𝓗𝓲𝓼 𝑅𝑒𝑖𝑔𝑛

29

                      1 week later

(1 month, 2 weeks in.)

Kailani sat on the floor, restless.  of the same routine, but today was different. The energy felt charged, electric, and when the door opened, Salvatore stepped in with something new in his eyes. He held the whiteboard in his gloved hand.

*Come.*

She blinked, her stomach flipping at the unexpected command.

His hand found her waist the moment she stepped forward, his grip firm, possessive. Without a word, he guided her out of the room and into the hallway. For the first time, Kailani saw the house beyond her small prison.

Her breath hitched as they passed through a long corridor made entirely of glass. The forest outside stretched endlessly, wild and untouched. It felt surreal, like they were in some hidden paradise far removed from the world. And then, she realized—this was his fortress. His world. She was deep in it, trapped, surrounded by his wealth and power.

Salvatore’s hand never left her waist, fingers brushing against the curve of her hip as they moved.

They entered a large living room, and something caught her eye, causing her to blink rapidly in confusion.

Photos.

Many of them —framed pictures of her. On the tables, on the walls. Not just recent ones, but from years ago. School photos, moments with friends, even images of her from what seemed like weeks before he had taken her. Her heart raced as she scanned the room, horrified and yet drawn in by the reality of how long he had been watching her.

“You-…” she whispered, her voice barely a breath. She felt him behind her, his presence overwhelming, his body close...too close. His huge, gloved hand slid up her small back, slow and deliberate, his fingers pausing at her neck, where his thumb brushed the sensitive skin, then running down her back to her ass, patting it as a sign for her to keep walking.

They moved further into the house, and when they reached the kitchen, Kailani stopped in her tracks. The entire back wall was made of glass, revealing a stunning view of a waterfall cascading just beyond the house.

She felt his hand tighten on her ass, his grip firmer now, more insistent. He guided her closer to the glass, standing behind her as they both looked out at the waterfall. His massive chest pressed against her back, pressing her into the glass.

They reached a grand hall, and Kailani noticed a gold door. Salvatore turned the handle and pushed it open.

In the center, there was a chair. No, not just any chair—it looked more like a throne, covered in black velvet, elevated on a small platform. Surrounding it were screens. Dozens of them, flickering in and out of life.

He ushered her inside, guiding her to stand in front of the chair, and without a word, he pressed her shoulders down, signaling her to sit. Her heart raced, but she obeyed, too curious and unnerved to resist. The room smelled faintly of cedar and something else—something metallic, like iron.

Salvatore moved behind her, and she heard the soft shuffle of his feet as he pulled a black silk cloth from his pocket. Gently but firmly, he tied it around her eyes, blindfolding her. The world went dark, and her breath quickened.

For a few agonizing moments, there was nothing. Just silence. She could feel the heat of him near her, his presence a looming shadow over her body. And then, without warning, the screens buzzed to life all around her, the glow faintly penetrating the cloth over her eyes.

“Salvatore?” she whispered, a tremor in her voice, but he didn’t respond. He was close, so close she could almost feel his breath on her neck.

And then she heard it.