Chapter 10

Marcella

“Open the door!” My voice was hoarse from the screaming but that still didn't stop me from letting out a wail. There might be someone. A neighbor who can help me. They can call the police. My clenched fist again bangs against the door even though it has been killing me from all the hard banging for I don't know how many hours.

My mind goes back to the bakery and Lexi and a flicker of hope bursts through me. I know Lexi would have already contacted the police. It isn't like me to leave the bakery unannounced even for an hour.

With a rush of hope and excitement, I get back on the God forsaken bed and wait. This hope was my only survival now and I had to wait and stall until I could get away from here.

I don't know how long I sat there dreaming about my escape when suddenly the door banged open with a guy who I had never seen before. He had a tray in hand and walked inside, closing the door behind him.

My mind immediately started blaring with alarm. I kept my head down but my eyes on his every move. He had an ugly look in his eyes which shot fear straight up my spine.

“Here you go bitch.” He practically threw the tray on the bed, nearly missing my feet. The splashes of a runny looking soup with lumps in it hit my legs and feet. When I didn't move, he stalked towards me with anger clear on his face.

I moved back as fast as I could but it didn't take me far. In a second, he had his hand on my neck and pushed me down the bed. “You can get away with disrespecting anyone but me bitch. I’ll show you now what happens when you don't listen to me.”

I fought with all my might, the adrenaline coursing through my veins as his grip tightened on my neck. Desperation fueled my struggle, and my fear skyrocketed when I heard the distant sound of a zipper.

I was going to raped. That's the only thing that registered in my mind.

I tried to scream but the pressure on my neck made it difficult to even take the next breath. The next thing I felt was a little prickle in my neck. My eyes widened as I realized what just happened.

His face turned uglier as he smiled demonically. “I’ll show you what a man really is whore.” He tore at the remnant of my clothes but it's as if my arms had lost the muscles which fell on the bed instead of fighting.

Just as it seemed like I was losing the battle, the door burst open again. "Let her go!" a deep, authoritative voice commanded. I gasped for breath as the pressure on my neck released. I willing myself to keep my eyes open to see Killian standing at the doorway, his eyes ablaze with anger. In his hands, he held a gun, aimed directly at the ugly intruder.

The ugly guy stumbled backward, fear replacing the malice in his eyes. Killian wasted no time, taking a step forward. He didn't say anything except take a second to look at me.

I dont know how or what he saw in me because in a second before the ugly guy could utter a single word, a shot rang through the room. His calm facade scared me more and before I could register what the shot was. I was pulled deep into unconsciousness which was my only escape.

_________

My eyes snapped open, heart thundering against my ribcage as the night's terror clawed back into my mind. The room swam into focus, and there he was—Killian, a silent sentinel in the chair beside my bed. Fear skittered along my spine, but it morphed into something unexpected: relief.

"Killian?" My voice trembled, betraying me. I searched the corners of the room for the ugly guy, for any sign of the struggle, but found nothing. No body, no blood. A chill slithered down my back.

"Easy, Marcella." Killian's tone was softer than I'd ever heard, his gaze holding mine with an intensity that felt like a claim. That possessive glint—it should've repulsed me. Instead, a dangerous warmth flickered inside me.

"Where is he?" I whispered, my breath hitching.

"Gone," he said simply, and I sensed the unspoken violence behind the word.

I shifted, trying to put distance between us, suddenly aware again of my captivity. "Let me go, Killian. Please." I could not go through this crap again. This was killing me every second.

As if realization hit him. He immediately closed off. The walls around him came up instantly, his eyes darkening. "I can't do that Marcella. You can't leave until we can find you sister."

“And how do you think I can help you with that? How is my being held here can give you my sister. Please help me make sense of that.” I snapped. The sudden rush of anger made me want to claw his eyes out. “I should not be held accountable for what Ana and Mark did. They took your money, I did not. Let. Me. Go.” I gritted out the words but his expression did not change. His mouth twitched as if my frustration and anger was amusing to him.

“Now now Mia Belleza. What if I said you being here has nothing to do with your sister?” My eyes widened at his words.

“But you just said..”

“I know what I said. But maybe it started off that way and now I just want to keep you for myself.” Any bravado I felt melted as striking fear rushed at every cell of my body.

This cannot happen. He cannot keep me here

His words struck me like a physical blow, and I could only stare as he delivered his next shock. "We're getting married. Today."

"Married?" My laugh was sharp, disbelieving. "Are you out of your mind? No!" He was giving me the biggest whiplash of the century.

It happened in a second. For a second time today I was pinned down on the bed with a brute on me. Only this time, it wasn't fear I felt. He was on me in an instant, his grip firm on my arms. "We are getting married. There is nothing you can say to change this. It is happening."

Whatever answer I could give is taken away by the press of his lips against mine. Killian cups my face in his palms, his thumb pressing into my cheek as he kisses me with expertise. First kisses are usually awkward and without rhythm. That isn’t the case with Killian. There’s the excitement of kissing for the first time but also familiarity with the pace. Our bodies knowing exactly how to kiss without ever having done it with each other before.

Just as soon it began, he pushed off me leaving me a heaving mess. “I will send someone with the dresses and come later to take you. I don't need any more drama Marcella. You wont like it when I'm angry.”

With that he was out of the room in a flash and all I could think was about the kiss and how close I was to being pulled under the spell.