Chapter 1 Belonging To The Devil

• Izzy’s POV
• That mansion had kept me imprisoned for as long as I could remember.
• Every day, I would look out the window, wishing for a moment that I could be one of the birds as they soared over the sky. Only long enough to get away.
• My heart, therefore, skipped a beat when one of Father's guards knocked on my chamber door and said, "He wants to see you." Perhaps he had finally decided to let me go.
• I remained silent. My bare feet hardly made a sound as I simply followed the man along the chilly marble corridor. I hastily dabbed at my clothes with my shaking hands.
• Perhaps he has changed. Perhaps he's prepared to give me my life back.
• The door of Father's study crashed behind me as I walked in.
• He was seated behind a big oak desk in his normal chair. One hand holds a cigar, the other a glass of whiskey. His icy look locked with mine.
• He said, "Sit."
• I took a seat.
• There was silence for a while. Like a battle drum, my heart pounded in my chest.
• Then at last he said something.
• "You're going on a little trip, Izzy," he remarked.
• I blinked. "A journey?"
• "Towards the city," he continued. "Someone is going to meet you."
• A weird shiver went through me. "Who?"
• I felt sick to my stomach as he smiled.
• "Someone who bought you for a lot of money."
• At first, the words didn't make sense. I looked at him, trying to make sense of it.
• "Paid... for me?" I said.
• His elbows were resting on the desk as he leaned forward. "You are no longer a child. You're a female. And women are valuable, particularly attractive ones. He'll have you now. His belongings.
• I halted breathing. "Are you trying to sell me?"
• "No," he said icily. "I've sold you already."
• "You can't!" My chair crashed behind me as I got to my feet. "You're my dad!"
• He squinted his eyes. You are also my burden. Don't act as though you were unaware that this day would arrive.
• I shook my head and said, "I won't go."
• “You will,” he said, carefully getting to his feet. "There is nothing you can do."
• "I would rather die," I yelled.
• Then the slap arrived.
• I was pushed back into the chair by the force and speed of it. My face was burning. Tears pricked my eyes, but I fought the need to cry.
• He leaned down and said, "You'll go," with a low growl. "Or I will kill you myself."
• A black automobile with tinted windows was thrown at me. The guard next to me remained silent and ignored me. I tried not to tremble as I sat with my hands folded in my lap.
• Hours went by. The city appeared. Neon lights, tall buildings, and people drinking and laughing on the walkways.
• It seemed like a different planet.
• I wasn't going to the laughs, though. We drove to a big, icy, and terrible mansion on the hill that was gated.
• The motorist arrived. The gate opened. Like luggage, I was pushed out of the automobile.
• Before I could get to the front door, it opened.
• And there he was.
• Tall. Greasy hair. His hairy chest was surrounded by a gold chain. His eyes scanned me like I was meat, his shirt half unbuttoned.
• "Glorious," he remarked. "Your dad told the truth."
• I said nothing. As he got closer, my gut churned.
• He smiled and continued, "My name is Carlo." "Doll, you'll come to love me."
• He touched my cheek with his hand. I recoiled and took a step back.
• His grin dimmed. "First rule. You don't distance yourself from me.
• I bit my lip to keep from crying.
• "Take her inside!" He let out a bark.
• There were two guards. One took hold of my arm.
• "No!" I thrashed and kicked as I yelled.
• Still, they pulled me in.
• They tossed me into a huge room with velvet drapes and golden mirrors. However, it had the feel of a jail.
• With a loud click, the door locked behind me.
• I fell to the ground and rolled into a ball. My body ached. I felt more pain in my soul.
• Hours went by. Perhaps more. I had no idea. I was too numb.
• Then I noticed it on the vanity table: a silver hairpin.
• Something tiny, but piercing.
• I had no intention of using it. Not at all. Not until the door opened and I heard it.
• Drunk, Carlo stumbled in. His belt was half undone, and his shirt was open.
• He said, "Time to get to know each other better."
• My heart was racing. I got up and retreated into the corner.
• He took a step toward her. "My dear, don't make this difficult."
• "Avoid me at all costs," I said.
• He chuckled. "You believe you can frighten me?"
• I kept the hairpin behind my back in my hand.
• He made a lunge.
• I let out a yell.
• Then I stabbed.
• He got the pin in his neck. Choking, he gasped. The blood sprayed. Stumbling back, he gripped the wound.
• His eyes widened in surprise as I saw him fall to the ground. Once, his body twitched. Then he ceased to move.
• Dead.
• Dead.
• I let the pin fall. Blood was all over my hands. Everything was red, including my face, arms, and clothes.
• I didn't consider. I simply ran.
• Through the main entrance, down the corridor. I went unnoticed. The guards were either intoxicated or asleep.
• Barefoot, cold, and trembling, I rushed down the hill.
• In the distance, the city lights became hazy. My legs were burning. My lungs were burning.
• I didn't stop, though.
• I had to leave. I had to live.
• Sirens.
• Nearby, perhaps. Were they for me?
• With my heart pounding, I turned into an alley.
• Across the street, a spotlight shone brightly. Flashing red and blue lights. It echoed from a loudspeaker:
• "Stop! "Hands where they are visible!"
• Like a deer caught in headlights, I halted and blinked into the brightness.
• I was encircled by four policemen with their weapons out.
• I cautiously lifted my blood-stained hands into the air.
• Tears streamed down my face.
• Then someone yelled, "She's covered in blood!" and the entire earth shook. Fall to the floor! Right now!