His Mafia Possession

crossed some invisible line that made him lose interest. But then I heard the rumors from behind closed doors. Men in black suits coming in at odd hours. Tense meetings with other syndicates.

me like this was nothing. Like we were just two people out for a quiet stroll. We stepped outside onto a stone path surrounded by manicured hedges and fountains carved from white marble. The sun warmed my skin. The wind danced through my curls. It almost felt... peaceful. Almost. He was still there-looming. Watching. "You've been quiet," he said finally, his voice cutting through the breeze. "I thought that was your preference." "You've surprised me, Avery. You haven't tried to run. Haven't tried to stab me in my sleep. Haven't even cried." "I told you," I said, not looking at him, "I'm not most girls." "No, you're not." There was a beat of silence. Then I asked, "Are you going to keep me forever?" He stopped walking. I turned to face him, heart pounding. His expression didn't change. "I haven't decided." "That's not how this works." He stepped closer. "It is now." I was about to answer when a sharp, unfamiliar voice rang out from ahead. "Well, well. So this is where you've been hiding." My stomach twisted. A woman stood at the entrance to the eastern garden, flanked by two men dressed in black. Her heels clicked against the stone as she walked, each step graceful and full of poison. She was stunning. High cheekbones. Crimson lipstick. Long legs wrapped in a silk dress that looked like it cost more than my entire existence. Her hair was pinned flawlessly, and her eyes-icy blue and gleaming with malice-were locked on me. "Zamian," she purred, turning her gaze on him. "You didn't mention you'd found a pet." I stiffened beside him. He didn't say anything at first. Just looked at her. "Rina," he said, his voice unreadable. She smiled, stepping close. Too close. One of her perfectly manicured hands slid up his arm. "Miss me?" He didn't answer. She turned to me with slow, deliberate cruelty in her smile. "And who's this? A housemaid? Or a... what's the word? Hostage?" I opened my mouth, but Zamian spoke first. "She's not your concern." Rina laughed-a cold