Chapter 4 Make you pay

"You," he whispered, voice deep and sinful. "I want you, Rose. To be mine."

I blinked several times, my heart pounding so hard it almost hurt. There was no way I just heard that.

"You are gonna marry me rose"

He added like it made what he said any better

"You've lost your mind," I snapped, taking a shaky step back. "First, you kill someone. Then you show up here pretending to be a professor...and now you're saying you want me?"

He didn't answer. He just smiled. A slow, knowing curve of his lips that made my pulse quicken for all the wrong reasons.

"I'm not really a professor," he said calmly, straightening his sleeves like he hadn't just confessed to murder.

"Yeah, I figured that out," I said bitterly. "You're a murderer."

He chuckled...a dark, velvety sound that made the room feel smaller. "Yes," he said finally. "I killed for you."

I froze. "What? I never asked you to kill for me!"

"But you did," he countered, taking a slow step forward. "You wished he'd drop dead."

"It was just an expression!" I shouted. "I didn't mean it! That's insane!"

His smirk deepened, eyes glinting with something dangerous. "If you think that's insane, Rose... then you have no idea what I'll do next."

My blood ran cold.

He was beautiful. Terrifying. And completely unhinged.

"You're a fucking psychopath!" I spat. "You've lost your mind. That's it...I'm going to the police. I'll tell them everything. I'll tell them you killed Mr. Daniel!"

I turned toward the door, but before I could take another step, his hand shot out...grabbing my wrist and slamming me against the wall.

The air left my lungs. His grip was iron. His body towered over mine, close enough that I could feel his breath fan across my cheek.

"Don't," he murmured, voice low and smooth, like a threat wrapped in silk. "Don't try anything."

My whole body trembled. His gaze was dark, dangerous... but god, those eyes.

Why did fear feel so much like desire?

"Let me go," I whispered, trying to push him off, but it was useless. He was too strong.

"What exactly will you tell the police, hmm?" he asked, leaning in closer. "That there's a man named Sebastian Adams who doesn't exist? That he killed your professor...the same man who tried to force himself on you?"

My chest tightened. "I..."

"I cleaned up your mess, Rose," he hissed, his lips brushing my ear. "I saved you. And this is how you thank me?"

"I'm sorry," I breathed out, my voice breaking. "Please... don't hurt me. I won't say anything."

His expression softened instantly. His hand loosened around my wrist.

"Rose," he said softly, almost tenderly. "I would never hurt you."

He lifted his hand and gently brushed away a tear from my cheek. His touch was warm. Gentle. Confusing.

"Did I scare you?" he murmured, tilting my chin up.

I couldn't speak. I just stared.

Then he pressed something cold into my palm...a key.

"Take this," he said quietly. "But don't test me again."

He turned, walking back toward his desk with the same calm, confident grace he always had.

"See you soon, Rose."

And that was all it took for me to bolt out of the room, my heart pounding like it might burst.

......

(Rose's POV)

Should I just go to the police?

My thoughts tangled as I walked down the quiet street, my heels clicking against the pavement.

I mean, what's the worst that could happen?

He said he wouldn't hurt me... right?

But what if he lied?

What if he always lies?

Gosh, should I really report him?

It's best if I do. I can't risk it.

He's dangerous...too calm, too powerful, too sure of himself.

I took a deep breath and pushed the police station door open.

...

Inside, the fluorescent lights buzzed above me as a middle-aged officer peered across the desk.

"So, what you're saying is," he began slowly, "there's a man pretending to be a professor named Sebastian Adams in your school...and he's also responsible for the murder of the late Professor Daniel? And he did this because... he wants you?"

"Yes!" I said quickly. "That's exactly what I'm saying."

He blinked, clearly trying to piece it together.

"Miss, nobody can just pretend to be a professor. You need credentials, background checks..."

"I know, I know!" I interrupted, running a hand through my hair. "But he told me he was one!"

The officer sighed, exchanged a glance with his partner, then leaned forward. "Do you have a picture of him?"

I paused. Then it hit me.

The school website.

I pulled out my phone, opened the staff directory, and scrolled until I found it. His photo.

The same sharp jawline. The same dangerous eyes.

"Here," I said, handing them my phone.

The reaction was instant. Both officers froze. The younger one swallowed hard while the older man's expression shifted from confusion to unease.

They exchanged another silent glance.

"Miss," the older officer said carefully, "I'm sorry... but there's nothing we can do."

I frowned. "What do you mean? This man is dangerous!"

"We're aware," he said quietly. "But he's not someone we can touch."

"What are you talking about?" I demanded.

The younger officer finally spoke, his tone low. "How did you meet this man?"

"Why does that matter?"

"Because," the older officer said, his gaze hardening, "if Rafael Santoro wants you, Miss John...then he will have you. And no one can protect you from him."

The name hit me like ice.

Rafael Santoro.

It wasn't Sebastian Adams. That was a mask.

Rafael Santoro...

I stumbled out of the police station feeling hollow.

The evening air felt heavy, suffocating.

Who is this man? How much power does he really have?

My phone buzzed.

Ethan: Been trying to call you all day. You okay?

I typed back quickly.

Me: Sorry babe, just busy. I'll call you when I get home.

...

7:00 PM

Home. Finally.

I dropped my bag on the couch, kicked off my shoes, and went straight for the kitchen.

A note stuck to the fridge caught my attention.

Not sleeping over. See you in class tomorrow. Love, Sydney.

Good. I needed space. I needed rest.

I went to my room, exhausted. The moment my head hit the pillow, a chill ran down my spine.

"You disobeyed me, Rose."

The voice...low, dangerous, and unmistakably his.

My eyes flew open. He stood in the shadows by my door. Shirtless.

His chest glistened slightly under the dim light, his expression unreadable, his presence suffocating.

"Rafael..." I whispered, barely breathing.

Before I could scream, he was on me...one hand covering my mouth, the other pressing me against the bed. His weight pinned me down effortlessly.

His breath brushed against my ear as he whispered,

"Now, I'm going to make you pay for running to the police."

My heart thundered in my chest, but the strangest part?

I wasn't terrified.

I should've been.

But when his lips grazed the side of my neck, I realized

I wasn't scared.

I was trembling for an entirely different reason.