Ava’s POV
I stepped into the hallway and spotted Nick leaning against the wall.
“Stella’s settled in her room,” I said.
“She’s probably taking a rest.”
Nick gave a small nod. “Good. She need it.”
Together, we walked down the hall to where Chris, MJ, and Liam were in some conversation.
Chris’s smirk widened as he animatedly described what had happened while forcing Stella to sign the contract.
“She kept saying no,” Chris recounted with serious expression.
“ But the table turned upside down for her when her parents agreed for it .”
MJ shook his head with a grin.
Just then, I cleared my throat, catching their attention.
Chris looked over at me, arching an eyebrow. “Where’s she?”
“In her room,” I answered with a light nod, trying to keep my tone casual.
Liam sighed, glancing at the others. “I feel sorry for her. She’s been dragged through all of this for nothing.”
Chris’s eyes narrowed slightly, the smirk fading from his face.
“So what? I have to tolerate her, too,” he retorted. “And she has to hold up till end. I just hope she doesn’t screw it up. She’ll have to meet everyone at the party without raising any suspicion.”
MJ snorted, crossing his arms.
“Yeah, that means you’re going to have to smile at her at least once,” he teased, grinning.
“Maybe even act like you care. Tough one, huh?”
Chris rolled his eyes as the others chuckled, but a hint of a smile tugged at his lips. “Yeah, yeah, keep laughing. But that poker face of mine will come in handy. I don’t have to actually care.”
Everyone nodded, and Nick glanced thoughtfully at Chris. “You’re going to have her under all those restrictions, then? Even if she’s here for who knows how long?”
“It’ll be tough for her to stay in that room all the time,” MJ agreed. “Basically like solitary confinement. We don’t have to torture her; she’s not the enemy.”
Chris sighed, considering. “Once I know she won’t betray or harm us, I’ll ease up a bit,” he said finally, his voice measured. “But she can’t be given too much freedom. After the party, she’ll not be just Stella Anderson anymore. She’ll be Christian Knight’s girlfriend—and that puts her in a position where people might try to target her.”
Everyone nodded, agreeing with the balance between freedom and caution.
---
Stella’s POV
I awoke slowly, my eyes heavy and my mind hazy. My heart felt weighed down, and reality rushed back with a cruel force.
Hot tears prickled in my eyes, and I buried my face in my hands, the sobs coming unbidden. How could they do this to me, sell me off for money? I wasn’t angry at the mafia, not even Chris and his cold demeanor. They were just using me for their own purpose. But my parents—they had chosen to trade me for their gain.
My shoulders shook with quiet sobs. I had no one in the world I could count on, no one but Kevin. At least he cared. But here, in this place, I was alone.
Suddenly, I heard a quiet knock, and the door creaked open. I wiped my eyes as Ava and Liam stepped in.
Ava’s gaze softened when she saw my face. She walked over to me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.
YOU ARE READING
TRUST at gunpoint
Romance"He trusted her , but only after he lost her at the price of his soul." ▫️Christian Knight ▫️Stella Anderson
