefully dropping the sponge into the bathtub. My eyes pleaded with her not to leave me alone with him. But she gave me a reassuring look, her legs carrying her towards the exit.

"Did- I do something wrong?"

This man instilled fear in me. I knew I'd be walking on eggshells around him. What had happened this time? Had he come to torture me? Hurt me?

He didn't respond to my question. Rather, his hands took off his sleeves, exposing his broad chest. I swallowed a gasp. His tattoo was visible now- the head of a tiger. My eyes wandered to his pants unknowingly, and I saw a bulge. One that frightened me.

"You need to be ready for me, Kitty." I only realized that's what he'd been calling me since I got there, "Cause I'm fucking ready for you."

Nobody had to tell me. He was here to devour me. To take my innocence. I shuddered, goosebumps crawling out my skin. This man could kill me if he ever got inside me. And the fact that this was going to be my first time...

"Please..." all I could do was beg. There was nothing else I could do. I couldn't escape. I was fully naked inside the bathtub, and he had every chance to grab me easily against my will. His hands grabbed the waist of his trousers, taking off his belt. His pants slid down without force, and I saw the bulge grow bigger.

"Move aside." 

He moved closer to join me. I baited my eyelashes, fear gripping me. The bathtub was big enough to contain the both of us. But it was going to be tight, our skins were definitely going to touch.

His legs got closer with just two heavy steps. He got in, his eyes never leaving mine. I shivered slightly, feeling his skin touch mine.

"Come to me, Kitty."

I had no choice but to obey. As painful as it sounded for me to admit, I felt excited. I'd never done this before, but it was something that excited me. I pushed my body closer, my hands slowly moving away from my breasts I was trying to hide.

"I should have come for you sooner, Kitty." He grunted. His hands found their way to my breasts, cupping them. I bit down my lips, trying to refrain myself from making a sound. What if it didn't please his ears? What if it annoyed him?

"Are you going to make love to me?" I had no idea when the question slipped out of my lips, but I guess my fear took over.

His eyes darkened, "Don't be ahead of yourself, Kitty." His voice was stern and reminded me that all I had to do was shut up and allow him to take control, "Making love and having sex are two different things. One is pleasurable, the other can cause pain to be inflicted. And you deserve the pain and not the pleasure."

That hurt me. He was going to make me experience pain. I already knew all he wanted was to crush me, but hearing him say that just felt more painful.

"I'm not going to fight it." I said the words so easily, even though it was hard, "If you want to have your way with me, then do it. I only have one thing to ask you."

I watched him arch his eyebrows. "You don't have any pass to make requests." He growled.

I nodded. But parted my lips to speak anyway. "Pl- please be gentle. I... I haven't done this before."

My lips trembled, the fear hitting me right in the face. He was going to do it anyway. I had no strength to resist. All I could do was pray he went gentle with me. I was already succumbing to my fate.

It didn't stop him. I saw the excitement in his eyes when he realized that I was still a virgin. He didn't seem surprised though, and it felt like he knew all along.

He grabbed me by the wrist, pulling him closer as I felt my legs touch his growing flesh in between his legs. I winced in pain, my wrist was still hurting. But, he paid no attention.

"You're not allowed to do anything unless I ask you to." He warned, his hands massaging my breasts rather roughly, "Not even moaning."

It felt like torture. It was torture. But I knew better than to disobey.

Axel's hands went rough on me, just like he'd promised. I pursed my lips tightly, trying so hard not to make a sound.

I prayed silently, hoping someone would come in and rescue me. His hands were causing me a mixture of pleasure and pain... but I couldn't express myself.

My prayers were answered. Less than two minutes after silently praying for help, Madam Rosa rushed through the door, her breath heavy as she panted uncontrollably.

"Don Ace..." she called out with fear in her voice. She halted in front of us, turning her eyes away immediately she realized...

I saw Axel narrow his eyes. His eyebrows furrowed. He was livid with anger, it was evident in his countenance.

"Rosa, why did you-''

"I'm sorry to interrupt sir." She had her head to the ground. I knew she couldn't look at us because we were both naked in the bathtub, "Viper sends a message. La Mano Nera is here."

"La Mano Nera?" He repeated, the fear moving to his voice. His hands let go of me immediately and I saw him try to rush up to his feet.

"Yes." Madam Rosa confirmed, "He- He claims he has Isabella and the item she stole. He wants to see you."

Her words caught my attention. I tried to stand up inside the bathtub, clearly not ashamed of the fact that he was still there.

Isabella? Had they found her? Was I finally going to be free?

Axel hurried out of the bathtub and towards the room's exit, grabbing a towel Rosa handed out to wrap over his waist. My heart pounded in my chest with uncertainty, and I rushed out too, my body dripping water all over the floor.

But as I tried to move further, Madam Rosa's hands held me back. Her warm hands touched my cold body mildly. And her eyes gave me a long, disapproving look.

"You can't go out there," She cautioned me, her voice laced with fear and concern, "Stay in here till he comes back."

She wrapped another towel around my body, her hands reaching for my wet hair to dry. I bit down my lips, my ears aching to hear what was going on outside.

"Who's La Mano Nera?"

"Shh." She hushed, turning me over to face her, "You can't say his name out loud."

I frowned, "But you just said it-''

"-It's different, Olivia." She interrupted, getting me more confused as I furrowed my brows. "You can't-''

"-Olivia!"

I heard my name- a loud shriek that threatened to pull down the roof. I moved away from Rosa before she tried to pull me back, rushing towards the door.

That voice... exactly the same after so long...

"Olivia, stop."

I didn't listen to Rosa. Didn't bother to stop. I pushed through the door, my hair still dripping. And with just a towel wrapped over my naked body.

I almost tripped as I burst through the door, reaching the hallway where the little gathering was being held. Axel's figure turned to me swiftly, and I met his cold eyes, threatening to hurt me.

I caught sight of another man- a bit short yet sturdy. And in his hold was my sister, Isabella, the person I'd longed to see...

I couldn't hold back my tears, and my lips quivered when I saw her eyes. She looked at me, her hair messy, and her skin filled with scars and fresh wounds. I could feel my heart bleeding at the horrible sight.

"Isabella?"