The Wounded Bloodline

A Glimpse of Vulnerability

Stelle's POV:

I woke up to the sound of my own snores, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. I was still on the couch, still trapped in Luca's penthouse. I sat up, rubbing my eyes, trying to shake off the haze of sleep.

As I looked around, I saw Luca standing by the window, his back to me. He was sipping a glass of whiskey, his eyes fixed on the city below. I felt a pang of anger, of resentment. He had taken me from my home, from my family. He had trapped me here, with no way out.

But as I looked at him, I saw something else. A glimpse of vulnerability, of sadness. His eyes seemed to hold a deep pain, a pain that he was trying to drown with whiskey.

For a moment, I felt a spark of sympathy. Maybe Luca wasn't just a cold, heartless mafia boss. Maybe he was something more.

But then, he turned to me, his eyes hardening. "Good morning, Tesora (darling) " he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I see you're still enjoying my hospitality."

I felt my anger surge back up, my sympathy disappearing. "I'm not enjoying anything, Luca," I spat. "I'm a prisoner, and I will escape."

Luca smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm shaking in my boots, Tesora," he said. "But until then, you're mine. And you'll do as I say."

I crept up behind Luca, my heart racing with adrenaline. I had managed to slip into the kitchen and grab a knife without him noticing. Now, I pressed the blade against his neck, my hand trembling with anger.

"You're going to let me go, Luca," I hissed. "Or I'll make sure you never hurt anyone again."

Luca's eyes flicked up to mine in the mirror, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. But then, a slow smile spread across his lips.

"Tesora, you're so fiery," he said, his voice low and husky. "I like that about you. But you're not going anywhere. You're mine now."

I pressed the knife harder against his neck, my hand shaking with rage. "I'm not yours," I spat. "I'll never be yours."

Luca chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. "Oh, Tapolina, (little mouse)" he said, using the nickname he had given me. "You're so sure of yourself. But you're just a pawn in my game. And pawns are meant to be used. You see, your family took everything from me. My father, my dignity, my peace. And now, it's my turn to make you suffer. I'll make you feel all the misery, all the pain that your family made me face. You'll beg for mercy, but it will be too late."

I felt a surge of anger and fear at his words, but I knew I had to keep my cool. I had to get out of here, no matter what it took. I pushed the knife harder against his neck, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Let me go, Luca," I repeated. "Or I'll kill you."

Luca's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with a sinister light. "I'm shaking in my boots, Tesora," he said. "But you'll find that I'm not so easy to kill."

Luca's smile faltered for a moment as he felt the knife bite into his skin. A thin line of blood appeared on his neck, and his white shirt began to stain crimson. His eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on mine.

"Tesora, you're playing with fire," he whispered, his voice low and menacing. "You think you can hurt me? I'll show you what real pain looks like."

I held my ground, the knife still pressed against his neck. "Let me go, Luca," I repeated, my voice firm. "Or I'll make sure you never hurt anyone again."

Luca's eyes flashed with anger, but he didn't move. He knew I had the upper hand, at least for now. Slowly, a cold smile spread across his face.

"Very well, Tesora," he said. "You want to play it that way? Let's play. But you'll soon realize that I'm not the one who's been holding back."

With a sudden movement, he grabbed my wrist and twisted it, forcing me to drop the knife. It clattered to the floor, and Luca's grip on my wrist tightened.

"You shouldn't have done that, Tapolina," he hissed, his eyes blazing with anger. "Now, you'll pay the price."

I struggled and kicked, but Luca's grip was too strong. He dragged me to the bedroom, his eyes blazing with anger. He threw me on the bed, and I bounced up, my heart racing. He loomed over me, his chest heaving, his eyes fixed on mine.

I tried to scramble away, but he pinned me down with his gaze. He didn't touch me, but his presence was suffocating. I felt trapped, helpless. And yet... and yet, a part of me was drawn to him. His eyes seemed to burn with an inner fire, a passion that both scared and thrilled me.

As he leaned closer, his face inches from mine, I felt my breath catch. His eyes seemed to bore into my soul, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. I was both terrified and... and aroused. I couldn't explain it, couldn't rationalize it. All I knew was that Luca's presence was making me feel things I didn't want to feel.

"Tesora," he whispered, his voice low and husky. "You're playing with fire. You shouldn't have crossed me."

I swallowed hard, my mouth dry. I tried to speak, but my voice caught in my throat. Luca's eyes seemed to gleam with a knowing light, as if he knew the effect he was having on me.

And then, he pulled back, his gaze never leaving mine. He straightened, his chest still heaving, and turned away from me. I lay there, my heart racing, my body trembling. I knew I had to get out of there, but my legs felt like jelly. I was trapped, and Luca knew it.

I gazed at the array of clothes and essentials spread out before me, my mind reeling with the implications. Luca had ordered all of this for me? It was a staggering amount, enough to last me for months. And the clothes... they were designer labels, exquisite pieces that I had only dreamed of wearing.

But as I looked at Luca, I saw the glint in his eye, the possessiveness in his gaze. This wasn't a gift, it was a prison. He was locking me in, trapping me in this room, this life.

"It's all yours, Tesora," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "You'll find everything you need here. You won't be leaving this room, so you might as well get comfortable."

My heart raced as I realized the extent of his control. He had thought of everything, anticipated my every need. I was a prisoner, a captive in his luxurious trap.

I felt a surge of defiance, a determination to resist. But as I looked around at the opulent surroundings, the lavish gifts, I knew I was in trouble. Luca had me right where he wanted me. And I wasn't sure if I could ever escape.