Chapter 4 Black Mail

Alicia's POV

After my attempt to escape here was bursted by the don himself.

I've been locked indoors since that night trapped with no food, no water, and no clue what time it is. Day or night, light or darkness... it all blends together now. The only constant is the crushing silence, broken only by the occasional grumble of my empty stomach.

It's been three days. Three long, agonizing days.

They said he wasn't around. That this was my punishment until he returned. And despite Madam Sonia's pleas, he stood firm in his decision.

Cruel.

I still don't understand how Madam Sonia stays loyal to him. Maybe he's threatened her life too, maybe she has no choice. Yet, she keeps saying he's a "nice guy." Nice? That's laughable. What kind of "nice guy" leaves a woman who he wants to get pregnant starving and locked away like a criminal?

I was already losing myself... but now, I was starting to lose my mind.

The worst part? I am supposed to carry his child. His.

What would happen once the baby's here? Will he starve us both at the slightest disobedience? Will he use the child to control me even more?

The thoughts wouldn't stop. They hit me over and over like violent waves threatening to drown me in fear, confusion, and anger.

"God," I whispered, pressing my palm to my forehead. "My head... it's too much."

I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to hold on-trying to stay sane.

I needed to breathe. I needed calm.

So I closed my eyes. Inhaled deeply.

And just like that, my body gave in to exhaustion.

Darkness finally came, not from the locked room, but from the sleep I could no longer fight.

A soft touch on my leg startled me awake.

"You stubborn little dove," his voice whispered near my ear, smooth but laced with menace.

I flinched, my heart pounding. "What time is it? How did you get in here? What do you want?"

He chuckled a low, unsettling sound. "I told you to stop asking me that, little one. Next time, I might not be so... gentle."

I scoffed, but the sound caught in my throat when I tried to sit up and felt cold metal on my wrists. Handcuffs?

"What the hell is this?" I asked, staring at him with a mix of shock and confusion.

"Don't look at me like that," he said sharply, his eyes narrowing. "You brought this on yourself. Did you really think you could run from me?"

He stepped closer, his hand trailing slowly along my exposed leg. I jerked away instinctively, but his grip tightened.

"I told you not to think of stupid things. You belong to me now."

His tone wasn't loud but it was final. Commanding.

Something in my chest squeezed, and despite the fear, I felt my body betray me with a tiny, involuntary gasp.

He noticed.

"You like that, don't you?" he said, a smirk creeping across his lips.

I looked away, embarrassed, but he wouldn't have it. He grabbed my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you," he said, low and firm.

For a moment, the room was filled with tension, his control pressing down on me like a weight I couldn't shake.

Then, without warning, he stood up and began undoing his trousers.

My eyes widened. "What are you doing?" I asked, panic rising.

He smirked again. "What does it look like I'm doing?"

I immediately shut my eyes, willing myself to disappear.

I shut my eyes tight, not out of modesty but strategy.

Let him think I was scared. Let him believe he had won.

But deep down, something in me clicked. I can't keep being the victim.

I forced myself to breathe calmly, then slowly opened my eyes, meeting his gaze with a softness I hadn't shown before.

"You want me to look at you?" I whispered, letting my voice drop into something gentler... warmer.

That smirk on his face faltered for a split second. Just as I hoped.

"I'm not trying to run away from you ,not anymore," I said, letting my eyes trace his face, keeping my tone low and persuasive. "But you scare me when you act like this. I want to understand you... really understand you."

He tilted his head, intrigued. "Is this another trick?"

I shook my head slowly. "No. I just realized something... Maybe I've been too stubborn. Maybe if I listened, things wouldn't have turned out like this."

His eyes scanned mine, trying to read me, unsure if I was bluffing. That was my cue to lean in emotionally.

"You like control, don't you?" I asked softly. "But I could give you something better than fear..."

He blinked, caught off guard.

"You think you've won because I'm chained. But men like you don't keep women locked up because they're strong. You do it because you're scared."

He frowned.

"You're scared someone might actually get into your head... someone who could make you feel."

Silence fell over the room.

"I see you, Dante," I said, barely above a whisper. "You want someone to submit but not out of fear. You want someone who chooses you, even after knowing what you are."

He stared at me for a long moment. His hands, which had been at his waist, slowly dropped.

"I'll make you a deal," I said, seizing the moment. "Uncuff me. Let me show you loyalty without chains. You can always put them back on if I betray you."

He stood still, his expression unreadable. But something in his eyes shifted, something uncertain.

Got you, I thought. Then an evil smile spread broadly on his face which confused me.