Collateral for the devil

Chapter 2- the devil's house

Elena had imagined many things when she heard the words mafia boss.

She imagined dark rooms.

Guns.

Men with scars.

She imagined being locked in a basement and forgotten.

What she had never imagined was a mansion.

A massive black iron gate opened as the car approached, revealing a long driveway bordered by tall trees and carefully trimmed hedges.

At the end stood Adrian Vale's home.

Calling it a house was ridiculous.

It was a palace.

Elena stared through the window, her stomach twisting.

"You're kidding."

Adrian sat beside her in the back seat, looking completely uninterested.

"I'm not known for joking."

She glanced at him.

"Of course you're not."

His eyebrow lifted slightly.

"Was that sarcasm?"

"Maybe."

For the first time, Elena saw the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes.

The car came to a stop.

Before Elena could reach for the handle, Adrian opened the door.

She stared at his hand when he offered it to her.

"I can get out myself."

"I know."

"Then why are you helping me?"

"The ground is wet."

Elena looked down.

The stone pavement was covered with rain.

She reluctantly placed her hand in his.

His fingers closed gently around hers.

She expected him to pull her out of the car.

Instead, he waited until she had stepped safely onto the ground.

It was such a small gesture.

Yet somehow, it confused her more than his threats had.

Inside, the mansion was breathtaking.

Marble floors.

Crystal chandeliers.

Dark wooden walls.

Expensive paintings.

Everything looked impossibly perfect.

But Elena barely noticed the luxury.

She noticed the men.

Several men in black suits stood throughout the enormous foyer.

The moment Adrian walked inside, every conversation stopped.

Every man straightened.

"Boss."

Adrian nodded.

Then one of the men approached him.

"We found him."

Adrian's expression changed instantly.

The warmth Elena had briefly noticed disappeared.

"Where?"

"Downstairs."

"Is he alive?"

"For now."

Elena's stomach tightened.

Adrian looked toward her.

"Go upstairs."

She frowned.

"What?"

"Maria will show you your room."

"You're sending me away?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

His voice became quieter.

"Because you don't need to see this."

Elena folded her arms.

"I'm not a child."

"I know."

"Then stop treating me like one."

Adrian stared at her.

For a moment, the entire room seemed to hold its breath.

Then he stepped closer.

Not threateningly.

Carefully.

"I don't think you're a child, Elena."

Something about the way he said her name made her heart skip.

"I think you've already seen enough tonight."

She swallowed.

"And what are you going to do?"

His expression hardened.

"Handle my business."

Elena looked toward the men.

None of them dared look directly at her.

She turned back to Adrian.

"Are you going to kill someone?"

Silence.

Adrian didn't lie.

"Maybe."

Her breath caught.

"That's horrible."

His jaw tightened.

"I never claimed to be a good man."

"No."

She looked into his cold eyes.

"You certainly didn't."

A strange expression crossed his face.

Not anger.

Almost amusement.

Then he turned toward his men.

"Take care of it."

"Yes, Boss."

Adrian looked back at Elena.

"Go upstairs."

This time, she obeyed.

---

A woman was waiting at the top of the grand staircase.

She appeared to be in her fifties, elegantly dressed and carrying herself with quiet confidence.

"Miss Moretti?"

Elena nodded.

"I'm Maria."

"Elena."

Maria smiled gently.

"I know."

She led Elena down a long hallway.

Elena glanced over her shoulder.

Adrian was gone.

She couldn't decide whether she was relieved or disappointed.

That thought irritated her.

Why would I care where he is?

Maria stopped in front of a large wooden door.

"This is your room."

Elena stared.

"My room?"

"Yes."

Maria opened the door.

Elena stepped inside.

Her mouth fell open.

The bedroom was enormous.

A king-sized bed stood beneath an elegant chandelier. Tall windows overlooked the gardens, and a sitting area occupied one corner of the room.

There was even a private bathroom.

Elena slowly turned around.

"I can't stay here."

Maria looked surprised.

"Why not?"

"Because this is probably worth more than everything I've ever owned."

Maria chuckled softly.

"Mr. Vale wanted you to be comfortable."

Elena's expression changed.

"He did?"

"Yes."

She walked toward the closet.

When she opened it, she froze.

Clothes.

Shoes.

Sweaters.

Dresses.

Everything in her size.

Elena touched one of the dresses.

"How did he know my size?"

"He asked."

She turned toward Maria.

"When?"

"Earlier today."

Elena's heart gave an uncomfortable little flutter.

She immediately pushed the feeling away.

"He doesn't need to buy me things."

Maria smiled.

"You'll have to tell him that."

"I will."

Maria walked toward the door.

"Goodnight, Elena."

"Goodnight."

The door closed.

Elena was finally alone.

She sat on the edge of the bed.

The silence felt strange.

Too peaceful.

She looked around the room.

This wasn't her life.

Her life was a small apartment, cheap textbooks, lectures, part-time jobs and worrying about whether there would be enough money for the next meal.

Now she was living inside the home of a mafia boss.

Because of her father.

A tear slipped down her cheek.

She quickly wiped it away.

"I hate you, Dad."

A knock sounded.

Elena froze.

Before she could answer, the door opened slightly.

Adrian stood outside.

He didn't enter.

"Can I come in?"

Elena blinked.

The fact that he had actually asked surprised her.

"Okay."

He stepped inside.

His gaze immediately went to her face.

"You've been crying."

"No."

He raised an eyebrow.

Elena sighed.

"Maybe."

Adrian said nothing.

He walked to the small table beside the bed and placed something on it.

A phone.

Elena stared.

"What's that?"

"Yours."

"My phone?"

"You left it at your apartment."

She picked it up.

The screen was cracked, but it worked.

"You went back?"

"I sent someone."

"Why?"

"You'll need it."

Elena looked at him.

"You could have just taken it."

"I could have."

"Then why didn't you?"

Adrian's eyes met hers.

"Because it's yours."

Something about that simple answer caught her off guard.

She looked down.

"Thank you."

He nodded.

Then he turned toward the door.

"Wait."

He stopped.

Elena hesitated.

"Are you going to hurt my father?"

Adrian remained silent for a moment.

"No."

She looked up.

"No?"

"I won't kill him."

Relief washed over her.

"But he'll still have to pay what he owes."

"How?"

"That's between him and me."

Elena's expression hardened.

"He gave me to you."

Adrian's jaw clenched.

"Yes."

"I hate him for that."

"I know."

"And I hate you for accepting."

His eyes darkened.

"I know."

She expected anger.

Instead, Adrian simply stood there.

"You have every right to."

Elena stared at him.

"You don't even want to defend yourself?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Because tonight isn't about me."

His voice softened.

"It's about you."

Elena's chest tightened.

Adrian took one step toward her.

Then stopped.

"I know you're frightened."

"I'm not."

"You are."

She looked away.

"Maybe a little."

"That's understandable."

He reached for the door.

Then paused.

"Elena."

She looked at him.

"If anyone in this house makes you uncomfortable, you tell me."

"Even your men?"

"Especially my men."

"And if someone threatens me?"

Adrian's expression became cold enough to make the room feel ten degrees colder.

"Then they won't get a second chance."

Elena swallowed.

"You're serious."

"Always."

He opened the door.

"One more thing."

"What?"

"Lock your door tonight."

Her eyes narrowed.

"From whom?"

Adrian looked at her.

"Everyone."

He paused.

Then quietly added,

"Except me."

And he walked away.

Elena stood frozen in the middle of the room.

She didn't know what frightened her more—

The fact that Adrian Vale was a dangerous man...

Or the strange feeling that, inside his house, he might be the safest person she had.