Bound To Don Navarro

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3

I woke up the next morning feeling surprisingly rested. The bed was soft and huge, with pillows that felt like clouds. For a second, I almost forgot the s**t I was in. Kidnapped. Locked in a mafia boss’s mansion. Witness to a murder. But damn, at least he gave me a good bed. Better than the lumpy one in my tiny apartment above the bodega.

I stretched and sat up, rubbing my eyes. The barred windows let in bright sunlight. Cameras still blinked in the corners. No escape there. I wondered what time it was and how long I had slept after Zoren caught me last night.

The door opened suddenly. Two maids in neat uniforms walked in fast. They carried clothes on hangers — a simple black dress and some underwear.

“Miss, you need to get dressed right now,” one maid said quickly. “The boss wants you downstairs soon.”

“What? Why?” I asked, sitting up straighter. “What’s going on? Is he letting me go?”

The other maid shook her head and laid the clothes on the bed. “No questions, please. Just hurry. Shower if you want, but be fast. They are waiting.”

They rushed out before I could say more. My heart started beating faster. This felt wrong. Why the sudden rush? Was this some kind of trap? Or maybe they had decided to kill me after all?

I jumped up and took the quickest shower of my life. The hot water felt good, but my mind raced. I dried off and pulled on the black dress. It hugged my curves a little too well — tight around my chest and hips. “Great, now I look like I’m going to a fancy dinner instead of facing my kidnapper,” I muttered.

I stepped out of the room. A guard waited in the hallway and led me downstairs without a word. We entered a big dining area with a long table. Food was already set out — eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, toast, coffee. It smelled amazing.

“Eat,” the guard said simply, then stepped back.

I didn’t need to be told twice. I was starving. I sat down and attacked the plate like a beast. Forkful after forkful, I stuffed my mouth. The eggs were perfect, the bacon crispy. I barely chewed. In minutes, most of the plate was gone. I grabbed the coffee and drank it fast. Finally, I leaned back and let out a loud burp.

“Excuse me,” I whispered, feeling a little embarrassed. But damn, that felt good.

The house seemed sort of quiet now. No loud voices, no rushing footsteps. Just soft sounds from the kitchen. I looked around and started plotting in my head. Maybe I could slip out a side door while everyone was busy. Or hide in the garden until dark. There had to be a weak spot in security. I remembered the garden door from last night. If I could reach it again…

Suddenly, heels clicked on the marble floor. Elena walked in. She looked perfect — tight red dress, hair pulled back, eyes cold as ice. She stopped across the table and stared at me.

“Well, well,” she said with a nasty smile. “Look at the little street rat eating like a pig. Burping at the table? Classy. No wonder Zoren picked you up from the gutter.”

I wiped my mouth with the napkin and glared right back. I wasn’t about to let this b***h bully me. “At least I eat like I enjoy food instead of looking like I survive on vinegar and jealousy. What’s your problem, Elena? Mad because Zoren didn’t kill me like you wanted?”

Elena’s eyes narrowed. She stepped closer. “My problem is you breathing the same air as him. You’re a loose end. A fat, loud-mouthed witness who saw too much. One word from me and you’re gone. I could slit that pretty throat right now and no one would stop me.”

I stood up slowly, pushing the chair back. “Try it. I dare you. You talk big with your knife, but last night Zoren told you to back off. Maybe he’s tired of your crazy ass. Clearly he upgraded.”

She laughed, but it sounded mean. “Upgraded? To you? Please. You’re just temporary entertainment. Big t**s and thick ass won’t save you when he gets bored. I’ve been with him. I know what he likes. And trust me, he’ll get tired of your loud mouth fast.”

I crossed my arms under my chest, pushing my boobs up a little on purpose. “Funny. He caught me trying to escape last night and he still kept me. Sounds like he likes what he sees. Maybe you should go cry about it somewhere else instead of bothering me.”

Elena’s face twisted with anger. “You stupid b***h. You think you’re special? You’re nothing but a mistake he hasn’t fixed yet.” She started walking around the table toward me, fast.

My heart jumped. She looked ready to attack. I backed up quickly. “Stay away from me!”

She lunged forward. “Come here, you fat cow!”

I turned and ran. My bare feet slapped against the marble as I bolted upstairs. “Get away from me!” I yelled over my shoulder.

Elena chased right behind me, heels clicking loud. “Stop running, you coward! I’ll make this quick!”

I reached the top of the stairs and didn’t think. I grabbed the first door I saw and pushed it open, then slammed it shut behind me. My chest heaved as I tried to catch my breath.

I looked up.

Zoren stood in the middle of the room. Shirtless. Just a white towel wrapped low around his hips. Water dripped from his wet hair down his chest and abs. His body was lean and hard, covered in dark tattoos — intricate patterns that looked Filipino mixed with skulls and roses. The ink moved as he breathed. He looked stunned for a second, then his eyes locked on me.

A slow smirk spread across his face.

“Well, well,” he said, voice low and rough. “Look who ran straight into my bedroom. Chasing trouble again, darling?”