Bella's POV
The car sped through the darkness like a bullet, fast and silent. Leaving me so little chance of escaping. "You don't run from the devil. You survive him....if you're lucky." I sat stiffly in the backseat, arms crossed, with the chains back on my wrists.
Alessandro de Luca—A.k.a the Devil, sat beside me in stony silence, the soft leather interior doing little to make the danger crackle between us. He hasn't said a word since dragging me from the auction center like some feral thing. After Pressing me against the wall, And breathing threats against my skin like they were kisses.
Two hours passed in silence, broken only by the growl of the engine and the low murmur of Alessandro answering occasional calls in Italian. His side profile was faintly highlighted by passing headlights, sculpted, cold, and unreadable. How could someone look so handsome and be so terrifying at the same time?
I stared out the tinted windows as the trees blurred by, and towering iron gates came into view. They opened automatically, revealing a winding road that led to a mansion so massive and cold it looked like a villain's lair.
Because it was.
The place was a fortress, with white stone walls. Towering pillars. CCTV camera on every angle, guards stationed at every angle. He didn't just have money. He has power and influence. Paranoia.
The car rolled to a stop in front of the grand entrance. Alessandro stepped out first, his suit immaculate,his expression still unreadable. The driver opened my door, but I stayed seated, refusing to budge.
The devil appeared again, looming beside the door, as he unlocked my restraints. "Out, now," he ordered.
I smirked. "You'll have to drag me, Devil face." I folded my arms still seated. Challenge flickered in his eyes. Without another word, he reached in and yanked me out with zero effort. I kicked and cursed, "leave me fuck alone" I yell fighting against his hold. He didn't even flinch. His arms wrapped around me like iron bands as he tossed me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.
"Put me down, you sadistic bastard!" Hitting him harder, "Gladly" he replied, with sarcasm.
Inside, the house was worse. Opulent look with cold, high ceilings and polished marble floors. Black and gold everywhere, no warmth, just like his soul.
He kicked the door shut behind us, storming down the hallway, then dropped me—without heads-up onto the floor. I scrambled back, glaring up at him with hatred.
"You're insane," I hissed. He only gave me a cold, knowing smirk.
"Master De Luca," a soft elderly voice cut in.
I looked up to see a woman in her fifties, dressed in black crisped uniform, stern and composed, eyes sharp and curious.
"She is to be taken to the room, I asked to be prepared," Alessandro said, not sparing me a glance.
"Yes master," she replied with curtsy.
His phone rang, and he turned on his heels, disappearing down the hallway, voice low and commanding as he barked orders in Italian.
The housekeeper gave me a small, polite smile.
"Come, dear." I didn't move at first. She sighed, giving me a pity look. "Dinner will be brought shortly, I suggest you eat. It will be a long night."
Long night? What the hell did she mean?
Still, I followed, not like I had a say, but I needed to know the layout. To plan my escape.
Up the stairs, past several rooms, we stopped at a room on the second floor. It was beautiful. And terrifying. Plush bedding, queen-size bed, floor-to-ceiling windows. Not what I was expecting.
The bathroom looked like it belonged to a five-star hotel. Too much luxury could be its kind of prison.
"I'll send up a tray," the woman said, then turned to leave. "If you need anything, just ring the bell by the door."
As soon as the door shut behind her, I locked the door. my heart pounded as I scanned the room, the windows were locked, but I noticed a vast garden with no guards in sight, there was no balconyto get a clear view, maybe the vent above the closet— could work maybe.
I dragged a chair over, climbing up and peeking in. Too small, I wouldn't fit, "damn it". I came down, slumping on the bed.
Why me? I wasn't special, I wasn't anyone, why would a man like him take an interest?
A knock on the door interrupted my spiral thoughts. Then a voice, " Bella." I froze.
Alessandro, I stood, backing up slowly, " open the door." Silence. Then a low chuckle. "Don't make me break it." He would, I know he would after all he's a psychopath.
I refused to answer, I felt daring, after a beat I heard retreating footsteps, and I exhaled, shakily.
Minutes passed, as I paced around the room, no escape, no exit, all routes led to him.
Until something caught my eye, on the edge of the nightstand—slightly tucked under the lamp— was a photograph.
I picked it up. A young girl—maybe ten. Red hair, freckles, green eyes, chubby standing between two boys.
One was unmistakably a younger Alessandro- softer and smiling, but holding a rose behind his back. The other boy looked about the same age, eyes trained on the girl like she was his sun.
My breath caught, the girl, she could pass off as me, an older version. What the hell?
Flipping it over, words written on it.
"Find her at all cost, my rose." Hitting a distant memory.
Before I could piece out what I had found. The door burst open, shattering the locks. Alessandro stood in the doorway, eyes wild, chest rising and falling.
Quickly tucking the picture behind me. He moved towards me, taking slow deliberate strides, backing me close to the wall. His hand reached for mine, taking the picture.
His gaze darkened, with anger and fury, " Don't ever touch this," he said, voice low and dangerous.
I was hurt a little and wanted to taunt him.
"Why." I sneered. "Did she leave you when she realized what kind of monster you are?"
Out of nowhere, he's hands snapped around my throat, squeezing the life out of me, I gasped, my fingers clawing at his wrist. His eyes were empty. Hollow. "Please," I choked. "Don't hurt me" Something shifted in him, his grip loosened, and his forehead furrowed. He let go suddenly, stepping back, blinking—almost confused.
He turned, leaving with the photo still clutched in his hands, while I rubbed my now sore throat. But at the doorway, he paused. Looking over his shoulder, his smirk returned.
"I can't promise I won't kill you if you keep taunting me little rose, but for now.." his eyes glint, voice dropping into something lethal, " I'll keep you safe. I think I've taken a liking to you."
And with that, he disappeared into the hallway, leaving me in my new found prison, breathless and shaking.