by Alone Eagle
I didn’t see him again the next day either.
Was he back to avoiding me now?
I grimaced at our conversation. Was he worried I would try to escape? He should be. I would always try to look for an escape, even if he kept me imprisoned here forever. I wasn’t meant to be a prisoner. People didn’t belong in cages, even if they were gilded.
I sighed deeply as I sat alone in my room again.
I hoped he came tonight though.
I stared out over my balcony. The weather was getting a little warmer, but it was still cold. New York weather was never consistent. I remembered it snowed in April once. Natalie had told me it was the beginning of May now.
I missed the busy streets. I couldn’t see them from the distance. The noises didn’t reach me here.
I wrapped my white robe tighter around me as I gazed outside into the emptiness. I did this often. Trying to catch a glimpse of the outside world. Every day I stared at the golden gilded gates. Security stood outside of it. When I was done, I returned inside, my heart full of despair.
I paused in mid-step when I noticed something was off.
The preserved rose had withered away.
I blinked and sighed.
It was dead now.
The beautiful rose didn’t last long, only a couple of months.
Was this going to my fate too?
I stared at it for a few seconds, time ticking by, until I heard my door being opened.
I turned away from the rose and thought Vlad had returned.
Then I spoke, “Vlad —” but I closed my mouth quickly.
A smile played on the person’s lips.
That smile was too familiar.
It was wicked.
It wasn’t Vlad.
It was his father.
Enzo Vitalli.
23
Chapter 23
Vlad headed toward the living room.
Natalie brought him a glass of scotch with the bottle that he often liked to drink when he came home.
It was past nine now.
The scotch burned his throat. Its smokey, citrus flavor warmed him. His body was cold from the chilly weather outside. He waited for the booze to do its magic and warm him up.
“I’ll get dinner ready for you mio caro,” Natalie said warmly.
He met her twinkling brown eyes.
Vlad smiled at the nickname. My dear. He didn’t have a mother. Natalie was the closest thing he had to one.
“Bring Dahlia as well,” he said, taking another sip of the scotch.
He hadn’t seen her since last night after their argument.
He should make amends now. He knew at the end of the day, her choice would always be her freedom over staying with him. She was his prisoner, and he knew she wanted to be set free. It bothered him how she had reacted though, accusing him of lying and making false promises.
A deep sigh left from his mouth. Maybe he’d been harsh with her last night. He rubbed the back of his neck in frustration, hating himself for being cold to her.
He hadn’t meant what he’d said.
She wasn’t just a toy to him. She wasn’t just his mistress or someone he liked to casually screw. She was more than that, far more than he let on. He just tried covering up his feelings. It was better that way, he couldn’t afford for the people around him to detect any weakness and think he was going soft.
He did want to take her out though with a surprise he thought she might like.
Natalie didn’t move from the spot. He could feel her stare and raised his eyebrows at her in question. “Yes?”
“Dahlia isn’t here, Vlad.”
A sense of confusion hit him.
“What do you mean she’s not here?” he gritted out. A realization hit him so fast. Then, he gripped his scotch glass tightly. “She escaped? Why didn’t anyone inform me?” His voice was loud and stern now. He was trying to keep his cool but failing.
Hearing his loud voice from a distance, Gabriele came running, his eyes wild.
“Where’s Dahlia?” Vlad snapped at him.
Gabriele scratched his head in confusion.
The next words that came out of Gabriele’s mouth, Vlad would never forget them.
“Don’t you know? Uncle Enzo told me, you said to take her away.”
Wait, what?
That’s when Vlad lost control.
He crushed the glass in his hand, barely noticing the pain as it cut him.
Natalie gasped.
Vlad looked up with angry eyes. Never had he felt so betrayed as he did right now. His own father had stolen Dahlia from him right under his nose, out of his own house. He breathed hard and shoved his other hand through his hair.
“Mio caro,” Natalie said softly, reaching for his bleeding hand, but he snatched it away.
He didn’t have time for that.
Small pieces of glasses were stuck in his palm, but he didn’t move to remove them, instead he clenched his hand tighter. It made him wince, but right now, he needed it to hurt. He didn’t want to speak right now. He wanted to inflict pain and not just on himself.
“Vlad…” a strained voice came from Gabriele.
Then Vlad rose, meeting his eye.
He grabbed the scotch bottle and flung it against the wall. It shattered, splattering all over the carpet.
“Why the fuck did no one confirm it with me? I made my intentions about Dahlia clear! She belongs to me!” He was shouting now. His voice was strained and hoarse.
Other men had joined in and gazed at each other fearfully.
“It was your father…” Gabriele said after a moment.
Vlad’s fiery eyes met his making Gabriele take a step backward. “Don’t you fucking know better? Did you forget what my father did last time and tried to make me sell a ten-year-old child?” Vlad shot at him.
Gabriele’s eyes widened before raking a hand through his blond hair. “King is still powerful, Vlad. Dahlia is just some random girl. You have no shortage of women. Even if he took her, it shouldn’t matter. You can have anyone.”
She matters.
Vlad reached out and clutched Gabriele’s collar in his hand.
“You little shit.”
Gabriele’s eyes widened before he shoved him off.
“Cut it out, Brother.”
He openly called him that, maybe trying to remind Vlad that they were related. Vlad barely resisted the urge to lunge at him snap his neck, but then he stopped.
This was Gabriele, his cousin. His second in command.
Then, Gabriele bowed his head. “Apologies, Don.”
Yeah, big fucking mistake.
Vlad knew where his father had taken her.
An event was going down tonight.
24
Chapter 24
I stared at my surroundings wondering where the hell I was.
At first, I was happy that Vlad was finally taking me out.
Like he had promised me.
Then, I was confused why Vlad hadn’t come himself, or Natalie, or even Gabriele hadn’t delivered the message. I didn’t know why Enzo had come.
Now, I was lost as to why he was attending the dinner with us. It wasn’t like either of us were close to him.
I was suspicious, on high alert, but I kept my mouth shut. This was Vlad’s father. I wanted to protest, but he would kill me without thinking. He was nothing like his son. Vlad couldn’t forgive me for retaliating against his father, right? Enzo wasn’t Leo. He couldn’t get rid of his blood family so easily. But why was Enzo using Vlad’s name? Enzo couldn’t lie, right?
I was suspicious, on high alert, but I kept my mouth shut. This was Vlad’s father. I wanted to protest, but he would kill me without thinking twice. He was nothing like his son. Vlad surely wouldn’t forgive me for retaliating against his father, right? Enzo wasn’t Leo. He couldn’t get rid of his blood family so easily. But why was Enzo using Vlad’s name? Enzo wouldn’t lie, would he?
So many questions filled my frantic m
ind.
Enzo had told me to get ready and come out wearing the dress Vlad had picked out for me. The ‘dress’ wasn’t even worthy of being called that. I had scoffed looking at it, wondering if he had given me the wrong item.
It was a skin-tight sheer bodycon of nude fabric. The color of it was just two shades darker than my skin tone. It was strapless and ended at my mid-thighs. It was thin. Too thin and my nipples poked out through the fabric. From the sides, everything was exposed, the front and back only held together by a design of zig zags going from top to bottom. I couldn’t even wear a bra underneath and I certainly didn’t have a strapless one in my new wardrobe Natalie had given me.
This was the dress Vlad had picked out for me? Really?
The only thing I wore under my so-called dress were nude-colored thin panties.
Enzo had told me to wear makeup and do my hair and so I had, settling for a bronzy look. My cheeks were contoured, and my blush was rose pink. I lined my eyes with kohl doing the thick Arabic cat eye makeup I was fond of. That was one of the things I kept close to. My roots. My green eyes appeared larger than usual, overwhelming my face now. I tried smiling in the mirror, but it felt forced and looked more like a grimace. I finished off my look with a nude lipstick.
Enzo had given me a diamond choker to wear, saying it was a gift from Vlad. I had observed him carefully, but his face had been voided of any emotion. He was even harder to read than his son. His expressions were always carefully masked.
I’d wanted to confirm with Vlad, but neither he nor his men were around.
I didn’t have a phone to contact him.
The diamond choker felt awfully like a dog collar. It was just missing a chain. I’d never worn diamonds before. They sparkled and they were stunning. It amazed me I was holding such an expensive item in my hands. It was a nice necklace until I put it on. It felt too damn suffocating. I didn’t like it.
When I exited my bedroom, Enzo greeted me in the living room and said simply, “Let’s go.”
He didn’t bother looking at me and dismissed my appearance.
At least I wouldn’t have to be conscious about him touching me.
I followed behind him silently.
I had seen Gabriele and was just about to question him, but he only looked at me, alarmed, giving me a swift once over, before his cheeks turned slightly red. Then, he gave me a shrug.
His reaction confirmed my fears. I was too exposed. But he didn’t stop Enzo. Surely, he wouldn’t have let me leave if Enzo wasn’t acting on Vlad’s orders, right?
No one defied Vlad. I knew that now.
The men around me allowed Enzo to take me outside.
Then a realization dawned to me.
Enzo wasn’t lying. This was being done on Vlad’s orders.
My heart burned and churned like lava now.
In the car, Enzo was silent.
Were we meeting Vlad at the restaurant?
The ride was awkward. Two men sat in the front while Enzo and I sat in the back. I stayed on my side, and Enzo didn’t make conversation with me. I sunk deeper into the Bugatti’s seat, taking comfort from such a luxurious, expensive car. It was comfortable and it smelled nice. I’d always been against materialistic things and flaunting one’s wealth. Maybe it was because I came from nothing without a true home, while the people around me now paraded around in billions. It felt so unjust that only a small amount of people in the world were billionaires while in comparison everyone else could be categorized as peasants.
The car had stopped in front a dark isolated area. Two men surrounded us as we walked. We entered through a back alley. This didn’t seem like a restaurant. It seemed like an underground, secret spot. We entered through a back alley. This didn’t seem like a restaurant. It seemed like an underground, secret spot. I took notice of the streets where we were in, but I didn’t recognize them.
Enzo knocked once, paused, and knocked three times.
Realization dawned on me as a horrifying feeling filled my heart.
It was a secret code.
He wasn’t just banging on the door to open it.
My heart sank knowing something was going on that I wasn’t aware of yet. I think I’d known in the back of my mind all along, but I’d tried to deny it.
Vlad had lied to me.
A sense of emptiness hit me. I shouldn’t feel betrayed. He was a cold-blooded murderer, but he had given me his word that he would protect me and save me from his father.
Was this my punishment for last night’s argument?
The timing couldn’t be just a coincidence.
After a couple of seconds, a guard opened the door, and I could hear background noise coming from the inside.
Where were we? A party?
I refused to move and stayed still.
Enzo only glanced at me before nodding at one of his men behind me who shoved me, forcing me into the doorway. I turned around and glared at the man, showing as much hatred as possible.
My footsteps were hesitant as I stepped down the staircase.
I turned to glare at Enzo. “This isn’t dinner.”
He only gave me a knowing, chilling smile that spooked me right down to my bones. “It’s not Dahlia. It’s better.”
I noticed we had reached what appeared like a lounge area when we passed heavily guarded men. The music was louder now, but it wasn’t club music, I could hear people chattering inside.
Where the hell were we?
My eyes took in the people around me. This place smelled like expensive champagne and money. Eyes instantly zeroed in on us. Maybe it was his presence or maybe it was my sheer dress. I automatically felt naked and exposed before eyes. I tugged on the sides of my vulgar dress, wishing it would grow longer. Feelings of self-consciousness and vulnerability hit me square in the chest.
I was bared deliberately to the sharks. Enzo hadn’t even let me wear a coat over my clothes. Hungry eyes turned to look at me. Men in lavish suits gazed at me but didn’t touch me as I moved through the crowd with Enzo. Their stares burned into me as they leered at my appearance. They were fully clothed, and I was doing a walk of shame before them. My dress barely covered anything. My body was visible to them. I tried to cover my arms over my breasts but then Enzo shot me a look.
“You should keep your gaze to the ground and keep your hands folded in front of you,” Enzo said through his teeth, smiling at faces now.
No way.
I glared at him.
His eyes met mine now and then they narrowed.
“I’m not Vlad, Dahlia. I will break your bones right here in front of everyone if you don’t listen.”
I needed a plan to escape from here, but I didn’t have one so for now, I needed to do his bidding.
I gave him a tight-lip smile, jaw tensed, and stared at the ground, clasping my hands in front of me. I could act. I’d give him the best acting I could muster.
“Good girl,” Enzo whispered in my ear.
His warm breath against my skin made me shiver, not with desire, but with fear.
Even with my head bowed, I felt the stares on me.
There were very few women.
Then, I sneaked a glance and my gaze landed on a stage.
That’s where the rest of the women were.
My eyes widened, and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The sight hurt my heart, tore it apart, before stomping on it. Several women were on the stage, one being presented after another. Some women were nude, and others were either held in chains or tied against a pole.
An auction.
25
Chapter 25
I swallowed hard with difficulty before looking away.
My legs almost gave out in front of me.
Vlad is selling me.
He hated me that much after our argument?
Enzo guided me to the bar. Many men stepped away when we approached. They all seemed to recognize him, and bowed their head, muttering, “King.”
Enzo told me to relax an
d sit quietly.
He was chatting with someone nearby and introduced me as, “Dahlia.”
It was cold in this area with the air-conditioner on. I kept my legs pressed together tightly to generate more body heat. My hands remaining in my lap as I sneaked a glance at the stage again. My eyes narrowed in on the women. They clearly didn’t want to be here, their helpless and stricken faces screamed at me to help them.
I felt disgusted, sick to my stomach. I glanced at my lap again, wishing I could do something. But what could I do?
The security around the place was tight with armed guards stationed everywhere. If I attacked them, trying to help the girls, I would be shot.
Even Enzo couldn’t stop them from killing me then and I wondered briefly if he’d even try.
Worry about yourself. You should help yourself, my inner voice shot at me.
Then, I wondered, was Enzo planning on putting me on that stage?
Fear shot down my spine.
Vlad wouldn’t have agreed to this, right?
A lump formed in the back of my throat, making it difficult for me to swallow. I thought my relationship with Vlad was going somewhere.
He promised me.
His words echoed in my mind.
She belongs to me.
Had I ever, Vlad?
I don’t share, Father.
Was that a lie then?
I’m never letting you go, Dahlia. You’re mine now.
I was alone now.
There’s nothing beautiful about being broken. That’s not something that I imagined for you.
It hurt my heart too much.
Every time he had asked me, you okay Doll? in that gentle tone he occasionally used, I’d let myself believe he cared and that he wasn’t a monster, that he actually had a heart when I should have stayed alert. I hated myself for letting myself be taken in by his act, to have ever thought he cared about me.
Tears brimmed at the back of my eyes, but I refused to cry.
It was just so hard to believe that the man who had showed me such kindness and affection at times was really the same one who had now turned on me.
A flash of anger ran through my body, heating my blood.
He hadn’t even had the guts to sell me himself. He hadn’t warned me nor even said goodbye to me. He’d called in Enzo to do his dirty work and in doing so he had heartlessly handed me over to a greater monster than himself.