Chapter 22

**ALINA**

I stood frozen, staring at the man in front of me—Alexander Dimitri. My body was trembling uncontrollably, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of fear that gripped me. Yes, I was scared. Sue me.

When I came out of the bathroom, the way he looked at me… it was like I was nothing but prey in his eyes.

Thoughts raced through my mind, each one worse than the last.

Was he going to hurt me? Rape me?

No, I couldn’t let that happen. I wasn’t about to lose my virginity like this. Not to him.

Without thinking, I bolted.

Ran, as fast as my legs would carry me. The fear pushed me forward, and I didn’t dare look back. But when he spoke, his voice so calm yet commanding, it stopped me dead in my tracks.

“Another step......and I’ll shoot you.”

I froze.

My pulse skipped a beat, and for a moment, I wondered if dying would be better than becoming some twisted sex toy for this mafia man.

Would it be better to face whatever he had in store for me, or just end it here and now?

I didn’t know anymore. The fear paralyzed me. My body trembled uncontrollably, each breath shaky, as my mind raced with desperate thoughts of escape that I knew would never come.

“Look at me,” he ordered.

I didn’t turn around. Instead, I just stood there, facing the door, trying to steady my breathing.

My heart was pounding in my chest, the sound deafening in my ears.

“Turn around,” he snapped, his voice sharp with a warning that sent a shiver down my spine.

I jumped, startled by the force in his tone, but I didn’t hesitate for long before I finally—finally—swiveled around, my movements quick but reluctant.

I kept my gaze down, refusing to meet his eyes.

“Look at me,” he ordered before I could even breathe.

I stayed silent, my throat tight, refusing to obey..

His fingers tightened around the gun, the sound of the safety clicking off making my chest tighten further. I braced myself, not knowing what would happen next.

Still, I refused.

I could feel the tension building between us, the anger and control radiating off him in waves.

"Look at me!"

I raised my eyes to meet his. For just a second, I swore I saw something flicker in his gaze—a flash of guilt, or maybe something else.

In that instant, my instinct told me to run—to escape—but I couldn’t. I was trapped in his eyes. Why couldn’t I look away?

He took a step toward me, his movement deliberate and confident, each step like a drumbeat in my chest. My heart skipped a beat. I wanted to step back, to keep the distance between us, but before I could, he raised his gun, pointing it directly at me.

My breath caught in my throat, but I didn’t dare move. I was paralyzed, unable to do anything but watch him approach.

He stopped just in front of me, his chest almost brushing against mine. I could feel the heat radiating from his body, the strength in his presence. My entire body shook, not just from fear now, but something else. A tension. A pull.

I should have been screaming. I should have been running. But for some reason, I stood still, unable to make my legs move. His presence was magnetic, unnervingly powerful, and I could feel myself drawn to him despite everything in me screaming to flee.

He lifted his hand, and before I could even process what was happening, it was gently resting on my cheek. My body reacted before my mind could catch up, warmth spreading through me. It was electric. I felt like I was being pulled into him. The fear still clung to me, but there was something else—a strange, unfamiliar feeling, something that made my pulse quicken in ways I hated to admit.

I could feel the difference in our size. He was a giant compared to me. His chest was broad, muscles defined beneath his clothes, and I felt so small next to him. My head barely came to the middle of his chest.

I should have felt insignificant, weak, small. But instead,

I felt... safe? No, that didn’t make sense. Why?

I didn’t understand what was happening inside me, but I couldn’t ignore it. My body warmed under his touch, a part of me craving more. It was maddening. I couldn’t bring myself to pull away, even though every rational part of me screamed that I should. Even though I knew the danger he posed, I didn’t mind him being so close.

In that moment, fear and attraction tangled within me, leaving me confused and helpless. What was it about him that made me feel this way? What was happening to me?

But everything shifted when his expression turned hard—then angry.

I flinched, startled by the sudden change, as he took a step back, his body rigid with tension. The air thickened with his fury.

“Why the fuck are you pissing me off every damn minute?” he snarled, his voice low, like a growl. Each word was like a lash, the venom in his tone sending a shiver down my spine.

“And what’s with these fucking tears?” He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. “You think you're gonna cry your way into my good graces, Alina Santini? Huh? You think you can melt me with that bullshit? Well, let me tell you something, you dumb girl—I don’t have a soft side. Not for you, not for anyone. The quicker you learn that, the better off you’ll be.”

I had been mistaken. I’d convinced myself for a moment there was guilt in his eyes, but that was nothing more than a fleeting illusion. I forgot who he was—Alexander Dimitri. A ruthless killer, feared by everyone. There was no room for guilt in him.

He was practically seething now, his words laced with fury. “Now, I want to know,” he growled, his voice darkening even further,

“Why the fuck are you crying? And don’t give me some sob story. If you don’t give me a damn good reason, I’ll put you out of your misery before you can say another word.”

Was it all just a game? A cruel game to get me to trust him, only to rip it all away in the end? Had he been pretending to soften toward me, just to lull me into a false sense of security before pulling the trigger?

The fear that had been suffocating me was starting to fade, replaced by a cold clarity. I wiped away the tear that had escaped, forcing myself to breathe steadily despite the gnawing terror in my chest. His anger was still palpable, but I wouldn't let it break me. Not now. Not like this.

I straightened, my voice shaking but laced with defiance as I met his gaze, refusing to show weakness.

“No,” I said firmly, my voice coming out steadier than I expected.

“I’m not crying because I want your pity. I’m not going to beg you to show mercy.

I could see the surprise flicker in his eyes, but I wasn’t going to back down. I wasn’t going to let fear control me any longer. Even if I was terrified of what he could do, I would hold on to that piece of myself.