The mansion was quiet, but Bella could feel the eyes of countless people watching her from every shadowed corner. The Castillo family was not just rich; they were an empire, one that thrived on fear, power, and blood. This wasn't just a home—it was a fortress. And every step Bella took deeper into it felt like a step closer to becoming a part of something she could never escape.
Vladimir's presence was suffocating, but there was a cold confidence in it, as though he were used to people cowering in his wake. Bella kept her head down, trying to ignore the men that passed them in the halls—muscle, soldiers, or whoever they were. Their eyes lingered on her for just a moment too long, their glares sharp and predatory.
As they walked through the corridors, Bella tried to piece together exactly where she stood in all of this. She had no illusions that Vladimir cared for her in any way, shape, or form. She was just a pawn in his game—his sister's kindness and sympathy only made her feel more like an outsider in a world that didn't care about kindness.
When they reached a door, Vladimir pushed it open without a word, motioning for Bella to step inside. It wasn't an invitation; it was an order The room was luxurious, decorated with dark wood furniture and crimson velvet curtains that blocked out most of the light. The air smelled of expensive whiskey and cigar smoke. This was where the business happened—the cold, brutal side of the Castillo family that everyone feared.
Behind a large mahogany desk sat a man who was not Vladimir but still carried the same dangerous aura. His eyes were cold, calculating, and just as predatory. He was talking to a couple of men standing in front of him, going over some papers, but as soon as Vladimir entered, they stood straighter, their eyes darting to the door, silently acknowledging their boss.Ah, Vladimir," the man at the desk said without looking up, his voice smooth like glass but carrying a dark edge. "I was wondering when you'd show up."
"Business comes first," Vladimir replied, his voice flat. He moved to the side of the room, his gaze scanning the documents spread out before the man at the desk. He glanced at Bella once, just briefly, and then turned back to the man behind the desk. "The deal's been finalized."
Bella's heart skipped a beat. She realized that this wasn't just about settling a debt—this was about business, about power, about control. She was part of this transaction, whether she wanted to be or not.
The man behind the desk raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Is that so?" He leaned back in his chair, his gaze flicking toward Bella, appraising her like a piece of property. "And what's the price of this particular transaction?"
Vladimir didn't flinch. "My father's debt. She's a tool. Nothing more. A reminder to anyone who crosses us."
The words were cold, and they cut through the room like a knife. Bella stood still, the blood draining from her face. She wanted to argue, to scream that she was not a tool, but the fear in the air told her that her words would mean nothing here. The mafia didn't care about pleas. They only cared about power, control, and loyalty.
The man at the desk, who Bella now realized was a high-ranking member of the clan, nodded slowly. "Understood. I'm sure she'll be... useful."
Bella couldn't help but shudder at the way he said it. The air was thick with tension, the kind that always followed violence or bloodshed. She wasn't just being handed over as a solution to a debt—she was now a part of this world, this dark underworld where mercy had no place.
Vladimir didn't seem bothered by any of it.He was already moving on, discussing other matters with the men in the room, his voice cold and precise. He wasn't a man of many words, but when he spoke, everyone listened.
Valeria's voice echoed in Bella's mind. If you need someone to talk to, you can always come to me. But that felt like a distant thought now. How could anyone in this world help her? How could anyone save her from becoming just another tool in a world that ran on fear and blood?
Vladimir's eyes flicked toward her again, as though he could sense her thoughts. He didn't say anything, but the coldness in his gaze told her everything. She was here to serve the Castillo family, to do whatever they needed her to. No questions. No resistance.
"You'll stay here for the time being," Vladimir said, his voice as harsh as ever, pulling Bella from her thoughts. "And you'll learn how things are done in this family. There's no place for weakness."
His words rang in her ears as she stood motionless, her chest tight. This was her reality now.
Valeria's voice again, soft and kind, trying to reach her through the cold walls of this new life. But there was no escaping this world. No escaping the mafia.The heavy door to the office closed behind Bella with a soft click, leaving her alone in the sterile, oppressive silence of the room. The air was thick with the scent of expensive cigars and the underlying tension that seemed to follow every person in the Castillo family.
Vladimir had already turned his back, focusing entirely on the two men standing near the desk, discussing matters of business in low, hushed tones. Bella felt like an intruder in their world—an outsider in a world where loyalty was bought with blood and power was claimed with violence.
Her fingers curled around the sleeve of her dress, nails digging into the fabric as she forced herself not to look at the men. She was out of place here, but she wasn't sure if that made it any easier to survive.
"She's a tool, nothing more," Vladimir's voice sliced through the room, as if to remind her of her role in this twisted game. "She'll stay here, work here, and she'll follow orders. And she'll do it well, or the consequences will be..." He let the silence hang in the air like a threat. No need to elaborate.
Bella's heart raced. Was this how it was going to be? Forced into servitude, her every move controlled by a man who didn't even look at her as a human being?
Before she could process any more of it, the man sitting behind the desk spoke, his voice smooth and calculated. He was younger than Vladimir, but the coldness in his eyes betrayed years of experience in the shadows.
"You've kept your promises, Vladimir," he said, leaning forward. "But we've been getting more attention lately. The city is starting to take notice. We need to tighten our grip before things get out of hand."
Vladimir nodded, his lips curling into a barely noticeable smirk. He was always calm, always in control. But Bella knew that under the surface, the Castillo family was a fire waiting to consume everything in its path.
"We will," Vladimir replied flatly. "But before I deal with anyone, I need to address a more pressing matter."
He turned then, his gaze finally locking onto Bella's, and for the first time, she felt like an object in his sights.
"You're a symbol now," he said, voice low. "A symbol of the Castillo family's power, and that comes with a price. You're not here to just exist. You'll make sure no one forgets who runs this city."
The coldness in his voice made her shiver. This wasn't a life. It was a prison wrapped in luxury, a gilded cage with no escape.
Before she could respond, Valeria's voice rang out from the hallway, cutting through the tension like a breath of fresh air.
"Vladimir, you've been keeping her in here too long. She's not some trophy. Let her breathe."
Valeria entered the room, her eyes searching Bella's face with a mix of curiosity and something else—pity, maybe? But there was kindness there too, the only thing Bella had seen in this place that wasn't tied to power or cruelty.
Vladimir's eyes narrowed, his expression becoming even colder than before. "She's not here to socialize, Valeria," he said, his tone a warning. "She's here to fulfill a role, not make friends."
Valeria ignored the bite in her brother's words, stepping closer to Bella, her blue eyes soft with an empathy Vladimir clearly lacked.
"I know this is hard," she said gently, her voice a stark contrast to Vladimir's. "But you don't have to accept this life quietly. You can find your own way, if you're strong enough."
Bella stared at Valeria, unsure how to respond. She wanted to believe the kindness in her eyes, wanted to believe that there was more to this life than fear and obedience. But how could she? How could anyone in a world that demanded so much from those who had nothing to give?
Vladimir's sharp gaze flicked toward Valeria once more, but this time, there was something darker in his eyes—anger mixed with possessiveness.
"She's not your concern," he said, his voice cold enough to freeze the air. "She's my tool. And tools don't get to choose."
Valeria didn't flinch, though Bella could sense the silent struggle in her. She turned to Bella again, her voice softer now.
"I'm sorry," Valeria said. "I didn't mean to push. I just… I want to help. I want you to know that there's more to life than what they've told you."
Before Bella could say anything, Vladimir moved forward, a silent command in his stride. His presence in the room was likea storm, something inevitable and powerful.
"We'll discuss this later," Vladimir said to his sister, his tone final. "Right now, Bella needs to understand who she belongs to."
The words hit Bella like a slap, but there was nothing she could do. She wasn't a person in his eyes. She was just a piece to be moved around.
Valeria's gaze softened as she looked at Bella one last time. "I'll be here if you need me," she whispered, almost too quietly for Vladimir to hear.
Bella nodded slightly, uncertain what that would even mean in the days to come.