Chapter 3 Sold To A Killer

Katarina POV At Katarina House

"Katarina!"

A bang, a scream, and then silence. Someone was here.".

I sat up gasping From the stack of textbooks I had fallen asleep on, my head flew upward, and I rubbed my eyes, cringing as the sharp imprint of my watch pressed against my face. Looking fiercely back at me, the kitchen clock showed 9:15. Not great! Late yet once more, I had overslept after the incident last night.

A half-empty syringe sloppily held in one hand raced my heart as I watched my mother stumble into the living room, her eyes drooping.

"Mom?" My voice weakened even though I tried to show toughness.

She slumped like a corpse, syringe still dangling from her fingers. The smell of sweat and cheap vodka hit me harder than the door slam. "Not now, Katarina, Just go and do whatever it is you do,You're leaving anyway".

"You promised me you would stop". I said The words seemed pointless; we had had this talk far too often.

"I'll stop when you quit nagging," she murmured, taking a long swig.

I let out a long sigh. Not today, I had no time for this. My gaze turned once more towards the wall clock, panic squeezing my chest. Madame was going to murder me. Hurrying towards the door, I snatched my jacket from behind the kitchen chair, picked my keys off the metal hook, and let them jangle in my hand.

Adding softly, "I'm going out," I expected no response.

My mother waved her hand dismissively while her eyes were already closed, and she fell further into slumber. I locked the door behind me and I rushed down the hall. I fumbled with my phone, dialing Selena's number while I was running to the bus stop, the cool evening air bit at my skin, waking me completely.

"Katarina! Where the hell are you?" Selena's voice hissed through the line, urgent but friendly.

"I'm so sorry, Sel. I fell asleep studying again," I panted, anxiety twisting my stomach into knots. "Did Madame notice?"

"No, I covered for you I told her you went to the restroom, but hurry your ass up. I can't stall much longer; she is giving me weird looks.

"You're the best, seriously," I exclaimed, relief sweeping over me.

"You owe me dinner tonight," she joked softly, her voice warming my chest.

Deal here. Listen: Could I spend tonight sleeping at your house? Mom is once more in one of her moods.

"Absolutely, "she responded, "We also have to study for the university admission nursing tests regardless". Selena's voice grew softer in understanding. "We will make a night of it."

"Great. Thanks, Sel. I'll be there soon."

I hung off the call, and the idea of staying over Selena started to relax me a little. Every time Mom behaved like this, lost in her drug-induced haze, I hated staying here. At least with Selena, I would have a sense of peace and an opportunity to concentrate on the tests that would be a ticket out of this life.

As I locked the door, a man stood across the street.

Gray hoodie. No umbrella. Just watching.

When I blinked, he was gone.

The bus was gone from thier standpoint, so I flagged a cab instead, mentally figuring out if I had enough money. I knew my mistake halfway through the journey. Knowing it was not enough, I turned over the remainder of my money and felt embarrassed.

"The cabbie cursed when I couldn't pay full fare. I walked the rest-every shadow felt like it was following me."

A dirty and scratched black car slowed near me. I could see some bullet holes at the side of the car, lowering its tinted windows with a quiet hum.

"You Katarina Delgado?" His voice wasn't asking. It was confirming.

The backseat shifted. Another man leaned forward.

Tattoos. Piercings. Hungry eyes.

"Damn," he grinned. "Look at that ass. Boss is gonna lose his mind."

My feet stopped moving. My gut dropped. They knew my name-how the fuck did they know my name. I swore I could feel their eyes through the glass.One man leaned forward, tattoos covering his neck and crawling along his jaw, silver piercings catching the streetlights.

In my ears, my heart thundered. Who are you? "How do you know my name?"

Another man leaned over from the passenger side with fake gold on his brown teeth, staring over my body and making me feel exposed.

He grinned, licked his lips, and responded, "Damn, look at that huge round ass."

As I moved back, anger and fear mixed, and I clutched my jacket even closer. The car drove off before I could reply,thier laughter filling the evening. My uneasiness grew as I increased my speed, desperate for the warmth and safety of the bookshop.

Finally reaching the familiar entrance, I rushed inside, spotting Selena at the counter. She quickly shoved a pair of rubber gloves into my hands, nudging me urgently.

"Here, put these on and sit beside me. Madame is watching," she whispered sharply, glancing over her shoulder.

"Thanks," I whispered, slipping the gloves on hurriedly. I grabbed the nearest book to fake normal.

But my hands were shaking.

The black car hadn't passed the shop.

It was still there. Parked. Silent..

I quickly opened the book and pretended to read while my mind wandered to the wild fantasies.

Madame emerged from the back, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "Katarina, where have you been?"

"Restroom," I replied quickly, keeping my voice steady despite my pounding heart.

Selena nodded firmly, backing me up. "Yeah, she just stepped away. We were sorting inventory before you came."

Madame eyed me skeptically for a moment longer before sighing heavily and retreating back into the office. Selena released a breath beside me.

"That was close," she whispered, nudging me gently. "You're lucky she didn't catch you."

I gave her a grateful smile. "I know. Thanks, Sel."

She rolled her eyes playfully. "You're welcome. Now get reading and pretend you've been productive until closing."

Quietly laughing, I turned the pages, but my mind kept returning to the tattooed stranger from before. "I leaned closer to Selena, heart pounding. Because those men weren't random. They were watching me. And I was next."

Overcoming the disturbing ideas, I leaned against Selena and took comfort in her presence."

The black car hadn't left.

It was parked outside the bookstore.

Still. Watching.

And tomorrow?

They wouldn't ask.

They'd take

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Giordano's POV

One of the Giordano Club Offices

I sat behind my desk, the glow of the dangerous Naples city lights creeping through the blinds. I own this city. The steady sound of my cigarette burning broke the still calm of the room, the smoke curling loosely into the air. Knowing exactly who it was, I didn't bother looking when the door cracked open.

Two of my sex workers, a couple of girls from the strip club, were busy counting the dirty, crumpled bills they had collected from tips by clients who sucked their nipples and fingered their pussy all night.

I only cared about the dirty money, they knew the drill. They had to do what they were told. I stared at the ass of one of them bent, I could see her cream-swollen pussy in her thongs calling for my dick.

I took another drag of my cigarette, eyes never leaving her white ass as I exhaled. The door opened fully, and I heard the click of boots on the concrete floor, followed by the muffled arguing of Scarface and Mikey the Hammer.

I glanced up. No one came into my office unless I told them to.

"Speak plainly or not at all," I said, my voice cutting through their argument. "I have no patience for whispers in my presence."

Mikey the Hammer stepped forward, placing a photo of a very sexy girl on my desk without saying a word. She couldn't be more than 19. Scarface stood in the background, his presence thick in the room.

I didn't need to see it twice to know who it was. Katarina Delgado. Her father's description of her was exactly what I imagined beautiful, sexy virgin, perfect for my purposes.

Mikey the Hammer finally spoke, his voice calm and assured, "She's the one, boss."

"Are you certain?" I asked, picking up the photo and glancing at it before tossing it back onto the desk. I never asked questions, I demanded answers. "I'll cut your throat if you make a mistake."

Scarface leaned in, a subtle grin pulling at his lips. "Confirmed. Her father's not lying. She's everything he said beautiful, sexy, and untouched. And, yes, still a virgin. No one's touched her."

That was all I needed to hear. Perfect.

"Then let it be done," I said quietly, leaning back in my chair. I never hesitated. "In this world, only the deadly claim what they desire."

Scarface gave a low laugh, "Her father's pathetic, though. He'll take whatever you offer him."

I didn't even register the comment. My mind was already on Katarina, how she would fit perfectly into my world, my fingers inside her tight virgin pussy, how she would bend to my will.

"Arrange the payment," I said, voice hardening. "Whatever her old man thinks she's worth, pay him. And bring her to me. I want her here, in my hands. Not tomorrow, not tonight immediately. Time waits for ordinary men, not for Giordano."

Mikey the Hammer and Scarface exchanged a look before Mikey the Hammer spoke up, "We'll take care of it, boss. We'll make sure no one else gets near her."

I let out a low laugh, the sound dark and filled with anticipation. "Make sure her father gets paid. But make it clear to him nobody bargains with Giordano. His daughter will be mine." I paused, my voice dropping to an almost intimate tone. "And when something belongs to me... it belongs to me forever, and I kill whoever gets in my way ."