Soft Addiction

Staring at those hardened yet warm, delicate eyes of his, my whole being melted. Hands that were once feared, ruled over others, and crushed them now held my body delicately and lovingly, sending a wave of pleasure throughout my entire being. Our whirlwind romance began after I overheard my father's plan to sell me off to Lorenzo De Luca, the most feared mafia lord in marriage. On that fateful day, I had planned my escape.

I would rather die in the woods than allow myself to be locked up in a monster's house forever. I remember getting wasted, not thinking of anything else but the voice that approached the drunk me in the club. Soon we found ourselves in the hotel room, lost in each other's eyes. Passion took over, and before I knew it, we were entwined in a whirlwind of desire. "Ag..hhhh" I slowly moaned with his face buried in my chest as he sucked my breast slowly and gently, sending waves of emotions down my spine. As a 25-year-old virgin, this feeling was new to me, but I knew I wanted more. I wanted the mysterious man to myself. Unknown to me, the mysterious man whom I had willingly given myself to was LORENZO DE LUCA, the same man I was running from. What had I done? Reality hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt torn between regret and the undeniable connection we shared. Who would have imagined that the notorious mafia lord, who was the last person I would willingly give my virginity to, would be in my bed, pleasuring me in ways I never thought possible? Here's a quick backstory to the event prior to this day. A few days ago, I overheard my dad's plans to sell me off to Lorenzo De Luca, a notorious mafia lord who was rumored to kill people who get in his way like ants. He was feared and respected because of his strict rules and regulations, but still, he was loved because of his charity towards the people in the city. He made sure they were provided with food and water, and he also fought against oppression of the poor. Rumor also has it that Lorenzo has been married at least 3 times, but his bride mysteriously gets missing on their wedding night. How would my father force me to marry a man like him? Years ago, my father was a loving gentleman who would do anything for his family. He would often carry me around the park, play with me whenever he got home, and cared deeply about me, but things changed after my mom's death. My dad remarried my stepmother, Carolina. Carolina was from a very powerful Mafia family. Her family was powerful and respected enough. At first they were against their marriage because my dad wasn't part of the Mafia. My father, whom I thought joined the mafia because of his love for Caroline, soon turned into a power-hungry monster. Caroline helped fuel his inner desire to be powerful, making sure to do whatever it took to rise to the top. My father went from the loving man who took care of me when I was a kid to a power-hungry monster who would do anything for power without minding who it affected. I had always found the basement to be my little hideaway, a place where I could escape the constant noise and chaos of our mansion. Today, I brought my sketchbook, hoping to capture some peace and quiet. As I settled into my favorite corner. It wasn't long before I heard some footsteps and gentle whispers that were laced in voices filled with authority. Curiosity got the best of me. I moved closer, my heart pounding. The voices grew clearer, and I recognized one of them immediately-my father. He was speaking in that low, authoritative tone he used for business. I crouched behind an old bookshelf, peeking through a gap. My father stood with his back to me, facing a tall, shadowy figure. The air was thick with tension. I heard a voice, deep, filled with confidence, and yet gentle. "So, what's the deal?" the voice asked "I need you to book an appointment for me with Lorenzo," my dad replied. Why is my dad booking an appointment to meet Lorenzo? Is he trying to kill someone for power? Curiosity gripped me as I listened closely. "What do you want with Lorenzo? You couldn't deliver a simple task he gave you. He already lost trust in you," the voice replied. "I'm ready to regain his trust," my father said. "How?" the voice asked. I could feel the coldness in his voice. What did my father do to Lorenzo? What deal does he want to strike? And why are they meeting in secret? "I heard The Four has given him a deadline to find a bride, and I also know the deadline is in five days' time," my dad replied. "I can help him get a bride," he added. The room was filled with silence for a few seconds before the voice broke it. "And what do you want in return? The voice asked "He will deposit $5 million dollars into my account and make me a member of The Four." The Four is a group for the most powerful and most feared mafia families led by Lorenzo, who was the Don. The group doesn't just consist of four families; they have six families in the group. "Who is the bride?" The voice asked "My Daughter, Ella." My breath choked up somewhere in my throat. Was my father offering me up to Lorenzo? I had always suspected my father was dealing in unsavory business, but hearing it in words was quite different. It made it real. I felt a mix of fear, betrayal, and disbelief, unable to tear myself away. Their discussion continued, and with each word, I related them to my father giving away more and more about the things he would do to climb the ladders of power. All those questions crowded my thoughts. Why me? What does Lorenzo need a bride for? What if he kills me the way he has killed the others before? I knew I needed to get away from this place as fast as possible to avoid getting caught. Gently, I stepped back, my heartbeat racing more than ever. I slid out of the door, countless thoughts about what I had just heard whirling in my head. As soon as I shut the door after myself, I knew I needed to do something. It was time to escape this jungle called home.

CHAPTER TWO

Lorenzo's POV

The tension in the room was discernible as the six families of The Four gathered around the grand mahogany table in my mansion. The air was filled with the scent of expensive perfumes and cigars. The undying tension of power was present, making the room loudly silent. Andrew, a seasoned member of The Four, broke the silence first.

"Lorenzo, we respect you and acknowledge everything you've done for us, but we need to trust you more," he said, his eyes looking directly into mine.

"Yes, Lorenzo," Moretti added. "We need you to get yourself another bride," he said, leaning forward.

The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Getting a bride wasn't the issue; it was the reputation that preceded me. Who would willingly marry the most feared mafia lord, known for the dark rumor that he kills his brides on their wedding night?

"You already heard what happened to my brides on our wedding night; how could I possibly get married again?" I said calmly, my voice laced with frustration.

"That's a decision we have agreed on, Lorenzo. If after seven days you don't have a bride, we will be forced to vote against you," Christaino, who I thought was an ally, added. His tone betrayed emotions.

"You don't have the right to decide whether or not I get married," I said, anger flaring in me.

I have fought all my life to get to the position I am in. I'm the first Mafia lord to come from nothing, not even from a noble family, to lead The Four. The previous leaders all came from a powerful mafia family, but for me, I had to crawl my way up here. So how could they possibly dictate my life for me?

"We have already concluded, Lorenzo; we give you seven days to make your decision. You can't stand against five of us." Moretti added, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument.

He was right; no matter how strong I was, I couldn't fight against five powerful mafia lords. Even if I could, I didn't want to start a war within the group.

"Alright then, a bride it is," I said, forcing a smile. I stood up, signaling the end of the meeting.

As I walked away, the weight of anger fell on my shoulders.

The night air was cool, a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves as I stood on the rooftop, the city lights sprawling beneath me like a sea of stars. I took a slow sip of my wine, savoring the rich, dark flavor that lingered on my tongue. The weight of my thoughts pressed heavily on my mind.

Up here, the world feels both vast and intimate. It's a place where power and tranquility coexist, where one can survey their domain and contemplate the next move in the quiet of the night.

Going through the stress of another wedding was hard for me. I had just lost a bride a few weeks ago; how could I possibly get married again? I thought as I slowly sipped my wine.

Rumors are already everywhere; some call me Cannibal, others say I use my brides for shooting sprees, and some say I kill them to gain power.

For the first time in a long while, my whole being was filled with emotions I can't explain.

"Boss, we are ready to leave." A voice interrupted my thoughts. It was Marcus, my associate.

Without turning, I replied, "I need you to inform Damian to meet me immediately." My voice laced with authority. I gently took another sip from my glass.

"Okay, Boss," he said, his tone depicting respect as he hurriedly exited the rooftop.

I turned slowly, my gaze following his retreating figure. The moonlight cast sharp shadows across my face, highlighting the cold determination in my eyes. The night was far from over, and in this world, every move was a calculated risk. But that was the life I had chosen, and I would see it through to the end.

Soon, I heard a soft footstep behind me, the subtle shift in air as Damian approached.

"You sent for me, Boss," he said as he stood a few meters away from where I was.

"Yes, I did, Damian," I replied, slowly turning to face him.

"Any news on my bride's death?" I asked as he took a few steps closer to where he stood.

"No, Boss," he replied, "we lost the hitman this morning."

"What do you mean you lost him?" I asked, slamming my fist on the table, causing the glass of wine to ripple.

"You told me he was responding to treatment yesterday; what happened?" I asked furiously.

"He lost a lot of blood from the gunshot, and the doctors tried their hardest, but he couldn't make it out of the coma." He replied, nervous.

I took a slow, deliberate sip of wine. My eyes were burning with rage as I thought of my next move.

"This is the third time this is happening, Damian. The third fucking one, Damian. I need you to find the bastards behind this," my voice gentle but yet filled with rage.

"Okay, Boss," Damian nods.

Slowly I turned back to the view of the rooftop, the glass of wine still in my hands as I thought of what to do.

"The Four has asked for another bride," I said as Damian, who was already leaving, turned in shock.

"I don't know what will happen to my next bride, but if anything happens to her, I will make sure your entire generation is wiped out from the face of the earth." I threatened.

Damian has always been my most trusted confidant. He wasn't just my right-hand man; he was the keeper of my secrets, the guardian of my personal life, and the one who knew everything about me that others didn't. His loyalty was beyond question, and his knowledge of my affairs was unparalleled.

Threatening him felt like a betrayal of our bond, but the stakes were too high to ignore. I needed him to be on high alert on my wedding night. The memory of my last wedding night still lingered in my head, fresh, and I knew they would come for my next bride. The enemy was relentless, and this time, I couldn't afford any mistakes.

As I looked into Damian's eyes, I saw a flicker of understanding. He knew the gravity of the situation, and despite the harshness of my words, he remained steadfast. His dedication to protecting what mattered most to me was unwavering, and for that I was grateful. But I couldn't let my guard down, not even for a moment. The safety of my bride depended on it.

"Yes, boss," he said as he stormed out.

Now where do I get another bride? This question echoed in my head as I sat in the chair, looking at the view from the rooftop.

CHAPTER 3

Ella's POV

The first light of the day filled my room through the luxury curtains in my room, casting a soft glow on the painting and furniture. I still lay for a moment, making sure nothing would go wrong today.

Today is the day I have been planning for years-my escape day. I had always made plans to escape this gilded cage called home, but at the end of the day, I always found reasons to stay back. But today, I was going to escape after discovering my father's plans to sell me off like something of no value.

I slipped out of bed. I could hear footsteps from the maids as they did the house chores. I looked out the window to see the guards stationed at every corner.

I had planned to escape through the back because there were always a few guards there, but it would lead me to the woods that I didn't know how to navigate. But today I made up my mind to take the risk. It was better to die trying than be stuck with the monster Lorenzo.

I dressed quickly, choosing a dark, light cloth that was not luxurious but would allow me to move swiftly. My heart pounded heavily in my chest, but I forced myself to remain calm. I could not afford to make any mistakes. I had hidden a small bag under the bed. Packed with all my essentials and the fake ID I had managed to get with the help of a security guard I had tipped off.

As I crept out of the hallway, I could hear the faint sound of housekeepers doing the chores. The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air.

I made my way to the back of the mansion, walking past the kitchen staff that were too busy preparing breakfast to notice my presence. Soon the guards will be changing shifts, and nobody will notice as I escape. I had timed everything perfectly.

The cool morning air hit my face as I stepped outside. I moved quickly, sticking to the shadows and avoiding the main paths. My heart raced as I approached the old gardener's shed, where I had hidden a ladder. It was my only way over the mansion.

With trembling hands, I set up the ladder and went down, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps. I could hear voices nearby, but I didn't dare look up. I was at the top of the wall and paused, looking out at the world beyond. Freedom was just a few feet away.

I took a deep breath as I quietly went down the ladder. I was a few feet away from the ground. When I heard a voice call out my name.

"Ella, what do you think you are doing?" It was Alessa, my stepsister.

"Dad, Ella is trying to escape," she shouted, running back to inform my dad.

I knew she was going to tell on me, and I just needed to hurry up. I took one last deep breath and jumped, landing safely on the ground. I could feel a sharp pain in my wrist, but this was not the time to be weak; I knew soon the guards would come after me.

I ran immediately, my feet pounding against the ground aggressively as I put so much distance between myself and the mansion.

I ran down the narrow alley, making my way to the woods. My breath coming in rasps and gasps. The sound of the guard's heavy feet pounding the pavement echoed behind me, growing louder as I increased my pace. My heart raced, adrenaline surging through me as I pushed myself to run faster.

I darted around the corner, looking for a place to hide as my heart raced. I soon found a large stone sitting in the corner of the woods. I glanced over my shoulders to see how close the guards were. They were quite close, with the sound of their footsteps filling the air. I heard their voices. I immediately threw myself behind the large stone. pressing my back against the cool surface, trying to make myself as small as possible. My heart pounded in my chest, and I struggled to control my breathing.

I heard footsteps approaching; my heart raced. I could feel my breathing cut from my chest. As I lay there, all I could do was wish and pray. I whispered, asking my mom to save me and help me escape. The footsteps grew louder. I heard them talking in whispers, their voices low and urgent. One was very close to the stone; I could see the shadow of his boot. I held my breath, squeezing my eyes shut, and prayed to be invisible.

After what felt like a decade, the footsteps started receding. I waited, counting the seconds until I was sure they were gone. I still stayed there for a few minutes just to be very sure. The woods was quiet again; the only sound was from distant birds.

I slowly stood up, my legs trembling as I began to move cautiously through the woods. I had to find my way out of the woods before darkness came. I knew the guards would come back for me, so I had to leave immediately.