Chapter 10 The Contract of Chains
My question hung in the air between us and for a moment I thought he would wave the question away.
Instead, he walked back to his desk and opened a drawer, pulling out a thick file.
He slid it across the polished mahogany surface with deliberate slowness. "This is all the clarity you need. Read it then sign."
I stared at the file like it might bite me. "What is this?"
"Your new life. Outlined in very clear terms." He leaned back in his chair, the dim glow from the desk lamp throwing sharp shadows across his face. "Go through it."
My fingers trembled as I pulled the file closer. The air in the room felt heavier with every breath I took.
I flipped it open, and my chest immediately tightened.
Rule 1: You are not to leave the mansion under any circumstances.
Rule 2: If you wish to leave your bedroom or move around the house, you must first ask for permission. Only when granted may you proceed.
Rule 3: No communication whatsoever with your family or friends. Whatever life you lived before no longer exists.
The words stabbed at me, I gritted my teeth but kept reading.
Rule 4: For every event or occasion I attend, you will accompany me as my wife. No questions asked.
Rule 5: At these events, you are not to speak to anyone unless I permit it. Silence is absolute.
By the time I reached the last page, my chest burned with rage.
Consequences for breaking any rule: Your younger sister will suffer for every violation.
I slammed the file shut, my voice cutting through the silence like broken glass.
"You're sick." I stood, hands bracing against the desk as I leaned toward him. "Threatening a child? That's the only way you think you can control me? You're pathetic."
He didn't flinch but his lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile.
"Control?" His voice made my veins thrum with something I couldn’t place "This isn't about control. It's about obedience and obedience requires leverage."
I shoved the file back toward him. "Find someone else to play your twisted games with. Because I won't-"
"Won't what?" He cut me off, standing slowly. "You won't sign? Then I make one phone call, and your sister will stop breathing."
My blood ran cold. I forced myself not to recoil, or give him the satisfaction of seeing my fear. "You wouldn't."
He tilted his head, "You think I wouldn't?" His tone was almost amused. "That's your first mistake. I don't make empty threats, Arya."
I clenched my fists, nails biting into my palms. Anger roared inside me, clashing with panic. "You're a coward. Hiding behind a child because you know you can't break me."
For a heartbeat, his eyes flashed with something dark then he walked around the desk with measured steps.
"Careful," he said quietly, stopping just in front of me. "Defiance looks pretty on you, but it's expensive. And I have no problem making you pay in screams and blood that aren't yours."
My breath caught. The room suddenly felt smaller..
He reached past me, sliding the pen across the desk with agonizing slowness.
"Sign it," he ordered. "Save your little sister or-" his gaze locked on mine, “… refuse, and I'll make you watch what happens to her. I can arrange a video call in under five minutes."
My throat tightened as images of Christabel flashed before my eyes. She was the most precious thing to me, even if I wouldn’t admit it out loud.
Losing her meant losing myself. I had no idea how he managed to figure that out and it made me hate him even more.
Tears threatened to fall, but I blinked them back, staring him down with all the fire left in me. "I hate you."
"I know." He leaned against the desk, completely unfazed. "But hate won't protect her. Your signature will."
The pen sat between us, daring me to touch it. My hand hovered above it, trembling violently. "If I sign this," I said, voice shaking, "you swear she won't be touched? No matter what I do?"
“As long as you follow the rules." His eyes never left mine. "Break them, and she pays the price. It's simple."
"Simple," I repeated bitterly.
Slowly, I picked up the pen. The ink scratched across the page, and it felt like I was literally selling my soul to the devil.
When I dropped the pen, it clattered against the wood. I lifted my head, forcing my voice through the rawness in my throat. "There. Happy now?"
His smile was victorious. He picked up the file, examining my signature with satisfaction.
"Very." He closed it with a snap. "Welcome to your new life, Mrs. De Santis."
The title made me want to vomit. "Don't call me that."
"It's what you are now." He moved closer, and I refused to step back. "My wife. Mine to command." His hand came up, gripping my chin just hard enough to make his point. "And you'll learn to wear that title with the same grace you wore that wedding dress."
I jerked my face away from his grip. "You might have my signature, but you'll never have my obedience. Not without suffering for it."
His laugh was dark. "We'll see about that."
He turned toward the door, dismissing me. "Enzo will show you to your room. Get some rest. Tomorrow, we discuss the first event you'll attend with me."
"I'm not going anywhere with you-"
"Rule Four, Arya." He glanced back, expression cold. "You already agreed. Or do I need to remind you what happens when you break the rules?"
My jaw clenched so hard it hurt.
He opened the door, and Enzo appeared as if summoned. "Take her upstairs. Make sure she understands where the boundaries are."
"Sure thing, boss." Enzo's usual playfulness was muted now, his expression carefully neutral.
As I walked past Giovanni, I stopped and met his eyes. Making sure that he saw every ounce of hatred burning in mine.
"You might have won this battle," I said quietly. "But I will make you regret underestimating me."
His smile was sharp. "I'm counting on it, Princess. Where's the fun without a little fight?"
And as Enzo led me away, I knew one thing with absolute certainty.
Giovanni De Santis might have trapped me, but I would find a way to make him pay. Even if it destroyed us both.