Chapter 2
Rafe
T he scent of fresh bread and sugar lingers in the air as we leave Alina’s bakery behind, fading into the cool spring evening.
The streets of Little Italy hum softly, the distant clink of plates and murmur of diners mixing with the faint sweetness of blooming flowers. My focus, though, is entirely on her.
She clutches her bag like it’s the only shield she has, her lips pressed into a tight, defiant line. Her shoulders are rigid, her head held high, but the tension radiating off her betrays her nerves. She’s trying so hard to appear unshaken, but I see right through her.
“Rafe, I don’t need your help,” she says, her voice sharper than expected, though she still won’t meet my eyes.
“Too late for that.” My tone is calm but final.
The sleek black car waits at the curb, Enzo standing by with the back door open. Alina hesitates, her hazel eyes darting toward me, then back to the car. She doesn’t move until I step closer, crowding her just enough to make her feel it. “Get in.”
Her lips tighten, but she obeys, climbing into the car with stiff movements. I slide in beside her, and the tension in the air thickens. The soft leather seats swallow her up, a stark contrast to the flour-streaked world she just left behind.
“Where are you taking me?” she asks after a long silence, her voice barely above a whisper.
“You’ll see.” I let the quiet stretch, filling the space between us with unspoken weight.
I study her discreetly; the way her dark brown waves brush her shoulders, the faint freckles scattered across her nose and cheeks, the soft curve of her lips pressed into a line.
Her worn clothes should make her seem unremarkable, but somehow, they only emphasize the unpolished beauty beneath. Her curvy frame is deceptively strong, her posture tense but still carrying a stubborn pride.
Alina shifts in her seat, her fingers fiddling with the strap of her bag. She bites her lower lip, her teeth leaving a faint mark on the soft flesh. I smirk, knowing she’s fully aware of my gaze and hating that it affects her.
“Rafe, please,” she begins again, a crack of desperation slipping into her voice.
“Save it,” I cut her off, my tone firm. “You belong to me for a week. You’ll do as I say.”
Her head snaps toward me, her hazel eyes blazing with defiance. “We’ll see,” she hisses.
I lean back, smirking at the fire in her. “I really hope that resolve lasts.”
The car pulls to a stop in front of my building, a sleek glass-and-steel tower that reflects the dim glow of the Cleveland skyline.
I step out first, the air cool against my skin.
When Alina doesn’t move, I reach into the car, gripping her hand and pulling her out with firm insistence.
Her skin is warm, her pulse quick beneath my fingers.
“Is this where I’m staying?” she asks, her voice wavering despite her effort to sound composed.
“This is where we’re staying,” I correct. “Welcome home.” I lead her toward the entrance, my hand brushing the small of her back. Her steps falter slightly, and I feel the tremor running through her body.
I’m still not sure what made me accept her instead of the money owed to the Russo family—to my family. All I know is that when I saw the fire in her, I wanted to protect and possess rather than extinguish.
“It’s just a week,” she murmurs, and I get the feeling that the words were more to herself than me.
“For now,” I smirk.
Her hazel eyes flick up to meet mine in the mirror, a spark of defiance igniting in their depths. “Wait, no. You said one week. You can’t change the rules now.” Panic coats her words, making them rushed.
I shrug. “I can do what I want. You’ve already tried to plead with me twice, isn’t that you trying to change the arrangement?”
Her shoulders sag and she exhales audibly. “Fine, I won’t try to change your mind. But you have to promise?—”
“I don’t have to do anything,” I growl.
The elevator doors slide open to reveal the penthouse.
Alina steps inside hesitantly, her eyes darting around.
Polished marble floors gleam under soft lighting, sleek black-and-chrome furniture arranged with meticulous precision.
The windows stretch from floor to ceiling, showcasing a stunning view of the city.
“It’s… beautiful,” she says, her voice soft with reluctant awe.
“Beauty can be deceiving,” I reply, pouring myself a drink at the bar. “Remember that.”
“Are you speaking from experience?” she fires back, her tone sharp.
I chuckle, swirling the whiskey in my glass. “Perhaps. But we’re here to discuss you, not me.”
Her gaze snaps to me, her arms crossing over her chest. “And what exactly do you expect from me during this week-long imprisonment?”
I step closer, my glass catching the light. “It’s simple. You’ll sleep in my bed, stay by my side at all times, and follow my rules.” My voice drops, heavy with authority. “You belong to me now, Alina.”
Her jaw tightens, her chest rising and falling with quick breaths. “That’s not good enough. I need some kind of… guidelines. I won’t be your whore.”
I chuckle darkly. “For the next week, you’ll be exactly what I want you to be. If I tell you to crawl and wear a collar, you better obey.”
“And if I don’t?” she asks, eyes blazing as she lifts her chin.
“Then you’ll learn the consequences,” I say smoothly, my tone calm but edged with warning. “And hope I won’t go back on the deal and demand the money your dad owes us.”
When she tries to step back, I move faster, catching her chin in my hand. Her skin is soft and warm, and the sudden contact sends a jolt through me.
“R-Rafe, I won’t—” she stammers.
“Enough arguing,” I snap, my gray eyes locking onto hers.
It’s not gentle. My lips crush hers, claiming her with a fierce, possessive hunger. She stiffens, her hands pressing against my chest, but I deepen the kiss, pulling her closer. The heat between us ignites like a spark catching flame.
Her body tenses under my touch, but I can feel her surrender to the overwhelming intensity of our connection. Her lips are like a burning inferno, scorching and electrifying every inch of my body.
I grab a fistful of her hair, using it as leverage to tilt her head back and devour her with a savage hunger.
She moans in surrender, her body arched against mine in desperate need.
Fuck, she wants this as much as I do. The heat between us is palpable as she clings to me, her arms locked around my neck, pulling me closer.
My body surrenders to hers, aching for the touch of her lips. The heat between us intensifies with each passing second as our bodies press closer together, igniting a fiery passion within me. I can feel the intensity of my arousal against her stomach as our tongues tangle and dance together.
With an instinctual need, I grind against her, unable to control the primal desire that courses through me. Her moans erupt into my mouth, fueling the fire that consumes us both in this moment of pure and unbridled need.
When I finally pull back, her lips are flushed, her breaths ragged.
“See?” I murmur against her mouth, smirking at the mix of anger and confusion in her expression. “You’re capable of following orders when it suits you.”
Before I can anticipate it, her hand flies up, landing a slap across my cheek. My head barely turns, the sting sharp but fleeting.
“That one was free,” I say, my voice low and taunting. “The next time, I’ll take it out on your ass.”
Her face flushes a deep crimson, her defiance faltering for a split second. I chuckle, turning away to finish my drink.
“Get ready for bed,” I call over my shoulder. “You’ll be staying with me. No exceptions.”