Collateral for the devil

chapter 3- his rules

Elena woke to the sound of rain.

For several seconds, she didn't remember where she was.

Then she saw the unfamiliar ceiling.

The enormous bed.

The expensive curtains.

And the clothes hanging neatly inside the open closet.

Reality came rushing back.

Her father's debt.

The men.

Adrian Vale.

The devil.

Elena sat up slowly.

Her phone lay on the bedside table.

She reached for it.

Twenty-three missed calls.

Most were from her best friend, Maya.

Elena immediately called her.

"Elena!"

Maya's voice exploded through the phone.

"Where have you been? I've been calling you all night!"

Elena closed her eyes.

She hadn't even thought about college.

"I'm sorry."

"Are you okay? Your father called me and then disappeared. What's happening?"

Elena hesitated.

How was she supposed to explain that her father had gambled away hundreds of thousands of dollars and handed her over to a mafia boss?

"I'll tell you everything later."

"Elena—"

"I promise."

Maya went quiet.

"Are you safe?"

Elena looked toward the bedroom door.

"Yes."

It was strange.

She actually believed that answer.

"I'm staying somewhere else for a while."

"Where?"

"With someone."

"Someone?"

"Yes."

"A boyfriend?"

"No!"

Elena's cheeks warmed.

"It's complicated."

"Elena Moretti, if you got yourself involved with some dangerous man—"

"I didn't."

She glanced at the door again.

"At least... not intentionally."

Before Maya could ask another question, Elena heard a knock.

"Someone's here. I'll call you later."

She ended the call.

"Come in."

The door opened.

Maria entered carrying a tray.

"Good morning."

Elena looked at the food.

Eggs.

Toast.

Fresh fruit.

Coffee.

She hadn't realized how hungry she was until then.

"Mr. Vale asked me to bring you breakfast."

"He did?"

Maria nodded.

"He also said you have university today."

Elena's eyes widened.

"University."

She jumped out of bed.

"Oh my God."

She had completely forgotten.

"What time is it?"

"Eight."

"My class starts at nine!"

Maria calmly handed her a phone.

"Mr. Vale already arranged transportation."

Elena stared at her.

"He did what?"

"He also instructed the driver to take you directly to campus and bring you home afterward."

Elena frowned.

"He's controlling my schedule now?"

Maria smiled.

"Probably."

"That's not funny."

"I wasn't joking."

---

Twenty minutes later, Elena walked downstairs.

She stopped halfway down the staircase.

Adrian was standing in the dining room.

He was wearing a black suit, his sleeves rolled slightly up his forearms.

A man stood across from him.

The man's face was bruised.

Elena immediately stopped.

Adrian noticed her.

His expression changed.

The coldness disappeared.

"Elena."

The bruised man looked toward her.

Adrian's voice became dangerously quiet.

"Don't."

The man immediately looked away.

Adrian walked toward Elena.

"You shouldn't have seen that."

"I know."

He glanced at the clock.

"You'll be late."

"I'm aware."

"Eat something first."

"I don't have time."

Adrian looked at Maria.

"Pack something for her."

Elena sighed.

"You don't have to do everything for me."

"I know."

"Then stop."

"No."

She stared at him.

He stared back.

For some reason, neither of them looked away.

Then Elena noticed the bruise across his knuckles.

Her expression changed.

"You're hurt."

Adrian glanced at his hand.

"It's nothing."

"You have blood on your hand."

"It's not mine."

Elena's stomach twisted.

"Right."

She looked away.

Adrian studied her face.

"Does it frighten you?"

"What?"

"The things I do."

Elena hesitated.

"Yes."

He nodded.

"Good."

She frowned.

"Good?"

"It means you're not foolish."

He stepped closer.

"But you should understand something."

His voice lowered.

"I may be cruel to people who threaten me."

Elena looked into his eyes.

"But I won't be cruel to you."

Something about the certainty in his voice made her heart beat faster.

Before she could answer, a man entered the room.

"Boss, we need to leave."

Adrian nodded.

Then he looked at Elena.

"Your driver is waiting."

She turned toward the door.

"Elena."

She looked back.

"Yes?"

"Don't leave campus without your driver knowing."

She frowned.

"I'm an adult."

"I know."

"Then why are you giving me rules?"

"Because people know you're staying with me."

Her expression changed.

"What does that mean?"

"It means you're now a target."

The room suddenly felt colder.

Adrian walked toward her.

"Rule one: Never go anywhere alone."

He held up one finger.

"Rule two: Never accept food or drinks from someone you don't know."

A second finger.

"Rule three: If someone follows you, call me."

Elena crossed her arms.

"And rule four?"

His eyes held hers.

"If you're in danger, don't be brave."

She blinked.

"Call me."

His voice softened.

"Immediately."

Elena swallowed.

"Okay."

Adrian nodded.

Then he stepped aside.

She started walking toward the door.

"Elena."

She turned again.

"Yes?"

His expression was unreadable.

"Be careful."

She smiled faintly.

"I will."

---

University felt strangely normal.

Too normal.

Students hurried across campus carrying books and coffee.

People laughed.

Cars passed.

Professors complained about assignments.

Nobody knew that Elena had spent the previous night inside a mafia boss's mansion.

She sat through two lectures, but she couldn't concentrate.

Her mind kept returning to Adrian.

His voice.

His rules.

The way everyone feared him.

And the way he had looked at her.

Her phone vibrated.

Unknown Number:

You look beautiful today.

Elena froze.

Another message appeared.

Adrian won't always be there to protect you.

Her heart began pounding.

She looked around.

Students were everywhere.

Someone could be watching her.

She immediately called the number Adrian had given her.

He answered before the first ring finished.

"What's wrong?"

She could hear voices and movement in the background.

"How did you know something was wrong?"

"You don't call me during class unless something happened."

Elena swallowed.

"I got a message."

"Send it to me."

She forwarded the messages.

There was silence.

Then Adrian spoke.

"Where are you?"

"Outside the library."

"Stay there."

"Adrian—"

"I'm coming."

The call ended.

Twenty minutes later, a black car stopped beside the library.

Adrian stepped out.

Students immediately began staring.

He didn't seem to notice.

His eyes searched the crowd until they found Elena.

He walked straight toward her.

"Are you hurt?"

"No."

"Did anyone approach you?"

"No."

"Good."

He took her phone.

His expression darkened when he saw the messages.

"Who sent these?"

"I don't know."

Adrian handed the phone to one of his men.

"Find out."

The man nodded.

Elena looked at Adrian.

"Is this because of my father?"

"Possibly."

"Am I in danger?"

Adrian didn't answer immediately.

That was answer enough.

She lowered her voice.

"How much danger?"

He looked at her.

"Enough that I'm taking you home."

"I have another class."

"Not today."

"I can't just skip university."

"You can."

"Adrian—"

"Elena."

His voice was firm.

Then softer.

"Please."

She stopped arguing.

The word surprised her.

He hadn't ordered her.

He had asked.

She nodded.

"Fine."

Adrian opened the car door for her.

Before she got inside, he leaned closer.

"From now on, you don't walk anywhere alone."

She looked up at him.

"You really are controlling."

His mouth curved slightly.

"Only when you're in danger."

Elena climbed into the car.

As Adrian closed the door, she caught his reflection in the window.

For the first time, she realized something.

He wasn't merely protecting her because of the debt.

Something else was happening.

Something neither of them was ready to name.

And somewhere across the street, hidden behind the tinted windows of another car, someone watched them leave.

A phone was lifted.

A picture of Elena appeared on the screen.

Then another picture appeared beside it.

Adrian Vale.

A message was typed beneath both photographs.

"We've found his weakness."