Bound to the devil of New York

CHAPTER ONE They say the devil doesn’t knock before he enters your life. He doesn’t ask for permission… he takes what he wants. I just never thought he would choose me. “Scarlett, I’m serious!! Come look at this man!” Lila’s voice came from the living room, loud as always. She sounded excited, like she had just found something very important. Scarlett didn’t rush. She was sitting on her bed, folding her clothes slowly like she always did when she wanted to keep her mind calm. “What is it this time?” she asked, walking out. “If it’s another one of your internet crushes, I’m not interested.” Lila turned to her with a big smile, holding her phone up. “This is not just any crush,” she said. “This is a whole situation.” Scarlett raised one eyebrow. “A situation?” “Yes!” Lila moved closer and pushed the phone into her hand. “Just look.” Scarlett sighed but took the phone anyway. On the screen was a news video paused at a certain point. The headline was bold and clear: “Dominic Russo Linked to Dangerous Underground Deals” Scarlett’s eyes moved down to the picture. A man in a black suit. Clean. Sharp. Serious. His face was calm, but his eyes looked like they could see through anything. Scarlett stared for a moment. There was something about him. Something heavy. But she quickly shook her head and handed the phone back. “He’s okay,” she said simply. Lila almost screamed. “Okay? SCARLETT, are you blind?” Scarlett laughed a little and walked past her. “No, I’m just not dramatic like you.” Lila followed her into the kitchen. “Not dramatic? That man is literally the definition of fine,” she said. “Like, I don’t care if he’s a mafia boss. I would still risk it all.” Scarlett poured herself a glass of water. “You say that about every rich man you see.” “Because they keep getting better!” Lila said proudly. Scarlett shook her head, smiling a little. But Lila suddenly went quiet. Scarlett noticed and looked at her. “What?” Lila leaned against the counter, watching her closely. “You didn’t even react,” she said. “To what?” “To him,” Lila replied. “Normally, you at least pretend to be interested.” Scarlett shrugged. “He’s just a man.” Lila gave her a look. “Scarlett… you know that’s not true.” Scarlett didn’t answer. Because deep down, she knew Lila was right. Nothing about men like that was “just normal.” Men like Dominic Russo didn’t live normal lives. They were dangerous. Powerful. Untouchable. And she had spent her whole life trying to stay away from men like that. Lila sighed and crossed her arms. “You’re still running, aren’t you?” Scarlett froze for a second. “I’m not running.” “Yes, you are,” Lila said softly this time. “You left that big house, your father, all that money… and now you act like it never existed.” Scarlett looked away. “I just want a simple life.” Lila stepped closer. “You had more than simple. You had everything.” “And it didn’t make me happy,” Scarlett said quickly. The room went quiet. Lila’s expression softened. “I know,” she said gently. “I’m not saying go back. I just… don’t want you to hide forever.” Scarlett swallowed. She hated talking about her past. Her father. That house. All the control, all the expectations… it felt like a cage. “I’m not hiding,” she said again, but this time her voice was softer. Lila didn’t argue. Instead, she clapped her hands suddenly. “Okay! Enough sad talk. We are going out tonight.” Scarlett blinked. “We?” “Yes, we,” Lila said with a grin. “You, me, dresses, music, fun. End of discussion.” Scarlett shook her head. “No.” “Yes.” “No.” “Yes!” Lila laughed. “Scarlett, you need this. You’ve been inside all week.” Scarlett hesitated. She didn’t like crowded places. She didn’t like attention. But something inside her felt… tired. Maybe Lila was right. “…Fine,” she said finally. Lila screamed happily. “I knew it!” “But we’re not staying late,” Scarlett added quickly. “Sure, sure,” Lila said, clearly not listening. Later that night, Scarlett stood in front of the mirror. She wore a simple black dress. Nothing too loud. Her hair fell softly over her shoulders. She looked… normal. Not like the girl she used to be. Not like the daughter of Victor Whitmore. Just Scarlett. “Wow,” Lila said from behind her. “You’re pretending to be simple, but you still look rich.” Scarlett rolled her eyes. “I can’t help my face.” Lila laughed. “Trust me, that face is expensive.” Scarlett smiled slightly. “Let’s just go.” The club was exactly how Scarlett remembered places like that. Loud. Bright. Too many people. Music filled the air, strong enough to shake the floor. Lights flashed in different colors, making everything feel unreal. Scarlett stayed close to Lila as they walked in. “This place is too much,” she said. “That’s the point,” Lila replied, smiling as she pulled her toward the bar. They sat down, and Lila immediately ordered drinks. Scarlett looked around. People laughing. People dancing. People not caring about anything. It felt strange. But also… a little freeing. “Here,” Lila said, pushing a drink toward her. Scarlett looked at it. “You’re trying to get me drunk.” “I’m trying to get you relaxed,” Lila corrected. Scarlett picked up the glass slowly. “Just one.” “We’ll see,” Lila said with a grin. Scarlett took a small sip. The taste burned slightly. She made a face. “People actually enjoy this?” Lila laughed. “Give it time.” Scarlett shook her head but took another sip anyway. Minutes passed. Then more. The music got louder. Or maybe she was just noticing it more. Her shoulders slowly relaxed. Her thoughts became quieter. “This is not so bad,” she admitted. “I told you,” Lila said proudly. Scarlett smiled slightly. Maybe tonight wasn’t a mistake. Maybe she needed this. Just one night to forget everything. Her past. Her father. The name she refused to carry. Whitmore. She reached for her drink again… but paused. That feeling. It came suddenly. Soft at first. Then stronger. Like something shifted in the room. Scarlett frowned slightly and looked around. Nothing looked different. Everything was the same. Music. Lights. People. But still… Something felt off. “You okay?” Lila asked. Scarlett nodded slowly. “Yeah… I think so.” She picked up her drink again and took another sip. Trying to ignore the feeling. Trying to tell herself it was nothing. But deep down… She knew. Some nights don’t stay normal. Some choices don’t stay small. And sometimes… You walk into a place not knowing your life is about to change. Scarlett didn’t know it yet. But some where in that same club… Someone else had just walked in. Someone dangerous. Someone powerful. Someone she should never have met. And before the night was over… Everything would begin.