Chapter 8

• Chapter 8: A Dangerous Attraction
• Elena's stomach twisted with unease.
• The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting golden hues across the elegant bedroom. But it felt like a cage. A luxurious, suffocating prison.
• She hadn’t slept. Not after what Gabriel had said.
• *"Tomorrow, you’ll dance for us."*
• The words haunted her, wrapping around her like invisible chains.
• She didn’t know what he had planned, but she knew one thing—it wouldn’t be good.
• A knock at the door made her jolt.
• Before she could answer, the door swung open.
• Alessio.
• His presence filled the room, dark and commanding. He was dressed in a crisp black shirt, sleeves rolled up, his watch glinting under the morning light. He looked as powerful as ever. Cold. Untouchable.
• Elena's throat tightened.
• His gaze swept over her, taking in her disheveled appearance. "Get dressed."
• She frowned. "For what?"
• Alessio didn’t answer. Instead, he walked to the wardrobe and pulled out a sleek black dress, tossing it onto the bed.
• Elena's pulse quickened. "I’m not wearing that."
• His jaw tightened. "You will."
• She crossed her arms, planting her feet. "Make me."
• A muscle in his jaw twitched. In one swift move, he closed the space between them.
• She s*ck*d in a breath, stepping back instinctively.
• Alessio grabbed her wrist, pulling her forward until she was inches from him. "You seem to be under the impression that you have a choice."
• Elena glared up at him, refusing to be intimidated. "I do."
• Alessio’s fingers tightened around her wrist—not painfully, but enough to remind her who held the power. "You signed the contract, Elena. You belong to us now. That means you obey."
• She yanked her hand free. "Obedience isn’t in my nature."
• Alessio’s lips curled slightly, almost like a smirk. "We’ll see about that."
• He stepped back, nodding toward the dress. "You have five minutes."
• Elena’s stomach churned. "Or what?"
• His dark eyes locked onto hers. "Or I put it on you myself."
• Her breath caught.
• He meant it.
• She could see it in the way he stood, in the quiet threat behind his words.
• Biting back a retort, she grabbed the dress and stalked toward the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
• Her hands trembled as she gripped the fabric.
• She hated this.
• Hated them.
• But deep down, a more terrifying truth whispered through her mind.
• She hated that part of her was starting to feel something else, too.
• The music pulsed through the club, slow and seductive.
• Elena stood in the center of the dimly lit VIP lounge, surrounded by the weight of hungry gazes.
• Gabriel lounged in a leather chair, his arms draped over the sides, his golden-brown eyes gleaming with amusement.
• Alessio sat beside him, his expression unreadable, fingers tapping idly against his glass.
• She swallowed hard.
• Women in elegant dresses moved around the room, draping themselves over powerful men, laughter mixing with the low thrum of the music.
• It was a different world.
• And now she was trapped in it.
• Gabriel smirked. "Nervous, princess?"
• Elena’s fists clenched at her sides. "You’re disgusting."
• Gabriel’s grin widened. "Thank you."
• Alessio’s gaze flickered to her. "Dance."
• Her heart pounded. "No."
• Silence.
• A dangerous one.
• Gabriel let out a slow chuckle, tilting his head. "Wrong answer."
• Alessio’s stare was steady, unwavering. "You don’t want to make this difficult, Elena."
• Her nails dug into her palms. "You think humiliating me will break me?"
• Gabriel leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Sweetheart, this isn’t about breaking you."
• His gaze darkened.
• "This is about control."
• Elena’s stomach twisted.
• Gabriel nodded toward the DJ. The music shifted, turning darker, sultrier.
• She could feel their eyes on her. Not just theirs, but the other men in the room, waiting, watching.
• Her pulse roared in her ears.
• Alessio leaned back in his chair, his voice smooth but firm. "Dance, Elena. Now."
• Her body refused to move.
• She would rather die than give them what they wanted.
• But then Gabriel stood, stepping toward her, slow and predatory.
• He reached out, his fingers brushing her waist. "Shall I help you?"
• She jerked away. "Don’t touch me."
• Gabriel’s smirk grew. "Then do it yourself."
• Her breath came fast, her heart hammering against her ribs.
• She was cornered.
• She knew what they were doing.
• They were forcing her into submission, making her acknowledge their control.
• And she hated that it was working.
• Alessio’s voice cut through the tension. "This is your last chance."
• Elena’s throat tightened.
• She could feel the heat of their gazes, waiting for her to defy them.
• To be punished.
• Her body trembled with rage, with humiliation, with something else she didn’t want to name.
• And then—
• She moved.
• Slowly, stiffly, her body began to sway to the rhythm.
• Gabriel grinned. "There’s a good girl."
• Her stomach churned with disgust.
• She let the music guide her, her hips moving, her arms trailing down her sides. It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t graceful.
• But it was enough.
• Enough to satisfy them.
• Alessio’s gaze darkened as he watched her. His fingers tightened around his glass, his expression unreadable.
• Gabriel, however, looked utterly delighted. "See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?"
• Elena shot him a glare, her movements never stopping. "Go to hell."
• Gabriel’s chuckle was low and rich. "Oh, sweetheart, I plan to. But not before I take you with me."
• A sharp pang of rage shot through her.
• She turned her back to them, pushing through the dance, her body moving on autopilot.
• She hated this.
• Hated the way they controlled her.
• Hated the way their eyes burned into her skin.
• But most of all—
• She hated the way her body betrayed her, responding to their attention, to their presence.
• She spun, locking eyes with Alessio.
• His stare was sharp, intense.
• And then, before she could process it—
• He stood.
• The air shifted.
• Gabriel’s amusement faded slightly as he watched.
• Alessio stepped toward her, slow, measured.
• Her breath caught as he reached out, catching her wrist.
• The music faded into the background.
• Alessio pulled her closer, their bodies nearly touching.
• His voice was quiet, but firm. "Enough."
• The spell broke.
• Elena stumbled back, her heart hammering.
• Gabriel smirked. "Looks like our little pet has some bite."
• Alessio didn’t smile. His eyes held something else. Something unreadable.
• Then he turned to Gabriel.
• "She’s had enough for tonight."
• Gabriel raised a brow but didn’t argue.
• Alessio looked back at Elena, his voice softer, but no less commanding.
• "Go to your room."
• She didn’t hesitate.
• She turned and walked away, her pulse still racing.
• As she left, she could feel their eyes on her.
• Watching.
• Waiting.
• And she knew
• This was only the beginning.