Chapter 4

I’m awoken by the ray of soft light shadowing into the room from the curtain on the window. I yawned and tucked away the strands of hair on my face, exhaling as the memories flooded in. Darius. What happened after he held me from falling? Did he take advantage of me?

My stomach churned. I yanked the white duvet off my body, staring down at myself. I was covered in a white robe with the lingerie I wore yesterday still intact.

But where was I? My brows scrunched up as my gaze cluttered the room from the

bedside lamp to the large tv console until it stopped on a statue-like figure standing by the door.

Enzo. I sprang up in a squat, my whole body tensed as I dug my nails into the cold white sheet and pulled it over my body, shuffling back on the bed until my back pressed against the hard wood.

He stood silently, staring.

Tapping my hand by the nightstand, I carried the lamp and pointed it towards him. “W..what do you want?” I didn’t know who scared me more between him and Darius.

“I’m not here to hurt you. Relax,” he said in a thick voice, raising both hands slightly above his head. “I’m Enzo. Head guard. Darius wants you to dine with him.”

Still pressed against the headboard, I felt the tension in my shoulders dissolve. I exhaled. I’m safe.

Slowly, I put down the lamp, not moving my gaze away from him. But why did Darius want me to dine with him?

He bent and picked up a black bag on the floor, then crossed over to the bed. “Bathe and change into this.” He dropped it on the bed and turned. “I’m waiting outside.”

After he slammed the door behind him, I stomped to the bathroom, dropping into the bathtub.

When the water touched my skin, my breathing slowed and I shut my eyes. My mind drifted back to my old life. There wasn’t anyone there to mourn me. My parents were dead long ago. I had no siblings or any relatives that I knew of.

I sank lower into the bath, fighting back tears and allowing the water to settle on my neck. Even death hadn’t fixed how lonely I felt. If anything, waking up in a different body where everyone hated me reminded me of how alone I was, even before I died.

I sighed and began scrubbing my body. Whatever waited for me at that dinner table, whatever Darius had planned, I needed my head clear for it.

When I finished, I dried my body, walked back into the room, and picked out the dress from the bag. A bundle of raw nerves hit me. It was a black striped low cut

dress—looked nothing like what a mafia would want his servant to wear. But then again, it was to my advantage. I pulled it over my head, then loosened my hair to fall freely on my back.

I cracked the door open. Enzo didn’t pass me a glance.

We scrambled past multiple doors until we got to the dining room. Darius was already seated, a designer bag—similar to the one Enzo gave me—placed on the edge of the table.

Enzo stopped by the door, and I unconsciously swung my hips to the table, unsure of whether to sit or stand. Darius straightened on the dining chair, then lifted his face, his dark hair falling on his cheeks.

I dropped my eyes to his body. His entire outfit was black—T-shirt on, ragged loose jeans and black boots. My heart slammed. Why’d he have to look so hot? The universe clearly wasn’t done punishing me.

His gaze was on me too, flickering from my face down to my body where it lingered a bit in a blank expression.

With two fingers, he gestured for me to sit on the chair next to him. Tremors traveled to my legs as I shuffled closer to him against the smooth tiled floor. I crashed down on the particular seat and rubbed my moist hands under the table, my gaze fixed on my thighs.

Food was already served. He pushed a fork and knife to me without looking up. “Eat.”

My stomach pitched. I finally glanced at him, swallowing several times as if I were digesting what he just said. Weren’t servants meant to serve their master? Why was he asking me to eat with him?

Picking the fork up, I dragged a plate to my front and bit into the food, the saltiness slapping my cheeks.

“You’ll serve me.” His voice made me flinch. I forced the food down my throat and

glanced up, anticipating the next line. Without looking at me, he continued. “But under my terms.”

My body went numb. I started coughing, almost choking on my food. “What terms?” I dropped my fork.

He glanced up and ook his time to settle his fork before wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin. “Stand up.” He placed the napkin on the table then rested his gaze on my body. “And take that off.”

I almost laughed. Skipping dinner and jumping straight into dessert? Of course he was full of surprises.

Furrowing my brows, I gazed around the dining room. It stopped on a plate of food and I squinted my eyes. If only I could pick it up and slam it against his head. But for me to live, he had to live.

I shifted my focus to Enzo. He was still, hands folded behind him. I turned back to Darius and asked in a small voice, “Here?”

“Here.”

I pushed the seat back and stood, my hand finding the hem of the dress. This was exactly what I wanted. For him to want me, sexually. But not when the guards were around. I kept my chin up, refusing to meet his gaze as I slipped the dress over my head.

Slowly, he rose and leaned on the table, then pulled me closer by the waist. He tipped my face up with two fingers, holding my gaze.

“You don’t speak to other men.” His hand slid down from my jaw to my neck, gripping it. I swallowed, my heart throbbing. He blinked slowly, then freed my neck, lifting his finger to my lips. “You do what I tell you. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“And if I don’t?” A pressing weight settled on my chest as the words left my mouth, robbing me of my breath.

He held my gaze, his lips twitching. He stood from the table and removed his hand from my body. I took two steps backwards, tilting my head up so I could still meet his gaze. His eyes lingered on my lips, then he sank down until his warm breath was all I felt on my neck. I shut my eyes, breathing fast while stupidly expecting a kiss.

But instead, he whispered, “My pet shouldn’t question my orders.”

I opened my eyes, my limbs vibrating. Was he toying with me?

He turned and picked a bag up, then threw it at me. I caught it, almost falling back. Inside was black lingerie and a leather throat collar, similar to that of an animal. My eyes widened and I glared up at him.

“Rest today, Pet.” He ignored the glare I passed him. Squatting down on his seat again,

he stretched out his leg. “Tomorrow you’re performing for me.” His gaze moved to the bag clutched against my body. “In that.”