Moonbound: Caught Between Mafia and Mate

Chapter 3: A Prison of Gold

Luna stared out of the car window as they passed through the wrought-iron gates, her mind racing with every possibility of what awaited her inside. The mansion loomed ahead, bathed in shadow, its tall, imposing structure looking more like a fortress than a home. It felt cold, oppressive, and as they got closer, Luna's unease only deepened.

She glanced over at Lorenzo, who hadn't spoken a word since they left the park. His face was unreadable, sharp features set in stone. If he felt any kind of emotion about this situation, he didn't show it. Luna wanted to scream, to demand answers, but every time she opened her mouth, the words got stuck in her throat. The intensity of his presence made her feel small, insignificant.

But she wasn't about to be silent forever. She was in this situation now, and if she was going to survive, she needed to know exactly what kind of game she was playing.

The car came to a stop in front of the mansion's grand entrance. Without a word, Lorenzo stepped out of the car and circled around to open her door. Luna hesitated, staring at the open door like it was a portal to a nightmare. Was she really doing this? Entering the home of a mafia boss who claimed he could protect her from a rival who thought she was his mate? It all felt surreal, like something out of a twisted fairytale.

But this wasn't a fairytale. This was her life, and it was spiraling out of control.

She swallowed her fear and stepped out of the car, straightening her shoulders as she did. If she was going to be in this world, she couldn't show weakness. Lorenzo might be dangerous, but she wouldn't let him see her fear.

As they approached the front door, it swung open, revealing a tall, broad-shouldered man standing in the entryway. He was older than Lorenzo, his hair streaked with silver, and his eyes were cold and calculating as they flicked between her and Lorenzo.

"This is her, then," the man said, his voice low and gravelly.

Lorenzo nodded once. "She's staying here. Ensure her safety at all costs."

The man's eyes lingered on Luna for a moment longer before he stepped aside, allowing them to enter. Luna's heart pounded in her chest as she crossed the threshold, the grandeur of the mansion overwhelming her senses. High ceilings, marble floors, and ornate chandeliers—it was beautiful, but it felt more like a prison than a home.

"You'll be safe here," Lorenzo said, his voice breaking through her thoughts. "No one can get past my security."

Luna's jaw clenched. "Safe from Matteo, maybe. But what about you?"

Lorenzo stopped walking and turned to face her, his dark eyes locking onto hers. There was a flicker of something—amusement?—in his gaze, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.

"I told you, Luna," he said quietly. "If I wanted to hurt you, I would have done it already."

His words didn't comfort her. If anything, they only made her more uneasy. She had no idea what his true intentions were, and that scared her more than anything. Was he really trying to protect her, or was she just another pawn in his game?

They continued walking, their footsteps echoing through the empty halls. Lorenzo led her up a grand staircase and down a long corridor until they reached a set of large, wooden double doors. He pushed them open, revealing a spacious bedroom decorated in shades of deep red and gold. A four-poster bed sat in the center of the room, its dark wood polished to perfection, and thick curtains hung from the windows, blocking out the night.

"This will be your room," Lorenzo said, stepping aside to let her in.

Luna hesitated in the doorway, her eyes scanning the room. It was luxurious, no doubt, but it still felt wrong. Like a gilded cage.