Bella Carvey's world is turned upside down when her mother's life-threatening illness forces her to make an impossible decision. Desperate for money to pay for the surgery that could save her, she agrees to a dark deal with the notorious mafia boss, Damion Van Zandt. In exchange for half a million dollars, Bella sacrifices something far more precious her innocence. Living in the opulent mansion of a man haunted by the brutal death of his fiancée, Bella quickly becomes entangled in a web of power, betrayal, and dangerous secrets. Damion, known for his cold-hearted business deals with women, is drawn to Bella in a way he cannot explain. She reminds him of the woman he lost, but as their paths cross, he finds himself torn between seeking revenge for his past and a second chance at love. But Bella's arrival does not go unnoticed. Damion's most trusted woman, No. 1, sees Bella as a threat to her position and will stop at nothing to remove her. As rivalries intensify and secrets unravel, Bella finds herself trapped between the world of mafia politics and the emotions she's starting to feel for the man who holds her future in his hands. Will Bella navigate the treacherous world she's stepped into, or will she become another casualty of Damion's dark past? In a world where love and betrayal collide, Bella must decide: Can she trust Damion with her heart, or will the ghosts of his past tear them apart?
Chapter 1 The Contract
Bella Carvey had always been the good girl, the one who obeyed every rule, never went against her mother's wishes, and made sure to keep a low profile. It was the only way to survive after her father's death when she was just twelve. With no inheritance to speak of and her mother diagnosed with cancer, Bella had no choice but to drop out of school to work long hours in a diner, trying to make ends meet. She had never imagined she'd be forced into a decision that would change everything she knew about herself and her morals.
The warm scent of coffee and sizzling bacon filled the small, run-down diner where Bella worked. The steady hum of conversation and clinking of dishes didn't make her feel at home. They reminded her of how far she was from the life she had once envisioned before life had shoved her into a corner where every choice was a gamble.
She wiped the counter, her hands trembling from the anxiety gnawing at her chest. Her mother's health had deteriorated rapidly in the past month. The doctors had given them no hope unless they could afford an expensive surgery something Bella couldn't dream of paying for.
The diner's door chimed, and Bella glanced up, her heart stopping at the figure standing in the doorway. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in a black suit that screamed money and power. His dark eyes scanned the room, immediately honing in on her. His presence alone seemed to command the attention of the entire room, though no one dared to say anything.
"Bella Carvey?" The deep, smooth voice cut through the low murmur of conversation, and Bella stiffened.
She nodded, her throat tight.
"I'm Adrian Luciano," the man said, his eyes assessing her with an intensity that made her uncomfortable. "I work for Damion Van Zandt. He has a proposal for you."
Damion Van Zandt. The name sent a chill down her spine. Everyone knew who he was, the infamous mafia boss, known for his ruthless ways and cold-hearted business deals. To work for him, to even be near him, meant one thing: danger.
"What do you mean, a proposal?" Bella asked, forcing herself to speak, even though her stomach was tied in knots.
Adrian slid an envelope across the counter, his eyes not leaving hers. "Half a million dollars. In exchange for one thing."
Bella felt her heart skip. Half a million? It was an amount she could never dream of earning in a lifetime. But what could he possibly want from her in return?
She glanced at the envelope, then back up at Adrian. "What do you mean, one thing?"
He leaned in slightly, his voice lowering. "Your virginity."
Bella froze. The words echoed in her mind like a slap across her face. It couldn't be real. This had to be some kind of sick joke.
"Why would you offer me that much money?" Bella asked, her voice trembling.
Adrian's lips curled into a slight smirk, but his eyes were unreadable. "Damion is known for making deals with women. You wouldn't be the first."
Bella's chest tightened, the weight of the situation pressing on her. Her first instinct was to refuse, to throw the envelope in his face and walk away. But then, her mother's pale face flashed before her eyes. The bills, the doctors, the inevitable truth: if she didn't do something, she would lose the one person who mattered most to her.
"I... I need to think about it," she said, her voice small.
"You have twenty-four hours," Adrian said, standing up. "Don't keep him waiting."
He turned on his heel, leaving the diner with the same cold authority he had entered with. Bella stared at the envelope for a long time, her mind racing. The decision before her was impossible. The money was more than she could ever imagine, enough to give her mother the surgery she needed, enough to fix everything.
But at what cost?
The rest of the shift passed in a blur, Bella barely noticing the customers, the clinking of glasses, the low hum of idle chatter. She felt like a prisoner, trapped in a cage with no way out. How could she possibly say yes to such a deal? How could she sell something so personal, something that had always been her choice and hers alone?
But what choice did she have?
By the time she clocked out that evening, the weight of the decision had only grown heavier. Her heart was a mixture of hope and guilt, and she knew that once she made the decision, there would be no going back. The contract would define everything from that moment forward.
She didn't sleep that night. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw her mother's face, pale and sickly, lying in a hospital bed. The thought of losing her was unbearable. What other options did she have?
The next day, Bella found herself standing in front of the mansion that belonged to Damion Van Zandt. The gates were tall, and the guards who watched her as she approached looked like men who were used to enforcing fear.
Adrian greeted her at the door, as if it had been just another business transaction. He led her through the lavish halls of the estate, past walls of expensive art and intricate decor, all of which felt foreign to her. It was a world she had never imagined stepping into.
When they reached the office, Damion stood behind a large mahogany desk, his back turned to her as he studied some papers. He didn't look up when she entered.
"You're Bella Carvey, correct?" His voice was cool, his tone like ice.
She nodded, her throat dry.
Damion finally turned to face her. His dark, piercing eyes swept over her with an intensity that made her feel as though he were looking straight through her. For a moment, she wondered if he saw the fear in her eyes or if he was simply too accustomed to getting what he wanted to care.
"I've heard a lot about you," he said, his lips curling into a half-smile. "Let's get down to business, shall we?"
Adrian handed her the contract, and as she took it, she felt the weight of her decision pressing down on her chest.
"I'll sign it," she said quietly, barely able to hear her own voice. "But I need the money. And I'll do whatever it takes to save my mother."
Damion's gaze softened, just for a second. But in the next breath, he was the mafia boss again cold, calculating, and in control.
"Good," he said. "You understand the rules. This is just business, Bella. Nothing personal."
And just like that, Bella's life was no longer hers. The deal was struck. The path ahead was set