The Cage

Serena's POV

The air inside the car was suffocating.

The city blurred past in streaks of neon and darkness, but I barely saw it. My pulse pounded against my skull, the weight of Lorenzo De Luca's presence pressing against me like an invisible chain.

I was trapped.

I clenched my hands into fists on my lap, nails digging into my palms, grounding myself. Think, Serena.

I had to get out.

I flicked a glance at the door handle. If I could just—

Lorenzo's deep, velvety voice cut through the silence. "Don't."

I froze.

He hadn't even looked at me, his sharp gray eyes fixed on the road ahead. But the warning in that single word was enough to send a chill down my spine.

I swallowed hard. "Where are you taking me?"

"To your new home."

His tone was so casual, so matter-of-fact, like this was normal. Like he hadn't just kidnapped me from my own life.

I turned toward him sharply. "You can't just—"

His eyes flicked to mine, silencing me.

Cold. Unyielding.

It was the gaze of a man who didn't care about right or wrong.

"Your father gave you to me." He leaned back against the leather seat, his long fingers tapping lazily against the armrest. "You're mine now."

I shook my head. "I'm not—"

"You are." His voice was quiet, but it sliced through me like a blade. "And I suggest you start accepting it."

My stomach twisted.

No. I wouldn't accept this.

I turned back to the window, staring at the streets speeding past. I knew this part of town—the lights, the towering buildings, the sharp, crisp order of it all.

We weren't heading toward some abandoned warehouse.

We were heading toward wealth.

Mafia wealth.

I didn't know much about the De Luca empire, but I had heard enough whispers. They didn't just deal in drugs and violence—they owned the city. Real estate. Businesses. Banks. Even the police had their hands tied when it came to men like him.

I bit my lip, trying to push back the fear rising inside me.

If I couldn't escape now, I would have to wait. Watch. Find a weakness.

I refused to become some pawn in whatever game he was playing.

I refused.

The car slowed as we approached a set of large iron gates. The moment we passed through, my breath hitched.

It wasn't a house.

It was a fortress.

The estate sprawled before me, bathed in the warm glow of lights that did nothing to soften the sharp, imposing structure.

Tall walls surrounded the property, guarded by men in dark suits—armed men.

My pulse raced. How the hell was I supposed to escape this?

The car pulled up to the entrance, and before I could brace myself, the door beside me swung open.

A large man stood outside, his presence just as intimidating as Lorenzo's.

I shrank back on instinct.

Lorenzo exhaled, as if already losing patience with me. "Get out."

I hesitated.

Then his fingers wrapped around my wrist. Firm. Cold. Commanding.

He didn't pull me hard, but the message was clear.

He was done waiting.

With a deep breath, I stepped out onto the gravel driveway, my legs shaking beneath me.

The moment I was outside, the chill of the night air made me shiver.

Or maybe it was the reality of my situation finally sinking in.

I was standing in front of a mansion that belonged to the Mafia.

And I wasn't a guest.

I was a prisoner.

---

Lorenzo's POV

She looked so small standing there.

Her shoulders were squared, her chin lifted in a weak attempt at defiance. But I could see past it.

She was terrified.

Good.

Fear kept people obedient. Fear kept them from doing stupid things.

I watched as she scanned the area, her eyes lingering on the guards, the gates, the walls. Already looking for an escape.

I almost smiled.

She was smart.

But not smart enough.

"Move," I said, striding past her toward the entrance.

She hesitated again, but when I turned my head slightly, she finally started walking.

One step at a time.

Like a lamb being led into the wolf's den.

The grand doors opened the moment we reached them, the warmth of the mansion spilling out into the night.

She took a hesitant step inside, her breath hitching as she took in her surroundings.

I knew what she saw.

Marble floors, high ceilings, expensive chandeliers. Elegance and wealth woven into every corner.

A palace for a king.

And she had just become part of it.

She turned to me, her brows furrowing. "What now?"

I stepped closer, watching as she instinctively moved back.

But there was nowhere to go.

Her back hit the wall.

Her breathing shallowed, her hands trembling at her sides.

She was trying to act strong. But I could feel her fear.

The way her pulse raced beneath her skin.

The way her lips parted as if struggling to breathe.

I lifted a hand, pressing my palm against the wall beside her head.

Caging her in.

Her eyes widened.

Good.

I wanted her trapped.

"You'll stay here," I murmured. "Under my roof. Under my rules."

She swallowed hard. "And if I don't?"

I smiled. Slowly.

"Then I'll remind you who owns you."

Her breath hitched.

I could see the war inside her. The fear battling against the fire.

She wanted to fight me.

She wanted to hate me.

But she had already lost.

I leaned in, my lips just inches from hers.

Her entire body tensed.

"You can fight all you want, dolcezza." My voice dropped lower, silk wrapped in steel. "But in the end, you'll break."

She exhaled sharply, her chest rising and falling in uneven breaths.

Then, with as much courage as she could muster, she whispered, "We'll see."

Something dark and ravenous coiled in my chest.

I let out a slow chuckle, dragging my fingers along her jaw before stepping back.

She thought she had a chance.

She thought she could fight me.

She had no idea how much I loved the chase.

I turned away. "Take her to her room," I ordered.

One of my men nodded, stepping forward.

She stiffened.

I saw the panic flash across her face as she realized I was leaving her alone with my guards.

Not hurting her. Not touching her.

But taking away her illusion of control.

I smirked as I walked away, her sharp inhale of breath lingering in the air behind me.

This was only the beginning.

Serena Castillo was mine.

And I had all the time in the world to make her realize it.

---

By pookies