Chapter Three
939 Words
The maids came in to undress me, their movements quick and silent, and I slipped on a cooling facial mask.
The bed was ridiculously comfortable. Maybe it was exhaustion, maybe the lingering warmth from the mask—but the moment my head hit the pillow, I drifted into sleep.
---
Rafael’s POV
Her room was dark, lit only by the soft glow of the lamp beside her bed.
I stepped inside, my footsteps muffled against the thick carpet, and stopped at her side.
She was curled up beneath the covers, her hair spilling over the pillow like silk. Long lashes fluttered faintly against her cheeks, lips parted just enough to reveal a breath of vulnerability.
Beautiful. Untouchably, maddeningly beautiful.
And mine.
When I learned who her family was, I went straight to them. Her father already owed me ten million. I told him he could clear the debt by giving her to me—and I’d throw in another ten million.
I didn’t expect him to agree so easily. The bastard didn’t hesitate to sell his only daughter.
I almost pitied her. Almost. She’d survived a childhood poisoned by people who should’ve protected her.
I’ll make sure she never has to again.
I lingered a little longer, then left. I still had business to handle.
Tristan was waiting outside.
“Is he there?” I asked, walking past him.
“Yes, Boss. Don Romero is also present.”
I stopped mid-step and smiled without warmth. “The asshole decided to return.”
---
KING Club looked like any other high-end nightclub from the street. Inside, it was another world entirely—a place where powerful men drank, schemed, and destroyed each other behind closed doors.
The s*x club and private rooms were secrets to anyone who didn’t belong here.
I owned it all.
We stepped into the private elevator, and my phone buzzed. My sister’s name lit the screen.
I answered. “Rafe, help!”
I rolled my eyes. “What now, Giulia?”
“Mama says I’m going to marry Zach. I don’t like that son of a bitch.”
Giulia—my youngest sister. Sophia, the eldest, was married with a child. Zach was Giulia’s childhood friend, and the son of my father’s business partner.
“I don’t have time for your tantrums today.”
“Talk to Mama—”
“No one changes her mind.”
“Brother! I’m your only remaining sister—”
“Bye.”
I hung up before she could whine again.
---
When the elevator doors opened, the first person I saw was my best friend—half-reclined on a couch, being entertained by a woman wearing almost nothing.
“You’re still the same,” I said, crossing to the couch opposite him.
Romero Ivanov. Head of the most powerful Russian syndicate. Dirty-blonde hair tied back, hazel eyes that could go from amused to lethal in a heartbeat. A manipulator. A smiling tiger.
The opposite of me.
We’d met five years ago at a Cosa Nostra meeting, and somehow ended up friends.
“You should have fun more often, Rafe,” he said, waving the girl away.
“You decided to come back. Surprising.”
“I missed you.” His smirk was pure provocation. “Besides, I heard an interesting rumor.”
He lit a cigar, exhaling smoke through his nose.
“What rumor?”
“That you bought a girl.”
“So?”
“A civilian. Not even from an auction.”
I leaned back, arm along the top of the couch. “You shouldn’t believe everything you hear, Romero.”
“Of course not. So… is it true?”
I leaned forward, elbows on my knees. “Yeah.”
He blew another stream of smoke. “Didn’t think you were the type.”
“You bought one,” I reminded him. “How’s she?”
“As stubborn as ever.”
“But you like that about her.”
“What can I say?” He shrugged. “I’m f****d up.”
I gave a low laugh.
---
The elevator doors opened again. Tristan entered, dragging a man with a black bag over his head.
When Tristan yanked it off, David’s battered face emerged. Blood streaked his skin, his eyes swollen.
David had been one of mine—until he betrayed me and set fire to one of my warehouses.
Lying I could tolerate. Betrayal? Never.
---
Authoress’s POV
David’s gaze found Rafael, and his eyes went wide. He dropped to his knees instantly.
“B-b-boss… p-please… spare me.”
Rafael’s chuckle was low, humorless—a sound that could freeze blood.
“Give me three good reasons why I should.”
David’s head whipped around as if searching for help. “I… I have a family—”
“Oh, the family card. Classic,” Romero drawled from his seat.
“My wife’s about to give birth—”
“I know,” Rafael said coldly. “That’s not a reason.”
David clasped his hands together. “I’m sorry. I swear it’ll never happen again—”
“I don’t give second chances.” Rafael stood, drawing his gun.
David froze. “Boss—”
“Say hi to the devil for me.”
The shot cracked through the room. David’s body crumpled, blood pooling on the floor.
Romero stubbed out his cigar and smiled. “You, my brother, are cold-hearted.”
Rafael didn’t look away from the corpse. “Throw him in the river. Let everyone know—betray me, and you’ll end like this.”
Tristan bowed. “Si, Capo.”
---
- Writer
