Chapter 1 1

Cassandra's POV

I was drowning slowly in those ocean eyes staring back at me. I could see raging waves and the calmness of the ocean at the same time. There was passion, there was danger, there was hatred, there was anger yet I could see solace, they were filled with malice yet I could feel the benevolence, they were ecstatically beautiful but intimidating, cold, lonely, and...broken.

They have kept me in such a bone-chilling trance that I forgot I am standing bare feet only in sheer white lingerie on a pedestal surrounded by a crowd bidding on me and a man standing at the next podium repeating how an eighteen-year-old brunette with creamy skin and long dark hair can atone for a sex toy. The pedestal was rotating very slowly for the crowd to get a good and lasting look at my whole profile. I was covered with heavy layers of makeup and blood-red lip color. My hair was tied up in a high bun with a few strands freed from the bun so that the nape of my neck could easily be visible to the potential buyers that's one of the sweet spots. However, I doubt any spot of my body was left invisible in this almost transparent babydoll lingerie I am wearing.

At that moment I forgot everything. The only thing I could see were those icy blue eyes. It felt like they had hypnotized me in a trance.

I could not see his face as he was standing in the dark and the spotlight's reflection was on his eyes. The eyes that were piercing through my soul said that they would either be my destruction or my haven. Or both? Who is he?

Suddenly my trance was broken as the room became dark and I was taken down the pedestal backstage where I saw the man who was my nightmare. I never hated anyone as much as I hated Alex.

Alex Pedro is a man with a beauty that could make you drool. He is the man you see in movies. Sharp features, dark eyes, well-built, and a smile to die for. His blazer gets curved along with his toned muscles. Tattoos peep from his wrist which has the diamond-studded platinum Rolex. The man reeks of class. A rich handsome businessman. What more to ask in a man, right? What you can't see behind this quintessential deamonaur, is his black, heinous, pathetic soul. The soul of a deranged monster.

He tore me apart and he was the reason why I was in this hell hole waiting to be sold. I was mentally picturing myself killing him when he broke the silence with the words I could have never imagined, not in my worst nightmares. Yes, not even the woman standing to be bid on the thought of such a possibility "I must confess that I felt just enough regret to have taken your virginity when I decided to auction you off, because you know virgin stock always gives you the best returns, but now I feel satisfied that I had that taste since now I have to 'gift' you to the Dom" I looked at him with wide eyes and I blurted "What the hell are you saying? What do you mean by gift? What Dom?" "I am saying that you my little dove have been chosen by the Dom, he laid his eyes on you, and wants you. Now we all know he gets what he wants, always". He replied as if stating a fact. Witnessing the question marks in my eyes he continued in a tone as if he was mocking me "Don't tell me you haven't heard of him. He is the Capo of the Italian Mafia. He rules the underworld drugs cartels, smuggling of arms, gold, diamonds, extortion, gambling, trafficking, killing, and stuff, you get it, right?" He said slowly as if talking to a four-year-old, I rolled my eyes at his stupid manner as he continued, "His word is law in our world and my dove he wants you now so that's what he is going to get from me".

I was gobsmacked. It's not that no one has ever heard of the Italian Mafia ruling the city, the Castro brothers have made their presence known in New York City very well. Moreover, I have heard Alex talk about them a lot. He always seems like a fan. I have heard him telling stories about Dom and his brother. All flattered on the 'badass stuff' as he used to put it, they do. Bragging about their casinos and clubs. Rather I should say their strip clubs and strippers. He used to tell on his poker table how Dom had taken over everything arms, drugs, basically anything to everything. I came to know his forte was more smuggling arms, diamonds, and stuff plus gambling, killing, and extortion, and his brother took care of the drug cartel, again courtesy to Alex for this information. Though he never told me directly I was generally in an earful distance to know. He told that the Castros were not the hierarchical mafia family but the Dom is a made man and apparently carved his way on top to be the king and now he rules the Mafia world with his younger brother, but you do not think you will be crossing paths with them. Why the Dom want me? Where the hell has he even seen me? Was he here? All these questions were circling me but the only thought that was scaring me to hell was Dom's reputation.

He was known to be a ruthless monster. It is known that he kills without remorse, his wrath is known to be terrifying, they say he will crush you before you know it, he has so much power and is so merciless that everyone fears him but why does a man like that want me?

My fear got the best of me and I almost begged Alex, the one thing I promised myself I would never do anymore, "No, Don't do this Alex, Don't send me to him. How can you do this to me? I am your best friend's daughter for God's sake!" I exclaimed. "Step-daughter, may I correct? Plus you are forgetting you are the one who killed him," he stated looking at his watch as if getting bored. "It was an accident and you are the reason for that and you know it". I retorted with anger lacing my voice. "And this is me not giving a fuck" he said strolling towards me. "Look, Dove, it's not in my hands, even if I want to keep you, I am not going to make an enemy out of Dom for you", he stated the obvious.

He was scared of Dom, his fear was visible in his eyes, and that made me fear Dom even more because if a man like Alex Pedro who is known for being the deadliest gang leader at such a young age, who is practically involved in everything illegal and always gets away with that, is scared of this man, its only intelligent to fear him yourself.