CHAPTER FOUR
678 Words
The next morning, Iris woke to the unfamiliar softness of silk sheets and sunlight spilling through tall windows. For a moment she forgot where she was - until the faint echo of men's voices drifted through the hallway. Deep, commanding. Guard-like.
Her stomach knotted. This wasn't a dream. She was in Luca Russo's mansion.
She showered quickly, changed into the clothes laid out for her - a simple black dress that fit her too perfectly to be coincidence - and tried not to think about who had chosen it.
When she finally left the suite, a guard led her wordlessly to a study. The room smelled of leather and smoke, its shelves lined with thick books and bottles of expensive liquor. Luca was there, seated behind a desk, his Armani suit flawless even in the morning.
He looked up slowly, and Iris's pulse stuttered.
Sit, he ordered.
She obeyed, perching on the edge of the leather chair like she might spring away at any second.
Luca leaned back, his dark eyes assessing her in silence until she squirmed under the weight of his gaze. Then, with infuriating calm, he said, We need to discuss what comes next.
What comes next? she echoed, her voice trembling.
You staying alive, he said flatly. You're a witness to something that men like mine would kill you for. The only reason you're breathing is because you're under my protection. But protection, he leaned forward, his gaze piercing hers, has to look convincing.
Her heart skipped. "What do you mean by convincing?
He tilted his head, watching her closely, like a predator studying prey. Then, without flinching, he spoke the words that changed everything:
You'll be my girlfriend.
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Iris blinked, I thought you've said that before.
My woman, Luca repeated, his tone final. "To the outside world, you belong to me. No one will question why you're always at my side. No one will touch you. They wouldn't dare.
Iris's chest tightened. The word belong burned into her, frightening and electrifying all at once. "You can't just decide something like that-"
"Yes, I can." His voice was steel. "Because it's the only thing standing between you and death. Think about it, Tesoro. Would you rather be seen as the don's woman... or as a loose end?"
Her lips parted, but no sound came out. He was right - horrifyingly right. Still, the thought of pretending to be his lover made her insides twist.
This isn't fair, she whispered.
Luca's mouth curved into something dark - not quite a smile, not quite a threat. Fair doesn't exist in my world. Survival does."
He stood, moving toward her with slow, deliberate steps. She shrank back into the chair, her breath coming too fast.
When he reached her, he bent low, his hands gripping the armrests, caging her in. His cologne wrapped around her, intoxicating. His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
So here's how it will be: you'll stand beside me, you'll smile when needed, and you'll play the role until no one questions it. But remember this- His eyes bored into hers, merciless. Fake or not, anyone who dares to touch you will bleed for it. Because once I've claimed you, Amore mio there's no undoing it.
Her heart thundered so hard it hurt. He was terrifying. He was overwhelming. Yet, deep down, something in her craved the safety he promised - even if it came wrapped in chains.
Finally, she forced herself to speak, her voice barely audible. And if I say no?"
Luca's lips brushed her ear, his words soft but edged with iron.
Then you walk away. But don't expect to make it more than a week alive. It's your choice - a cage made of steel... or a coffin made of wood."
The air left her lungs in a rush. He'd cornered her with no way out.
And when she finally nodded, just once, Luca's eyes darkened with satisfaction.
"Good girl."
My name is Iris.she said,
I will call you whatever I want dolcezza."
- Writer
