"How much do you know about the underworld?"
Daniel asked, his voice low and deliberate. He sat down on the edge of the bed beside me, his index finger still resting lightly on my lips. Slowly, he lifted it just enough to allow me to speak, the gesture almost teasing.
"A little bit. Why do you ask?"
I replied, my gaze locked on his. What did the underworld have to do with any of this right now? He was just trying to piss me off, drag this out.
I'd only heard about them from Father. He used to say they were dangerous groups, mafia families, who controlled everything, both legal and illegal. Messing with them was like inviting your own death.
"Wait..."
My eyes widened slightly as a cold suspicion crept in.
"Do they have anything to do with my father's death?"
I asked, curiosity and dread twisting together. But why would anyone target him? He was powerful, untouchable.
"Nah. Your father committed suicide because of a huge debt."
His casual words lit a fresh fire of rage inside me. How dare he speak about Father like that, in such a disrespectful, dismissive tone?
"Don't lie to me. Even you know Father never needed to take money from anyone-"
Daniel cut in.
"Oh, he does. You think you know everything about your father's business? Then tell me, the last time you visited his company? You know nothing. All you've ever known is how to live off your father's money. But now that's gone too."
"How dare you!"
The words exploded out of me. My left arm moved on pure instinct, swinging toward his face in a sharp slap. But he caught my wrist mid-air, fingers closing like a vice. His grip tightened, painfully, his nails digging into my flesh.
I tried to wrench free with my right hand, clawing at his arm, but it was useless. He was far stronger than I was. I couldn't budge him. I couldn't do anything.
"Now listen here, your father took a huge debt from a few mafia groups... including mine."
What? His? Like... he's some kind of mafia boss or something? Did he really think I was stupid enough to swallow this bullshit?
He continued, leaning in closer until his face was inches from mine. I could feel the warmth of his breath brushing against my skin, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.
"I paid off the debt he took from the overseas groups, hoping I'd get my money back later. But now your father's dead, and all his assets are useless. The banks have sealed every property and everything he owned."
"So the only thing left I can take as repayment... is you, Eva."
His index finger hooked under my chin, tilting my face up to force my eyes to meet his. His words sank in slowly, heavily, making my stomach twist. My brain scrambled to process what he was saying, but it felt like the room was closing in.
Me... as repayment?
His tone was deadly serious, no trace of a joke. I could tell he meant every word. A cold, suffocating sensation wrapped around me like a giant snake coiling tighter, its venomous fangs dripping acid that burned through any hope of escape.
"Y-you're joking!... You can't take me as repayment."
My voice came out shaky, trembling with raw fear. My heart hammered so hard it felt like it might crack my ribs.
"Oh, I can. And I already have."
An evil smile curved his lips, it was chilling. That single expression froze me in place, paralysing every muscle as terror flooded my veins.
"But since you're my old friend,"
He added softly, clearly mocking me.
"I won't treat you like some bed warmer. You'll be my wife from now on. Got it?"
"Wife? Fuck yo-"
Before I could finish the words, his lips crashed against mine, silencing me completely. I froze as he kissed me, soft at first.
Then his left arm slid behind my neck, fingers threading into my hair as he deepened the kiss. His tongue pushed past my lips, finding mine and forcing it into a slow, insistent dance.
I could feel every detail: the heat of his breath mingling with mine, the warm slide of his saliva, the way it was melting something inside me against my will. My eyes fluttered shut on their own.
Without thinking, my arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer as my fingers tangled in his soft, silky hair. I kissed him back, as I could somehow take control through the contact.
His right arm curled behind my back, drawing my body flush against his, erasing any space between us.
And then I opened my eyes. Just as I was about to bite down hard on his invading tongue, he pulled it back, safely, as if he'd anticipated the exact moment I'd strike.
But my teeth caught his lower lip instead.
I bit down, hard, until his lips started bleeding. I didn't let go. If he tried to yank away now, it would only tear worse. He stared down at me, his eyes were calm. I could practically picture the smirk hidden behind that steady gaze.
Asshole, he actually thought I'd just give in to his bullshit? Like hell I was going to let him have me so easily.
He might be stronger than me physically, much stronger, but that didn't mean I couldn't fight back. I'd make him regret every second of this.
Suddenly his arms moved away from my body. For a split second, it looked like he was backing off, good choice, Daniel. That was the smartest thing he could do right now.
But my tiny victory didn't last.
His right arm slipped under the hem of my oversized T-shirt without warning. I felt the heat of his warm palm gliding up my bare skin until it reached my breast. He deftly pushed my bra aside, fingers finding sensitive flesh.
It hit me like an electric shock.
His index finger and thumb closed around my nipple, pinching it, crushing it just enough to send a jolt through every nerve in my body. My whole frame vibrated involuntarily.
The sharp sting mixed with unwanted heat made me release his lower lip instantly, a choked gasp escaping me.
Fucking asshole.
My eyes rolled back for a moment as waves of sensation crashed over me. My arms flew up, desperately trying to shove his hand away, but my strength felt useless against him. I was breathing heavily, ragged, desperate gasps as my lungs fought for air.
That spot was so sensitive, and the way he kept rolling and pinching my nipple only made the overwhelming feeling worse, sharper, more unbearable.
"I think I need to teach you how to be an obedient wife."
He whispered the words hot against my ear, his voice low and dangerous. Finally, he released my nipple.
I collapsed back onto the mattress.
He was already on top of me, his weight pinning me down, his dark eyes locked on mine with that same calm yet predatory intensity.