I stood frozen on the porch, the envelope clenched so tight in my fist my knuckles burned.

Leonardo Blackwood

The name echoed in my head. My pulse roared in my ears, drowning out the distant hum of the city. Avery was slumped against the doorframe behind me, half awake and unconscious.

My vision blurred for a moment, and memories I had tried to bury clawed their way forward.

That night ..... I could never forget.

Cold air tore through my chest as I sprinted down the narrow alley, I cut left, then right, shoulders clipping rusted dumpsters, my heart hammered violently, panic flooding my veins. the sharp scent of garbage and rain mingling in the air.

Footsteps thundered behind me.

"Stop her!! Thief!!

I didn't dare look back.

All this... for a few ordinary gold bracelets from a crappy downtown jewelry store.

Somewhere far away, Avery must be doing the same thing. We had always done this together, but tonight, we were separate and here came the consequences.

Then the alley opened to the street, I burst out of the alley

Headlights blinded me, a horn blared, and I felt an impact.

Pain exploded through my side, the world spinning violently as I hit the asphalt.

For half a second, I thought I was dead.

Before I could even catch my breath, strong hands lifted me off my feet and pulled me into the car.

The door slammed. Darkness and leather and the faint, intoxicating scent of expensive cologne surrounded me.

I lifted my head, and froze.

Sitting across from me, he sat there like he owned the world, his face illuminated by the car's dashboard light. Tailored black suit, immaculate despite the chaos outside.

But it was his eyes that pinned me.

Dark, cold, calculating.

I knew that face. Everyone did.

Leonardo Blackwood.

The underworld whispered about him in hushed tones at the biker club.

Even in the confined space of the car, he dominated it entirely, making me subconsciously wonder just how small and fragile I must look before him.

The car was moving again, smooth and steady, but my breathing was still ragged and my hands shaking so badly

He didn't look at me at first; he just stared blankly outside the window.

"Do you know why you're alive?" he asked calmly, finally breaking the silence.

"My throat tightened and I clutched the hem of my jacket tight".

"Because I'm in a good mood," he continued, not giving me the chance to respond "And you are lucky I'm in a hurry".

The words settled slowly, sinking deep into my heart

I swallowed hard, clutching my jacket tighter.

He then turned fully. His gaze locked onto mine, dark and unreadable.

"Listen to me very carefully, little thief," he growled,his voice dropping lower. "I don't care what your reasons might have been or whatever sad, sob-manipulative story you might have in your head."

My pulse raced.

"If I ever catch you stealing again," he said, voice low and lethal, "I will erase you so completely, that no one will remember you ever existed".

Before I could react, something spun through the air.

The bracelet. The one i stole.

I scrambled to check my pockets, my chest tightening-but it wasn't there.

"That's mine.... How did you-"

He didn't answer.

His eyes just remained locked onto mine like a predator sizing up its prey. smoothly, he flipped the bracelet again between his fingers.

"I've been in this game long before you were born," he said,calm but deadly." And you know the rule, right?"

I swallowed hard, anger flaring despite the fear curling in my stomach.

"I do," I replied obediently. "What's stolen cannot be claimed."

"Good girl," he said, clicking his tongue, a soft, mocking sound, then tossed the bracelet out the window.

I froze, my chest tightening, a storm of disbelief and fury crashing through me.

He just.....he just threw it away?

Did he really just throw away my entire sweat and struggle? My only hope for a decent meal this week?

Anger flared hot and sharp inside me.

"How dare y–" I snarled in a burst of outrage, but the words died on my lips as he leaned closer, that dangerous, unreadable smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

"Get out." he snarled and immediately the car halted, the door swung open on its own and he pushed me out in the middle of the road.

Motherfucker!!!

Before I could raise my middle finger, the car was already gone.

The fear of that night made my skin crawl.

I knew then If Leo ever found me again, it would be trouble for my entire existence.

I shook my head, trying to push away the intensity of that night.

Avery shifted behind me, groaning, still half-drunk, oblivious to the war raging in my head.

I swallowed hard

"Get up" I muttered, my voice hoarse.

She mumbled something incoherent, trying to drag me to sit beside her.

I dragged her upright, ignoring her protest as I hauled her through the doorway. My fingers tightened around the envelope as I dragged Avery inside.

The door slammed shut behind us, the lock clicking automatically.

I laid Avery onto the couch, guiding her head gently onto a throw pillow before stepping back. She barely stirred, her chest rising and falling in an uneven rhythm.

I paced, back and forth.

The words from the letter kept replaying over and over in my head, each sentence sharper than the last.

I sank into the armchair across from the couch, unfolding the letter again in my hands. I read it once, twice and a third time.

I threw my head back"God what have I done".

When dawn finally crept in through the cracked curtains, I hadn't moved.

Avery stirred sometime after sunrise. She groaned softly, squinting against the morning light leaking through the curtains.

She shifted and saw me, still sitting there and staring into nothing. She froze.

"Riley?" Avery called, pushing herself upright, yawning loudly.

"Why are you... why are you sitting like that?"

I didn't answer.

Avery swung her legs off the couch, rubbing her temples.

"Hey, did you get some sleep at all? You look like a ghost"

Slowly, I turned my head and dropped the bombshell.

"We're in trouble"

Avery's stomach dropped.

"What are you on about, babes?" she whispered, her voice already trembling from fear.

I finally exhaled, a shaky breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding all night.

"Someone left us a letter," I said quietly.

Avery straightened fully now, the hangover fog lifting. Her gaze drifted from my face to the envelope still lying on my lap.

"What kind of letter?" she asked.

"The kind you don't ignore." I replied

She stretched forth her hand and quickly snatched the letter from me, her face draining of color as she read it fast... then again, slower this time.

Leonardo fucking Blackwood!!" She screamed, her eyes wide in horror.

"As in Leonardo? The real one!? The leader of the black crest syndicate?"

I nodded, the mention of the black crest syndicate sending a fresh wave of chill down my spine.

Avery's mouth fell open in shock, the letter slipping her hand, "Hell. Fucking. No!"

She slumped back onto the couch, her face contorted with fear. Even though she never had a personal encounter with Leo like I did, she knew the weight his name alone carried in the underworld.

"We're doomed!" She muttered, her voice shaky.

"How didn't we know the mansion belongs to him?"

"That's not what we should be bothered about right now, we have just a few minutes left, we have to return everything."

"Return what? We spent half of the damn cash last night, almost 10k. Where the hell are we supposed to get it in a few minutes?!! "

She sprang up again, "we need to move, that's the only solution. I gotta call Spencer right away, he's gonna help us."

I nodded weakly... maybe that's the only reasonable thing to do right now.

Avery grabbed her phone from the couch , dialed Spencer's number and went out.

I don't know what they discussed but when she returned something was off about her.

Maybe it was the fear in her eyes or maybe I was just being paranoid.

"What's wrong?" I asked quietly.

"I need to meet Spencer," she said. "He wants me to come."

"Are you fucking leaving me alone?"

"The fuck you mean?" She slapped my head playfully, " how could i? I just have to go meet Spencer for proper planning, just wait here for us, okay!?"

I sucked in a deep breath, " ok babe. Don't stay long."

"Sure" she went inside, picked her favourite hello kitty backpack slung it over her shoulder, then dashed out the door.

Immediately the door closed behind her I sucked in another deep breath, hell i doubt I have sighed this much my entire life.

My brain started thinking about the next step. I don't know what solution Spencer's got but I can't just wait around.

How about I count the remaining money left? Maybe I can beg Leonardo Blackwood to give me some time to pay up the rest?

My eyes darted to where I'd dumped the bag last night, just by the door.

"Oh my god!" Panic slammed into me like a freight train.

It's gone. The bag is gone.

Avery.... She took the money?!.

My stomach lurched, twisting cold and heavy.

No. No. No!

I snatched up my phone, fingers trembling as I dialed Avery's number –Once, twice, ten times. Each ring ended the same way; straight to voicemail.

My chest tightened, and a sick helpless rage bubbled up.

"No... this can't be..." I muttered in disbelief.

"How could she?. My thoughts scattered, colliding with one another. She can't just betray me like this... she wouldn't leave me... would she?

I barely had time to process the betrayal when a sudden sound sharp knock at the door cut through my chaos.

My head snapped to the door "oh no! He's here."

The knock came again.

I stood in the middle of the room, breath uneven and my palms damp, I stared at the door contemplating whether to open the door or not.

I reached for the door knob, my fingers trembling, I twisted the door knob and the door swung open.

Leonardo stood there, his expression unreadable, two guards stood behind him, they didn't need weapons to look dangerous, but I didn't care about them.

I opened my mouth to greet him, and nothing came out at first.

Leornardo didn't wait for an invitation, he walked in, his guards following right behind him.

His shoes clicked softly on the floor as he moved like the space belonged to him. He dropped onto my couch, crossed one leg over the other, and leaned back.

"Hello little thief"

My stomach tightened.

He lifted his eyes to mine, looking dark and calm.

"It seems" he said slowly, "you have a very short memory"

I swallowed "You heard my words that night, and yet you still found the courage to take what belongs to me"

My chest rose and fell.

"I didn't know it was your house, and I don't have your money," I said, forcing my voice steady " so if you're here to kill me just go ahead, I'm not scared of dying."

The room went still.

For the first time, a surprised look flickered across his face.

He studied me.

".. interesting" he murmured.

He stood up from the couch, coming towards me.

Each step he took towards me felt like pressure on my lungs.

"I know your partner ran away with the money" he said quietly "but that doesn't change anything"

He stopped in front me.

"You stole from me. And no one takes what is mine and walks away".

"So," he continued, "if you do not have the money.. then you become the payment."

"If you do not have my money, then I will have your freedom."

Cold spread through my veins.

He stretched his hand to his guard and he was handed a folder, and he placed it on the table.

"This is your debt agreement"

My breath hitched.

"And if I refuse?" I snapped.

"Then you will be forced"."Now sign the contract"

My stomach twisted.

I stared at the paper for a moment, then I took the pen and signed.

Leonardo slid the contract back into his jacket.

"For clarity," he said calmly, " this agreement is not a suggestion."

I lifted my chin. "You think I signed it because I had a choice?"

The corner of his mouth twitched.

"Good," he replied. "Then you understand the terms of the contract."

"You do not belong to this house anymore, get what you will need," he continued, "you have five minutes."

My jaw clenched.

I turned and went to my room, throwing clothes into my bag with shaky hands. I didn't break down. Just fury and fear tangled together.

Five minutes later, I was back.

Leornardo didn't speak, he simply turned and walked out, and I followed behind him.

I opened the car door and slid inside.

The drive was silent, I stared out the window, looking at the passing cars.

Avery's face kept flashing in my head, her laugh, her voice, the way she always swore she'd never leave me.

How the hell could she do that to me? Liar.

I felt the car slow down in front of a tall and black iron gate.

The gate opened without a sound and the mansion came into view, it looked like a kingdom carved from money and power.

Light lined across acres of perfectly trimmed lawn. Water shimmered from a massive fountain at the center of the drive, the golden lights glow softly against the dark stone walls.

The car came to a halt in front of the mansion, before Leonardo even touched the handle, the door was already opening.

Maids came rushing, at least six of them, all in perfect black and white uniforms, they moved out in perfect rhythm, one reached for my bag in the trunk of the car.

I stepped out slowly, my boots echoing against marble.

Leonardo walked ahead and I followed behind him.

Doors opened before he reached them.

Inside, there were more maids across the hall, carrying trays, arranging flowers, and cleaning the hallway. They bowed and greeted him in unison.

Leonardo stopped at the base of the staircase.

"Clarrise" he called out.

She appeared almost immediately like she had been waiting to be called.

Tall, slim, perfectly dressed, with her dark hair pinned neatly.

But what caught my attention wasn't her beauty.

It was the way her eyes lit up when they found him.

"Sir," she said, her voice soft, almost intimate. "You're home earlier than expected."

Her gaze lingered on his face,her fingers brushing lightly against his sleeve.

Leornardo didn't react, he didn't even look at her.

"Take her to a room," he said, nodding slightly in my direction.

Clarisse's smile froze.

"Yes sir."

She turned sharply. "Follow me."

As we walked, her heels clicked sharply against the floor.

She stopped walking and turned to me, her eyes filled with contempt.

"Just because he brought you here does not make you special"

I shrugged. "Trust me, I didn't apply for this shit."

"You will obey the rules of this house, you have your place and I will make sure you learn it" she said.

I leaned closer, my voice low, " And you will learn not to talk to me like you own me."

Her jaw tightened.

"You are beneath me," she said quietly. "Remember that."

I smiled.

"Then why do you look so threatened?"

She resumed walking. Then she stopped in front of a door and turned to face me.

"This is where you sleep," she said. "You leave nothing lying around, you speak when spoken to, and do not wander around.

"I tilted my head, letting out a sarcastic smile. "Oh, don't worry, I'm quick to learn, when someone is worth listening to"

Her mouth tightened. "Girls like you do not last here."

I smiled sweetly. "You'll be surprised."

She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Enjoy the room while you can, you will not be here for long."

"Is that a promise," I replied "Or a threat?"

"We shall see," she said and walked away.

Days passed, and I adapted quickly. The other maids were friendly enough, teaching me the routines, we worked and laughed together.

Except Clarisse, she watched me, looking for mistakes that weren't there.

Every chance she got, she tried to remind me I didn't belong.

And every time, I make sure to remind her I'm not to be messed with.

But Leonardo?

I didn't see him, didn't even feel his presence, his study stayed closed, I heard through the maid gossip that he was on a business trip.

Then one afternoon, I was in my room, folding my clothes when a sharp voice echoed through the corridor.

"My ring! Where is my gold?!"

Clarisse storms through the hallways.

"I want every room checked," she said, shouting on top of her voice

One by one, she searched through the maid's rooms and bags in the house.

Then my door slammed open.

I looked up slowly.

"Ever heard of knocking?" I snapped.

Her eyes flicked over my room.

"My ring is missing," she said coldly, "And it was after you arrived."

I scoffed, "That's the dumbest accusation I've ever heard."

"If you have nothing to hide," she said "Then let me check your things."

I raised an eyebrow, arms crossed, "Go ahead and check if it'll make you feel better."

She didn't respond, she just ripped through my room and my drawers, my belongings flung across the floor.

She carried my bag and dumped everything inside it on the floor.

The gold ring rolled out onto the floor. I froze with surprise written all over my face.

A slow triumphant smile spread across Clarisse's face.

And I knew by the smug look on Clarisse's face, exactly who did it.