Locked
Chapter One
The car purred like a beast beneath them as it ate up the long stretch of highway. Aurora pressed her forehead against the cool glass of the tinted window, her eyes wide and unblinking as the scenery outside changed from crowded streets to wide, endless acres of land. She had no idea where he was taking her—not really. He had told her nothing, only ordered her into the back seat of the sleek black car, and the men in dark suits had made sure she obeyed.
She hated that she obeyed.
Her nails dug into the leather seat. She told herself she was strong. She told herself she wouldn’t break, not even for him—especially not for him. But her body betrayed her with every thrum of awareness, every glance at the reflection of his sharp jawline in the glass.
Millano Cole. Her father’s so-called best friend. The man who had appeared out of nowhere at her father’s funeral and claimed her life as if it belonged to him.
He sat across from her in the spacious car, one long leg stretched out, his suit immaculate, his silver watch glinting whenever the moonlight slipped past the tinted glass. He wasn’t looking at her, and yet somehow she felt his presence like a hand on her skin. He was busy typing something into his phone, the low glow of the screen casting shadows across his already sharp, dangerous features.
Aurora tore her gaze away and swallowed hard.
She wanted to scream. She wanted to demand answers, to throw the door open and run into the night. But her father’s lawyer’s words echoed in her head like a curse: “For your safety, Miss Mikeal, you will stay with Mr. Millano Cole.”
For her safety.
Bullshit.
Aurora clenched her fists.
Finally, the endless road curved, and iron gates appeared ahead, taller than she had ever seen. The car slowed as two guards stepped forward, their rifles gleaming in the dim light. Without a word, they scanned the vehicle, bowed their heads at Millano’s presence, and pulled the gates wide.
Aurora’s mouth went dry.
Behind those gates stretched a driveway so long she couldn’t see the end of it. Lush gardens, perfectly trimmed hedges, fountains carved in marble—each turn revealed another piece of wealth that mocked her.
Her father had been wealthy, yes. She hadn’t grown up poor. But this… this was something else. This was power on display. This was dominance carved into stone and glass.
And when the mansion finally revealed itself at the end of the drive, Aurora forgot to breathe.
It wasn’t just a mansion—it was a fortress, a kingdom of glass, steel, and stone rising against the night sky. Its windows blazed with golden light, chandeliers dripping fire across polished marble, staircases winding up like the arms of gods.
Her lips parted in disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Millano finally lifted his gaze from his phone. One brow arched, dark eyes catching hers. “What?”
Aurora gestured wildly at the palace—because what else could she call it? “This? You live in this?!”
A shadow of a smile curled his mouth, though it never reached his eyes. “Why does it surprise you?”
“Because no one lives in a place like this! Not unless they’re—” she cut herself short, swallowing the word untouchable.
“Not unless they’re what, kitten?” His voice was low, dangerous, teasing at the edges.
Aurora snapped her mouth shut.
The car rolled to a stop before the massive front doors. Guards in black suits moved forward, opening the car doors with practiced precision. Millano stepped out first, towering and commanding, then extended a hand for her.
Aurora glared at it as though it were poison. “I can get out on my own.”
“As you wish.” His voice carried no emotion. He turned and walked up the steps, leaving her behind as though her rebellion meant nothing.
Which, she realized with fury boiling in her chest, it probably didn’t.
Still, Aurora stepped out, her sneakers squeaking against the marble drive. She followed him inside only because she had no choice—the guards behind her made sure of that.
The air inside the mansion was colder, heavier. The ceilings stretched impossibly high, the walls lined with oil paintings and gold-framed mirrors. Every inch screamed wealth and control.
Aurora hated it.
And she hated the man who stood in the center of it all, his jacket tossed aside now, his shirt collar open just enough to reveal a slice of tanned skin.
She tore her eyes away.
“I’m not staying here,” she announced, her voice sharp and ringing against the marble.
Millano tilted his head slowly, as if studying a petulant child. “Yes. You are.”
“No. I’m not. You can’t just—”
“I can.” He stepped closer, each stride echoing with the weight of command. “And I did. This is not up for discussion.”
Aurora’s chest heaved. “You don’t own me.”
“Kitten,” he drawled, his voice so deep it made her knees weak, “you belong here because your father trusted me to keep you alive. If you think you can run, try. The world out there will eat you alive in minutes. And if it doesn’t…” He leaned down, his breath brushing her ear, “then I will.”
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
She shoved him back instinctively, her palms colliding with the hard wall of his chest. It was like shoving stone. He didn’t move, only looked at her with something dark flickering in his eyes—amusement? Warning?
Aurora spun on her heel and started for the door.
“Enough.”
The single word snapped through the air like a whip. She froze despite herself.
When she dared to glance back, he was already nodding to one of the guards. Within seconds, two men stepped forward, not touching her but blocking her path with silent, immovable presence.
Aurora’s fists shook. “You can’t—”
“I told you before,” Millano cut in, his voice lazy but sharp as a blade, “I hate disobedience.”
And before she could argue again, he strode forward, grabbed her wrist, and dragged her down one of the endless hallways. She kicked, twisted, cursed, but his grip was iron.
“You bastard!” she shouted, her voice bouncing off the grand walls. “Let me go!”
“Keep fighting, kitten,” he muttered, not even glancing at her. “It makes it more interesting.”
Her face burned with fury and humiliation. “I’m not your pet!”
He chuckled—deep, cold, maddening. “No. But you are mine.”
Aurora’s stomach flipped violently, and not only from rage.
By the time he shoved a heavy oak door open and pushed her inside, her chest was heaving, her hair clinging to her face with sweat. She stumbled into the room—a guest bedroom larger than her entire hostel dorm, the bed massive and draped in silk.
The door slammed behind her with a sound that made her heart jump.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” she demanded, spinning to face him.
Millano leaned against the door casually, arms folded, eyes glittering in the dim light. “Taming a stubborn kitten.”
Her cheeks burned.
He straightened slowly, every inch of him exuding dominance, and took a step closer. Aurora scrambled back, her body betraying her by tripping over the plush carpet until the edge of the bed caught her behind the knees.
“You can’t keep me locked up like this!”
“Oh, I can.” His lips curved into something dark, sinful. “And I will. Until you learn what obedience means.”
Aurora’s breath hitched, a mix of fear and something else clawing at her chest. She cursed herself for it—for the way her body responded to the danger in his voice, the promise in his eyes.
She lifted her chin anyway, defiant. “Never.”
Millano’s gaze lingered on her for a long moment, then dropped briefly to her lips before returning to her eyes. His smirk deepened.
“We’ll see.”
And with that, he turned, unlocked the door with a flick of his wrist, and stepped out. The lock clicked again from the other side, sealing her fate.
Aurora stood frozen, her pulse roaring in her ears, the luxurious room spinning around her like a gilded cage. She clenched her fists until her nails bit her palms.
She swore she’d never bend to him.
But Millano Cole had tamed wilder creatures than her. And he always won.
