He didn't even let me say goodbye.

I willingly left without a clue of how long it'd be until I could see my brother and the... beast couldn't even grant me that. All my belongings and even my phone stayed behind.

Now all I had left are memories and hope that this will all be over soon.

My gaze travels around the empty room. It feels more like a hotel with a king-sized bed and white fitted sheets. Only there's no tv or any decor. I step farther into the room, letting my fingers trace over the silk sheets as I pass by. The window resides on the opposite side of the door. I'm drawn to it, the only mirror into the outside world. A rose garden sits below my window and a marble fountain is placed right in the middle of it.

I wonder if they'll ever let me leave this room. For the past month, the window has been my only form of entertainment. Vincenzo stops by every so often to bring me meals, sets of fresh towels, and a book. None of the clothes he brings ever seems to fit. They're usually too big and I don't complain because I'm stuck in this room. No one will ever see me...

A knock on the door grabs my attention. It slowly creeks open. Vincenzo's head pops in. His gaze catches mine. He looks me over and tilts his head.

I turn away, as usual, and wait to hear the door close, but it doesn't.

"I noticed you haven't been eating much." He wouldn't too if he were trapped inside of a room with nothing to comfort him. Vincenzo grows silent for a moment. "Do you want something else?"

"I want to go home."

"Can't do that Aria. If I being you back home, your brother is dead."

My arms cross over my chest. I take a deep breath. "My brother betrayed someone to save his family. What's so bad about that? You did the same thing."

His footsteps draw closer. "He betrayed a boss. That's a big no in this life, Aria. Did your family not teach you anything?"

"No," I admit, looking in his direction. There are things in this life my family chose to keep under wraps, especially the business part of it all. The dangers. "They taught me to be a lady who would one day serve a powerful man."

Vincenzo tilts his head, glancing down at me. Questions lie behind his emerald eyes, but he doesn't let them out. "The boss says you don't have to stay cooped up in here anymore. You're free to roam around."

"What changed his mind?"

"It's been a month... most people would go insane."

I would have... if he didn't bring me something to read. "Are you going to show me around?"

"No. I've been assigned to grab you some things from your place." He holds his hand out and for a moment I stare at the blooming rose inked on the back of it. "Can't keep bringing you Mellie's clothes."

"Mellie?" I look back up at him, suddenly curious. "There's someone else here?"

"She died." His voice falls flat and his eyes are distant, empty almost, but he shakes it off. Turning from me, he walks over to the door "I'll be back in a few hours. Feel free to walk around."

I'm allowed to roam, but how far?

Stepping out of the room, I take my chances. My fingers trail over the etches in the walls as I stroll down the hallway.

What am I to do? I know nothing about this place. It's a mystery. Most of the rooms I pass by are locked and so I make my way down to the main floor and swing through the left corridor.

There's a door slightly open. I peek through, noticing a man sitting behind a desk. His dark brown curls are the first thing I notice. His head is low, focuses on the papers in front of him. I can slightly make out the stubbles on his chin and the olive leaves tattoo on his neck. The top three buttons on his white shirt are popped open, exposing some ink I can't really make out. In one hand is a glass of dark liquid. Alcohol, I assume. And the other hand is marked with the three swords.

"What do you want?" His voice has me jumping in my skin. My gaze snaps to him.

I shake my head, my gaze drifts around his office. "I didn't think this was what you meant by taking me away. I pictured something... less civil." I don't step inside though, I continue to linger in the doorway. "Though, it's been a month since you've made your presence known and... I was wondering about Ricardo... if you've been civil due to him or something."

"Your brother has nothing to do with anything... other than you still being here." He lifts his head and his glass, motioning me to come in with a finger. "I'm surprised he hasn't tried to get you back."

I step inside, keeping my distance. "My brother is the kind of man who weighs his options. Much like our father."

"I already told him what he needs to do to get you back. A conversation with his buddy shouldn't be too hard to get."

"It's not always that simple."

"If he really cared about his sister he'd haul his ass and make it happen." He took a sip of his glass and got up.

"Maybe... he wants more. People usually want more than what's offered because it's never enough." I glance away from him, catching a picture on the wall. "Most live with their family... why don't you?"

He scoffs. "They're dead."

His gaze turns sour as he finishes his drink. He reaches for the remaining bottle of whiskey on his desk. "Listen, I am only interested in getting my conversation with his buddy. I have no interest in getting to know you. Are we clear?"

I nod, holding my hands behind my back. "Understood. I plan on making food for myself... now that I'm allowed to be outside of my room."

"Let the maid do it. That's what she is paid for." He pours himself another drink. "She can cook anything you like."

"I... I enjoy cooking. I don't mind."

He turns his attention back to me. "Do whatever you want then, okay?" He took a sip. "Just don't leave the house and don't bother me, or else."

"Something tells me you made a mistake once and wish not to go down that road again." I am playing with fire. I have no idea who this man is or why Mellie died, but I'm assuming she's someone he was close to. "You won't. It's a mutual feeling."

"What is a mutual feeling?" He asks as stands from his desk. He rounds it, moving in my direction.

"That..." I step back as he inches closer until my back hits the wall. "That you... don't want to trust another person."

"Trust?" He scoffs leaning in. He places his arm against the wall above me while his other hand still holds his drink. "Is that what it is, trust?" He takes a sip, still keeping his stance. "I thought you meant something else."

I try to inch away from him though... that is impossible with his body practically caging me in. "Neither of us can have an opinion on one another if we don't know each other... and you could have killed me. Another easily would have."

I try to step to the side instead.

"You still have no idea who you're dealing with, do you?" he asks.

"No." My gaze meets his. Dark brown eyes stare back at me.

"Then let me introduce myself to you, princess." He places his other hand against the wall, disabling me from moving away. "My name is Sergio Accardi."

Accardi... Sergio Accardi. The man my brother helped make disappear. The rightful heir to the Bloodline Mafia.

"I'm dangerous, merciless, and a monster. I may not have killed you, but the fact remains that I can. Very easily I might add. I'm a beast. The devil himself."

My bones shake, but my lips part anyway. "Even Lucifer was an Angel."

Sergio smiles and leans closer. My heart pounds in my chest. He closes his eyes, his lips inches away from mine. Heat creeps up my face. He can't... could he?

"Get out," he whispers. A breath escapes my mouth as he pushes away and finishes his drink.

"Get out!" His voice raises.

My bones nearly jump out of my skin and I run out of his office.

❤︎❤︎❤︎

total ONC word count: 5,740

thank you so much for reading along! ❤︎