{TRIGGER WARNING! EXPLICIT CONTENT! DO NOT READ IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE IT, THANK YOU! Otherwise, enjoy!}



I open my eyes, squinting because of the bright light falling through the curtains. What?

The curtains in the room aren't supposed to let any of the light through, but suddenly they do?

Once my eyes finally adjusted to the bright sun, I realize I'm not in the same bed anymore.

Or in the same room for that matter. Probably a different country as well. Because the sun is shining bright.

I'm somewhere else.

Somewhere where the sheets are softer than anything else I've ever felt before, somewhere where the sun is warm instead of just a ball of light that shines throughout the day, somewhere where I would hear a soft wind blow against my window instead of storms.

Somewhere away from the cold, wet, weather. Somewhere where it's warm and alive.

It's a dream. I know it is.

Because there's no way I'm in Venice again.

I look at the book lying in front of me and try to read the letters. For some reason, my mind won't let me, so I simply give up and drop down on the bed again, stretching on the soft sheets underneath me.

I'm wearing a big shirt, which is obviously not mine, and take a deep breath.

It's Rio's.

And it smells like him.

Piece of shit...

He still haunts my dreams. And I hate him for it. Because that's the only time of the day he occupies my mind anymore.

I hear the door close, but never heard it open, and don't even try to look to see who it is. Because I know.

I know what's going to happen in this dream.

Because it's not a dream.

It's a memory.

It's something that actually happened. Something that I'll never forget.

'What are you doing here?' I ask, just like I did that day, when I finally turn around to face the person walking into my room.

It's Rio.

And just like that day, the sight of him knocks all the air out of my lungs.

He's wearing gray sweatpants again. No shirt.

And his chest, god, that chest.

It's as if god sculptured him muscle by muscle, not allowing any imperfections whatsoever.

'I heard you were staying in.' He says as he slowly takes a seat on the little couch near the window.

I loved to sit there when the sun was out, but at this time of day, the sun was shining in another direction, so I laid on the bed instead.

I watch as his big muscled body dropped onto the couch, honestly expecting it to break because of his weight.

He's clearly too big for that small couch.

'So?' I ask as I close the book and move it to the side, just like I did that day. 'Everyone decided to go out today.' He says, his voice simple as can be, yet sending my mind places it shouldn't be going.

I simply nod, slowly, as I try to keep my eyes on his, instead of staring at his abs.

It's as if he's trying to make me look at them, simply by leaning back, flexing them a little. Asshole.

'Why are you still at the house?' He asks as he leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees and looking at me curiously. 'Why are you?' I counter, waiting for the answer I know is coming out of his mouth.

I wished he said something else that day, something I realize I longed for, but I didn't realize that until now.

'I had work to do.' His mesmerizing eyes hold mine in some weird way, creating a hunger inside of me I didn't know I had.

But at the same time, I always felt that hunger when it came to him.

It drove me insane, not knowing what he was thinking about back then, but now that it's happening all over again, I know exactly what's going through his mind.

Because all of this, these moments between us, these stupid moments that made me want him more, that made me love him more, they didn't mean shit to him.

It was just business. Strictly fucking business.

'Why are you here?' I ask after a moment of silence, waiting for that frown to appear on his beautiful face.

Because I hate to admit it, but Rio is the most gorgeous man I've ever met. And I doubt I'll meet anyone as mesmerizing and alluring as him.

'Why are you here if you have work to do?' I ask, my voice suddenly thick with something that I hadn't noticed before.

Lust.

I knew what I was getting myself into.

And I let it happen.

His lips curl up into that perfect smile of his and he nods, before standing up. 'I guess you're right, I should get back to work.'

I watch as he walks towards the door, just like he did that day, and fight the urge to go after him.

My mind went rigid that day, wondering why he had come to me instead of working? Why now out of all moments? Because everyone was gone.

He could have me all to himself. Without anyone intervening.

And just like that, everything becomes a blurry mess in front of me. I try blinking it away, but nothing seems to help. Then some flashes of white, before my vision returns.

I'm walking down the hall, with no control of my body whatsoever, as I walk down the steps, all the way down the stairs.

It's still a dream, a trip down memory lane, a reminder of how it was before everything blew up in my face.

The sun was slowly setting, radiating a beautiful orange color on everything the sun shone on. It's scary how my mind can remember these things so perfectly.

All simply for a dream.

A kick in the stomach for falling for his stupid tricks.

My hand pushes the doors open and as I look up, I come eye to eye with the gorgeous monster of a man, sitting behind his desk.

He's wearing a shirt again. And he's...

Smiling.

Smiling because he was expecting me.

He knew. He always knew.

At first, I thought it was because he kept checking that chip every second he could, but now I know that it wasn't because of the chip, which I apparently never had in the first place. No. It was because he knew I was desperate for answers.

Desperate for answers he was going to give me.

'Can I help you, Valentina?' The way my middle name rolls out of his mouth, even in this dream, is sending a wave of heat through me. 'Why were you in my room?'

He leans back in his chair and tilts his head just a little, indicating that he needed more information out of me. 'Why did you come to my room if you needed to work?'

'I was bored.' He answers.

That answer stung back then, and I hate to admit it, it still does.

Not because he could've said something else, god, I wish he would've said something else. But because of how desperate I was for him to say something else.

Something that would return the feeling he brought me. Something that would show me that he cared just as much, that he changed towards me, that he... cared.

But I was stupid, so stupid to think that he would care.

And deep, deep down I knew that there was no chance of him loving me.

So why did I let it get this far?

I don't fucking know.

Because I wanted him. Because I wanted his touch, his lips, his heat.

I wanted every inch of him.

And when I look at him now, even in this dream, even in this memory, I hate myself even more.

Because I still want him. Not for the love shit, because I know that will never happen.

At least not the way I want it to.

But I want his touch, I want his caresses, I want his lips, I want his words, his whispers, his moans, his hair, his smell. I want all of him.

Just the way he wanted it.

Strictly business.

'Valentina?' He asks, suddenly standing a lot closer than before.

And just like that day, when I felt the desperation take the best of me, I place my hand on his chest. Wishing that he wasn't wearing a shirt again.

His jaw clenches and he looks down at me, his eyes almost closing entirely.

I remember thinking that it meant something, that he wanted this because he wanted me. He wanted my love, and would, in return, love me back.

God, I was so stupid.

And I still am for longing for a touch of his fingertips. Of him.

'What's going through that mind of yours, Valentina?' Even in this dream, I can feel myself shiver at the way he says my name. 'A lot.' I admit, making his lips curl up in a small smile.

A smile I don't think he wanted me to see.

'Start with one thought.' He says, pulling me closer as he leans on his desk, with me between his legs.

The embarrassment that I felt that day, creeps inside of me again, and I wonder why. We did stuff like this a lot, we touched each other a lot, so why did this make me feel embarrassed?

Because I thought it was more and I knew it wasn't going to be, even though I wished it would.

'What is the first thing that comes to mind?' He asks as he trails his finger up my arm, to my shoulder, leaving a trail of fire where his finger touches my skin.

It's hard to breathe and I wish I could just wake up before this shit gets worse.

Before I allow myself to... enjoy this.

Because in the end, I'll wake up and I'll know that whatever I thought he felt, wasn't real. He didn't feel shit.

To him, it was just strictly business.

'Tell me.' He leans down, brushing his lips against my ear as he speaks, sending a wave of heat down to my core. Shit.

It felt real. And the fact that I want it to feel real, sickens me. I shouldn't want this. I shouldn't want him.

He broke my heart when I gave it to him, when I opened up for him. I shouldn't want him.

And I don't.

It's not him I want. It's the sensation he brings. Something I could find in any man if I really search for it.

'I want to know what's on your mind.' I breathe, feeling his hand go over my chest, down until he reaches the hem of my shirt. 'Do you now?' He asks, his fingers playing a dangerous game as they slide underneath my shirt, touching my skin instead of the fabric covering it.

I can only nod, melting underneath his touch, and look into his eyes.

He's looking at my lips.

As if he's ready to devour them any second. And I will let him, just like I did in reality. Because I wanted him.

All I can do is nod, even though I don't want to.

My mind is really playing tricks on me, allowing me to feel everything, but not letting me do as I please.

As if I'm stuck in a body that looks like mine, but isn't actually mine.

'Then ask me something.' He whispers, his lips gently pressing against my neck.

I need him to quit the soft shit because it's making me feel things I shouldn't be feeling.

'What do you want, Rafael?' I ask, keeping my eyes on his, waiting for him to do something with that hunger in his eyes. Something flashes through his eyes, something I couldn't link to an emotion back then.

But when I look back on all of it now, I can.

Surprise.

He didn't expect me to ask that question, but I did. And that surprised him.

'What I want?' I nod, feeling his grip on me tighten as he pulls me closer. 'I want to bend you over on this desk and fuck you until you beg me to stop.'

All the air in the room disappears and I feel like I'm choking on fire. Pure and wild fire.

'What's stopping you?' He blinks once, twice, before letting go of me entirely.

A desperate huff escapes my lips and I realize that he reacted to that, a lot more than I remember him doing.

'Is that something you want, Valentina?' He asks, turning us around so that now I'm the one leaning against the desk.

'Yes.' The desperation in my voice is sickening, but it's true. Even now. Even after knowing how this shit all ended, I want it.

Because it's been a while since I enjoyed stuff like this.

Sex.

It's been a while since I had sex.

And I don't feel like fucking with a random stranger or any of the people around, so I guess I'll have to do with this dream.

'All you have to do is ask.' He says, his voice deep and dark, exactly how I like it. 'Ask me, Valentina.'

'Fuck me on your desk, Rio.' My own words scare me, but I want it. I need it. 'Please.'

In one swift motion, he turns me around, pressing me flat on the desk, the cold wood cooling down my heated cheeks which are probably red.

'Such a bad mouth.' He tuts, making sure to press his crotch against my ass as he leans over, pulling my head up just a little by grabbing a fist of hair. 'Let's see if you'll keep that foul attitude.'

Within seconds, my underwear is at my ankles and he smacks my ass, making me bolt up even more, and groan out of pain.

It hurts.

God, it hurts so much.

But it feels so good.

'Don't take your body off that desk,' He says, letting go of my hair so that I'm back on the desk, 'understood?'

I need to catch my breath, apparently not responding fast enough for him, and jolt up when he smacks my ass again. 'Valentina?' He says impatiently.

'Stay down.' I press my face against the desk again, waiting for him to enter me, to rip me in two, but he steps back.

Caressing my ass where he just hit me. It tingles, making me hold onto the edge of his desk for dear life.

'Good girl.' I remember hating those words when we started doing this. I absolutely hated them.

But right now, even at that moment, I can't help but let a soft moan escape my lips.

Especially when I feel himself massaging my ass as if he's shaping it. Shaping it just for him. Fuck...

Wake up.

I need to wake up before I get dragged in too deep.

Wake up.

'Valentina?' His voice is so close, I can feel his breathing on my neck, and his crotch is pressed against my ass again. Shit.

Wake up!

Nothing, not even pinching my eyes shut, not even shouting at myself to wake up. Nothing.

'Do you really want this?' What- He didn't... He didn't say that when this actually happened.

What the- He quickly leaned back, smacking my ass again, before pressing his crotch against my hot skin.

It burns like hell, but his soft trousers and what's hiding underneath make up for it.

My mind is playing tricks with me, asking me if this is something I want.

And as bad as it is, I do.

I need to be fucked again. Even if it's just in a dream.

A messed-up memory that alters as I go.

I need it.

'Yes.' I breathe, knowing that he's smiling.

I tilt my head to the side and look over my shoulder, looking straight at an indeed smiling Rio.

'Bueno.' In one swift motion, he pulled down his pants and his underwear, pressing his dick against my ass, and pressing his hand on my back to keep me down.

I move my ass back, wanting him to enter me instead of rub against me.

But he pushes me down again, an annoyed sound, almost a growl, filling the room. 'Desperate now, are we?'

'Just fuck me.' It takes him some time to move back, but when he does, he smacks my ass again before pressing himself against my burning skin again. 'What did you just say, Valentina?'

'Please,' I whimper, hating how desperate I sound right now. Even though it's a dream, 'Fuck me.'

Without saying another thing, he rams himself inside of me, making me lock my fingers around the edge of the desk to keep myself from squirming around too much.

I forgot how big he felt. I forgot how good he felt.

'Fuck.' He groans, pressing me harder against the wooden surface. As if he wants to push me through it.

A loud moan escapes my mouth as he thrusts inside of me again. And again and again.

Making the sensation of his skin clashing against mine, more sensible than ever.

The sound of his skin clashing against mine is driving me insane. Just as his moans, grunts, and desperate whimpers do.

'This is- Fuck.' He moans, pulling me up by hooking his arm around my chest.

He lifts me all the way up, basically pulling me up on his dick, and kisses my shoulders to keep himself silent.

I hate when he does that.

'Don- Let me-' I can't form a sentence because of his thrusts, it's too much.

It's too good. 'Let me hear you.' I almost scream, trying to look at him as much as I can.

He leans back as much as he can, making sure to keep me close as he pushes himself as deep as he can and moans loudly.

That sound.

That fucking sound is sending me places. Places I need to go right now. 'I-' 'Not yet.' Before thrusting inside of me again, he swiftly turns me around and places me on his desk again, forcing himself deep between my legs before I can even process what happened.

'Keep it in.' He grunts as he pins my waist onto the desk. I try doing as he says, I try waiting for his que, but if he keeps looking at me with those craving eyes, I won't be able to keep it in any longer. 'Raf-' 'Don't.'

He fastens his pace, making me wonder where he even gets the energy from and moves one of his hands up to my chest.

We're both still wearing shirts, but that doesn't stop him.

He takes my nipples between his thumb and index finger and squeezes. Hard.

A cry escapes my lips and I jolt up, closer to him, feeling this heat that radiates from him. 'That's it.' He says, letting go of my nipples to go back to my hips.

'Take it,' He orders, fucking me at a ruthless pace at this point, 'Come for me, Valentina.'

That's something he doesn't have to say twice.

I explode into a million pieces, finally feeling the euphoria I felt when all of this went down, enjoying every second of it as he does the same, pushing himself as deep as he can, filling me up all the way.

He leans forward, pressing his chest against mine, and stops moving.

Both of us are breathing rapidly as if we ran a marathon, and we stay there for a while, neither of us moving an inch.

I let my fingers go down his back, remembering the feeling of his skin. And instantly pull back when I feel something tug at my heart.

I force my eyes shut for a second.

No.

I don't care that it's not real.

I know it's not real.

I enjoyed it for the moment, but that's it.

Right?

I let my hand fall down, hoping, no, wishing to feel his skin one more time.

But it lands on my chest, forcing me to open my eyes and look around.

It's dark.

Total darkness.

Because of the curtains.

I'm back in England.

Shit.

I'm still breathing rapidly. And I'm sweating as well.

What the fuck was that?

'Leya!?' It's Noah again. He's shouting for me down the hall.

But I'm still trying to process whatever the fuck that was.

'Do not go in her room you freak!' Isabelle shouts, suddenly sounding like she's right behind my door. 'I'll go in and talk to her.'

The door bursts open and closes right behind Isabelle before she turns to me again.

'Woah, what's going on with you?' She asks as she steps closer.

It's probably because I'm staring in front of me like some lunatic, and breathing like crazy.

'I had a dream.' I admit, trying to get my breathing steady again. Why did it feel so real?

'Not a nightmare?' I shake my head and watch as she opens the curtains, letting the grey light fall into the room. 'Well, you have to get ready.'

What? She pulls the sheets off the bed, uncovering me a bit more than I already was, and smiles. 'The meeting with Federico is in less than an hour and I wanted to go to the city to buy some things before we were going to dinner.'

'Dinner? Wait, what time is it?' I ask, looking at the clock beside the bed. It's all a bit vague to me, so I look at Isabelle and wait for her to answer.

'It's already two in the afternoon, you really needed those extra hours of sleep.' Shit.

I jump out of bed and rush to the bathroom, hearing Isabelle chuckle as she walks around the room. 'What did you mean by dinner?' I ask as I turn on the shower and quickly brush my teeth while I wait for it to warm.

'Martin is coming back today.' She says, making me freeze just as I'm about to step underneath the shower.

'Since when was he coming back today?' I ask as I quickly lather myself with soap and wash all of it off. 'Since he is done with business in Dubai.'

She told me that that was total bullshit. He did have some stuff to do in Dubai, but it did not actually take him as long as it did. So I seriously wonder what he was doing all this time.

'And he requested all of us at dinner for some reason.' She continues as I quickly hop out of the shower and dry myself. All of us?

'Even me?' She chuckles and slightly opens the door, handing me some underwear, before closing the door again.

'As much as you hate to admit it, you're one of us now.' She says, moving around the room again.

One of them.

Am I one of them? Do I want to be one of them?

'Get dressed, I'll tell Noah to wait.' Right. 'Thank you!' I shout, before hearing the door close in the bedroom.

I quickly look in the mirror and take a deep breath.

Even though I just come out of the shower, I look like a mess. There's something in my eyes that I haven't noticed before.

Is this what Celine pointed out last time? Because I remember her saying that I looked horny once. So is this what she's talking about?

I shake the thoughts away and quickly brush my hair, and put some hair products in it, before putting on the underwear Isabelle gave me and heading back to my room.

She tidied the room and laid out two outfits on the bed.

A red dress that looks absolutely stunning, which I would love to wear, but it would be a bit too much, and a light blue blazer with a white top and fancy black trousers.

Both options are too formal for something like this, but she knows how much I want to show him how good I'm doing. And both outfits will let him know.

I just don't want to be too uncomfortable talking to Federico, so I decided to go for the blazer.

When I'm done putting on the clothes, I look at myself in the bathroom mirror again.

The gleam in my eyes is still there, but I doubt anyone else will notice, right?

Fuck it.

I head to the hall and notice that Noah is standing in front of my door, probably waiting for me.

'Why do you always take so damn long?' He asks, pulling me towards the front door.

Isabelle, who's waiting by the door, turns around and rolls her eyes. 'Beauty takes time.' She answers, pulling me closer to her so that Noah has to let go of me.

They've been avoiding each other a little more than usual.

'Are you nervous?' She asks as we head to the car upfront.

I shrug, not knowing if I am or not. I certainly feel something weighing on me, but I'm unsure if it's nerves from what's about to happen.

'I don't think so.' She smiles at me, before jumping in the front seat, waiting for me to take a seat behind the wheel.

I look back at the house, noticing Hunter and Noah coming our way, and smile, before jumping behind the wheel.

'Do you think they'll get mad?' I ask, looking at them through the rearview mirror. 'Do you really care?' She asks, smiling as she puts on her seatbelt.

I shake my head and start the car, racing away while Isabelle tells me where to go, not caring about how annoyed they might get.

We quickly make it to some abandoned house on a street I've never heard of before, and look around, noticing at least three other cars on the driveway.

'Jordan is going to kill you.' Jordan? I look at Isabelle and frown. 'What does he have to do with this?'

'Everyone is tagging along for protection, and since he hates you already and you-' I look at the house again and take a deep breath, trying to process what she just said.

Everyone is tagging along for protection.

We haven't talked about any of this since that day, but I didn't know the others were coming as well.

'Ley?' I look over my shoulder, realizing that Isabelle is still waiting by the car. 'You don't need to sweat it, just say what's on your mind and make sure he knows what a piece of shit he is.'

A smile forms on my lips and I can't help but think about Neveah.

She would've said the exact same thing.

'Thank you, Isabelle.' She smiles back at me and slowly turns around to a loud noise. Cars.

Three cars drive up the driveway and abruptly come to a stop before everyone jumps out and looks at me.

Especially Hunter looks a little unpleased.

'What was that?' He asks, his tone hard and cold again.

Isabelle rolls her eyes and crosses her arms, still keeping her eyes on Hunter and the others.

Jordan's eyes hold the same amount of annoyance, maybe even more, as he steps over to Hunter.

'I told you this was a bad idea.' He mumbles, being pushed to the side by a smiling Noah that's headed towards us. 'I always knew you would be an amazing driver.' Noah says proudly.

We all wait for Hunter to say something, but his eyes are on me and his lips stay shut.

'Do you have something to say, Steel?' I ask, crossing my arms just like Isabelle did, while Noah turns around to face his friend as well.

After another moment of silence, everyone starts to get annoyed. 'Then I suggest we go before he dies of boredom.'

'Oh, he wouldn't die out of boredom.' We all turn around, looking at the door, where a man, who looks barely thirty years old, is standing, smiling at us.

He's wearing a suit and has dark hair, but nothing clicks when I look at him.

No emotion whatsoever.

And he's way too young to be my father.

'The only thing he would get is impatient.' He continues, opening his arms before he opens the doors a bit wider, smiling at all of us. 'Come in, we have a lot to discuss in such as short time.' He chimes before walking further into the house.

I look over my shoulder at Hunter, who's rolling his eyes as he quickly walks up to me and sighs. 'That's Colin, Federico's assistant.' He whispers, waiting for me to take the first step.

I take a deep breath and follow Colin into the house, feeling something wash over me the further we go.

'Follow me, please.' Colin leads us to some kind of conference room, where the chair at the end of the table is turned the other way.

And even though I can't see him, I know he's there.

'Federico Lorence.' I say, feeling the words slip out my mouth before I can stop them.

The chair turns, revealing an older man in a suit, sitting in the chair he was hiding behind. 'Hola hija.'

It's him.

That's the man I owe this life to, simply because he had sex with my mother.

That's my father.

I swallow the need to sneer something at him for calling me his daughter, but I realize that there are more armed men standing around the room, ready to shoot if I even make the wrong move.

'I honestly thought you would come alone, Lorence.' Hunter chimes, moving over to the table, waiting for Federico to turn around.

'Vete.' Federico says, keeping his eyes on me. 'Tell them.' What?

He wants them to go away?

'Y poder matar me? No gracias.' I say, feeling the urge to laugh at him. If he thinks I'll talk to him, alone, he's insane.

A few of his men start moving closer, their hands gripping their guns, and he simply has to raise a hand for them to stop.

'No hablo cuando están aquí.' He says, smiling a little. For fuck's sake...

I want to talk to him, that's what we came here for, so it would be a waste of time to go against him. But why does he want to be alone so badly?

And who the fuck does he think he is?

I turn to Hunter and blink a few times, hating that Federico got me so far to do this. 'We'll talk in private.'

Hunter frowns for a second. And I can see when everything falls in place for him because he nods and looks at the others. 'We'll wait outside.'

'What? No.' Isabelle says, stepping closer to me. 'I'm not going anywhere, they'll kill her.'

'You think I would kill my own daughter?' Federico asks, the word coming out of him like venom.

'You brought all these men, I honestly wouldn't put it past you!' I grab her hand, keeping her from throwing the first thing out of her pocket at him and risk getting us all killed. 'I'll be fine.' I whisper, smiling at her.

I will be.

'But-' 'Isabelle, let's go.' Hunter says, pulling her out of the room as well. She looks at me before the doors close, leaving me alone with a bunch of strange men with guns.

'Take a seat, Cataleya, this might take a while.' Federico says, his men moving back to the first position they were in, standing as still as statues. 'I'm fine standing and I don't think this will take that long, because I have only a few things to say.'

'What about the things that I have to say?' He asks a little too confused for my liking. 'You're not the one who tried reaching out to me so you don't get to have a say in this.'

He tilts his head a little, letting my words sink in, before smiling. 'You're just like your mother.'

'I know, no thanks to you of course.' I say, stepping closer to the table as well.

He's all the way on the other side of the big table, and I'm glad that he is.

Because Federico Lorence is scary. I don't know why, but he just is.

'I just wanted to say that I'm glad you left, because I turned out pretty great. And mom and I are doing great.' He smiles even wider and shakes his head in disbelief. 'I can see that.'

'What's that supposed to mean?'

'You've become a real woman.' He says, climbing out of the chair. He's taller than I thought he was but not as tall as the guys I'm here with. 'A woman who doesn't need a man.'

I don't.

I don't need a man to get what I want.

I don't need him.

'And that's all thanks to your mother.' I nod, not knowing what he expects me to say. 'But you're a fool for telling them about who your father is, hija.'

Is he- a fool?!

Even though I'm boiling on the inside, I somehow keep my calm and smile. 'And why is that?'

'Because the more people know about you, the more they'll use it against you.' He says, slowly moving around the table to get to me. I back away, ready to run through the doors, even if his guys are standing there with guns ready to shoot at me.

'And what is it they could possibly use against me, knowing that you are the reason I was birthed on this earth?' I say, trying to sound as polite as possible, even though I know he can tell that I'm faking all of it right now.

'You want to know why I left, Cataleya?' He asks, stopping at the end of the table I was just standing at. 'No.' 'Well, I'll tell you anyway.' He mumbles, taking a deep breath, keeping me on edge.

I want to know.

But I am not going to ask him anything, because that's exactly what he wants.

'I owed someone a lot of money.' Money... Great. So Federico left my mom and me for money? 'And he always knew he wasn't going to last with one wife, so we made a deal.' He?

'I think you're missing a few parts, boss.' Colin chimes. I honestly forgot that he was even in the room, but Federico chuckles and shakes his head, before looking at me again.

He looks a bit... all over the place. As if he forgot he was even here for a second.

'I made a deal with André Nadora.' Nadora. As in Jason Nadora?

'He would get my firstborn daughter for his son, to create heirs, and he would give me a two hundred thousand euros to clear my debt and create my own little empire.' Get his firstborn?

Wait- I stumble back, almost stepping into the guys at the door, and let all of this sink in.

'I had no other choice.' He mumbles, trying to step closer to me. Everything is spinning and I feel sick to my stomach.

He sold me before I was even born. No...

'You-' I can't even find the right words for the anger I feel and wish I could just shoot a bullet through his head. 'They don't know you exist. Or that you're my daughter.' What?

I don't have his last name, and I certainly don't look like him, but that doesn't make it alright.

'So I left. To keep you safe.' Bullshit.

I turn around and look at the man standing by the door, waiting for him to move out of my way, but he stays still like stone.

'I want to go.' I say not caring how rude I sound right now. I want to get the fuck out of here before I go insane and start doing shit that will get us all killed.

'You're not going anywhere, Cataleya.' He says, his voice making my skin crawl, 'see, I don't need people finding out that you're my daughter. So you're going to Justine, that way I'll get my money and you'll be with people who don't even know who I am to you.'

No. Fucking. Way.

'You would sell me around for money?' I don't even know why I bother asking because he would. He fucking would.

'Por qué no?' He grins at me, snapping his fingers so that his men start moving, trying to grab me.

'Hunter!' It's the first thing that comes to mind, and before I can even blink, the door bursts open and Hunter steps into the room, not caring about the groaning guy that's rolling on the floor.

Every guy in the room points their gun our way, ready to pull the trigger if Federico gives them the right signal.

'I wondered when that was going to happen.' He chimes, stepping closer to me as if no one is pointing a gun our way at all. 'You come into my uncle's territory and pull something like this, Lorence?'

I want to shout and scream and pull Hunter's gun on the man behind me, but I stay put. 'She's staying with me.' Federico says, his anger rising to a new level.

Hunter looks at my face and looks back at Federico, before sighing deeply. 'It doesn't look like she wants that.' He says, before bringing his hands to his mouth and whistling, 'So I suggest you'll let us go without causing a fit.'

Everyone else has their guns out, more men that I didn't even know were here, and slowly we're the ones with more people.

I slowly turn around and stare at the man that's supposed to be my dad. He sold me...

'She's not leaving this place.' Federico says, keeping his eyes on me. 'I'm telling you now, Lorence, we're leaving and you're not going to stop us.'

Hunter grabs my arm, gently and as inconspicuous as possible, and pulls me towards the hall.

Federico and his men stay put, none of them moving an inch, while we quickly run out of the building.

'Everyone, get in a car and take a detour back to our place.' Hunter says, staying close to the door.

I know Federico didn't move just now, but I doubt he won't go and look for me. 'What happened?' Jordan asks, ready to kiss Hunter's ass again.

'Just get in a fucking car and get the fuck out of here, I'll handle it.' He'll handle it?

Everyone rushes to a car and Noah pulls me with him.

'I need to drive.' I say, pulling the keys out of Noah's hands as he nudges me towards a random car. 'Fine. Go and drive, just don't crash.' He says, jumping into one of the other cars.

I get in, realizing that I should've just hopped into one of the other cars because Jordan is already sitting in this one. 'You have to be fucking kidding me.' He groans when he realizes I'm the one entering the car.

'Suck it up.' I sneer, starting the car and racing out of there just like Hunter told us to.

I follow one of the other cars since Jordan won't put in the address for some weird reason.

It's strange that I'm following his orders, but it's probably the safest thing to do right now. And I don't want to end up locked away.

So I'm listening to Hunter Steel.

I'd rather be with him than with Federico.

'Watch out!' I race past a redlight and try not to crash into the cars driving in front of us, rolling my eyes as Jordan is freaking the fuck out beside me.

'I knew you would bring bad luck.' He sneers, making me frown for a second.

As much as I want to look at him, I can't risk us dying because he's being a pain in my ass.

'So far you're not dead yet, so please be quiet.' We drive into the city, people running off the road as I race through the streets, trying to keep up with the car in front of us.

Suddenly, as we race across a crossroad, I notice a tall, curly-haired, male that looks a lot like... Leon?

I hit the brakes, almost crashing into another car, and blink a few times, trying to see if I'm right.

Is that... 'Cataleya, what the fuck are you doing!?' Jordan shouts, who apparently wasn't wearing a seatbelt.

A few people start walking around, getting in the way of the guy I'm trying to focus on. He's looking around, trying to see what the hell is going on, and locks eyes with me. Leon.

It's him.

He's here.

His eyes widen and I don't think I've ever seen him this relieved in my entire life. He's here?

'Cataleya!' Jordan says, pushing me a little.

We're standing still in the middle of the road, with a lot of people staring at us, but I don't care.

I push Jordan off of me and jump out of the car, running over to the side Leon was on.

Cars almost run over me as I cross the busy road, hearing cars that are waiting behind our car honk for us to move, but I don't fucking care.

Leon.

'Cataleya!' I ignore whoever it is that's calling me and push through the people who are looking at me as if I'm insane.

When I stop to look around for him, I find nothing. Just people murmuring and pointing at me because of what just happened.

I take another look around, praying that he's here and that I'm not just imagining things, and catch glimpse of a guy running into an alley.

I run after him, pushing through the crowd that's trying to swallow me and try to catch my breath as I make it into the alleyway.

'Leon?' I mutter, walking deeper into the alley, knowing that this might be the stupidest shit I've ever done.

I just need to get away from all those eyes, away from all of it. Especially after-

Something rustles on the other side and I jump back, keeping my eyes on the dark figure moving in the shadows. 'Leon?'

A cat runs past me, making my heart leap for a second, and I can't help but feel relieved. But I still hear footsteps behind me and slowly turn around.

There's a man, trying to catch his breath, looking at me. And he does not look happy.

'Are you really running away from your father?' He asks, slowly inching closer. Shit.

I didn't bring a gun or a knife for that matter, so I'm unarmed.

'I'm talking to you!' I can't run past him? His big body takes up most of the space, so I'm cornered.

Shit. I look around, trying to find something to use, and notice a big container with some shiny things inside of it. Glass.

Before the man lunges at me, I rush to the container and grab a disgusting empty bottle. It's something.

I smash it against the wall and jolt back just in time to not get smashed by the man, who's trying to grab me or something.

'Come here you little bitch!' I slash his arm as he tries to reach for me again, hearing him scream because of it, and look at his blood dripping onto my hand. Shit.

'You cut me!' He tries to lunge for me again, but I simply step back and keep the bottle in front of me. 'Stay back!'

Despite my demands, despite his bleeding arm, despite the anger I use in my voice, he doesn't care.

'You're going to die!' He lunges at me again, this time not caring about the sharp bottle in my hand, and walks straight into it, forcing me to stab him straight in his chest.

I pull back quickly and try to create some distance between him as I feel his blood on my chest. Did I just-

I keep my eyes on him as he stumbles to the closest wall for support. Not that it will help, because he's losing a lot of blood.

'He will hunt you down-' He coughs, making the bleeding, and probably his pain as well, so much worse, 'And you will go back to Justine.' No.

I'm not.

I'm not going back to being sold, I'm not doing that.

I take a deep breath and step closer to him, feeling something wash over me.

There's no way I'm going to stay locked up, especially not with Federico or someone else.

There's just no way.

'And there's nothing you can do about it.' There is.

I stab the man again and again and again, imagining him as the man who's sold me before I was even born and the sick man who wants to buy me.

And that shit feels perfect.

Just before the man catches his final breath, he drops to the floor, blood all over the both of us.

And I stumble back, looking at what I did. At the crime I just committed.

Shit. My heart is racing, but it's not fear. It's something else.

Power.

As if killing someone is the best thing I've ever done in my entire life. Fuck.

I drop the bottle and hear it shatter on the floor, before looking back into the dark side of the alley. Why did I think it was Leon?

'Cataleya!' Someone shouts behind me, and I don't even turn around. I'm too tired to move around.

'Here you are!' Strong arms wrap around me and I don't even have to turn around to know who it is.

Hunter hugs me tightly and pulls back to search for any scratches or marks. Just blood. And when he realizes it's not mine, he frowns, because I don't have any bruises or cuts.

No visible ones at least.

Because my heart is hurting like hell.

'Don't just run off like that.' He mumbles, looking me up and down one more time. He's out of breath, and I can't help but step back a little.

I don't like this.

I don't like that he's acting all nice and cozy for no reason.

A million questions go through my brain and I feel a little dizzy thinking about asking any of them.

'What happened here?' He asks, looking at the dead man hidden behind the container. 'What do you think?'

He blinks a few times, before turning back to me and nodding. 'You killed him.'

'I want to kill Federico.' I say, feeling my heart race for a second. It's not a lie, but for some reason, I need to know more before I kill him.

If I kill him.

'What happened?' He asks, staying right where he is, even though I can tell that he wants to get closer.

Don't tell him... I don't trust him.

I know Hunter has protected me so far, but I can't trust him. Not after what he did to Neveah. Not after what he did to her family. I just can't.

'I just want to kill him.' I sneer, not particularly angry at him, just angry. 'He deserves it.'

Hunter chuckles and looks at his watch, before looking at me again. 'He certainly does for thinking he could just take you.'

I look into his eyes and freeze for a second, silently thanking him for bursting through those doors. Because if he hadn't, things would've ended a lot differently right now.

'I wasn't going to give you over like that little bee.' He states, stepping closer a little. 'I would never do that to you.'

Or so he says.

But I realized something today.

In order for him to help me, to get more freedom out of him until I'm fully free from all this drama, I need him to think that I'm in. That I'm with him, that I would pick him over freedom.

So I will.

I will act if that means I will get my freedom in the end.

Complete freedom. And maybe even kill him in the end?

'I know.' I say, taking a step closer, his eyes slightly widening.

We're standing close. Way too close. But I have to do this for him to buy some of this shit. Because I want to get out.

So I stand on my toes and move closer to his ear. 'Thank you, Hunter.' I whisper, pressing my lips on his cheek as a quick thank you for what he did for me today, and lean back with a smile.

He won't let me go, so I have to play by his rules.

Because I'm not going to let him win.

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A/N: AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH So do we want Federico to die or do we want them to bond? Somehow?

I hope you guys still like this story!!! Please keep commenting and voting, it keeps me motivated!!!

I hope you have a wonderful day, and I hope to see you at the next chapter!!