Chapter 3 Into The Woods

• “One more step and you're dead!" Nikolai's voice was cold, his eyes fixed on Cassandra as her gaze darted to the door.
• "You want to kill me?" she questioned, her heartbeat accelerating.
• Nikolai leaned against the wall, his eyes lingering on her heaving chest. "Kill you? Hm. I would have done that long ago, bunny."
• "Don't you dare call me that!" she shouted, her voice trembling. He smirked behind his mask.
• "Ahh. You don't like 'bunny'? What about 'tesoro'?" He stepped toward her, and she instinctively backed away until her back hit the wall. He closed the space between them.
• Cassandra lowered her gaze, unable to meet his piercing eyes. His breath, fresh with mint, brushed her face.
• "Let me see your hands, bunny." He grabbed her wrists, and she struggled, but his grip was unyielding.
• "I swear on my mother's grave, I will kill you myself when I get out of here!" she spat, her eyes blazing. He nodded, tending to the wound on her arm with surprising gentleness.
• "Killing me is almost impossible, bunny. You'd have to train a lot harder." He released her hands and pulled a gun from his pocket.
• Cassandra darted away, frantically scanning the room for something to defend herself with. "I don't care if you kill me, but we're both dying!" she snapped. He rolled his eyes.
• "Take off your clothes, bunny. I want to see you naked." His words made her eyes widen in shock.
• Was he serious? She hadn't even seen his face, and now this? "I'm not doing that!" Her voice was sharp and defiant. He chuckled, staring directly into her eyes.
• "My apologies if that sounded like a request, bunny. Off them now!" His voice was commanding, smooth and husky, reverberating through the room.
• Her hands trembled as she reluctantly removed her black gown, left only in a tight black singlet and fishnet stockings. Her figure captivated Nikolai.
• "Art... you're a piece of art," he murmured, smiling behind his mask. "All of it. Take everything off."
• Exhaling deeply, she hesitated before complying. Standing naked before him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, she glared daggers at him.
• Nikolai approached, his gaze fixed on her lips. Despite her vulnerability, he didn't glance at her body.
• "Beautiful... I could stare at you all day," he whispered in her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. She turned away, cheeks flushing.
• He inhaled the scent of her neck, closing his eyes. The smell of sunflowers filled his senses, making him feel invincible.
• From the moment he saw her, he knew she was his. He didn't need her approval. He didn't need her validation.
• "Get away from me," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
• "No, I won't," he replied, his tongue grazing her neck.
• As soon as she felt his tongue, she held her breath and pressed her legs together.
• "What kind of person licks someone like that? What are you, a dog?" She glared at him, and he nodded.
• "Woof, woof," Nikolai said, laughing, which made Cassandra grit her teeth.
• This man was definitely a psycho.
• He looked at her with satisfaction, pulling her closer until her breasts were pressed against his chest. He bit her skin gently, tracing invisible lines on her back with his fingers.
• Cassandra shoved him away, her face contorted with disgust. "Stay away from me!" she shouted, tears stinging her eyes.
• Nikolai's expression remained eerily calm. "Say something else," he said, rubbing the back of his head as if he were simply bored.
• "I want to go home! Take me home!" She demanded, clutching the bed sheets tightly around her, as if they could shield her from his cold presence.
• "No," he replied with chilling finality. "Not until I know why you tried to kill me. If your reasons are strong enough, I'll let you go. If they're weak, I'll kill you." His voice was icy, devoid of any hint of jest.
• Cassandra shivered. "Take off your mask," she demanded, her voice faltering.
• He raised an eyebrow, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "No, bunny. Maybe some other time." He dragged a chair closer and sat down, crossing his legs casually. "Now, tell me, how did you find me?"
• "I'm clever enough to track you down," she spat. "You and your family think you can come out of nowhere and take over our position in Italy?"
• Nikolai chuckled, a sound devoid of warmth. "Why not? No family has held the mafia position stronger than us. Ah, I see now. Your father told you we took what was rightfully yours?"
• Cassandra's face twisted in fury."I remember the days... your mother begged my father for mercy. You think you're powerful, but you're nothing."
• Nikolai's eyes darkened. "Watch your mouth," he warned.
• Unable to contain her rage, Cassandra slapped him. The room fell silent, the weight of her action settling like a stone in her chest. Nikolai's expression didn't change as he grabbed her by the neck and slammed her against the wall.
• "You should be dead by now, bunny. Don't test my patience." His nails dug into her skin, and she screamed in pain.
• "I can keep you here as long as I want," he hissed, his voice low and menacing. "No one, not a single soul from the D’Angelos, will ever see your dead bones or your face again." Cassandra's body trembled as his threat sank in.
• "You will behave, bunny," he continued, tightening his grip until she could barely breathe. "I despise naughty girls."
• He released her, and she crumpled to the floor, gasping for breath. "Pick up your phone and call your father," Nikolai ordered, his voice a deadly whisper. "I want to hear him beg."
• Nikolai tossed the phone to Cassandra, who hesitantly picked it up. She dialed her father's number with trembling fingers. "Put it on speaker, bunny," he commanded.
• The phone rang twice, but no one answered. She tried Andrew’s number next, and this time, he picked up.
• "Hello?" she said, glancing nervously at Nikolai.
• "Cassandra, my love! Where are you? I’ve been trying to reach you!" Andrew's concerned voice came through.
• "Andrew... tell Papa that Nikolai Volkov has kidnapped me!" she cried, her eyes locked on Nikolai as tears streamed down her face. "He’s harassing me!" she added, her voice breaking into a scream.
• "W-what?"
• Nikolai rolled his eyes and snatched the phone from her hand, ending the call abruptly. He looked back at her with his piercing hazel eyes. "Let’s play a game, bunny. If you win, I’ll let you go. But if you lose, I will fuck you so much that my name would be the last thing you remember," he said, sliding his hands into his pockets.
• "I’m not playing your sick game," she spat.
• "It’s past six. By eleven, we’ll go into the woods. It’s dangerous and thrilling. If you make it out, you’re free. But
• if you fail... it’ll be a delight to hear you scream my name tonight," he said with a sinister smile.