Chapter 3

ELENA

While tying my sneakers this morning, I overheard my father’s voice booming through the mansion. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but it was impossible for me not to. He had instructed his men to make sure Rachele and I didn’t leave the house.

I rolled my eyes, wondering what had prompted such strict orders. He had always restricted my movements but never Rachele’s. She usually had the freedom to do as she pleased.

Whatever was going on, I didn’t care enough to stick around and find out.

When I stepped outside for my jog, I half-expected someone to tail me. I kept glancing over my shoulder, but to my relief, the street behind me remained empty. The weight in my chest eased, and I let my feet carry me forward, my pace picking up as I moved farther from the house.

Jogging always helped clear my mind. For a while, I thought about how unfair it was that my father never listened to me—always caging me in without reason, but eventually, even those thoughts faded with each step.

After a while my legs started to feel heavy. My pace slowed, and I considered stopping altogether when someone jogged up beside me.

“Need a break?” a deep voice asked, friendly and teasing.

I turned my head—startled—and my eyes fell on a young man with dark brown hair, striking eyes, and a confident smile matched my pace. For a second I froze, taken aback by how attractive he was. Then caution took over.

“Who are you?” I asked sharply, my tone wary.

He chuckled and raised his hands in mock surrender. “Please relax, I don’t mean any harm. I was jogging on the other side of the street when I saw you slowing down. Thought I’d hop over and help you out.” He said as he pulled a water bottle from his pocket and held it out to me.

I hesitated, narrowing my eyes.

His humor disarmed me a little, and after a moment, I reached for the bottle. “Thanks,” I mumbled, unscrewing the cap.

He grinned. “No problem. But seriously, what was a beautiful young lady like you thinking coming out for a jog without water? A rookie move.”

I laughed softly, feeling the tension leave my shoulders. “I didn’t think I’d need it. I was just going for a quick run.”

He tilted his head, his smile turning a little softer. For a moment, I noticed the way his eyes lingered on me, not in a creepy way, but like he was genuinely interested.

“Well, I guess it’s lucky I showed up then,” he said with a teasing tone. “What do you say? Want some company for the rest of your run?”

I hesitated briefly but then nodded. “Sure, why not?”

We started jogging together, his pace perfectly matching mine. He kept the conversation light, cracking jokes and asking harmless questions. I found myself smiling more than I expected to, his easygoing energy making it hard to stay guarded.

After a while, we both started slowing down again. This time, instead of pushing forward, he pointed toward a small café on the corner. “What do you say we grab something to eat? My treat.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You just happened to plan this whole jog with a café stop included?”

“Of course,” he said with mock seriousness. “It’s all part of the package.”

I laughed and followed him inside. The café was small and cozy with the smell of fresh coffee and pastries filling the air. We ordered a couple of drinks and some snacks before sitting down at a corner table.

“So, mystery girl,” he began, leaning forward slightly, “what’s your name?”

“Elena,” I replied, sipping my drink. “You?”

“Mason,” he answered, holding out his hand.

I shook it, feeling a little awkward but smiling nonetheless. “Nice to meet you, Mason.”

“Likewise Elena.” He leaned back, studying me for a moment. “So, tell me—what’s a girl like you doing out here jogging all alone?”

I rolled my eyes playfully. “What’s that supposed to mean? Can’t a girl go for a run without needing a bodyguard?”

“Hey, I’m not judging,” he said with a grin. “I’m just saying you’ve got guts. This city can be… unpredictable.”

“I’m starting to notice,” I muttered under my breath, thinking of all the warnings my father had given me about America.

He picked up on my tone but didn’t press. Instead he kept the conversation light, throwing in compliments here and there that made me blush despite myself. By the time we finished our snacks, I realized I was genuinely enjoying his company—a rare feeling for me.

As we got up to leave, Mason pulled out his phone. “Before you go running off into the wild again, let me give you my number. Just in case you ever need water or snacks or… a jogging buddy.” He smiled.

I laughed, shaking my head but handing him my phone anyway. We exchanged numbers, and as I left the café, I couldn’t help but feel a little lighter.

The jog wasn’t entirely pointless, I thought to myself as I headed back toward the mansion. At least I’d made one friend in this strange new place. Now, I just had to make sure my father didn’t find out I was out for too long.

* * * * * * * *

The sun had disappeared behind a thick wall of clouds by the time I was making my way back home. The wind had picked up speed, tossing my hair wildly around my face. I should’ve known better than to stay out so long. A storm was coming, and it wasn’t going to be kind.

I quickened my pace, hoping to beat the rain, but the first drops started falling just as I turned the corner onto a quieter street. They came slowly at first—one after another, and within a minute, the sky opened up and the downpour began.

I darted my eyes around, desperate for shelter, but the street was mostly empty. Then I spotted what looked like an old trampoline leaned against a wall in a dark alley. It wasn’t much, but it would do for now.

I ducked under the small covering, wrapping my arms around myself to ward off the cold. My clothes were already sticking to my skin and I shivered as the wind howled through the narrow space.

The sound of laughter broke through the rain and I turned to see three men approaching. They were older—maybe in their thirties—and their eyes lit up the moment they saw me. My stomach twisted but I kept my head down, hoping they’d just move along.

They didn’t.

“Look what we’ve got here,” one of them said, his voice low and slick. “What’s a pretty thing like you doing all alone out here?”

I stayed silent, stepping back slightly as they closed the distance.

“Hey, we’re just being friendly,” another chimed in, flashing me a grin that made my skin crawl.

I couldn’t take it anymore. My instincts screamed at me to get away so I stepped toward the open alley, but before I could leave, one of them grabbed my wrist—his grip firm and disgusting.

“Whoa, where you going beautiful?” he asked, his tone dripping with mock sweetness.

“Get your filthy hands off me,” I snapped, yanking my arm away.

His grin faltered, but before I could take another step, the second man reached for me, gripping my arm tightly.

“What’s the rush?” he asked, his voice darker this time. “You should stick around. Have some fun with us.”

My heart pounded as I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened. Panic bubbled in my chest and I felt my breath quicken.

That was it. Without thinking, I swung my knee up hard, catching him right between the legs. He let out a sharp groan, doubling over as I tore my arm free.

I didn’t wait to see what would happen next. I bolted, rain pounding against my face as I sprinted down the slick alley. Their shouts followed close behind so I knew they were chasing me.

In my panic, I stumbled onto a busy street, barely avoiding an oncoming car. Tires screeched, and the sudden shock of it all rooted me to the spot. My chest heaved as I stood frozen, soaked and terrified.

The car came to a stop just inches away and then the doors swung open. My heart pounded harder. Whoever was stepping out could either be my savior or just another bad news.

The doors slammed shut as three figures stepped out, their silhouettes illuminated by the streetlights. The rain blurred my vision, but as they moved closer, something about them struck me as familiar. Then it hit me. These were the same men who had confronted me at the club, only this time, there was someone else with them.

My heart dropped.

The two fools chasing me skidded to a halt the moment they saw the new arrivals. The air felt charged—tense—as one of the men from the car stepped forward.

"What the hell are you two doing chasing her?" he asked, his voice sharp and commanding.

The taller of the two who had been after me sneered, "That's none of your business pal."

The man who had spoken didn't flinch.

Instead, another one of the men from the car stepped forward, his voice even more threatening. "Get lost. Unless you want me to paint this street with your brains."

I blinked, unsure if l'd heard him right. What did he mean by that?

My question was answered the moment I saw him casually pull a gun from his waistband.

My knees almost gave out and the two men chasing after me froze as well, clearly just as terrified as I was.

"Look, man," one of them stammered, raising his hands. "She's all yours."

The other nodded quickly. "Yeah you can have her."

And just like that, they turned tail and bolted into the darkness, disappearing down the street.

I wanted to do the same. My instincts screamed at me to run but before I could move, a hand grabbed my arm. I spun around and found myself face to face with him. The man from the club.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked, his tone sharp.

I glared at him, yanking my arm free. "Do you expect me to stay here with you when you're all armed like that? What the hell do you want from me?"

He tilted his head slightly, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Elena Falcone," he said, my name rolling off his tongue like a taunt. "You bumped into me at the club the other day and gave me some half-assed apology. And now, after l've just saved your life, you still can't apologize properly."

My eyes widened in shock. "How the fuck do you know my name?"

He didn't answer right away. Instead, his smirk deepened. "Believe me, I know more than just your name." His voice was low, almost daring, as he added, "And I'd suggest you don't ever walk away from me again."

I felt a mix of confusion and anger bubbling inside me. "Why shouldn't I?" I snapped. "You have guns. What's to say you're not planning to hurt me next?"

His expression darkened slightly, but he kept his composure. "If I wanted to harm you then l'd have done that already. You've been rude to me twice now so trust me, I've had more than enough reason."

His words hung in the air—heavy with implication—and I didn't know whether to feel relieved or more on edge.

"Well, thank you for saving me," I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "Now let me

go."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "You're an arrogant little bitch, you know that?"

"What the hell did you just call me?" I asked as my head snapped toward him, eyes wide with disbelief.

"You heard me," he said, his tone mocking, almost daring me to react.

My anger boiled over before I could stop it. My hand flew up, and the next thing I knew, my palm connected with his cheek in a sharp, satisfying slap.

“Learn how to talk to a woman next time!" I snapped, my voice trembling with a mix of rage and adrenaline.

I didn't wait for a response. And turning on my heel, I marched away, the rain soaking through my clothes as I put as much distance between us as I could.