BELLA’S POV
Embarrassment and rage burned my face.
I quickly fixed it, buttoned the top, and turned my face away.
“Mr. Lippert,” I said firmly, “this is your last warning.
He smirked, like he didn’t care at all.
“I couldn’t take you seriously even if I tried,” he said.
He reached for my hand again.
I snatched it back quickly.
“Good,” he said. “I like my girls a little feisty.”
My whole body tensed.
“I’ve given you enough chances,” I said, grabbing my pen. “I’m writing this now, a
recommendation for continued imprisonment without parole.”
He chuckled as I scribbled the note.
“GUARD!” he called.
The guard entered.
Lippert looked at him and said, “Why don’t we tell sweet little Doctor Bella here who decides
when I walk out of this place?”
The guard hesitated… then muttered, “You do… King Lippert.”
My mouth went dry.
He really runs everything here.
I grabbed my bag and stood up quickly.
“I’ll see you on the outside, Doctor,” Lippert said behind me, calm as ever.
I didn’t turn around. “We’ll see about that.”
“Oh, you can count on me,” he replied. “We’ll see each other again. Soon.”
I left the prison with all the bad day I had
I headed back home and later I decided to show up in the club where my sister works.
The club was loud and alive, lights flashing, music thumping through the walls, and strippers
dancing on stage like they owned it. The air smelled of perfume, sweat, and expensive liquor. A sexy waitress in fishnet stockings and high heels slid a tray of drinks onto our table and gave
me a wink before walking off.
Mila raised her glass and grinned. “Ah, Bella. I’m so glad you finally decided to come out
tonight! So... how are things with that walking red flag, Daniel? Met his family yet?”
I froze.
My fingers tightened around my glass. Her words sent my thoughts spinning.
I remembered the man I met earlier.
The dangerous Mafia King.
And the moment she said “family,” all I could think about was his cold stare... the way he looked
at me like he already owned me. And how did he even know I was a virgin?
A shiver ran down my spine.
“Hey, Bella?” Mila waved her hand in front of my face, laughing. “Earth to Bella!”
I blinked, shaking off the thoughts. “Yes…I mean, no. I haven’t met his family yet. Things are...
good. He’s really... sweet.”
Mila gave me a look like she didn’t believe a word I was saying. “So that means... you haven’t
banged yet?”
I frowned. “So? What’s wrong with that?”
She raised her hands in surrender. “Nothing! I just think... you deserve to feel desired. That’s
all.”
She looked away quickly, like she was trying to hide her face.
I followed her gaze, and that’s when I saw a tall man walking toward us.
Mila stiffened. Her fake smile stretched across her face. “Hey, boss. How’s it going?”
The man grabbed her by the shoulders and leaned close to whisper in her ear, “We need to talk.
Now.”
Mila’s smile cracked. “Dean, not here.”
Dean didn’t care. “Have you introduced me to your little sister?”
He turned to me. His stare made my skin crawl.
“This is Bella,” Mila muttered.
Dean gave me a nod. “Pretty. Like you said.”
Before I could say anything, he jerked Mila toward the back of the club. “Let’s go. Now.”
“Um... I’ll be right back, sis,” Mila said quickly. “Just some... work stuff. Why don’t you head
home? I’ll catch up later.”
Before I could answer, they were gone.
I stood up.
I walked toward the back hallway. I didn’t know what I was looking for exactly, but I knew
something was off.
I paused when I saw Dean push Mila through a door. Then I saw him raise his hand, and slap
her.
My heart jumped.
He shoved her into a room.
“No,” I whispered.
I ran forward and entered the back hallway. There were strippers getting dressed, fixing their
makeup, laughing like everything was normal.
I stormed up to Dean. “Where is my sister?”
Dean turned around slowly, fake-smiling. “She went to the bathroom.”
“Where’s the bathroom?” I asked coldly.
He pointed down a hallway. “This way. I’ll show you.”
I hesitated, but followed.
We reached the end of the hallway—and then suddenly, he blocked my path. He pressed one
hand on the wall beside my head and leaned in too close.
“You know...” he murmured, “if you wanted to be alone with me, you could’ve just said so.”
I felt sick.
“Get away from me,” I said.
His other hand grabbed my chin roughly, forcing my face toward his. “You women are good for
two things, getting f****d and making money.”
My stomach turned.
“It’s a privilege to work for me.”
I clenched my fists. “If it’s just money you want, I can give you that. Just let me and Mila go.”
Dean laughed slowly. “Oh, sweetheart. I’m gonna take what I want first.”
Suddenly, a voice roared from behind.
“Get your filthy hands off her!”
Dean turned—but it was too late.
A dark figure slammed into him, punching him so hard he crashed into the wall.
I gasped.
The man stepped forward, his voice low and deadly. “How dare you touch my girl.”
My heart stopped.