Chapter 3

• Aria was pulled into a dark room by Ricco, the mafia enforcer. The air was thick, and the room smelled stale. She looked around, trying to see in the dim light. It felt like an office, with a neat and clean desk. A heavy curtain blocked any outside light.
• Her clothes were torn and dirty, and she felt grimy. She couldn’t remember how long she had been in the basement; it felt like just a few hours, but she had lost track of time. Panic rose in her chest as she realized she might have been there for days.
• She glanced at Ricco, who stood silently by the door. Fear made her step back. She tried to speak, to ask for help, but the tape over her mouth held her back. Frustration filled her, and tears threatened to fall.
• “Please let me go,” she thought. But the room was silent, and no one heard her.
• Ricco looked at her, his expression hard to read. She tugged at the tape, but it wouldn’t budge. The darkness around her felt heavy, and despair washed over her.
• Ricco roughly pushed Aria to the floor. She was too weak to resist and fell hard, crying out in pain. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she tried to catch her breath. Just then, the door opened, and a man walked in, taking a seat in the large chair at the head of the room.
• Beside him stood another man, tall and muscular. He had long hair that framed his handsome yet dangerous face. There was an air of confidence about him, and Aria could feel the tension in the room rise as he entered.
• The man in the chair exuded power and authority. As soon as he sat down, all the guards in the room bowed their heads in respect. Aria’s heart raced as she realized this man must be the leader of the mafia. Fear gripped her, and she felt even more vulnerable on the floor.
• She looked up at him, trying to gauge his intentions. The atmosphere was thick with danger, and she knew she was in the presence of someone who held immense power. Her mind raced with thoughts of escape, but for now, she was trapped in this nightmare.
• The mafia king's gaze was locked on Aria, and she could feel the weight of his stare. It sent chills down her spine, intensifying her fear. She was too weak to fight back, and deep down, she knew his intentions were far from good.
• With a subtle signal to Ricco, the king commanded action. Ricco stepped forward, his expression cold and unyielding. He harshly grabbed Aria by the arm, yanking her off the floor. Pain shot through her as he dragged her toward the mafia king, her heart racing with panic.
• As they approached the imposing figure, Aria struggled to keep her footing, the rough treatment making her feel even more vulnerable. She glanced up at the king, whose eyes bore into her with a mix of interest and menace. The room felt suffocating, and she realized she was now completely at his mercy.
• “Please,” she thought desperately, hoping for some sign of kindness, but all she saw was the cold, calculating look of a man who wielded power without remorse.
• Dante, the mafia king, reached out and grabbed Aria's hair, pulling her head back to force her to look into his eyes. She gasped at the sudden pain, but she couldn’t look away. As she met his gaze, she felt a mix of fear and defiance.
• Dante studied her closely, his eyes narrowing as he took in the beauty of her blue eyes, reminiscent of the ocean. For a moment, he seemed captivated, staring at her as if trying to read her thoughts.
• “Well, well,” he smirked, breaking the silence. “What a lovely prize you are. What is her name?”
• Ricco stood nearby, a hint of pride in his demeanor. “Aria," he said. "Henry sold her to us because he couldn’t pay his debt, Boss. Thought you might find her… useful.”
• Dante chuckled softly, still holding her hair tightly. “Useful? She’s more than just a toy, Ricco. Look at those eyes. They’re full of spirit. I like that.”
• With a swift motion, Dante removed the tape from her mouth. Aria hissed in pain as the rough adhesive pulled at her skin, leaving her lips dry and bleeding. Blood oozed from the corners of her mouth, and she felt a wave of humiliation wash over her.
• Dante's eyes gleamed with interest as he touched her blood with his finger, bringing it to his lips. He sucked his finger, savoring the taste. “Mmm, I must say, this is quite enticing,” he remarked, a sinister smile spreading across his face.
• Aria felt a surge of anger at being treated like this. “I’m not yours to play with!” she shouted, despite the fear coursing through her.
• Dante raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained. “Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong, my dear. You’re exactly what I want. And I always get what I want.”
• He released her hair slightly.
• Aria struggled against the overwhelming fear that gripped her. “I didn’t do anything to you! Please, just leave me alone!” she pleaded, hoping to reach some part of his humanity. But Dante was not a simple man to handle.
• He threw his head back and laughed, a cruel sound that echoed in the room like a slap to her face. The mockery in his laughter made her tears spill over, cascading down her cheeks as she felt utterly powerless.
• In an instant, Dante's expression shifted. He grabbed her throat with a firm grip, his fingers pressing against her skin. “You are mine now,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “And I will do whatever I want with you. Once you come here, there is no going back to that world again. This is your world now, until your last breath.”
• With that, he released her throat, and Aria gasped for air, her heart racing. The reality of her situation crashed down on her like a wave, drowning her in despair.
• Dante turned away briefly, then called out to his guards. “Bring in Luciana,” he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
• A moment later, a woman in her thirties entered the room. She had dark hair and sharp features, exuding an air of authority. Luciana bowed her head slightly, acknowledging Dante.
• “Clean her up and make her ready for me,” he ordered, his voice cold and unyielding. “Tonight, she is my toy.”
• Luciana nodded, her expression unreadable. “Yes, Sir,” she replied, her voice steady.
• As she approached Aria, the reality of her new existence settled heavily on her shoulders. Aria looked up at Luciana, searching for any sign of compassion, but all she saw was the determination in the woman's eyes.
• “Come with me,” Luciana said, extending a hand. Aria hesitated for a moment, but the weight of Dante's words hung over her like a dark cloud. With no other choice, she took Luciana ’s hand, knowing that her life had irrevocably changed.