Cassie woke with a sharp inhale, her senses slow to return as a dull throbbing settled at the back of her skull. The scent of expensive leather, whiskey, and cigar smoke filled her nose, a stark contrast to the musty alley she last remembered.
Her vision adjusted to the dim lighting of the room. It was a high-end office-dark wooden floors, a sleek black desk stacked with papers, and a bar cart glistening with premium liquor against the far wall. A large window overlooked the city, the skyline casting long shadows against the interior. Everything about the place screamed power, wealth, and danger.
She shifted, only to realize she couldn't move. Tight ropes bound her wrists behind the chair, her ankles secured to its legs. Panic flared in her chest.
Shit.
Her breathing picked up as different scenarios raced through her mind. The Roussi's had her. That meant one thing-she was going to die.
And it was all Lucien's fault. If she became a ghost, she was haunting his ass first. And Phoenix too, for being a great cook. If her stomach hadn't been so traitorous, she wouldn't have left the house.
She struggled against the ropes, twisting her wrists to no avail. The binds only dug deeper into her skin. Cassie swallowed hard, attempting to quell the fear rising in her throat.
Voices. Footsteps.
The sound of expensive shoes clicking against the wooden floor sent a chill down her spine. Someone was coming.
The office door swung open.
A man stepped inside, his towering frame blocking out the light from the hallway. Cassie's breath hitched as she took in his appearance. He was undeniably handsome, in a cruel, dangerous way.
Standing at 6'4, he had wavy brown hair shaved at the sides, light hazel eyes that glinted with something unreadable, and a strong jaw dusted with light stubble. The resemblance to Lorenzo Roussi made her stomach turn.
"You're awake," he mused, voice smooth yet edged with amusement.
Cassie didn't respond, instead narrowing her eyes.
The man shut the door behind him, taking slow, deliberate steps toward her. "I know what you did," he murmured, his gaze heavy as he stopped just inches away.
Her fingers curled into fists behind her back.
"I should kill you for it."
Cold metal flashed in his hand-a sleek, well-used army knife. He turned it between his fingers lazily, the blade catching the dim light.
Cassie's breath grew uneven as he knelt in front of her, bringing the knife to her throat. The steel pressed lightly against her skin, a whisper of pressure, yet the threat was undeniable.
A sharp sting. A warm trickle of blood slid down her neck.
The man lifted the knife, his hazel eyes gleaming as he observed the crimson coating its edge. Then, to her horror, he licked it, his tongue running over the blade as if savoring the taste.
A cold shudder ran down Cassie's spine.
"Oh, you taste sweet," he murmured, smirking as if he enjoyed her discomfort. A wild, untamed darkness swirled in his gaze.
Sadist.
Definitely a sadist.
His smirk widened, amused by whatever expression was on her face. "I'd ask if you're scared, but I think we both know the answer."
"Who the hell are you?" she demanded, hating the slight tremor in her voice.
The man exhaled a dark chuckle, standing to his full height. "Valentino Roussi," he introduced smoothly. "Lorenzo's older cousin."
Cassie felt her stomach plummet.
Valentino.
Her body tensed, struggling instinctively against the binds.
His grin deepened, as if entertained by her reaction. "Oh, don't struggle now. You'll only make it worse for yourself."
"Go to hell," she spat.
Valentino tilted his head, his smirk never faltering. "Darling, I've been living there for years."
A sharp knock interrupted the moment.
Valentino sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes before glancing toward the door. "This better be important."
One of his lackeys poked his head in, expression tense. "Boss, we got a problem. The guys are here."
Valentino arched a brow. "Which guys?"
"The ones looking for her." The lackey's voice lowered. "They're not alone."
Cassie's heart pounded. The guys. Nicco, Aleks, Lucien, Phoenix... they came for her.
Valentino turned back to her, his smirk returning as he leaned down, gripping her chin between his fingers. "Looks like your knight in shining armor has arrived."
Cassie met his gaze, defiant despite her fear.
Valentino chuckled, releasing her chin and straightening. "Let's see if they're willing to bleed for you, sweetheart."
And with that, he strode toward the door, leaving Cassie bound, vulnerable, and very much terrified of what came next.