Chapter 2

Sophia's heart thudded in her chest as Dante's words hung in the air between them. His gaze lingered on her, dark and possessive, as if daring her to question him further. But what could she say? What could she possibly ask that wouldn't make her feel even more trapped in this web of confusion?

She turned away from him, looking out the window as the city lights blurred past. "What happens now?"

Dante's voice was smooth but carried an edge of finality. "Now, you belong to me."

Sophia's breath hitched. Belong to him? The words sounded terrifying, but there was something deeper, something unspoken behind them that made her stomach twist. She had walked into this willingly, yes, but not with the expectation of this. Being auctioned was one thing, but being claimed by the most dangerous man in Milan was something else entirely.

"I don't understand," she muttered, still avoiding his gaze. "What do you want from me?"

He chuckled softly, but there was no humor in the sound. "What every man wants, Sophia. Power, control, loyalty. And you-you were desperate enough to put yourself on that stage. So now, I own your desperation."

Sophia clenched her fists in her lap, her knuckles whitening as her anger flared beneath the surface. "I did it for my mother. Not for myself. You don't own me."

Dante leaned closer, the heat of his body suddenly so near that it made her pulse quicken. His breath was warm against her ear when he spoke, low and menacing. "Ah, but that's where you're wrong, tesoro. When you step into the world I rule, you surrender your freedom. You'll do as I say, when I say it. You'll live under my roof, and you'll play by my rules. But I promise you one thing-your mother will get the best care possible."

Her chest tightened at his words, her thoughts swirling in a chaotic storm. He was right about one thing: she'd entered his world of her own volition. But she hadn't known what that meant. Now, she felt like a caged animal, her every move dictated by this man who looked at her like she was nothing more than a tool in his game.

She turned her head slightly to meet his gaze, forcing herself not to shrink away from the cold intensity of his dark eyes. "And what if I don't play by your rules?"

Dante's smile was slow, predatory. "Then I'll make sure you regret it."

Sophia's skin prickled with the threat, but there was something else too-something she hated to admit. Dante was terrifying, yes, but the power he wielded, the command he had over everyone around him, even over her... it drew her in. It was magnetic, even though she knew it was dangerous.

The car slowed, and Sophia tore her gaze from Dante to see where they had arrived. They pulled up in front of a grand, imposing mansion, its stone walls casting shadows in the moonlight. Large iron gates opened automatically as they approached, and the car glided smoothly up the driveway.

Her pulse quickened as she realized that this was it. This was the place where she would be trapped, at least for the foreseeable future.

As the car stopped in front of the entrance, Dante stepped out first, then reached back to offer her his hand. Sophia hesitated for a brief moment before placing her trembling fingers in his. His grip was firm, unyielding, as he helped her out of the car.

"Welcome to your new home," Dante said, his voice laced with a dangerous undertone.

Sophia looked up at the mansion, her heart pounding in her chest. The grand doors loomed before her, and for a brief moment, she thought of running. But there was nowhere to go, nowhere to hide from this man who had woven her into his world with invisible chains.

Dante led her inside, his hand still resting on the small of her back as they stepped into the vast foyer. The air inside was cool, the polished marble floors gleaming beneath the soft glow of chandeliers overhead. The place was beautiful in a cold, detached way, just like the man standing beside her.

As they walked further into the mansion, a woman appeared from a side hallway, dressed in a tailored black suit. She moved with a quiet efficiency, her eyes briefly meeting Dante's before they shifted to Sophia. "Mr. DeLuca, should I show her to her room?"

Dante didn't respond immediately, and for a moment, Sophia thought he would dismiss the woman. But instead, his hand left her back, and he turned to the woman with a curt nod. "Take her upstairs. Make sure she has everything she needs."

The woman bowed slightly before gesturing for Sophia to follow. "This way, miss."

Sophia glanced at Dante one last time, her mind still spinning with questions she didn't know how to voice. His expression remained unreadable, a mask of indifference that only added to her growing sense of unease.

"Go," Dante said softly, his eyes flickering with something she couldn't quite place. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, you'll learn what's expected of you."

Sophia swallowed hard, her mouth dry as she turned and followed the woman up the grand staircase. Each step felt heavier than the last, her legs trembling beneath her. The woman led her down a long hallway, stopping in front of a large wooden door at the end.

"This will be your room," she said, pushing the door open to reveal an opulent bedroom beyond. The bed was massive, draped in fine linens, with plush pillows piled high. The room was decorated with elegant furniture, soft carpets, and expensive artwork, but it felt as cold and unfamiliar as the rest of the mansion.

The woman turned to her, her tone polite but distant. "If you need anything, just press the button beside the bed. Someone will assist you."

"Thank you," Sophia whispered, stepping into the room. The door closed softly behind her, leaving her alone in the suffocating silence.

She stood there for a moment, staring at the luxurious surroundings, feeling a strange disconnect between the beauty of the room and the turmoil raging inside her. Everything had happened so quickly. Less than an hour ago, she had been on the brink of auctioning herself off to strangers, and now she was here-trapped in the home of the most dangerous man in Milan.

Her knees buckled as the weight of the night finally crashed down on her. She collapsed onto the edge of the bed, her hands shaking as she buried her face in them.

How had she ended up here? How had her life spiraled so far out of control?

But as her thoughts swirled, one thing became painfully clear: she couldn't afford to let her guard down. Dante DeLuca was dangerous, and whatever he wanted from her, she had to be prepared.

Her mother's life was in his hands now.