Chapter 1 Collateral

• BELLA’s POV
• “Shhhh...”
• A commanding voice rasped against my ear, cold and riddled with something that had the hair on my back standing.
• I froze.
• ‘’Who are—‘’ Before I could finish my sentence, a heavy palm clamped over my mouth, the grip seizing my breath in my throat.
• Just as quickly, a thick fabric smashed against my mouth and nose, reeking of fossil fuel and chemicals that made my lungs twist in repulsiveness.
• The fuck?
• What the fuck was—
• My hand tightened around the sink as I thrashed, my fingers clawing futilely at the masculine wrist.
• The hold on my lips tightened and my vision began to sway, my eyes watering as darkness slowly dragged me down.
• ‘’Mmmhhh…’’ My voice was a distorted hum as I struggled to bite down on the hand.
• But it was useless.
• Futile.
• I slumped heavily, my eyes closing in defeat as I gave into the darkness.
• ___
• My eyes snapped open.
• I sat up abruptly, my heart beating Incessantly in my chest as I stuttered backwards, my breathing heavy. As I did, my back pressed against soft silk.
• I had expected to be in a dark space… a basement even.. tied over a chair and blind folded.
• Instead…
• My breath caught in my throat as I swung off the bed, my legs hitting the marble floor in what would send jolts of electricity down my spine.
• My legs trembled as I walked over to the vanity table and stared at my reflection in the mirror.
• I looked….exactly how I’d been taken.
• No bruises.
• No sign of manhandling. Only a small smear of lip gloss by the side of my lips.
• I reached up and wiped it off, my heart beating incessantly in my chest as I stared around the room.
• It was beautiful…
• ‘’Why the fuck would anyone kidnap me to a place like—‘’
• CLICK.
• The heavy double doors swung open, and the temperature in the room plummeted.
• My breath caught.
• I tried to step back but my legs seemed to have been frozen in place.
• Two intimidatingly ferocious men stepped inside, their presence instantly consuming every drop of oxygen in the space.
• They were towering, broad-shouldered, and striking with sharp jawlines, dark piercing eyes, and an unmistakable aura of casual violence hidden beneath tailored black suits.
• They were..Identical. Twins.
• My insides twisted.
• Still, I maintained a cold font, my hand tightening into fist by my side.
• ‘’Who the hell are you?” I demanded, keeping my voice as steady as humanly possible.
• The twin on the left…the one with dark eyes that seemed to be tracking my every move curved his lips into a ruthless smirk. Alessandro.’’ he murmured, his voice a low, gravelly purr.
• He gestured casually to the man beside him. “And my brother, Domenico.”
• Domenico curved a chilling smile that had goosebump flooding my skin.
• His gaze swept down my frame with an intense, shimmering heat that made my skin prickle. “And you…’’ He eyed me provocatively. ‘’are our newly acquired collateral.”
• The word hung heavily in the air.
• Before he could say another word, laughter rippled out of my throat.
• ‘’Collateral? Are you fucking kidding me right now?’’ My hand reached up to wipe the tear that had formed in my eyes due to laughter.
• They both looked at each other for a moment.
• Before looking at me with furrowed brows.
• ‘’What the fuck is funny?’’ Domenico asked, his jaws clenching as he took a heavy step forward.
• I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced myself to stop laughing.
• Luckily, Alessandro held him back just before he could reach me. His eyes flashed with dangerous amusement. “You’re supposed to be on your knees, begging to be released. Maybe a few tears here and there…. Not laughing.’’
• I waved a dismissive hand in the air at his words. ‘’Tears is such a waste of hydration.’’
• His eyes went two shades wider and a smirk lip up his lips.
• What was I supposed to do?
• Ever since the walked into the room and I felt the aura emanating from them, I knew one thing.
• I was either going to die or die.
• So there was no use wasting my tears.
• It wasn’t hard to tell men from the underworld from normal men.
• A few days ago, my father had received a letter with the seal of these mafias on it demanding for money owed to them.
• He had tore it and ignored their warnings so of course I knew a day like this would come.
• There were repercussions to doing business with men like these.
• And I was the one going to bear the brunt.
• ‘’Let’s get this over with.’’ Domenico stepped forward, his massive frame closing the distance between us in two effortless strides.
• The shear heat radiating off him was overwhelming, compelling me to hold my breath as he reached out.
• Without a word, he grabbed my wrist.
• His grip was firm, yet controlled—a controlled strength that sent an unexpected, unwanted shiver straight down my spine.
• He bound my wrists tightly together with a thick leather restraint, his thumb brushing against the sensitive pulse point inside my wrist.
• My heart hammered wildly against my rib..half out of fury, the other half out of something far more traitorous.
• Even though I knew I was going to die soon, I couldn’t help the trembling in my legs.
• Alessandro reached for something and I couldn’t help the pounding in my chest at the thought that it was a butcher knife.
• ‘’Wait I—‘’
• He pulled out a camera and my words hung in my throat.
• My brow furrowed and my thighs clenched tightly as hot pee threatened to pour out of me.
• He stepped forward with the camera and took a quick snap of me.
• Then, Domenico reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a phone.
• My phone.
• He gave me a slight glance before dialing a number on speaker.
• It rang twice before a familiar, clipped voice answered.
• My heart constricted.
• “What?!’’ My father snapped from the other end, his voice riddled with irritation.
• “It’s us, Conti.’’ Alessandro said, his tone dripping with quiet authority.
• Silence slammed down on the line. I could almost hear the blood draining from my father’s face through the speaker.
• “You’ve been ignoring our calls for three weeks.’’ Domenico stated coldly, stepping closer to me, his presence looming over me like a shadow. “So we decided to collect a deposit. We have your daughter. If you want her back in one piece, you pay us every cent you owe by midnight.”
• A low, haunting laugh echoed through the phone’s speaker immediately.
• Chills rolled down my spine.
• I already knew what was coming.
• I knew who my father was, knew the absolute void where his heart should have been.
• Yet, as the sound filled the silent room, my shoulders slouched slightly, and my bound hands curled into tight, desperate fists at my sides.
• “Do whatever you want with her.’’ my father sneered coldly. “I don’t care.”