Chapter Nine

Sarah's heart pounded in her chest, the sound of the door slamming shut reverberating through the empty cellar like a final judgment. The echo faded, but the chill it left in her bones remained, growing colder with each passing second. Adrian stood before her, a looming shadow of power and control, his presence pressing down on her like a vice.

He took another step closer, his eyes locked on hers, unblinking, predatory. "You've made your choice," he murmured, his voice as smooth and lethal as a blade sliding from its sheath. "Now, it's time to pay the price."

Her throat was dry, her legs trembling beneath her as she tried to find the strength to speak, to push back against the overwhelming force that was Adrian DeLuca. She had known the moment she confronted him that this wasn't going to end easily, but standing here now, utterly alone, the reality of what she had done was sinking in like quicksand.

"I didn't... I didn't have a choice," she whispered, her voice betraying the fear she had tried so hard to hide. "You left me no choice."

Adrian's lips twisted into a cruel smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. He stepped closer, the space between them shrinking with every movement, until she could feel the heat of his breath on her skin. "There's always a choice, Sarah. You just made the wrong one."

Her pulse raced, each beat of her heart like a drum pounding against her ribs. "What do you want from me?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Adrian raised a hand, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face with a gentleness that contrasted sharply with the darkness in his gaze. "I want what you've already promised. Loyalty. Obedience. And complete control." His fingers trailed down the side of her face, making her shiver as she tried to pull back, but he was faster, his grip tightening around her chin, forcing her to look directly into his eyes. "You belong to me now, Sarah. Body and soul."

She swallowed, her body stiffening at the weight of his words. This was the devil's bargain she had struck, the price she had to pay to protect her father. But could she truly give herself over to this man? Could she live with the knowledge that every step she took, every breath she drew, would be at his command?

"I won't... I can't..." Her voice faltered.

"You don't have a choice," he hissed, his grip tightening just enough to remind her of the power he held. "You think this is about what you want? No. This is about survival, and if you want your father to keep breathing, you'll learn to follow my rules."

His words were like ice, cutting into her skin, leaving her no room for doubt. Adrian DeLuca was not a man to be defied. He had already proven that by taking Antonio from the room without so much as a word, his men dragging him away as if he were nothing more than a pawn in Adrian's twisted game.

"What happens now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Adrian smiled again, that same cruel twist of his lips that sent shivers down her spine. "Now," he said, releasing her chin and stepping back just enough to let her breathe again, "you start doing as you're told. You're going to be useful to me, Sarah. Very useful."

Her stomach twisted at the thought. "How?"

Adrian's smile widened. "You'll find out soon enough. But first..."

He stepped back fully, walking over to a nearby wine bottle and inspecting it casually, as if the tension between them didn't exist. "I want you to prove your loyalty. I want you to show me that you understand the situation you're in." His tone was light, almost amused, but the undercurrent of danger was unmistakable.

Sarah frowned. "How?"

Adrian turned to face her again, holding the bottle loosely in his hand. "Tomorrow night, I'm having a little gathering. Important people. Powerful people. I want you there, by my side. No questions. No resistance. You'll play the part I tell you to play, and if you succeed, maybe... just maybe... your father will live to see another day."

Her breath caught in her throat. He was toying with her, dangling her father's life in front of her like a prize she could win if only she danced to his tune. The thought made her sick, but what choice did she have? She had already sold her soul to this man. There was no going back.

"I'll do it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Adrian's smirk widened as if he had expected nothing less. "Good girl."

Before Sarah could respond, the door creaked open again, and one of Adrian's men appeared. He nodded to Adrian, who tossed the wine bottle onto a nearby table and straightened his jacket.

"I'll send someone for you tomorrow," Adrian said, his voice cool and detached once more. He turned to leave, pausing only for a moment to glance back at her. "Remember, Sarah, your father's life depends on you."

With that, he was gone, leaving Sarah alone in the cold, suffocating cellar. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, and she could barely breathe as the reality of her situation settled in. Tomorrow night, her life would change forever.

But what if she failed?