Chapter 16

**ALEXANDER**

I couldn’t help the smirk that curled on my lips as I glanced down at the signed papers. Phase one was complete—everything falling into place just as I’d planned. I handed the documents off to Marzetti without a word and turned toward the car, a feeling of satisfaction settling in my chest.

As I walked toward it, I could feel Alina’s gaze piercing into me, her sharp eyes following my every move.

I slid into the car, the door clicking shut behind me, and the engine roared to life. Let her stew in her frustration; I couldn’t care less.

"Did you get what you forgot?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“I did,” I replied, my tone smug and unconcerned.

She pressed on, clearly irritated by my lack of explanation.

"W-what was it?"

I didn’t bother answering.

"Drive," I instructed the driver, my voice cold, final.

The driver didn’t need instructions. The car pulled away smoothly, leaving Arthur’s house behind like a bad memory. The tension inside the car was suffocating, thick enough to choke on, but I refused to be the first to break. I leaned back against the seat, relaxed, watching the city blur past through the tinted windows while beside me, Alina sat stiffly, arms folded, glaring straight ahead.

I could practically feel the storm brewing inside her.

Finally, she snapped.

"Why are you doing this?" she demanded, turning to face me.

"Why kidnap me? What possible use could I be to you?"

I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, I adjusted the cuffs of my suit, taking my time, making sure she knew just how unbothered I was by her little outburst. Then, finally, I turned to her, my lips curling into a slow, lazy smirk.

"Hmmm... what use could you be to me?" I mused, tilting my head slightly.

"Now that is a loaded question, love."

The truth? There was a long list of things I wanted from her.

I wanted her in my bed, wrapped in my sheets, pinned beneath me. I wanted her on her knees, her mouth saying my name the way it was meant to be said. From the moment I saw her, she had taunted me without even trying, her tight little frame a temptation I could hardly wait to claim.

The thought alone sent a spark of hunger through me, and I let my gaze drift over her slowly, deliberately, drinking in the curves she was so desperately trying to hide.

Her eyes narrowed. "Ugh," she scoffed, her voice dripping with irritation.

"Don’t bother answering that."

I chuckled at her defiance, but she wasn’t done.

"You do realize kidnapping is illegal, right?" she added, as if she actually thought that would faze me.

"Illegal?" I repeated, letting out a low, mocking laugh.

"Sweetheart, if I let something as trivial as the law dictate my actions, I’d be a very poor excuse for a mafia man."

Her jaw clenched, her frustration rolling off her in waves. Then, she tried again, her voice sharper, angrier.

"Let me go, or I’ll scream and call the police."

That made me grin. Did she really think the police could touch me? That they could protect her from me?

I leaned in closer, lowering my voice to a whisper, letting my breath brush against her ear.

"Go ahead," I taunted.

"Scream. Call the police. Beg them to come save you." I let the words settle, then chuckled darkly.

"But you and I both know no one will come. No one will hear you. And even if they did..." I paused, letting my lips ghost just near her skin.

"Do you really think they’d dare cross me?"

She swallowed, and for a fraction of a second, I saw hesitation flicker in her eyes.

I smirked. "I’m not just any man, sweetheart. I have power, influence... and most of them?" I tilted my head slightly, watching as she tried to mask the fear creeping into her expression.

"They’re already on my payroll."

Her lips parted, as if she wanted to argue, but she recovered quickly, jutting her chin up in that stubborn way of hers.

"Why did you force me to come with you?" she demanded, her voice cutting through the air.

"I hate to break it to you, but I’m not worth as much as you think I am."

She was so oblivious.

Not to her worth—because fuck, she was worth more than she even realized—but to the reality of her own situation.

"I mean... kidnapping women to settle debts?" she continued, her tone thick with sarcasm.

"Wow. Did you come up with this brilliant plan all by yourself, or did you attend a ‘Kidnapping for Dummies’ seminar? Because seriously, it’s not like every other thug and villain hasn’t tried this exact same tactic before."

I arched a brow. Feisty little thing.

The fire in her eyes sparked something inside me, something dark and possessive. She was furious, frightened, and yet... still fighting.

I almost admired it.

"Maybe I just enjoy having you exactly where I can keep my eyes on you all the time," I mused, my gaze slowly tracing over her, taking in every inch.

Her glare sharpened. She took a half-step back, like she was trying to put distance between us, but that small act of resistance only made something in me snap.

Before she could move further, I reached out and grabbed her wrist, pinning it against the cool leather of the seat.

She gasped, her head whipping down to where my hand engulfed hers. Her fingers were small, delicate, fragile under my grip. And yet, despite our difference in size, she didn’t flinch.

She didn’t cower.

No, she wasn’t afraid—not in the way she should be.

She was furious.

"Let. Go." The words were sharp, her voice a low, venomous hiss.

A shiver of something dark ran down my spine, but I didn’t release her. Instead, I chuckled, my grip tightening just enough to remind her who was in control.

"Let go?" I echoed, smirking.

"And miss out on all the fun I’m having?" I leaned in slightly, my breath warm against her skin.

"Nah. I think I’ll pass on that one, sweetheart."

Her breath hitched.

"You’re going to have to get used to being close to me," I murmured, my voice almost teasing, though the weight behind my words was anything but.

"Because for the next thirty days... you’re mine."

I watched as her expression shifted, her anger warring with the fear she was trying so desperately to hide.

"Your father owes me a debt, and you are the collateral." I let the words hang between us, studying the way they sank in.

"So you’ll just have to be a good girl and enjoy the ride." My tone was laced with mockery, but there was an unspoken warning beneath it.

"And then, once your father comes up with the money... you’re free to do whatever the fuck you want."

I lied. Her father wasn’t coming. He had already sold her off to me. But she didn’t need to know that.

But as I looked into her eyes—eyes full of fury, resentment, and just a flicker of uncertainty—I realized something.

I had no intention of letting her go.

At least, not until my plan unfolded, and I eventually grew bored of her, securing her fortune for myself.

I leaned in one last time, my lips brushing the shell of her ear.

"But until then..." I whispered, my voice dripping with possession.

"You’re all mine."