Chapter 6 The Harsh Reality

"How can this happen?" I whispered, my clenched fists trembling on my legs.

I had planned my life far away from Diane and Liam, was so close to having enough money to be free, and then, overnight, I was thrown into a trap full of wolves.

Cassian's fingers touched my face, catching me completely off guard. I stood up in a panic, knocking the chair over behind me and nearly falling onto it.

I braced myself for the impact, but it never came.

With a firm grip, Cassian wrapped his arm around my waist, as if I weighed no more than a few pounds to him. He smiled, noticing my surprise and discomfort with the awkward position we were in. My heart raced, and my face grew hot. I tried to pull away, but he tightened his hold, pulling me closer to his body.

"Boss." A voice called from the door behind me. Cassian's cold, cruel gaze turned in that direction, sending a chill down my spine. I seized the moment to step back and adjust my clothes. "We need to get you out of here."

I glanced over my shoulder and saw the man who had taken me from my house. His cruel stare directed at me made me tremble, and I lowered my eyes to the floor. With a loud sigh, Cassian stepped away, walking to a side table and pouring himself a drink.

"How much time?" he asked. The man at the door sighed, sounding exhausted.

"I can get thirty minutes, max." Cassian looked at me, and his smile returned, sending a shiver through me.

"That's enough. You can leave, all of you."

One by one, the men surrounding us left the room. We were alone in that strange place where I knew the body of a man was hidden in the shadows. I swallowed hard, my feet glued to the floor as Cassian walked with ease, like a predator in its territory.

"You're still so tense, Miss Reed."

I bit my lip and took a deep breath, trying to relax my muscles.

"There must be another way," I said, trying to project my voice. Cassian tilted his head to the side and raised an eyebrow. "I can work to pay off that amount. I'm already an employee at the club; I don't mind not receiving a salary and will also use my tips..."

"I don't want your money, Lilian." A lump formed in my throat, despair growing.

"Then... I could..."

"There's nothing you can do. I bought you, and I have no intention of letting you go."

"I don't understand... I'm not someone important; I'm just an ordinary club employee." Cassian's laughter echoed through the room.

"You keep underestimating yourself, little squirrel." He set his glass on the side table and walked toward me.

I took a step back, my back hitting the locked door. My chest tightened, my breathing quickened as my heart pounded harder in my chest. The heat of his large body enveloped me.

Cassian was a very tall man, taller than Liam or my boyfriend, Daniel. His chest was broad, his arms powerfully built, and that tattoo seemed to draw my eyes. I couldn't look away from the piercing gaze of that raven on Cassian's slightly tanned skin.

He raised his hand, holding a small strand of my hair that fell over my shoulder, and brought it to his lips. I lifted my face, seeing his long black eyelashes resting on his defined cheekbones.

Slowly, he opened his eyes.

The gray tone reminded me of London's sky, making me wonder what lay behind those dense clouds. Something inside me seemed to stir, but fear never ceased to dominate my body.

"You have many things that, to me, are more valuable than any money."

The way he spoke, his low, drawn-out voice, made my body react in an extreme way. Even knowing the danger in front of me, what Cassian Moore represented as the head of one of London's most dangerous mafia families, even knowing the number of lives he had taken with his own hands-that man still possessed undeniable beauty.

Suddenly, an idea came to mind. A way to protect myself and have a chance to escape that situation.

Determined, I lifted my eyes, making Cassian smile with a bright look.

"Make me your employee then, and allow me to work to earn my freedom." Cassian sighed, straightening up.

"I already told you your money doesn't interest me."

"That's not it. I'll work for you, and depending on the level of work I complete, you'll deduct a specific amount from that debt until I can pay it off completely."

Cassian's open, carefree laughter surprised me. He then slapped his hand against the door behind me, startling me so much that I closed my eyes and raised my arms to protect myself.

I felt his fingers gently grasp my wrist, lowering my arm and making me look at him.

"I never imagined you could propose something so interesting, but... do you have the courage to work for me, little squirrel?" My face grew hot, not from embarrassment, but from anger.

I couldn't stand being seen as a weak person. I clenched my fists and puffed out my chest. Cassian held my gaze, tilting his head slightly to the side.

"You said I shouldn't underestimate myself, but you're doing exactly that."

Cassian covered his face with his hand.

"Damn... if you keep this up, it's going to be hard to continue."

Before I could argue, Cassian grabbed my waist with one hand while the other went to the back of my neck. His lips crashed against mine with force and brutality, his tongue invading my mouth as his fingers applied slight pressure to my body.

My legs trembled, losing strength. The heat of his tongue, the taste of the drink on his lips, his perfume-everything felt so intense and raw, like an uncontrollable force of nature.

My hands pressed against his chest, but instead of pushing him away, I grabbed his shirt, trying to stay upright.

When Cassian pulled back, I could barely breathe. My mind felt numbed by the drink, my body was hot and weak. Cassian ran his thumb over his lips, sucking and licking it before brushing it across my lips.

"Deal made. From now on, you work for me, Lilian Reed."

In that moment, I realized that kiss was our agreement being sealed. I covered my lips with my hands, feeling the weight of it all, but still with a jumble of thoughts and emotions inside me.

Cassian knocked on the door, pulling me against his chest as the doorknob turned and the door opened. The man with brown hair and a scar over his left eyebrow entered. His gaze fell on us, confused. I tried to pull away, but Cassian didn't allow it.

"Bring two enforcers. They are to take Miss Reed to my house." The man at the door raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, Boss." Then he left, leaving the door open.

"Wait, what do you mean?" I questioned, looking from the door to Cassian. He brought his face closer to mine, instantly making me nervous.

"You're mine until you clear your debt, so you'll live where I can see you." Two men in dark suits appeared, and Cassian pushed me toward them. "Take her." That was all he said, and immediately, the men grabbed my arms and dragged me out of the club and into a dark car similar to the one that had brought me.

"Welcome to hell, miss," one of the men said before slamming the door shut.

I needed to get out of that situation as quickly as possible, before it was too late.