THE ENEMY SHE LOVED

A RESCUE

AURELIA’S POV

Soft golden lights filled across the polished floor, reflecting off glass and dark wood. The air smelled expensive— clean, sharp. My eyes wandered around and landed on a figure standing by the window, hands clasped behind him like he had all the time in the world.

“We found fifty thousand in her house.” one of the men that brought me in spoke, low and respectful.

“Leave us.” the Don said, his back still turned at us. His voice sounded so powerful—like he controlled most parts of the world.

The grip on my arm loosened instantly.The men who had brought me in left immediately. He turned to me slowly, and his eyes found mine. He looked at me like a man deciding if something was worth keeping or destroying.

“Aurelia Rose Whitmore.” My name rolled off his tongue like he'd known it for years.

I swallowed hard.

“One of my belongings was found to be in your possession.” his head tilted slightly. “That makes you either very audacious…or very stupid.”

“I didn't—” I whispered with my face facing the floor, afraid to catch his eyes.

“Interrupting me would be your first mistake,” he said calmly

“Let's not make it a habit.”

Heat crawled up my neck, but I forced myself to hold his gaze.

“I didn't steal your money.” I said, more carefully this time. “I didn't even know how it got to my house.”

“That’s unfortunate,” he said.

He took a step closer. Too close.

My breath caught. He lifted my chin to his face.

“Please, I'll do whatever you want…” I said.“I just need to pay some important bills. I can work for you.”

“Careful,” he said.

His eyes ravaged my body as he bit his lower lip. He looked like he'd been starving for a while. I took that as my cue to get out of the situation.

I stepped closer to him—our body touching. I traced my hands from his chest region down to his groins.

“And you can also have me whenever you want.” I said as I tried to squeeze his already hard member.

He stopped my hands immediately from reaching his d**k and grabbed me from my waist, and put me on his huge mahogany desk, putting himself in between my legs.

“You are one bad whore.” he commended. “But I’d really love to know how far your whoring can get us. I have a huge task for you.” He said and withdrew from me.

“Good heavens! Just f**k me and get this over with.” I cursed under my breath.

“You have good skills, now let's use these skills for something important.” he said, bringing out a folder of papers.

“What is this?” I asked.

He opened the file and turned towards me. A photograph of a man thirty years old, cold eyes, well defined facials.

“This,” the Don said, resting his fingers lightly on the page. “Is Dominic Alexander Vale, we call him Vinci.

My brows pulled together slightly.

“He owns a chain of import businesses,” he continued.

“Legitimate on paper. Less so in reality.

I looked up at him.

“And what does this have to do with me?” I asked.

His gaze locked unto mine.

“Everything.” He paused. “He's my rival.”

It didn't sound like just any task. That was war. It was no longer about allegedly stealing money, it was about his world.

“You want me to… what?” I asked slowly.

“It's very simple. You apply for a job at his shell company, work as his assistant,” he said. “Use your skills, make him fall for you, make him vulnerable, gain access, gain trust, and report every important detail about him back to me, in exchange for the bills you have to pay.” He continued.

There was silence. I stared into space.

“You’re thinking like someone who has options.” he said softly

My back stiffened.

“I can't do that. I don't even know the man.” my voice cracked.

“There is no version of these where you walk away untouched.” he said quietly.

My throat tightened.

“I control this country, you can't run away from me. You either do this simple job, or well… I'll leave the rest to myself.” His voice dropped.

He reached into his pocket and placed a phone on the table, the screen lit up. It was a video of my mother in the hospital bed.

My heart slammed violently against my ribs.

“Don't hurt my mother.” I growled, my voice breaking. His gaze didn't leave my face.

“OK.” he shrugged.

“You do this, she stays fine.” he said, sitting back on his chair.

My eyes dropped back to the file. He slid a pen towards me. A contract.

“Sign it.” he said. “But make no mistake. This is not a request.

My mind was screaming, but all I could see was my mother's sick face.

**************************

I was handed over fifty thousand Euros, to get me started for my new task and to pay up my mother's hospital bills. I rushed to the hospital immediately and made the payments. On getting to my mother's care room, I found Cassie sitting beside her.

“What the f**k are you doing here?” I blurted.

She jolted on seeing me.

“Oh my… how— how are you here…?” she asked, looking all over me with her brows lifted.

I ignored her and went over to my mother.

“Baby, where have you been? The doctor said you haven't checked in since you admitted me here three days ago” my mother asked wearily.

“I’ve got a job mom. I've also paid for your treatment.” I grinned.

“You did what? The doctor said it's ten thousand Euros. How did you get that amount of money?” she asked, brows raised.

“Don't worry Mom. Just rest and get better.” I said.

I took the next ride home to shower, and reflect on my new phase of life. The capo that abducted me earlier had invited me to a party at one of the elite clubs in the Urban area. I sure as hell needed loud music and good liquor.

The club pulsed like a living thing—lights slicing through darkness, bass vibrating through marble floors, laughter and sin tangled in the air.

I've had a rough week.

I stood just inside the entrance, letting the chaos swallow me whole. Men in tailored suits, women dripping in silk and diamonds, the kind of place where power was exuded. This was where the elite came to forget… or to make dangerous deals in the shadows.

I exhaled sharply and made my way to the bar.

“Something strong.” I muttered.

A glass of whiskey appeared and I downed it in one go. Then another, and another.

The alcohol didn't erase anything, it just blurred the edges.

I pushed myself off the bar and headed toward the dance floor. The blasting music took over me. Bodies pressed close, perfume and sweat mixing in the air. I swayed my hips and my eyes closed.

For a moment… I almost felt free. I grabbed another drink from a passing tray and gulped it at once like a punishment, and that was when I noticed a presence.

Across the crowd, leaning on a pillar half hidden in the shadow, was a man. A mask covered half of his face, he was watching me closely. Then he slowly made his way toward me.

“Rough night?” His voice was low and smooth.

“Rough week.” I let out a humorless laugh.

“Then you're in the wrong place.” He said

“Or the perfect one.” I shot back.

Then the faintest hint of smoke at the corner of his mouth.

“Come with me.” He extended his hand.

I hesitated. I didn't trust him, but that moment, trust felt like a luxury I couldn't afford anyway. Everything in my life had already shifted into something dangerous and unpredictable. So what was one more risk?

I placed my hand in his. His grip was firm and warm.

He led me away from the chaos, through a private corridor, past guarded doors, into a quieter, dimly lit space where the music faded into a distant echo.

This would be exactly what will get me to forget what Laurent and Cassie had put me through…I let my intrusive thoughts win. A night with Mr. Anonymous won't be bad after all.