I wake up in soft, silky sheets. They're surrounding me in a sense of security that I can't describe.
I sit up, rubbing my eyes. They widen as I look around and see that I don't recognise this place.
The dark room seems to be made up of strictly black and blood red colours.
It was truly breath-takingly gorgeous. A perfect fit for a mafia man.
I hear commotion downstairs and I run towards it when I hear Liv. I really need a friend right now.
As I turn to where I can hear her, I crash into a wall.
I rub my head, groaning to see glaring eyes.
I gulp.
"Don't mind me Santini." I chuckle awkwardly.
He looks me up and down, taking in my figure and I look down at my outfit, feeling more self-conscious than usual under his intense gaze.
"What the- Why am I in your shirt?" I query, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Hmm?"
I roll my eyes at the man drooling before me.
"My eyes are in my head last time I checked." I state, making him look up at me.
"Why am I in your god damn shirt, Cole?" I repeat.
"I assumed you wouldn't wanna sleep in a dress, no?" he smirks.
"Besides, you look better in it anyway." he whispers, leaning down to my ear.
"Wh- Hey!"
Oh god. Why does this man love carrying me over his shoulder.
We get back to his room and he locks his door.
I slowly back away from him and start pacing around the room, becoming agitated as I know what's about to happen.
"What happened last night?"
Theeere it is. The question I didn't want to be asked.
I can't trust him.
He'll use me as bait.
He'll bring them back.
I refuse to go within a million miles of him.
"You can trust me ya know." he says as though reading my thoughts.
"How do I know that, uomo mafioso?" [mafia man] I scoff.
"Technically, it's mafia leader. And as long as it doesn't involve me, I have no reason to harm you, Cassie."
"Nope. Not trusting you. Not with this." I say, turning my back to him.
He makes his way over to me, leaning down to my ear. His warm breath makes goose bumps shoot throughout my body.
"Cosa posso fare per dimostrarti che puoi fidarti di me?" [What can I do to show you that you can trust me?] he whispers seductively.
Safety. I need to be safe from them, him.
"Promise me safety. Guarantee to me that you'll protect me, no matter what." I respond with confidence.
This is the one thing that I need.
The only thing I need.
"I can't-"
"You can and you will, or you leave me alone and forget everything you know about me." I grit out.
"Fine" he huffs.
"Spill."
"Not now. Now, I need to know one thing. What the event for last night?"
It was the only question I needed answered.
I need to know if he's really here.
"It was the St. Vladimir Charity Event." he says, confusion written on his face as I sigh out in relief.
Ohhhh. That makes more sense.
I sigh in relief and my whole body relaxes.
He hasn't found me. I'm safe.
"Ok. I need food." I groan, ignoring him and leaving for the kitchen.
*
After an extremely well needed lunch, I wondered around aimlessly, exploring the house.
At about 7pm, I went down to Cole's gym in some sports wear from the clothes Liv must've dropped off for me last night.
I eventually find the gym and stop in awe as I watch this God beating the shit out of a punching bag.
His back is glistening in a layer of sweat, his hair is stuck to his forehead and-
"Oh my god! Cole! Your knuckles." I rush over to him, going to grab his injured hands.
He must've been angry about something, or maybe his head was in a different world, but he pushes me to the ground, holds me down firmly, raising his fist in the air.
"Ahhh!" I naturally scream, curling up into the foetal position, being all to familiar to what I think is about to happen.
His hold on me releases when he realises it's just me, and I instinctively push myself away from him, trying to calm my shaky breath.
"You ok?" he asks confused.
"Mhm." I get up and go to run out the room when he firmly but lightly grabs my wrist.
I try pulling away out of instinct, fearful of potentially getting hurt.
Cole's face softens slightly as he looks at my terrified expression.
"Who was he?" he carefully asks, his voice soft and caring.
"Huh? Who was who?"
"The guy that caused your PTSD. The guy that hit you. Who was he?" Cole pushes.
"Who says a guy hit me? Who says he caused my PTSD?" I defend.
"Tesoro, please. Tell me. I'll kill him." he says, his jaw clenching slightly.
"Why should you? Why do you care?" I challenge, desperately trying to change the subject to literally anything else.
"Honestly? I don't know. I just do. Who. Was. He?" his voice is dangerously low, and I'm getting a little on edge again.
"Can we not do this here please?" I whisper so quietly, I'm surprised he can even hear me.
His face softens again and he cups my face, his touch igniting sparks in me.
"Of course, amore. Have dinner with me in 30 minutes. I gotta wash the sweat off me." he casually pecks my lips, butterflies erupting in my stomach, and he grabs his towel, leaving me alone in the gym.
I rush up to a guest room and shower.
I look at all the things Liv left for me and I find a cute simple, dark red dress with gorgeous black knee high boots, perfect for this cold weather.
I grab apply moisturiser to my face, going makeup-less, and get dressed.
Once ready, I make my way downstairs and see Cole waiting in a dark navy blue suit with a black tie.
His hair is gelled back perfectly. I feel so blessed to be around this man sometimes, then he acts like the freaking spawn of Satan the rest of the time.
"Wow. You look breath-taking, gattina." he beams up at me as I reach the last few steps.
"You're alive, so clearly not that breath-taking." I chuckle, taking his extended hand.
"You look quite handsome yourself." I smile, looking up at the tall man.
"Thank you, amore." he says, opening the door to the car.
"A lambo? Is that really necessary?" I laugh.
The stunning Aventador matches my dress perfectly.
"Let's go, piccola." he chuckles, opening the door for me like a true gentleman.
I slide into the seat and think about how I've got so much explaining to do.
What it is.
Who Vladimir Volkov is.
Who they are.
And most importantly.
Who he is...