Sold to the Ruthless Mafia

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ient portraits and heavy, cold furnishings, felt suffocating. It was as if the walls themselves were watching me, assessing

ng and disappearing with practiced efficiency. I had tried talking to them at first, hoping to find some semblance of comfort in a familiar face or a kind word

and the garden. I was not allowed to wander, especially near Victor's private quarters or the locked rooms that dotted the second and thi

I would be one with teeth. My mind was made up; I would gather information, learn his weaknesses, an

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room. Curious and unable to resist the chance to learn more, I slipped out of bed, pulling my robe around me, and inched my way toward the door. Pressing my ear to th

the man was saying, his voice tense. "Th

in line once we show them we're prepared to retalia

lbanos were, it was clear that even Victor's world of power and control was full of c

to be a distraction, one I could exploit. I knew little about the crime families in Victor's world, b

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n usual. His cold, assessing gaze made me uneasy, but I forced myself to meet

he asked, his voice smooth b

teady. "Yes, as well as I can. This isn't

lips. "Life rarely goes as planned, especially for tho

taking everything I thought I knew and twisting it to his will. But I ke

I asked, feigning curiosity. "You'v

"Your place is by my side, in public and in private. You will learn to represent my

incredulous. "After

na. I would hate for you to misunderstand your situation. I have given you

h the table, feeling the weight of my anger swell in my chest. But I forced myself to breathe, to hold

e beautiful, blooming in vibrant colors that seemed out of place in this grim, foreboding mansion

ll, elegant, with dark hair and sharp eyes, her expression unreadable. She wore a fitted suit that

ice smooth but lacking warmth. "I'm I

f how to respond.

," she said, her tone flat. "Victor seems to think you'll be useful. But

forced myself to meet her ga

nonetheless." She turned, glancing around the garden before fixing her gaze b

ven more isolated. Her words echoed in my mind,