The following days were a test of will. Derek was patient—but only to a point.
I spent my time wandering the estate, memorizing every hall, every door. The guards were always watching, always aware. Escape wasn't an option. Not yet.
One evening, I was in the grand library when Derek found me. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his dark gaze burning into me.
"You've been avoiding me, dolcezza."
I set the book down slowly. "Maybe I just don't enjoy your company."
He smirked. "Liar."
Before I could react, he crossed the room in two strides, gripping my chin between his fingers. His touch was firm, demanding.
"I don't tolerate disobedience, Elena."
I swallowed, my pulse hammering. "I'm not your pet."
His lips curled into something dangerous. "No. You're mine."
Derek released me and stepped back, his eyes still sharp, still watching. "Come. There's something you need to see."
I hesitated but followed.
He led me outside, to the courtyard where several of his men stood in a circle. In the center, a man knelt, his hands bound, his face bruised.
"This," Derek said, his voice low, "is what happens to those who betray me."
The man whimpered as Derek's second-in-command, Matteo, pulled out a gun.
My stomach lurched.
Derek leaned in, his lips brushing my ear. "Watch, Elena."
I squeezed my eyes shut, but the gunshot still rang through my skull. When I opened my eyes, the man was lifeless.
Derek turned to me, his gaze unreadable. "You wanted to test me. Consider this your lesson."
I hated him.
But more than that—I hated the part of me that wasn't as afraid as I should have been.