Chapter 4 The Lion's command

LORENZO

I walked into my room, a dark satisfaction lingering from what had happened earlier. Sitting in the corner, I lit a cigarette, letting the smoke swirl around me as I replayed the scene in my mind-Amelia's terrified screams, the way her body trembled beneath my grip, and the tears streaming down her face.

I enjoyed watching her suffer.

But then, there was this strange, nagging feeling deep inside me. Something I couldn't quite place. I shook it off, convincing myself it was nothing. She deserved it, I told myself. Nobody crosses Lorenzo De Luca and walks away unscathed.

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The Next Day

AMELIA

I woke up to the sharp sting in my stomach, the burned skin throbbing with every breath. My entire body felt weak, my lips dry and cracked from two days without water. My stomach growled angrily, but the pain from hunger couldn't match the searing burn that branded my skin-a permanent reminder of Lorenzo's cruelty.

The leader of the Lion's Den. I had heard of the gang before, whispers of their ruthlessness, but never in my wildest nightmares did I think I'd end up as one of their victims.

"I need to survive this," I whispered to myself, my voice barely audible in the silence.

Suddenly, the door creaked open. My heart leapt into my throat, terrified it was Lorenzo or his guards coming back for more. But instead, it was the maid. She entered quietly, carrying a tray in her hands.

Without saying a word, she set it down beside me and left.

I stared at the tray-food and water. My mouth watered, but before I could dive in, the door opened again. The maid returned, tossing something onto my lap. I picked it up and my heart sank. Lingerie.

"Don't bother asking questions," she said coldly. "When you're done eating, change into that. You'll be meeting with the boss later. I'll be back, and make sure you're ready."

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving me alone with the food and that humiliating piece of fabric. For a moment, I just stared at it, my mind racing with fear of what the "meeting" could mean.

But hunger won over fear.

I threw the lingerie aside and devoured the food with my bare hands. It had been two days since I'd last eaten, and I didn't care how I looked or acted. I finished in minutes, letting out a loud burp, my body grateful for even the smallest relief.

But as I stared at the discarded lingerie, reality set in again.

The real nightmare was just beginning.

What is Lorenzo planning exactly? I thought, my eyes glued to the lingerie lying in my lap. The branded mark on my stomach throbbed, a cruel reminder of what he'd done to me. My eyes welled up with tears, but I forced them back. I can't let him break me.

"Just wait, Enzo," I muttered under my breath, my voice filled with quiet defiance. "You'll regret ever messing with me."

I froze.

Did I just give that cold-hearted bastard a nickname? The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I shook my head quickly, trying to erase it. No, no. He's not Enzo. He's a monster.

Reluctantly, I picked up the weird-looking lingerie and slipped it on. It clung to my skin in ways that made me feel exposed and vulnerable. I hated how it felt, but even worse-I couldn't deny it looked good on me. I glanced at the mirror in the corner, seeing a version of myself I barely recognized.

I sat down, my heart pounding as I waited for the maid's return.

Minutes later, the door creaked open, and she stepped inside, her expression as unreadable as ever.

"Follow me," she ordered curtly.

I obeyed, my legs trembling with every step as we walked down a dim, narrow hallway. The silence was suffocating, each echo of our footsteps sounding louder in the oppressive stillness.

We stopped in front of a door-different from the others. It was larger, more ornate. This must be his room.

The maid gave a gentle knock.

"Come in," Lorenzo's deep voice rumbled from inside, sending a chill down my spine.

The maid turned to me, her face void of any sympathy. "I'll take my leave now. Go ahead."

And just like that, she disappeared, leaving me alone with the weight of my fear.

My hands trembled as I twisted the door knob and stepped inside.

LORENZO

I was sitting on the edge of my bed when she walked in.

Amelia.

She looked nervous, uncomfortable-but damn if she didn't look sexy in that lingerie. The fabric hugged her curves, accentuating her small figure, her delicate frame. Her smooth skin glowed under the dim light, and the faint flush of embarrassment on her cheeks only made her more alluring.

Her small, perfect breasts were just barely covered, and her legs-long and slender-trembled with every step she took.

But what caught me off guard wasn't just how she looked. It was the feeling that crept over me as I stared at her.

Something strange twisted in my chest, something unfamiliar and unwelcome.

What the hell is this feeling? I thought, my jaw tightening. I wasn't supposed to feel anything. I was Lorenzo De Luca, leader of the Lion's Den. I thrived on fear, on control.

But as I watched Amelia standing there, vulnerable yet defiant, I felt something... else.

I didn't like it.

Not one bit.

AMELIA

I stood frozen in the center of the massive, dark room, my eyes darting around to take in the cold beauty of it. The walls were painted in deep, shadowy tones, with luxurious furnishings that somehow made the place feel even more sinister. But it wasn't the room that made my skin crawl-it was him.

I could feel Lorenzo's gaze burning into me from where he sat, his presence suffocating, like a predator sizing up its prey.

Slowly, I forced myself to turn and face him, and the moment our eyes met, my heart raised. His stare was as cold as ice, void of any emotion, any humanity. I quickly dropped my gaze to the floor, trying to steady my trembling hands.

Then I heard the sound of him standing, the quiet creak of the floor beneath his feet. My pulse quickened.

He moved closer, his presence looming over me like a dark shadow. I clenched my fists, trying to suppress the fear bubbling inside me.

"Look at me," he commanded, his voice low and dangerous.

I hesitated, but his finger was already under my chin, lifting my face to meet his gaze. His touch was cold, sending a shiver down my spine.

Our eyes locked again, and for a split second, I saw something flicker in his eyes-something dark, something unreadable. But it was gone before I could process it. He released me, and just as quickly, he began unbuttoning his shirt.

My breath hitched.

He peeled it off, revealing a body that looked like it had been carved from stone. His abs were hard and defined, his muscles tense under his skin. I swallowed hard, trying not to let my eyes linger, but I couldn't help it. I'd never seen someone like him before-tall, powerful, and terrifyingly handsome.

Then, without a word, he slipped off his trousers, leaving him in nothing but his boxers.

My eyes widened. Oh my God...

The fabric strained against the outline of his-No. I snapped my gaze away, my heart pounding so loud I was sure he could hear it.

But it was too late. I'd seen it. And it was... huge.

Every inch of his body screamed danger and control. His sharp jawline, his broad shoulders, his perfect muscles-it was a deadly combination of beauty and menace. I hated how my body reacted, how my skin prickled with heat despite the fear coursing through me.

I was still staring-completely lost in the chaos of my thoughts-when his voice sliced through the silence.

"Caress me."

I blinked, the words hitting me like a slap. What?

My jaw dropped. Did I hear that right?

"Excuse me?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

His eyes darkened, and the room seemed to grow colder. "Don't make me repeat myself," he said, his tone sharp, dangerous. "If you want to live to see tomorrow, you'll listen. And you'll do exactly as I say."

I stood there, completely dumbfounded, my mind racing. What does he even mean by that?

My body trembled, not just from fear but from confusion. I didn't know what to do. I didn't even know how to caress someone. But one thing was clear-refusing him wasn't an option.