Claimed But Not Owned

Chapter 2:The New Cage

The drive to King’s mansion felt endless.

Raven rested her head against the cold window as the black SUV sped through the dark streets. City lights blurred past in streaks of neon and shadow. Her mind kept replaying everything that had happened.The guns, Nia crying, the cigarette smoke, her parents’ silence, and the way they had given her away without hesitation.

She had always known they didn’t love her the way they loved Nia. But selling her to clear a debt was something else entirely.

The urge to cry sat heavy in her chest but she refused to show even a flicker of weakness in front of the Mafia don sitting only a few feet away.

The more she thought about the life waiting for her, the more her body felt numb and detached.

Her thoughts raced and restless.

What would become of her now?

Still, one thing remained clear in her mind, solid and unshakable:

No matter what he did to her…

she would not break.

“It must hurt,” King said, breaking the silence.

Raven turned her head toward him, her expression cold.“What?”

“Your parents. They sold you without even thinking twice.”

She stared at him for a moment, then looked away again.

“If you want to mock me, do it properly. Don’t pretend you feel sorry for me.”

King let out a short, low laugh.

“Yeah. You’re right. I don’t pity you at all.”

Raven rolled her eyes and turned her gaze back to the window, sinking into her thoughts once more.

For the rest of the ride, neither of them spoke.

Finally, they arrived.

The SUV slowed to a stop in front of a pair of massive black iron gates. For a few seconds, nothing happened. Then, with a low mechanical groan, the gates began to open, revealing what lay beyond.

A long, private driveway stretched ahead, lined with tall, perfectly trimmed hedges and soft ground lights that glowed against the dark. At the end of it stood the mansion — vast, modern, and imposing.

Black stone and dark glass rose into the night like something built to remind everyone who owned it. Wide steps led up to a set of heavy double doors.

Every detail, from the sharp architecture to the quiet luxury surrounding it, spoke of power and money that didn’t need to explain itself.

The SUV rolled forward, tires crunching softly against the paved path as the gates closed behind them.

Raven stared out the window, taking in the beauty.

The car came to a stop in front of the mansion. The doors were immediately opened by King’s men.

“Welcome home,” King said before stepping out.

Raven followed, her eyes lifting to the enormous building in front of her. She had expected something darker. Something that matched the man who had taken her. But the mansion was the opposite. Clean lines. Expensive lighting.

The front doors opened. A group of people stepped out, led by a man who carried himself with quiet authority. Jordan, King’s right-hand man.

“Was he King’s boss?” Raven wondered briefly.

“Welcome back, King,” Jordan said.

King gave a short nod.

“One of you should take her to her room.”

He didn’t even look at Raven or the maids when he said it.Then he turned and walked inside with Jordan and his bodyguards, leaving her standing there with a few waiting maids.

Raven’s gaze drifted back up to the towering building one last time.

This was her new cage.

**********

The maid opened the bedroom door, revealing a large, elegant room that looked like it belonged in a magazine. A massive bed with crisp white sheets and a dark upholstered headboard sat against the far wall. Soft lighting glowed from expensive lamps, and floor-to-ceiling windows were framed by heavy curtains.

Raven stepped inside, slightly amazed. She had never seen luxury like this before.

“This is your room, ma’am,” the maid said with a polite smile. “Do you need anything else?”

Raven turned to her with a small, tired smile.“No, thank you. I just want to be left alone.”

The maid nodded and quietly left, closing the door behind her.

Raven took slow steps toward the bed, eyes moving over every detail of the room. She sat down on the edge of the mattress and let out a quiet breath.

“This is some fine s**t,” she muttered to herself.

She lay back against the soft sheets, hoping to relax, but the events of the night immediately flooded her mind again. The betrayal still felt like a hard slap across the face. More than anything, she wondered how Nia was doing. She wondered if her parents would even be able to keep up with the bills and Nia’s school fees without her.

A single drop of water fell onto her lap.

That was when she realized she was crying.

She grabbed a pillow and held it tightly against her chest, curling slightly as she lay back on the bed. Soft, quiet sobs escaped her as the tears kept falling.