He stepped inside, closing the door slowly, his gaze fixed on her as she crawled backward, her back finally hitting the wall. "P-please... let me go," she stammered, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I won't tell anyone, I promise." He chuckled quietly, adjusting his blood-streaked glasses with a calm precision. he sank to his knees beside her, his movements slow and deliberate, as though savoring every second. With his bloodied hand, he reached for her face, his fingers grazing her cheek. She flinched, feeling the warmth of the blood he smeared across her skin. "There's no need to panic, Iris," he whispered softly, his voice a chilling lull that only made her shake harder. "just relax." His fingers lingered as he wiped a tear from her cheek, leaving a smear of red. She shivered, unable to tear her eyes from his, trapped under the weight of his calm, twisted gaze. Iris, a 20-year-old art student, is known for her beauty, cheerful nature, and boundless creativity. Independent and kind-hearted, she easily makes friends and brings warmth to any room. With a knack for seeing beauty in the everyday, she's both a dreamer and an optimist. Living alone for the first time, she's embracing her new independence with resilience and a touch of naivety, eager to grow as an artist and a person. Alaric, a 25-year-old senior art student, is the quiet enigma of the college. With his striking looks-handsome yet softened by his glasses-he's the subject of countless admirers, though he keeps mostly to himself. Known for his unmatched talent in painting and drawing, Alaric's art speaks louder than he ever does, and his reserved, polite manner only adds to his charm. Beneath his calm exterior, however, lies a hidden identity and a mind as complex as his name suggests-one that no one truly understands. Triggers:Toxic , violence , murder, manipulation Author note:This story is a work of fiction and is intended for mature audiences only.

Warning ⚠️ ‼️‼️‼️this is not a happy ending book, the male lead in this book is evil to the end. Explicit mature themes, kidnapping, manipulation, bounding, tortured. This book is not recommended for readers under 18 and those triggered by any of the above. ... I saw the corner of his mouth twitch and before I could comprehend anything he tightened his hold on my throat, my mouth was already slightly open so he had the opportunity to shove a gun in my mouth. I tried to move back away from him but he tightened his hold and shove the gun farther down my throat causing me to make loud gurgling choking sounds, the taste of metal, fire and smoke spread into my taste buds causing me to gag, that's the same gun he had shot my father with. "Do you have trouble speaking? I'll help you talk my love, there must be something stuck in your throat?" He said shoving the gun deeper, by now the base of his pistol was pressed down against my lips as I choked loudly. I screamed and jumped in fright as he pulled the trigger. Nothing, No bullets were fired. The force of the gun shook my whole body. I gargled and shook my head no repeatedly, but he wasn't satisfied. he squeezed my throat and completely blocked my airway. By now I started panicking more as I could no longer breathe, what does he want me to say?? please just stop this. "I merry gyou" I somehow managed to gargle those words out hoping he hears them. My mouth tastes like metal and I could taste blood as well, the force of the gun being shoved down my throat scratched the inside of my mouth.

"Please, please let me go. I beg of you!" I pleaded with the unknown voice. "Now you know I can't do that." The voice said, it's robotic sound angered me. "W-why?" Tears wouldn't stop sliding down my face. "Because you're the key to my happiness." [There are a lot of chapters, but they're all short.]

"Time is up, I AM CLAIMING WHAT IS MINE!" His voiced shattered throughout the entire tower. He has found me and claiming what is his; me. "Sire please, she not even 21 yet. Please let her stay for the year!" My father pleaded for my life but it was no use. I belong to him. Silence crept through the house before loud banging from large footsteps crept from the staircase. The pleading did not work. He was coming for me. .... BOOM! The large sealed oak door broke down with a simple kick from the notorious beast. I ran to the corner for protection but to no avail. He was taking me to my new life. ------------ My destiny was written before I existed. My family bloodline held much respect throughout generations, we were a perfect fit to be married off to the Vincenzo family. The largest mafia group to rule all of Europe and parts of America. They controlled everything since the beginning of time. So when my ancestor agreed to marry off his 8th grandchild off to the leader of the Vincenzo clan; it was a victory for the family. I am the 8th grandchild. My life now belongs to the Vincenzo clan.

"You are mine! Mine to love!, Mine to break! Mine to treasure!, Mine to discipline! No one else has the right to even dare to look at WHAT'S MINE! I won't share you Rosa and I'll be damn if I let anything happen to you!" he whispered roughly as he bit down on my neck to keep me idle but I continued to struggle. "P-Please leave me Alexander.. I don't want to be here with you!" I cried as he continued his assaults and his grasp, on my hands on either side of my head stuck to the wall, constricted so hard that I feared they would break anytime soon. I felt him smirking against my skin before he removed his lips from my skin and stared into my eyes. I shivered at the look the h was giving me; an unspoken promise. "You never had a choice in the first place bambina. I never shared anything that was mine and you darling, you've entered my heart. What makes you think I would let you go..." he got his face nearer to mine, "I'm going to bury myself so deep inside of you it'll leave you feeling hollow when I'm not with you.."