Chapter 2 Kneel Her

Serena ~

"I am not your slave!" The rage boiling inside me forced the words out, my eyes locking with Dante's cold, piercing blue gaze. He cannot turn me into his slave. That auction was a deception. My father has no right to sell me.

His grip on my hair tightened, and he jerked my head back painfully until his face hovered just inches from mine. His hot and suffocating breath brushed against my cheek, making my skin crawl.

"What did you just say?" His voice was dangerously low, each word dripping with malice.

"I said-I am not your slave." The pain in my scalp was excruciating, but I refused to break in front of this monster. My body screamed for relief, but I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing my tears. I'll never let him see me cry.

His lips curled into a cold, cruel smile. "You are my slave. I paid for you, and I'll make sure you know exactly what that means." His icy gaze flicked to my lips, lingering momentarily before he released me with a rough shove.

I hit the floor, my body trembling, but I bit down hard on my lip. I will not break. I won't give him what he wants. No matter what my father has done, I will not let this man own me.

"Sit there," he ordered, his voice chilling. He pointed his feet at the floor. Without hesitation, he shoved me down, making sure my face was level with his shoes.

The rough carpet of the car scratched against my bare legs as I struggled to stay upright. Humiliation wasn't enough for him-he wanted me to feel like I was beneath him, literally. I bit my lip, my stomach twisting with both disgust and fury.

I won't give in to him.

The car came to a sudden stop, and I lurched forward, hitting the seat in front of me. I instinctively reached out, my hand grabbing his leg, my head falling against his knee. He chuckled, dark and mocking.

"Good. You're already learning your place," he sneered, his eyes flashing with satisfaction. One of his men opened the car door, and he stepped out, adjusting his suit like nothing had happened.

"Hm... wear this," he said, throwing his coat toward me.

I stared at him in confusion. Why now? Just moments ago, he paraded me around like I was nothing. Why give me any decency now?

"Button it up," he ordered coldly. His commanding tone sent chills down my spine.

My fingers fumbled as I quickly buttoned the coat from collar to hem. After buttoning the coat, he grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the car.

The mansion loomed ahead, tall and foreboding, its grandeur shrouded in shadow. Armed guards stood like statues, their eyes tracking my every movement as he dragged me toward the entrance. The cold air cut through me, but the fear gnawing at my insides made my skin burn.

"Come on. Let's show my father what I've brought him," his voice thundered as we entered the grand hall.

My breath caught in my throat.

The place reeked of wealth and power, from the crystal chandelier above to the dead animal heads mounted on the walls like trophies. I felt the weight of their stares-the guards, the servants, all watching me with cold indifference.

I stumbled as his grip tightened on my hair, but he didn't care. He yanked me forward, his expression full of sadistic glee as I winced in pain. Every time I tripped, he dragged me harder, relishing my suffering.

"Father, I have a surprise for you!" His voice echoed through the cavernous hall, filled with pride. I glanced around, desperation clawing at me.

Who is his father? What do they want from me?

A figure descended the grand staircase-a man whose very presence seemed to command the room. Age lined his face, but his sharp eyes were cold and calculating. He moved with the same quiet authority as the man holding me, but something about him made my heart stop.

For a moment, hope flickered inside me. Could this man release me?

He didn't look at me the way the others had. Maybe he wasn't like his son. Maybe I could appeal to him and make him see that I wasn't a part of their world.

"Dante, my lion," the older man greeted, his voice rich with affection. "What have you bought me?"

Dante? So that was his name.

I glanced at him, watching as he straightened, his cruel grin fading into something almost... respectful. He was bowing his head as if seeking his father's approval. I had never imagined a man like him could submit to anyone.

"I won her at an auction, Father."

The older man's eyes flicked to me, his gaze raking over my body with cold detachment.

"What's so special about her? You can send her to the brothel with the others."

Brothel? My stomach lurched at the word, and my mind spun with confusion and horror.

Dante's lips curled back into a smirk. "She's not like the others. She is Don Moretti's daughter."

I froze. Don Moretti. My father.

The older man's expression darkened with surprise and then amusement.

"Is that so?" His eyes lit up with something far more dangerous than I had expected.

Dante puffed out his chest, clearly pleased with himself. "Yes, Dad. I paid ten million dollars for her. I thought she'd make the perfect gift."

Laughter-sharp and menacing-filled the room. The older man's face twisted into a smile that made my skin crawl. "Good job, my lion. Now we'll use her to break that bastard Moretti. He'll regret ever crossing us."

My heart plummeted. They were going to use me to destroy my father. I should have felt relief that the man who betrayed me would suffer, but something was wrong. The more I watched, the more I wondered-what was this man's connection to my father? Why did they want revenge?

Dante's father motioned for him to approach, and I watched in disbelief as Dante kneeled before him, pressing a kiss to his hand. The powerful, sadistic man who had just tortured me stood like a servant in front of his father.

"Kneel," Dante's voice snapped, dragging me out of my thoughts. I met his gaze, fury rising inside me.

"No."

His eyes darkened, filled with cold rage.

"What did you say?"

Before I could react, he yanked my hair again, forcing me to my knees in front of his father. My scalp burned, but I gritted my teeth and stared straight ahead. I would not submit. Not to him, not to anyone.

"You're ours now, woman," Dante snarled. "You'll learn respect."

His father's hand gripped my chin; his eyes were cold and menacing.

"You'll learn that in time, all women bow to power. And power is all we have."

I swallowed hard, holding back the tears threatening to spill. "You can control my body, but you'll never break me." My voice trembled, but I meant every word. I would never let them win.

The old man's grip tightened on my chin, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Break her, Dante. She'll bow soon enough. Make her understand what it means to defy us."

Dante's breath brushed against my ear as he leaned in close. His voice was a cold whisper, full of malice.

"You won't survive long, Serena. You'll learn what it means to obey, or you'll be begging me for death."