Staring at those hardened yet warm, delicate eyes of his, my whole being melted. Hands that were once feared, ruled over others, and crushed them now held my body delicately and lovingly, sending a wave of pleasure throughout my entire being.

Our whirlwind romance began after I overheard my father's plan to sell me off to Lorenzo De Luca, the most feared mafia lord in marriage. 

On that fateful day, I had planned my escape. I would rather die in the woods than allow myself to be locked up in a monster's house forever. 

I remember getting wasted, not thinking of anything else but the voice that approached the drunk me in the club. Soon we found ourselves in the hotel room, lost in each other's eyes. Passion took over, and before I knew it, we were entwined in a whirlwind of desire.

"Ag..hhhh" I slowly moaned with his face buried in my chest as he sucked my breast slowly and gently, sending waves of emotions down my spine. 

As a 25-year-old virgin, this feeling was new to me, but I knew I wanted more. I wanted the mysterious man to myself. 

Unknown to me, the mysterious man whom I had willingly given myself to was LORENZO DE LUCA, the same man I was running from. 

What had I done? Reality hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt torn between regret and the undeniable connection we shared.

Who would have imagined that the notorious mafia lord, who was the last person I would willingly give my virginity to, would be in my bed, pleasuring me in ways I never thought possible? 

Here's a quick backstory to the event prior to this day. 

A few days ago, I overheard my dad's plans to sell me off to Lorenzo De Luca, a notorious mafia lord who was rumored to kill people who get in his way like ants. He was feared and respected because of his strict rules and regulations, but still, he was loved because of his charity towards the people in the city. He made sure they were provided with food and water, and he also fought against oppression of the poor. 

Rumor also has it that Lorenzo has been married at least 3 times, but his bride mysteriously gets missing on their wedding night. 

How would my father force me to marry a man like him?

Years ago, my father was a loving gentleman who would do anything for his family. He would often carry me around the park, play with me whenever he got home, and cared deeply about me, but things changed after my mom's death.

My dad remarried my stepmother, Carolina. 

Carolina was from a very powerful Mafia family. Her family was powerful and respected enough. At first they were against their marriage because my dad wasn't part of the Mafia. My father, whom I thought joined the mafia because of his love for Caroline, soon turned into a power-hungry monster. Caroline helped fuel his inner desire to be powerful, making sure to do whatever it took to rise to the top. 

My father went from the loving man who took care of me when I was a kid to a power-hungry monster who would do anything for power without minding who it affected. 

I had always found the basement to be my little hideaway, a place where I could escape the constant noise and chaos of our mansion. 

Today, I brought my sketchbook, hoping to capture some peace and quiet. As I settled into my favorite corner. 

It wasn't long before I heard some footsteps and gentle whispers that were laced in voices filled with authority. Curiosity got the best of me. I moved closer, my heart pounding. 

The voices grew clearer, and I recognized one of them immediately—my father. He was speaking in that low, authoritative tone he used for business.

I crouched behind an old bookshelf, peeking through a gap. My father stood with his back to me, facing a tall, shadowy figure. The air was thick with tension.

I heard a voice, deep, filled with confidence, and yet gentle. 

"So, what's the deal?" the voice asked

"I need you to book an appointment for me with Lorenzo," my dad replied. 

Why is my dad booking an appointment to meet Lorenzo? Is he trying to kill someone for power? Curiosity gripped me as I listened closely. 

"What do you want with Lorenzo? You couldn't deliver a simple task he gave you. He already lost trust in you," the voice replied. 

"I'm ready to regain his trust," my father said.

"How?" the voice asked. 

I could feel the coldness in his voice. 

What did my father do to Lorenzo? What deal does he want to strike? And why are they meeting in secret? 

"I heard The Four has given him a deadline to find a bride, and I also know the deadline is in five days' time," my dad replied. "I can help him get a bride," he added.

The room was filled with silence for a few seconds before the voice broke it.

"And what do you want in return? The voice asked

"He will deposit $5 million dollars into my account and make me a member of The Four."

The Four is a group for the most powerful and most feared mafia families led by Lorenzo, who was the Don. The group doesn't just consist of four families; they have six families in the group. 

"Who is the bride?" The voice asked

"My Daughter, Ella."

My breath choked up somewhere in my throat. Was my father offering me up to Lorenzo? I had always suspected my father was dealing in unsavory business, but hearing it in words was quite different. It made it real. I felt a mix of fear, betrayal, and disbelief, unable to tear myself away.

Their discussion continued, and with each word, I related them to my father giving away more and more about the things he would do to climb the ladders of power. All those questions crowded my thoughts. Why me? What does Lorenzo need a bride for? What if he kills me the way he has killed the others before?

I knew I needed to get away from this place as fast as possible to avoid getting caught. Gently, I stepped back, my heartbeat racing more than ever. I slid out of the door, countless thoughts about what I had just heard whirling in my head. As soon as I shut the door after myself, I knew I needed to do something. It was time to escape this jungle called home.