CHAPTER 3: THE DEVIL'S BARGAIN

"He demanded her obedience but found

her resistance was his greatest addiction."

Chapter 3: The Devil's Bargain

The sky had darkened by the time Emilia stepped out of her apartment again, her nerves taut like a wire ready to snap. She had left Luca safely inside, locked away with strict instructions not to open the door for anyone. But even with those precautions, a nagging sense of dread clung to her, whispering that danger was lurking just around the corner.

She had no choice but to face it head-on.

The streets of Milan were quieter now, the vibrant life of the day fading into the shadows of the night. Emilia's footsteps echoed softly on the cobblestones as she made her way through the dimly lit alleyways, her mind racing. She had a plan—one that she hated, but it was the only option she had left.

Alessandro De Rossi had made it clear that he was a man who controlled everything around him. He had connections, power, and the resources to make anyone disappear without a trace. Emilia knew she couldn't outmaneuver him, but she could negotiate. She had to.

Her destination was a high-end nightclub known only to the wealthy elite of Milan. It was the kind of place where deals were made in the shadows, where power was traded as easily as a drink at the bar. She had never set foot in it before, but she knew Alessandro frequented it. He would be there tonight—he had to be.

The bouncer at the door barely glanced at her as she approached, his gaze quickly scanning her from head to toe. She had dressed carefully, opting for a sleek black dress that hugged her curves just enough to get noticed, but not enough to draw unwanted attention. The heels she wore added height, giving her a sense of confidence she desperately needed.

"Name?" the bouncer asked, his voice a low rumble.

"Emilia Moretti," she replied, her tone firm. "I'm here to see Alessandro De Rossi."

The bouncer's eyes narrowed slightly, but after a moment of scrutiny, he stepped aside, allowing her entry. The door opened to reveal a world of opulence—lavish decor, crystal chandeliers, and the soft hum of conversation mixed with the clink of glasses. It was a world far removed from the one Emilia knew, and she felt out of place the moment she stepped inside.

But she didn't have time to dwell on it. She scanned the room, her eyes searching for the one man she knew could help—or destroy—her. And then she saw him.

Alessandro stood at the far end of the room, near a corner booth draped in shadow. He was dressed in a dark suit, perfectly tailored to his powerful frame, his presence commanding even in the midst of such luxury. His eyes were cold, calculating as they swept over the room, missing nothing.

Emilia took a deep breath and started toward him, her heart pounding in her chest. She was walking into the lion's den, and she knew there was no turning back.

As she approached the booth, Alessandro's gaze shifted to her, his expression unreadable. He watched her intently, his eyes dark and piercing as she finally stood before him.

"You're either very brave or very foolish to seek me out like this," Alessandro said, his voice a low, dangerous drawl.

Emilia's heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice, but she forced herself to hold his gaze. "I'm not here for games, Alessandro. We need to talk."

A flicker of amusement passed through his eyes as he leaned back in his seat, studying her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. "Talk? Is that what you think this is about?"

"I think it's about survival," Emilia shot back, her voice steady despite the fear coiling in her gut. "You warned me last night. You made it clear that nothing happens in your world without your say. So tell me—what's happening now? Why is someone following Luca?"

Alessandro's expression didn't change, but there was a dangerous glint in his eyes as he regarded her. "You think I'm responsible?"

"I think you know more than you're letting on," Emilia replied, refusing to back down. "And I'm not leaving until I get answers."

For a moment, Alessandro said nothing, his gaze never leaving hers. The silence stretched between them, thick with tension, until finally, he let out a soft chuckle—a sound that sent a shiver down Emilia's spine.

"You're a bold woman, Emilia," Alessandro said, his voice tinged with something akin to admiration. "But boldness alone won't save you in my world. If someone is watching your brother, it's not because of me. At least, not directly."

Emilia's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Alessandro's eyes darkened as he leaned forward, his voice lowering to a near whisper. "There are others who would see me fall—rivals who would use any weakness they can find to get to me. You and your brother… you've caught their attention. They see you as a way to strike at me."

Emilia's stomach twisted with dread. She had known that getting involved with a man like Alessandro would be dangerous, but she hadn't realized just how deep the danger went. "And what are you going to do about it?"

Alessandro's gaze sharpened, his expression turning deadly serious. "I don't tolerate threats, Emilia. Not to me, and not to those under my protection."

The implication in his words wasn't lost on her. "Under your protection?" she echoed, her voice laced with skepticism. "And what exactly does that mean?"

Alessandro reached out, his fingers brushing against her arm in a gesture that was both possessive and strangely gentle. "It means that from this moment on, you and Luca are mine to protect. No one touches you without answering to me."

Emilia's breath caught at the intensity in his eyes, the sheer power behind his words. But she couldn't ignore the price that came with such protection. "And what do you expect in return?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alessandro's lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. "You already know the answer to that, Emilia. Loyalty. Obedience. And you."

Her heart pounded in her chest as his words sank in. This was the devil's bargain she had feared, the moment when she would have to decide just how far she was willing to go to protect Luca. She had always prided herself on her independence, her refusal to be owned by anyone. But now, with everything on the line, she realized that she had no choice.

"Fine," Emilia said, her voice stronger than she felt. "I'll agree to your terms. But I won't be a prisoner, Alessandro. I won't let you control me."

Alessandro's smile widened, a dark satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "You'll find, Emilia, that I always get what I want. But don't worry—I'll give you the freedom you need. As long as you remember who you belong to."

His words were a warning, a promise of what was to come. Emilia knew she was stepping into a world of darkness, of danger and deception, but she had no choice. Luca's safety was all that mattered, and if that meant surrendering herself to a man like Alessandro, then so be it.

But as she looked into his eyes, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of something else—something dangerous and thrilling, something that both terrified and excited her. She had made her choice, and there was no turning back.

Alessandro stood, his presence looming over her as he extended a hand. "Come with me," he said, his voice a command.

Emilia hesitated for only a moment before she placed her hand in his, the contact sending a jolt of electricity through her. Alessandro's grip tightened, and he led her out of the club, his intentions clear.

As they stepped into the night, the city of Milan sprawled out before them, Emilia knew that her life was about to change in ways she could never have imagined. She was bound to Alessandro now, by a bargain she couldn't refuse, and by the dangerous attraction that simmered between them.

The world she had known was slipping away, replaced by a world of shadows and secrets. And as much as she feared what lay ahead, there was a part of her—dark and hidden—that couldn't wait to see where this path would lead.

Because in the end, she was no longer just Emilia Moretti. She was now something else entirely—someone who was both prey and predator, someone who was bound to the darkness by the devil's bargain she had made.

And there was no going back.