The cra turned off the main road and wout it's way up a long , cobblestone path flanked by ancient cypress trees. The headlights pierced through the thick fog , revealing a sprawling estate unlike anything Vivienne had ever seen .
It wasn't just one mansion . It was two - fused by a magnificent corridor of the glass and steel , merging Gothic grandeur with modern menace . Twin towers loomed on either side , their spires vanishing into the night sky.
Vivienne sa still in the back seat , her heart thudding . The car slowed before a grand marble staircase, stopping with a soft hiss. The driver stepped out without a word and opened her door.
The night was cold and windless.
Ryan stood already at the top of the stairs,bathed in the amber glow of the overhead lamps. He watched her descend with a preator's calm.
As she stepped onto the top stair , her suitcase in hand , he said softly but coldly , " You'll never escape from here ... Not untill I say so."
His voice curled like smoke around her spine . " For the next two months , Vivienne ... I'm going to make very good use of you. You won't just be a showpiece in my world . You'll become part of it ." You are mine "
Vivienne's grip tightened around her bad . She wanted to run - but her feet kept moving.
Because she had no choice.
They entered the mansion together. The vast foyer stretched out like the belly of a cathedral. Twin grand staircase curled up each side of the room . The ceiling was carved with dark frescoses , depicting wolves and fire , Gods and judgement.
Servants lines the hallway , bowing as Ryan passes . Not one of them met Vivienne's gaze.
" This house," Ryan said , walking slowly beside her ," was built by me ! "
" You live here alone? " She asked, her voice faint .
He smiled faintly " Until tonight."
As they passed through the corridor of the glass , Vivienne caught glimpse of the connecting mansion - the second half of the estate . It was darker , colder in design . Metal sculptures of serpents and shattered angle wings adorned the halls . It felt like a place meant to break people.
" Why did you bring me here?" She asked quiet.
Ryan stopped walking .
He turned to her . His face was unreadable.
" Because you're the first one who's ever looked at this secret mafia.... And seen the man , not the monster. Even if you hated what you saw."
Vivienne didn't answer.
They reached a tall , polished wooden door. Ryan opened it.
It wasn't a guest room . It was his bedroom.
Ric velvet drapes hung like heavy curtains around the enormous bed . A fireplace crackled against one wall , throwing dancing shadows . The furniture was sleek , dark, commanding.
Vivienne stepped back.
" I'm not staying here."
Ryan stepped into the room and turned to her .
" Yes . You are ."
His voice was soft but firm . " This is your room now . Our room ".
She hesitated at the threshold.
" Don't flatter yourself ," he added . I will go very smooth.. dear.....
The words lingered in the sir , more dangerous than any threat .
She then unwantedly stepped in.
Behind her , the door clicked shut .
" You're ll find your things in the closet ," Ryan said . " Custom - tailored . I had your measurements".
Her mouth dropped open slightly . " You planned this?"
E turned to pour himself a glass of dark amber liquid.
" I always plan."
She watched him move - so graceful for a man so violent . His shirt club to his back , shadows tracing the lines of muscle like ink . There was something magnetic in the darkness.
She hates herself for noticing .
" I don't want your clothes. Or your drink. Or your room ," she muttered.
Ryan took a sip , them walked towards her , stopping inches away
" Then take the door , " he said , coice low . " Go ahead. Try it."
She turned .
The handle wouldn't move.
" You're not , " he said . " You're a special guest . With rules . This is your kingdom for two months . But only inside the walls i give you ."
She shivered , suddenly cold .
He stepped back , and sat on the chair drinking a few more glass of wine .
Ryan stepped closer , brushing a loose strand of hair from her face .
" You said I lived in darkness," he whispered.
" Let me show you just how dark I can be ."
He then pulled her waist towards him . And gave a forceful kiss on her neck . Just scrubbing his lips on her as if he was hungry or years. He then bited her neck hard and rolls his lips over her neck .
" Stop , please! She said frightened . And pushed him away as he had not held her tight.
" You don't have to rights to touch me ! And as per the contract you can't do whatever you like. " She said roughly.
He then licked his lips with his tongue and said , " My dear baby ! .... The contract says that you remain with me and do whatever as i say for two months."
"No, it's not you are just making up things now " . She said .
Then the takes out the papers and comes closer standing back of her and places his face touching her face and shows the contract papers .
"There you go! " . " Just read it "
It was actually written in very small letters which was barely visible. And Soren in the thoughts of Vivienne forgets to read the documents.
Vivienne was dumbstruck. And looks at his face . With tears in her eyes, and guilt in her heart.
" Welcome to hell darling ~" he said smiling. "So shall we do it now? " "Hmmm..... I guess not today, today you can rest" " Cause I still have two months left" he smirked .
"Why are you doing this to me? " ." What did I do to you?" . " You like me right? " Then why are you doing this . She said crying.
He then gets closer and wipes her tears with his hand and says ," Actually, we mafia, when fall in love, show our love in this manner to the one we like." " Even if they don't like us ". We do it to satisfy ourselves.
Vivienne then starts crying hard and shouting in front of him .
" Oh no ,no ! Calm down, calm down " it's just your first day . And i promise that I won't hurt you much ! He then smirked and went to his bed .
She and no other choice then to go and sleep beside him . He then turned towards her and puts his hand onto her waist.
She was hesitating. But somehow she had to adjust here .
She knew that , she was either going to die living here , or just sacrifice her life to Ryan . Not even Soren was able to do anything. As he didn't even knew where could he live , as his home is hidden from the other world .