Chapter four : The price of defiance
853 Words
Captured by the Devil
Serena’s lungs burned as she thrashed against the iron grip around her waist.
“No!” she gasped, struggling. “Let me go!”
Alessio didn’t speak. His arms were unyielding, his strength effortless.
She kicked, twisted—fought like hell—but it was useless.
He carried her through the dimly lit halls of his mansion like she weighed nothing.
Serena’s heart pounded. This was bad. She had pushed him too far.
The door to her room came into view.
Her stomach dropped.
Alessio shoved it open and stepped inside. Then—he threw her onto the bed.
Serena scrambled upright, breathing hard.
Alessio stood over her, eyes like burning emeralds, his expression unreadable.
A deadly silence stretched between them.
Then—his voice, low and lethal.
“You think you can run from me?”
Serena swallowed hard.
She could still taste her brief glimpse of freedom.
But now?
Now she was trapped with the devil.
---
The Warning
Alessio took slow, deliberate steps toward her.
Serena’s pulse raced.
“I gave you a chance to behave,” he murmured. “And you threw it away.”
She forced herself to hold his gaze. “Because I don’t belong here.”
Alessio chuckled—a dark, amused sound.
“You still don’t understand, do you, dolcezza?”
Serena’s hands clenched.
Alessio leaned down, bringing his face inches from hers.
“You are mine now,” he murmured.
Serena’s breath hitched.
She hated the way his words sent shivers down her spine.
“I will never be yours,” she spat.
Alessio’s smirk faded.
For a moment, the air between them felt like a live wire—charged, dangerous, unpredictable.
Then—his hand shot out, gripping her jaw firmly.
Serena gasped.
Alessio tilted her face up, forcing her to meet his gaze.
“Let me make one thing clear,” he said, his voice like ice and fire intertwined.
He leaned in, his lips grazing her ear.
“If you ever try to run again…” His grip tightened just slightly, not enough to hurt—but enough to remind her of his absolute power.
“…you won’t like what happens next.”
A shudder ran down her spine.
Her silence made him smirk.
“That’s what I thought,” he murmured, releasing her.
Serena glared at him, her heart still hammering.
But deep inside, fear coiled in her stomach like a venomous snake.
---
The First Punishment
Serena barely had time to catch her breath before he moved.
She flinched as he grabbed her wrist—hard.
“What are you doing?” she gasped, trying to yank free.
Alessio didn’t answer. He pulled her across the room, forcing her against the heavy wooden desk in the corner.
“Alessio, stop—”
A sharp smack echoed through the room as he slammed his palm down beside her.
Serena froze.
His face was too close, his scent too overwhelming.
“You don’t listen,” he murmured, his voice almost… disappointed.
Serena swallowed hard.
Alessio’s fingers traced the edge of the desk, his expression contemplative.
Then—he grabbed something from the drawer.
A black silk tie.
Her breath caught.
He smirked at her reaction. “Do you know what happens when you disobey, dolcezza?”
Serena’s heart pounded. “You don’t scare me.”
Alessio chuckled. “No?”
He grabbed her wrists, tying them firmly behind her back.
Serena’s stomach twisted in dread.
She jerked against the restraint, but it was tight—unforgiving.
Alessio leaned in, voice like a dark caress.
“Now, let’s see if I can change that.”
---
Testing Limits
Serena’s breathing came fast, shallow.
Alessio tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze.
“You need to learn something, Serena.”
His fingers trailed down her neck—slow, deliberate.
“No matter how hard you fight… I will always win.”
Serena refused to look away.
She hated him.
She hated the way he made her feel small, powerless.
But most of all—she hated the small, traitorous part of her that reacted to his touch.
Alessio studied her, his smirk deepening.
“Still defiant,” he murmured. “Good.”
Then—he pulled back, leaving her tied.
Serena blinked in surprise.
Alessio leaned against the desk, watching her struggle.
Her hands twisted behind her back, but the silk wouldn’t budge.
“Why are you doing this?” she bit out.
Alessio tilted his head. “Because I can.”
Serena’s anger burned. “You’re a monster.”
Alessio smirked. “And yet, you’re still here.”
Serena stilled.
He was right. She was trapped.
Alessio pushed off the desk, stepping closer.
“Sleep tight, dolcezza,” he murmured, untying her at last.
Serena’s hands fell free, aching.
She didn’t move.
Alessio reached the door.
And just before leaving, he glanced back.
“You’ll be accompanying me tomorrow. Don’t even think about saying no.”
Then—he was gone.
Leaving Serena alone in the dark.
Trapped.
Defeated.
And yet… still burning with defiance.
- Writer
