Chapter 3 The Devil's Cage

The car ride to Derek's estate was silent. I sat stiffly in the backseat, my fingers clenched in my lap. Matteo-one of his men-kept a watchful eye on me as if I might throw myself out of the moving car.

Like that would do me any good.

The estate was outside the city, hidden behind towering iron gates and surrounded by acres of land. The driveway alone was long enough to make me feel trapped before I even stepped inside.

When the car stopped, Matteo opened the door for me. "Out."

I hesitated but complied. My legs felt weak as I stepped onto the gravel.

Derek was already waiting at the grand entrance, his expression unreadable. The golden glow from the mansion's lights cast long shadows over his face, making him look even more imposing.

"Welcome home, Elena," he said smoothly.

Home. The word twisted inside me. This wasn't home. This was a cage.

Inside, the mansion was breathtaking. Polished marble floors, grand chandeliers, and walls lined with expensive artwork. It screamed wealth and power. But beneath all of that was something colder. Something darker.

"This will be your room," Derek said, pushing open a door at the end of a long hallway.

The room was massive, too luxurious for someone like me. A king-sized bed, a sitting area, a vanity, and even a walk-in closet filled with clothes I hadn't chosen.

The illusion of comfort.

"You're free to move around," he said, leaning against the doorframe. "But don't mistake that for freedom."

I turned to face him. "And if I try to leave?"

His smirk was slow, predatory. "You won't."

My stomach clenched.

He pushed off the doorframe, walking toward me. I backed up instinctively until I hit the edge of the bed.

"You should rest," he said, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face. I flinched, but he didn't seem surprised. "Tomorrow, we talk about rules."

Rules. Of course.

He turned to leave, pausing at the door. "Oh, and Elena?"

I swallowed hard. "What?"

"Lock the door if it makes you feel safer."

And then he was gone.

I sank onto the bed, my hands trembling.

I was trapped in the lion's den. And the lion had no intention of letting me go.