Bound To Don Navarro

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

BELLA

My head felt heavy, like someone had filled it with cotton. I blinked slowly, trying to shake off the fog. The last thing I remembered was the needle in my arm and Zoren’s dark eyes watching me fade away. Now I was lying on a soft bed with silky sheets. The room around me looked expensive — high ceilings, modern furniture, soft lighting from a lamp on the nightstand. A luxurious guest suite. But something felt wrong.

I sat up fast. My wrists still had the zip ties, though they were a little looser now. The windows had bars on them, thick and metal. No way out there. I spotted small cameras in the corners of the room, red lights blinking. They were watching me. Always watching.

“Where the hell am I?” I whispered to myself.

I stood up and tested the door. Locked tight. No handle on the inside that I could turn. Panic started to rise in my chest, but I pushed it down. I couldn’t fall apart. Not yet. I had to get out of here. I waited for what seemed like hours.

The mansion seemed quiet. No voices, no footsteps outside the door. It must be late. I waited a little longer, listening hard. Nothing. This was my chance.

I moved to the bedpost. It had a sharp metal edge where the wood met the frame. I rubbed the zip ties against it, back and forth, over and over. My shoulders burned from the awkward angle, but I kept going. “Come on, break,” I muttered under my breath. Finally, with a snap, the plastic gave way. My wrists were free. I rubbed the sore skin and smiled a little. Small win.

Next, the door. I pulled a hairpin from my curls, thank God for natural hair that needed pinning sometimes. I knelt down and worked the lock. It was tricky, but I had watched enough videos online in my boring nights alone. Twist, push, feel for the click. “Yes… come on, baby,” I whispered. After a few minutes, I heard the soft click. The door opened.

I slipped into the dimly lit hallway. My heart pounded so loud I was sure someone would hear it. The floor was cool marble under my bare feet. I moved slowly, staying close to the wall, listening for any sound. Guards patrolled outside, I could see their shadows through the big windows, but inside seemed clear for now.

I headed toward what looked like a side entrance near the kitchen area. A garden door. If I could get outside, maybe I could climb a wall or find a way to the road. Freedom was so close I could almost taste it.

My breathing came fast. “Just a little farther, Bella. You got this,” I told myself quietly.

I reached the door. My hand touched the handle. It was unlocked. I started to push it open, cool night air brushing my face.

Footsteps echoed behind me. Heavy, confident steps.

Before I could run, strong arms wrapped around me from behind. Zoren’s voice came low and smooth right next to my ear.

“Where do you think you’re going, darling?”

I froze for a second, then twisted in his arms. “Let me go! I’m not your prisoner!”

He turned me around to face him. His dark eyes looked amused, but there was something dangerous underneath.

“You picked the lock and made it all the way down here. Impressive. Most people would still be crying in the room.”

“I’m not most people,” I shot back, trying to push against his chest. It felt like pushing a wall. “You can’t keep me here. This is kidnapping. Let me leave right now.”

Zoren didn’t loosen his hold. One hand stayed on my waist, the other tilted my chin up so I had to look at him. “Kidnapping? I prefer to call it protective custody. You saw things you shouldn’t have, Bella. If I let you walk out that door, you wouldn’t make it to morning.”

“I won’t tell anyone!” I said quickly. “I swear on my life. Just open the gate and let me go home. I have a job, friends, bills to pay. You don’t need me here.”

He smiled a little, that dangerous curve of his lips. “You have fire. I like that. But fire can get you killed in my world. Elena already wants you gone. She’s waiting for one mistake from me.”

“Elena?” I remembered the woman with the knife. “That crazy b***h who wanted to shoot me? Yeah, I bet she does. But that’s your problem, not mine. Let me go and deal with your own people.”

Zoren chuckled softly. The sound sent a strange shiver down my spine. “My people listen to me. But you… you’re different. You looked me in the eye and didn’t beg like the others. You fought.”

“Because I’m not weak,” I said, lifting my chin higher. “And I’m not staying here as your toy. Whatever you think this is, it ends now. Open the door.”

He leaned closer. His breath brushed my cheek. “Darling, if I open that door, Elena will be waiting on the other side. Or worse. You’re safer with me.”

“Safer?” I laughed bitterly. “You drugged me. You tied me up. You dragged me to this fancy prison. How is that safer?”

“Because I haven’t killed you yet,” he said simply. His eyes darkened. “And I don’t plan to. Not tonight. Not tomorrow. You’re mine to keep for now.”

“ Let me go or I’ll scream so loud your guards come running.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Scream if you want. They answer to me. Not you.” Then his voice dropped lower. “But if you scream, I might have to find better ways to keep that pretty mouth quiet.”

Heat rushed to my face. I glared at him. “You’re disgusting. Threatening me like that.”

“Not a threat,” he said calmly. “A promise. Now, are you going to walk back to the room nicely, or do I have to carry you?”

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I snapped. “Take your hands off me right now.”

He started leading me up the stairs again. My escape had failed. The mansion felt even bigger and more like a prison now. As we walked, I could feel his eyes on me the whole time.

When we reached the guest suite door, he paused. “Get some rest, Bella. Tomorrow we talk more. And try not to pick any more locks. Next time, I might not be so gentle.”

I stepped inside, turning back to glare at him one last time. “This isn’t over, Zoren. I will get out of here. Watch me.”

He smiled again, dark and promising. “I’m counting on it, darling.”