Chapter 1
794words
Behind me came the sharp click of leather shoes against pavement—my father's dogs from the Rossi Family.
"Over there! Get the boss's daughter!"
I trembled, nails digging crescents into my palms.
My father, the godfather of the Rossi Family, claimed he was looking out for my best interests by marrying me off to some bookworm whose name only appeared in financial magazines.
So I ran from that golden, magnificent cage.
The footsteps grew closer. I closed my eyes in despair.
A dull thud echoed from deep in the alley. A figure emerged from the shadows.
He leaned against the brick wall, lit a cigarette. The brief flame illuminated half his face.
My breath caught in my throat.
God, what a face. Jawline carved by a chisel, straight nose, thin lips clamping a cigarette, and eyes colder than this rainy night.
Blood splattered his shirt—not his own, but from whoever had just collapsed at his feet.
Savage. Violent. Yet possessing a deadly attraction.
The bodyguards at the alley entrance spotted him, sweeping flashlight beams in his direction. "Hey! You seen a woman run through here?"
My heart leapt into my throat.
He didn't speak. Just exhaled a perfect smoke ring, his eyes cutting through the curtain of rain to land directly on my hiding spot.
He'd found me.
Shit. I was doomed.
Just when I thought he was going to give me away, my mind went blank. I rushed out from behind the garbage bin and threw myself desperately into his arms.
In his moment of bewilderment, I grabbed his blood-stained collar, stood on my tiptoes, and kissed him fiercely.
His lips were surprisingly soft, tasting of tobacco and the metallic tang of blood.
His body froze. A ripple disturbed those fathomless eyes. Then, he raised his hand to shield my face from view.
The two goons chasing me stopped dead in their tracks.
"Uh... looks like we're interrupting something."
"Let's go. Nothing here. We'll check further down."
As their footsteps faded away, my legs turned to jelly. I nearly collapsed against his chest.
I released his collar, gulping down air.
"Finished using me?" His voice was husky and magnetic.
I looked up, meeting his gaze, and forced myself to stand straight. "Look, I need a place to hide until I can shake them off."
He crushed out his cigarette, eyes dancing with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
I pulled a black card from inside my soaked evening gown and slapped it against his rock-hard chest.
"This card has no limit. I'll keep you as my boy toy until I get bored and dump you."
He lowered his gaze to the Black Card—the highest tier of the Rossi Family's bank.
Then he smiled.
That smile dripped with undisguised mockery.
He neither refused nor accepted. Just looked at me like I was interesting prey.
Just then, my phone began vibrating furiously in my pocket.
The word "Father" flashed on the screen.
I took a deep breath, answered, and put it on speaker.
"Irene!"
My father Anthony Rossi's voice boomed through the speaker, barely containing his fury. "Your mother had a heart attack! You need to get back here now!"
This routine again.
The corner of my mouth quirked into a mocking smile.
"Father, cut the crap. Mom posted about surfing in Hawaii yesterday. She's in better health than you are."
Silence hung on the other end, followed by an explosion of rage. "Who the hell do you think you're talking to? You'd abandon your family for this so-called freedom?"
"Yes!" I deliberately raised my voice, clutching the stranger's arm and pressing my face against his shoulder as I shouted into the phone.
"I've found true love! I'll marry no one but him! That bookworm son-in-law of yours who only knows how to read financial reports can go straight to hell!"
With that, I hung up.
Blessed silence filled the air.
I let out a long sigh. Just as I was about to flash him a victorious smile, he suddenly released my hand.
The force sent me staggering back two steps.
"I have no interest in playing house with pampered princesses like you." He coldly turned around, taking long strides away. "You're on your own."
"Wait!" I panicked and rushed forward to block his path.
I yanked from my handbag a cohabitation agreement I'd prepared just in case, along with a stack of damp checks, and slammed them against his chest.
"Sign it!" I stared into his eyes, desperation making my voice crack.
"Or I swear to God I'll lie down right here and tell any cop who shows up that you assaulted me!"
