The devil's claim
1153 Words
Elena kept staring at them with wide, stunned eyes, unable to understand what these frightening men were doing there. Fear gripped her tighter than the other girls because she had seen them before—and worse, she had offended them by calling them rude.
Would they remember that?
Would they hurt her because of it?
From everything she could tell, they didn’t seem like men with any good intentions, not toward her, and definitely not toward the other girls standing there.
Alessandro’s cold gaze moved slowly across the line of girls. His amber eyes were sharp and unreadable. But the moment they met a familiar pair of sapphire eyes already fixed on him, something flickered inside him briefly, almost unnoticeable.
Surprise.
Gone just as quickly.
He hid it perfectly, like the man he was.
He had never imagined that the same girl he had collided with in a club, far away, would be standing right in front of him now.
In his territory.
Yes another country.
The girls had been taken across borders and brought onto his land.
Italy.
His empire.
A place where he ruled without challenge, where no one dared stand against him.
Still, his eyes didn’t leave her.
He kept watching her as he stepped closer to where the girls stood. There was something about her, something unfamiliar that held his attention longer than it should.
He already knew she wasn’t completely timid. He had seen that side of her in the club.
Stopping right in front of her, towering over her smaller frame, he spoke in a low, cold tone.
“What is your name?”
Elena shivered at the sound of his voice. It sent a chill straight through her.
She thought he was asking so he could punish her for the way she had spoken to him and his men earlier.
She kept her eyes lowered, fixed somewhere near his chest, and answered in a trembling voice.
“I-I’m Elena Hayes.”
So… this emarald-eyed girl is Elena.
Alessandro observed her carefully.
Petite height.
Naturally pale hair.
Bright emerald eyes.
A delicate nose.
Soft pink lips shaped like a heart.
A thought crossed his mind suddenly
What would they feel like?
His jaw tightened instantly.
“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath.
What was he thinking?
Yes, he had always been surrounded by women but never once had he felt drawn to any of them. Women were always the ones chasing him, falling at his feet.
This… was new.
And he didn’t like it.
He quickly looked away and turned as if to leave.
“W—will you p-punish me?”
Her voice stopped him.
Soft. Nervous.
He turned back slowly, raising one brow.
Elena swallowed, her body tense under his stare.
“F-for… disrespecting you… and y-your men… at the club.”
He stared at her for a few seconds.
Then, without saying a word, he turned and walked away.
His silence made the situation even more terrifying.
His gaze swept over the other girls again. They stood trembling, unsure of what would happen next. His mere presence made their fear grow heavier.
A cruel smile formed on his lips.
“W—where are we…? " And why are we here?” one of the girls finally asked, her voice shaking badly.
His smile widened.
He walked straight toward her and grabbed her jaw roughly, forcing her to face him.
She whimpered instantly.
“You think you’re in a position to question me?” he said coldly.
He hated being questioned.
His grip tightened even more.
It looked like her jaw might crack under the pressure.
The girl cried and struggled, but he didn’t release her.
No one dared to interfere.
Her cries echoed across the warehouse, filling the silence as she fought helplessly against his strength.
Elena trembled.
How cruel is he…?
If he can hurt someone this badly just for asking a question…
What will he do to me?
She couldn’t stay quiet.
She couldn’t watch it happen.
She stepped forward without thinking.
“P-please… let her go,” she said.
Alessandro’s jaw clenched instantly.
“Shut up.”
She flinched—but forced herself to speak again.
“P-please… she didn’t mean it… we won’t ask anything again…”
The men around them stiffened.
They knew what came next.
Without warning, Alessandro shoved the girl aside—
And grabbed Elena by the throat.
Her eyes widened in horror.
His grip tightened around her neck, cutting off her breathing.
She clawed at his hand desperately, trying to free herself, tears spilling down her face.
He didn’t react.
Didn’t loosen his hold.
This was who he was.
Cold.
Ruthless.
A man who felt nothing for others’ pain.
No one spoke.
Even his men kept their heads lowered.
Elena struggled weakly, her strength fading.
He pulled her slightly closer, his grip still firm.
“Don’t interfere again,” he said through clenched teeth.
Then he threw her away.
She fell hard onto the ground, landing on her knees and arms.
A cry escaped her lips.
She coughed violently, gasping for air.
Scarlett rushed to her immediately, helping her sit up and rubbing her back as she tried to breathe properly again.
Then his voice echoed loudly through the warehouse.
“YOU ARE ALL HERE TO SERVE MY MEN.”
The girls flinched.
“DO WHAT YOU’RE TOLD.”
Silence filled the room.
“IF ANYONE DISOBEYS…”
A pause.
“YOU WILL NOT LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO REGRET IT.”
Fear spread instantly.
No one dared speak.
“This is Italy,” he continued coldly. “My territory. There is nowhere you can run. Even if you try… I will find you.”
His eyes darkened dangerously.
“And when I do… you won’t survive.”
Elena’s breathing slowly steadied.
She looked at him in shock.
He wasn’t just dangerous.
He was terrifying.
When did I even get here…?
Was it while I was unconscious?
How will I go back home?
Am I trapped here forever?
Her chest tightened painfully.
Her parents…
She missed them so much.
Why did I leave them?
Regret filled her heart.
But now…
What could she even do?
Alessandro gave a signal to his men.
“Mostra loro cosa devono fare.”
(Show them what they have to do.)
“Yes, boss,” one of them replied immediately.
Then Alessandro looked back at Elena one last time.
His gaze was cold.
“Se qualcuno prova a ribellarsi… fallo capire.”
(If anyone tries to resist… make them understand.)
Elena didn’t understand the language.
But she understood the meaning.
It wasn’t anything good.
Fear crept deeper into her as he turned and walked away, his men following closely behind him like shadows.
Her thoughts spiraled uncontrollably.
What does he mean by serving his men?
What if it’s something I can’t do?
How am I supposed to survive this?
- Writer
