~~Cecilia~~
“Don Petrov.”
“Don Petrov”
The audience kept cheering and clapping, oblivious of the war going on in me_ not that they had any reason to give a damn of course, but…
I clutched my stomach, feeling suddenly dizzy as bile rose in my stomach.
Oh My God, I'm gonna puke.
This is…this is so unbelievable. This is so really unbelievable, how could I?
I'm supposed to be this man's property? This same man who murdered my parents?
I'm gonna have to serve him, knowing that he's responsible for my family's massacre?
The nauseousness was suddenly replaced with anger, and my eyes burned with unshed tears.
But most importantly, why did he want me? Why would he place such a ridiculous amount of money on me?
For you to spend that much on something, it means you need that thing, but why?
Oh My God, does he know who I am? That I'm the daughter of the same man he murdered?
Maybe he wants to make me suffer more for whatever twisted reason he has.
Maybe he wishes to see me go through hell to satisfy his thirst for power and vengeance?
Why does he want me so badly that he could spend fifty million dollars?
Cold fingers dug into my skin, interrupting my thoughts, and before I could react, I was being dragged away from the stage to the west door where my 'boss' was already waiting for me.
My heart raced as we approached, and his cold eyes ran over me, as if surveying me, before he looked away.
“There. This is your new slave. “ The thug released my arm and I brushed the area he was gripping earlier and averted my gaze to the ground.
“She's not a slave,” the man murmured, and I scoffed
Not a slave, then what am I? Your personal subject of torment?
“I mean,” the lady with him sneered, “look at her. She looks so much like one. I'm not talking about the dirt, of course, but look at the tear stained face and wounded eyes? Pathetic and so satisfying”
“Behave Darya,” The boss snapped with little heat.
“Of course. I'm just your lap cat, remember?” She said, and he rolled his eyes, his cold expression warming up a little, but the cold mask came back on once he re-directed his gaze to me.
His gaze sent chilly shivers down my spine, as if he was dissecting my mind with his eyes, and the coldness in his eyes…
My hand instinctively went to my stomach, and I clutched it, suddenly worried about my baby.
What is this going to mean for my baby?
My heart beat increased, thudding frantically against my chest, and I clutched my tummy tighter, my eyes burning with unshed tears.
“What's your name?” He asked, with a hoarse, deep voice.
I looked away and bit my lip, determined not to say a word.
“She mute? Oh, don't tell me you spent such amount of money on a mute dumbie!!" Darya said, and punctuated the last word with an exaggerated gasp.
What's her problem anyway?
My skin cringed in anger, but I ignored her.
“Didn't you hear me,” he asked a little louder this time, “what's your Damn name?”
I flinched, but refused to say a word.
The boss huffed in frustration, and took some steps back, “I will deal with you when we get home. You will learn not to disobey me or blink twice before answering each question. Get. In. The. Fucking. Car. Now.”
Deciding that it was probably not a good idea to keep upsetting him, I followed them slowly to a black Mercedes parked feet away.
Darya opened the door for me, and I hesitated before getting in, then she followed me and sat down beside me, shutting the door.
Ivan got into the driver's seat and drove off after a few more seconds.
I didn't pay any attention outside as the car sped to what, I assumed, was my new living space. I just placed my head on my knees, muttering quiet prayers and taking in deep breaths to push down the nausea.
Just focused on not disgracing myself by puking in this very fine car, and in the process enduring the music blaring through the speakers and Darya's beautiful voice as she rapped along Cardi B's Press.
“Darya doesn't need more press! Kill 'em all, put 'em hoes to rest, walk in bulletproof vest! Please tell me who she gon check, murder scene Darya made a mess, pop up guess who bitch??!!! Pop up, guess who, bitch?!”
I do find it interesting how she adds her name to the lyrics, but that did little to suffice the fact that I was in agony.
After several minutes, I raised my head to look out the window and saw that we were pulling into… Heaven?
I gaped like a wide-eyed tourist.
This place is fucking intense!!
There was a sprawling garden by the left corner of the mansion that looked like something out of a fancy magazine, complete with perfectly trimmed hedges and flowers in different shades of colors.
The mansion looked like something carved out of a fantasy book.
The wall was adorned in a regal shape of creamy beige, with ivy vines elegantly winding their way upward.
I opened the car door and stepped out, still star gazing at the sight before me.
The floor beneath my feet a sprawling cobblestone courtyard had a mosaic of intricate patterns.
“Welcome to hell, lil princess” Darya said, spreading her arms to emphasize her words, and I frowned.
Yeah, I had no doubt that this was going to be my hell, and she has no idea just how prepared I was for it.
And that thought was enough to pull my mind out of its starstruck state.
I don't care how beautiful this place is. I should not be admiring an enemy's handiwork.
“I do love hell,” Darya said, taking my hand and dragging roughly to the entrance, “I was called the devil's concubine. But seeing how delicate you are, I wonder how you will survive.”
I'll survive just fine, thank you.
I bit my tongue to avoid lashing out at her. Even though she looked petite and beautiful, there was still these things about her that screams Danger and 'don't fuck with me.”
Maybe it's the dagger sheathed in her belt or the tattoo on her arms, or her evil, cynical smile?
Hell, or perhaps the combination of all.
She suddenly stopped at the entrance In Front of the door and turned to look at me. I heard the boss's footsteps behind me and I stood still, squaring my shoulder under her scrutinizing stare.
“Hmmm,” she muttered, “don't worry. I'm sure we will toughen you up soon enough, sugar.”
She turned, flipping her hair and banged at the door loudly, turned around to give me that smile, then faced the door with another bang.
The door opened to show another young black girl, and her smile dropped immediately the moment she saw Darya.
“Should have known it was you. How about you act more ladylike?” She grumbled, shifting to let us in.
“How about you shove that lady shit up your black ass,” Darya retorted, marching into the house.
The gorgeous lady gave me a kind smile as I walked past her. She also looks the same age as Darya, but a lot gentler. Her eyes were warm, smile kind_ and her long beautiful locs framed her long face so beautifully, I almost envied her.
She was so pretty, she could have been on the cover of Beyoncé's brown skin girl.
“Welcome home, Ivan,” she greeted, “I'm shocked your dog isn't on a leash this afternoon. And she's misbehaving.”
“Fuck you very much, Alista!” Darya shouted from a chair she was sprawled on, and the girl-Alistair chuckled, closing the door.
Once inside the house, I awkwardly entwined my fingers together on my stomach, rubbing and twisting them together, trying hard…very hard not to admire the chandeliers, and definitely not the shiny floor or the grand staircase that split in two at the middle leading to different parts of the upper floor.
I don't have to admire them, even though they looked like a fantasy.
Ivan approached me with a frown, and I took two steps back in retreat.
He stopped a few feet away, and his gaze fell to my stomach, which I could not stop clutching with my palm. Then he looked back up to my face, his cold expression slipping and slowly replaced with shock.
He looked down at my stomach again, then raised his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose.
“Fucking hell." He muttered and threw his hand up in frustration.
Did he just discover that I'm pregnant?
Is he upset? Is he going to tell me to terminate it, so I can serve him well?
I bit back a gasp and stepped back at the thought.
“Flora! Joan!” He called, and two ladies ran into the sitting room and from their white similar uniforms, I assumed they were the maids.
“Get the room besides mine ready now. Then take the lady up to her room, take care of her thoroughly before dinner. I want to see her clean and settled in, in no time,” he ordered and the ladies nodded.
I was surprised by his words. Take care of me?
What for?
I followed the ladies wordlessly up the stairs and into a room which can only be described as a queen's suite.
They led me to a magnificent bathroom, furnished with mostly gold furniture, where I spent at least two hours soaking myself in the warm tub, washing my skin profusely and giving my hair a baby treatment.
By the time I walked out of the bathroom, I was feeling so much Alive and fresh and also more calm.
“We brought you some new outfits, a few minutes ago. I'm sure they will suit you, but you are welcome to let us know if you want to change anything.”
One of the ladies said.
Why were they treating me like some sort of special guest?
But I cannot find it in me to complain or ask out. Better enjoy it while it lasts.
I walked to the wardrobe and pulled out a short Jean and a white singlet, and changed into them while the maids excused me.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror and my heart twinged painfully as the first thing that flashed through my mind was my parents and my little brother.
I looked better than I did hours ago. Good nurturing can do that.
My curly brown hair bounced off my shoulders, all untangled and my face, which mum had always called a baby face, lacked the patches of dirt on it from earlier.
I would have loved to lock myself inside the room, but the maids came in again and demanded that I come downstairs with them for dinner.
In the dining hall, the boss was sitting on a chair with his phone in his hand, as I sat down far from him, my stomach growling from the aroma of food coming from the kitchen.
Pride demanded that I throw a tantrum and reject the food, but I was thinking for two people now, and I need to keep my baby healthy.
Even if it means having to swallow my ride first.
The lady from earlier, Alista came in with a tray of food and placed them before me. And I didn't hesitate before digging in hungrily, not caring what they would think.
“You are yet to tell me your name,” the boss requested.
I cleared my throat, deciding not to rebel now for my safety, “my name is…”
A loud slam of a door interrupted me and I jerked. The boss just raised his brow, not fazed as the thuds of footsteps approached us.
“Are you out of your mind, Ivan?”
~~Ivan~~“Do you know the gravity of what you just did? This is why you need me to help you make decisions, Ivan!! Not running off to do it on your own, Dammit" Uncle Romanov screamed, and I just nodded in response, lightly twisting and flipping the pen in my head.Now if only I can shut him up with this pen in his mouth.I'm sure I could if I angled my hand correctly.But as tempting as that thought seems, I know that I can't do that, so I have to endure this rant, and him talking to him like I was a child incapable of making my own decisions.“Rossi is a traitor, and luckily, his family got wiped out. What were you thinking, bringing his daughter in here? Of all girls… you were never one to take interest in auctions, so why this time and why her?”I ignored his question because I knew answering would just make things worse.All I need is for him to be done, so I could go to my room and get some fucking bourbon followed by hours of sleep. I've had a long fucking day.“Darya,” he sudde
One of the best things about Palermo, or shall I say, one of the things I love most_ was the chirping of birds every morning.Something that others might consider highly common, but it always soothes my nerves each time I wake upAnd in a way, it makes me feel connected to nature, to life.Something I never had in the scientists laboratory."Hey boss," Darya called, walking into my room, without knocking_ again.I turned from the window and shot her a glare but she just waved me off."If you want people to knock, lock the damn door. You are all dressed up. Where to?"Darya is the only one in La Serpe Nera who could talk to me like that and get away with it.She knows it, and she takes advantage of it to the brim.The brat."I have to go see a friend," I murmured, rolling up the sleeves of my shirt in frustration.Darya frowned, "A friend? Okay, I'll go get ready and....""No, I don't need you to come with me," I cut her off, "I just need to take care of something alone."And I really n
"Why do you think the boss kept her?""I've still been trying to wrap my head around that. He never participated in auctions and....she's not even been treated as a slave.""The nice room, food, assigning people to take care of her.""It's highly suspicious. I think something is going on here really.""Right."The two young ladies in the dinning didn't even bother to hide their voices, even though I was clearly in the room.The Audacity.But why not? It's not like I can do anything to them and they know that.Dad once told me that La Serpe Nera was one of the bravest and most fearless mafia families in the country.Met a few of them already and I wouldn't dare doubt that.They kept whispering about me as if I wasn't in the room and on my part I tried my best to ignore them.I have the same questions they had. And I hope that I get my answers soon.I focused on my food, feeling like a fish out of water... blocking out their whispers.For now food is what matters.The normal Cecilia wou
My first reaction was SHOCK!.Followed by a scream in my head to push him away.I raised my hands, intending to do just that, but the moment I placed my palms on my chest, a strange heat coursed through my whole body, making me shiver and dampening the fight and resistance in me instantly.His hand took hold of my neck as his lips pressed tighter against mine and the shivers turned to a delicious tingle.I moaned before I could stop myself but I didn't care.My palms clenched his fabric tightly as I opened up, giving his tongue access to invade my mouth.I moaned again, my eyes drifting close as his tongue sparred with mine.It was so good...I thought holding him tighter, arching closer to him so u could get more.It is just too good.His other hand slipped around my waist and pulled me closer to him. A gasp tore past my lip into his mouth when I felt his very hard erection on my tummy.I was definitely going crazy.That's the only word to describe what was happening yet I couldn't fi
The next morning...Hunger woke me before dawn, when everywhere was still dark.Growling hunger.Not like I didn't eat the night before.I did One of the maids had brought dinner to my room. Thankfully, the boss didn't demand my presence throughout the day and I wasn't interested in showing myself either.Now if only things would keep going on this way.My stomach growled again and with s groan I walked out of the room, heading to the kitchen.Damn pregnancy appetite.Thankfully there was some leftover Mac and cheese from last night and I went ahead to microwave a plate, humming in my chest as the food started to warm up.The sounds of footsteps froze me in my tracks.I felt him before he walked through the door and the moment he stepped inside the kitchen my entire body tensed up in fear...and something else.I have no idea what he would think of me rummaging through his kitchen.Would that make him mad?My hand shook as I opened the microwave and took out the food, trying to ignore
~~IVAN~~The look on Cecilia's face broke my heart but damn if I'd dwell on that.I don't care if she's hurt by my words which are the truth..."What do you mean?" She asked, frowning.. confusion laced in her eyes.I quirked my brow, "Are you gonna stand there and pretend you don't know what an evil man your father was?"She shook her head, her eyes shaking on her chest.And I tried, really tried to not look at her body, the curve of her tits and her slightly big stomach but that was a losing battle.Damn this mating heat for making me want to lose my mind.And apparently it had the same effect on her, which I could sense confuses her as fuck.The mating heat is unlike any level of Lust that existed. And animalistic craving. An inhumane need."I don't understand you." She said again, and I almost believed her.Almost did, but I'll be fucked if I let another Rossi fool me with their poker face.She was her father's pride.No way she didn't know of her dad's dealings.No way she didn't k
~~Cecilia~I bit my tongue to avoid uttering another word as Boss Ivan took his precious time, finishing his food."Can I go now?" I asked when he pushed his empty plate aside hoping he wouldn't stop me because I don't think I can take another minute staring at his face.Luckily, he nodded after some seconds of hesitation and I practically ran up the stairs to my room, making sure to lock the door behind me.Damn it to hell! I groaned, throwing myself on the bed as tears rushed down my cheek.I hate him!!I hate hate hate him!!!I wanted to scream, to hit something or tear at something, anything to release the frustration and anger boiling in me. But do I really want to release it?The worst thing was that, even with the hatred and anger I could still feel the mounting lust twisting my stomach to the point of pain.He did this...He did this. He was drugging me. For what? So that I could freely submit myself to him without any protest and without putting up a fight?COWARD!!!I bit m
~~IVAN~~"Yo, did you get the background files I asked for?"Instead of a response, all I heard was a shriek from a tiny voice, then fits of giggles and I couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips."Johnny! Come take your sister so I can have some moments of peace please!"The giggles stopped, then turned into a loud wait that made me wince as it echoed over my phone's speaker."Oh baby, I'm sorry. Go on...granny has to speak to uncle Ivan okay?"Of course Brent should have known better than to mention my name, because the next second Lacey was screaming."Uncle Van! Uncle Van.""Let me talk to her," I said chuckling, "You know she won't back down now.""Of course I know. Spoilt brat." Brent grumbled halfheartedly and I laughed.Nothing amazed me more than seeing Brent with his grandkids. It was amazing a man, as cruel, cold and brutal as him could be so soft when his babies were concerned."Uncle Van!" lacy screamed between giggles, "Uncle Van!"Her giggles warmed my heart"Hey