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2,745,783	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Read next chapter👉	She dreamed of marrying the man of her fantasies--a hero strong enough to shield her from danger and protect her from predators. But on the day she was cast into the unforgiving depths of the kingdom's dungeon, it was the Beast King who held her in his arms. "At last, I have you in my arms, my mate!" he declared. ===== UREKAI: In the days of old, the Urekai stood out as the strongest and most powerful beings in the world. The ancient tongue called them 'fearsome beasts' for: Like werewolves, they could transform into beasts. Like vampires, they consumed bld. And walked among humans with no one the wiser. The ageless, peaceful, selfless beings preferred to keep to themselves. Despite being feared and distrusted, they never responded with aggression. They granted passage to any species wishing to enter their lands beyond the great mountain and welcomed everyone. But five centuries ago, an unexpected species attacked the Urekais during their one night of weakness. The humans. While protecting his people, Grand King Daemonikai lost control of his mind, going feral. Becoming a danger to the same people whom he had given everything to protect. Although it seemed impossible, the Urekais managed to capture their king's beast form, imprisoning him in a secure cage, ensuring he could never escape. But, consumed by hatred for humans, the Urekai plunged themselves into darkness. Becoming the fearsome beasts others had always feared them to be. Wearing their monstrosity with pride. HUMANS: After invading the Urekais, a mysterious virus outbreak struck. No one knew where it came from, but many speculated their attack on the Urekais brought it on. While most males eventually recovered after a long struggle, the virus proved fatal for the majority of females. Survivors rarely gave birth to female children. Those left or born became scarce and sought-after commodities. In many kingdoms, greedy fathers sold their daughters to breeding houses. Some were forced into pleasure houses, existing solely for men's enjoyment. Some faced terrible abuse in exchange for protection. Even the wealthy and the privileged could not guarantee the safety of the females in their lives, as the mere sight of a female--be it an infant, a young girl, or an elderly woman--drew unwanted attention. Female children faced constant danger. They are not safe in the society. * PROLOGUE HUMAN LAND: THE KINGDOM OF NAVIA. "It's a g-girl, your highness," Prince Garret froze. As he turned, looking at the palace healer, his hands resting on his exhausted wife's body, shook uncontrollably. He had secretly arranged the delivery months ago, and now they were hidden in one of the underground rooms in the palace, where his beloved wife, Pandora, was giving birth. "What did you just say to me?" Prince Garret hoped he heard wrong. Perhaps it had been a mistake. Please, gods, let it be a mistake! But the pity in the older man's face couldn't be disguised. The palace healer turned the little bundle. "The baby is a girl." Terror crossed Pandora's face as she adjusted herself to get a closer look at her baby. "No. Oh, the gods, please no..." She shook her head vigorously fresh tears gathering in her eyes. Tears welled in the healer's eyes. "I'm so sorry, your highness." "No!!!" Pandora cried out burying her face into her husband's waiting arms, sobs after sobs ripping from her throat. Garret felt numb as he held his wife. His first daughter, Aekeira, wasn't even four yet, and the king was already negotiating with the kingdom of Cavar to sell her to the highest bidder. Because, apparently, Navia 'could use more funds.' King Orestus might be Garret's brother, but he was a tyrant, and his word was law. Now, another girl child? Two daughters? Tears filled Garrett's eyes as he looked upon the crying bundle wiggling around in healer's arms. The world was not safe for either of his daughters. "I'll raise her like a boy," Pandora declared suddenly. The healer's eyes widened. "Are you suggesting we keep her identity a secret?" "Yes," Pandora affirmed, her resolve strengthening. "This child will never be seen as a girl. No one will ever find out!" "B-but, it's impossible to hide something like this, your majesty." The healer panicked. "The king will order our execution!" "Then, we take the secret to our grave." Pandora's voice was fierce. "I was unable to protect my first daughter, but by the Light-gods, I will protect my second." Too dangerous, but Garret was all for it too. This was their best chance to keep their daughter safe, and they would take it. "As far as we are concerned, the child I bore today was a male." Pandora looked at the baby. "His name is Emeriel. Emeriel Galilea Evenstone." Emeriel. It's a neutral name, and also means 'Sky's Protection' in the old tongue. Garret liked it. Fitting too, for their daughter would need all the luck and protection in the world. "I agree," Garret spoke aloud. With the plan fully in his mind, Garret swore the two other men in the room to secrecy. ********* That night, Garrett and his wife, stood by the baby's small cradle, watching their newborn sleep. Across the room, their three-year-old daughter, Aekeira, lay curled under a blanket, her tiny chest rising and falling in peaceful rhythm. "In all my years on this earth, I've never seen anyone bear two female children, Garrett," Pandora whispered, voice cracking. She glanced up at him, eyes glistening with tears. "I don't know what this means for us... or for them." Garrett placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Maybe it means they have a great destiny to fulfill." "Or a great sorrow in their future," Pandora's eyes drifted to their eldest, worriedly. "I'm so scared for them. How could something like this happen?" Perhaps you've been touched by the gods, my darling," Garrett said in comfort. "I really doubt that. Why me? Why us?" He had no answer to that. "If that's true," Pandora sniffled, brushing her fingers over the baby's soft cheek, "may that god always protect my babies. We won't always be here to do that." Garrett pulled his wife into his arms, holding her close, fighting to hide his own worry. Because, she was right. What were the odds of a couple in these times bearing not just one, but two daughters? None. Absolutely none. As he gazed at their sleeping children, prayer rose in his heart. Whatever god you are, please... protect our angels. Chapter 2 THE PRINCESS IN A 'PRINCE' DISGUISE Twenty-one Years Later PRINCE EMERIEL. "He's so pretty," a voice murmured. "It's the feminine prince," another one said. The third man had lst in his eyes. "No man should have hair that gorgeous." Prince Emeriel ignored them all as he moved from the palace grounds into the building, head held high. Just because he was used to the unwanted attention, didn't mean it didn't make his skin crawl. He might have lived as a boy all his life, but it didn't exactly keep him all that safe. Men of Navia would stick their phllus in anything with a hle, especially if it looked remotely feminine. But Emeriel's senses were always on high alert. Which is why he was probably the only twenty-one-year-old vi*in in Navia. That, and his sister, Princess Aekeira, always did everything in her power to protect him. To make sure his secrets remained tightly hidden. A carriage accident had taken their parents fifteen years ago, and King Orestus had adopted them. That tyrant made life a living hell for them. Emeriel entered the hallway to Aekeira's chambers when he heard it. Whimpers. Soft, pain-filled whimpers. That sound was coming from… Rage surged through Emeriel. Not this again! Determined, he stormed down the hall, and shoved the door open, unsheathing his sord. "Get away from my sister right this instant, Lord Murphy, or I swear to the sky I will cut you down where you stand!" Emeriel snarled. The minister of human affairs's face twisted with irritation, and he stopped thrusting. "Go away, little prince. You're ruining the fun." Emeriel hated the jab 'little prince,' but surely not as much as he hated being called a 'slight prince.' Over the years, Navians had given him a lot of names thanks to his small and feminine look. "Get away from her right now!" Emeriel strode purposefully toward the bd, seizing hold of Lord Murphy and pushing him away from Aekeira. With a satisfying thud, the old oaf tumbled to the floor. Aekeira rose from the bd, clutching her vulnerable body, her face red from crying, eyes tired and swollen. Emeriel pulled his sister into his arms, hugging her tightly. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Keira." "It was not your fault." "Why the hell would you do that!?" Lord Murphy rose angrily. "I won Princess Aekeira fair and square in the card game at the gathering last night. The king wagered with her and lost to me! I was supposed to have her for two hours at least!" Emeriel's eyes blazed as he whirled around, facing him. "If you put your hands on her again, I swear to the sky I will cut off your mle oran, Lord Murphy." "You will not dare!" "I'll gladly take whatever punishment the king gives," he stated with conviction, "but you will be without your manhood. Choose wisely." Lord Murphy's eyes widened, his hands flying protectively over his cr*ch, face reddening in anger. "The king will hear of this!" The minister snarled. Taking his clothes, he marched out of the room. "Oh, Em, why did you do that?" Aekeira's eyes filled with worry. "The king might punish you with the hot whip again." "I do not care. Let us go to my room." Putting his sord away, Emeriel could not even look his sister in the eyes, dangerously close to tears himself. Helping Aekeira into her clothes, he led her out, and down the hallway. That age-old guilt crept down Emeriel's spine. Aekeira always protected Emeriel, even when it made her the sole target. His sister never hated him, but Emeriel hated himself for it. Aekeira was always bubbly and always happy. But in times like this, when her body was viated, she mostly looked tired then. Weary of the world. Worried about the next aristocrat the king would hand her over to. Much later, freshened up, Aekeira laid on the bed, closing her eyes. "Em? My worst nightmare when I was younger was thinking I would be sold to an aristocrat in Cavar, but now, I almost wish that heartless king went ahead with it, instead of changing his mind," Aekeira whispered. "Please, don't say that." Emeriel held her hand. "That kingdom is a horror play. Anywhere is better than Cavar, sister. Well, except beyond the great mountain, of course." Just the thought made Emeriel shiver. The Urekai dwelled beyond those mountains. "Sometimes I wish I could leave this godforsaken kingdom." A single tear slipped from Aekeira's eyes. Me too, Keira. Me too. ** That night, after bathing, Emeriel stood before the mirror, staring at his reflection. His long, silken black hair fell over his shoulders, cascading like a waterfall. With his hair down like this, he looked like what he truly was. A girl. What would it feel like to live freely, like the person the mirror reflected? To not live in fear of the next man who might seek to take advantage of him, like they do his sister? Emeriel fantasized about marrying the man of his dreams. A protector. Someone powerful enough to keep him safe, shield him from predators, and sweep him off his feet with immense strength and love. All delusion. But a sweet one, nonetheless. Reality was far too ugly. Shaking it off, he crawled into bed and closed his eyes, letting sleep take him. . . The dream began as it always did. The man filled the doorway, hidden in the shadows. He was big, larger and more masculine than any man Emeriel had ever seen. Tall like a giant, he made Emeriel feel small, like a cornered prey. "Who are you?" Emeriel's drowsy voice came out shaky, filled with fear. "What do you want from me?" "You are mine," he said, voice deep as rolling thunder. "Meant to be on your knees for me. On your back. To be fked you so hard your legs quake. You were meant to beg for me all the time. Only mine." Emeriel's face burned with shock. So scandalized, he scrambled upright. "Y-you shouldn't say such improper things to me! It's wrong!" But the mysterious man stepped into Emeriel's bedroom, emerging from the shadows. As he did, his body shifted into a...beast. The most terrifying Emeriel had ever seen. A Urekai. "Oh gods, oh gods," Emeriel's breath hitched in terror, panic setting in. Of all the shapeshifters in the world, why a UREKAI!? He advanced with purpose. Its glowing yellow eyes bore into Emeriel, filled with hunger. Shaking his head fiercely, Emeriel scrambled backward. "No, no, no! Leave me alone!" he shouted, "Guards! Someone, help!" But no one came. The beast leapt onto the bed, got on top of Emeriel, trapping him under. Claws tore through his clothing, Emeriel's vulnerable female body was exposed to its yellow eyes. His powerful thighs forced Emeriel's apart...! Emeriel jolted awake with a scream. Body shaking and drenched in sweat, he glanced around the dark, empty room. "It was just a dream," he whispered, trembling. "Thank the gods. Just a dream." The same dream again. He'd had this dream for months now. He swallowed hard, running a shaky hand through his hair. "Why do I keep having such a scary nightmare?" It terrified Emeriel a lot. A Urekai? No one in this world prayed to meet a Urekai in their lifetime. Certainly not Emeriel. Yet, even with all the terror inside, the hotness of the dream lingered in his body. His feminine core felt different. Wt. What does this mean? Chapter 3 UREKAI Stepping outside the next morning, two warriors stopped before Emeriel. "The king summons you, my prince," One of them said. "Your presence is needed in the courtroom." Sht. That foolish minister wasted no time ratting on him. Emeriel let the way to court. It's just whipping, he will be fine. But, as he walked down the hall towards the door, it was eerily quiet. Something was wrong. The court was always noisy from the outside. Mutterings, murmurs, arguments were always expected. His worry deepened when the door opened, and all eyes didn't turn to gaze at him condescendingly. Instead, everyone's eyes were fixed at the center of the king's court. Emeriel's eyes followed theirs. Two men dressed in all-white apparel robes, with long, straight, waist-length black hair stood, appearing harmless. But a longer glance had Emeriel noticing muscles barely concealed under their robes, their slightly tipped ears, and their incredibly unnaturally handsome faces that were completely unreadable. He froze. Urekai. These ones looked expensive and aristocratic. Emeriel's throat went dry. No one prays to meet a Urekai face-to-face. "What do you say, King Orestus?" the Urekai with the long scar running from his cheek spoke. He looked the most intimidating. "No, this cannot happen," King Orestus protested, looking terrified, and doing a poor job of hiding it. The frown on Scarred Urekai's face deepened. Clearly, this was a being that did not take no for an answer. "You are mistaken if you think we are giving you a choice, human king," he said, taking a threatening step forward. The ministers of the court gasped, shrinking back into their seats. "Easy, Lord Vladya," the other Urekai spoke, his voice gentler. Imploring rather than commanding. The scarred Urekai, Lord Vladya, gave the king a hard look that would make any man tremble. "It is the least you can do, human king. Give us the princess, and we will leave quietly." "We are ready to pay for her," the other Urekai added, reaching into his robe and withdrawing a large bag of coins. Fear receded. The king's ears perked up with interest. "Money?" "Not just money, there are gold coins too," The non-scarred Urekai said. Everyone gasped, including Emeriel. Gold coins were rare and highly valuable. The Urekai continued, "All you have to do is hand the princess over, and this bag is yours." Wait… Princess? They couldn't possibly mean... The grand entrance opened again as two guards led Aekeira into the court. No, no, no, not my sister. Emeriel moved forward, but the guards who had escorted him stopped his movement. He bit his lip hard, trying not to draw attention to himself, but it was incredibly difficult. Surely, this couldn't be what he thought it was. It had to be a dream. There was no way the Urekai were here to buy his sister as a slave...! The two guards leading Aekeira to the center of the court, stopped a few feet from the Urekais. The terror on Aekeira's face mirrored Emeriel's feelings. "So, let me get this straight," King Orestus began, "All I need to do is sell her to you, and all this money is mine? There are no other conditions? Nothing else?" "Yes," the non-scarred Urekai responded. Lord Vladya moved forward, closing the distance between him and Aekeira, who was visibly shaking now. Cupping Aekeira's cheek tilting her head to the side to get a better look. He appeared utterly disgusted. "She'll do." King Orestus picked up his gavel and struck it hard on his desk. "Sold! From this moment on, Princess Aekeira belongs to the Urekais." "WHAT!?" The shout escaped Emeriel's lips before he could stop it. He ran toward the center of the courtroom and fell to his knees. "Please don't sell my sister to them. Not to the Urekais! Please, Your Majesty." The king gave him a bored look. "It's out of my hands now, Emeriel." It's out of his… Emeriel couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You can't let this happen. She's your niece too! How could you do this!?" He wasn't proud his voice turned the high-pitch of a girl's, as he practically screamed. But he didn't care. "You know a fate worse than death awaits her beyond the great mountain! How could you agree to sell her to them?" "As if he has a choice," Lord Vladya scoffed, his deep baritone filled with cynicism. Emeriel whirled around to face them, anger blanketing his features. But as he stared into those intimidating gray eyes, he couldn't bring himself to give in to his rage. He had read in one of the books that an Urekai had the power to take a life without physical contact. It might just be a rumor, but with his sister's life on the line, he had no intention of testing that theory. "I will go too. Where Aekeira goes, I go," Emeriel said, lifting his chin defiantly. Aekeira snapped her head toward Emeriel, her eyes widened in terror. "No! What are you doing, Em?" "I'm going with you," Emeriel stated firmly. Lord Vladya arched a perfectly shaped brow. "No. We have no need for you; we only need your sister." Emeriel stood. "I don't care. Take me too. If you leave me here, I will always try to come to her. I will cross the great mountains if I have to!" Lord Vladya laughed. There was no humor in the cold sound. "Without the rite of passage, the great mountain will swallow you whole. You'll never make it to the other side." "I'll take my chances," Emeriel vowed. "No! My brother is not coming," Aekeira interjected, before turning pleading eyes to Emeriel. "Don't do this, Em. I'm already doomed. I don't want you to face the same fate!" "If you come with us, you will be taken as our slave." Lord Vladya stated, pinning Emeriel with a stare. "Urekai do not care if you're male or female; you will serve in any way your master wants you. Whether it's in the mines or the cellar, on your back, bent over, or on your knees. If you agree to be our slave too, your freewill ends today." A shiver ran through Emeriel's spine. "Do you know what it means to be an Urekai's slave, little human? You're a pretty boy; you will not lack masters to service." Fear seeped through his core. If everything he had heard growing up and read in books were true, being an Urekai's slave was worse than being a human's slave. And my dreams... I should be running in a different direction...! But he steeled his spine. "Where my sister goes, I go." "We did not agree to get two slaves," the second Urekai said. "That is settled then," Lord Vladya continued as if he never spoke. Reaching into his robe, the scarred Urekai pulled out another bag of coins, throwing both on the floor towards the king. "We will take both." "Sold!" King Orestus banged his gavel again. Chapter 4 SOLD TO THE UREKAI Aekeira cried for over an hour after they left the courtroom. At first, she had been angry, shouting at Emeriel about his foolish decision. And then, she broke down, crying as if her heart had been shattered. Now, they were left alone in a tiny room on the boat. Emeriel remained quiet throughout his sister's breakdown, the weight of his decision finally sinking in. By the Light-gods, he was now a slave. Lower than a loborn. Lower than a carpet servant. And not just any slave, but a Urekai slave. Or many Urekai, Emeriel had no idea yet. He would serve those heartless, ruthless beings who despised humans. "You're a pretty boy; you will not lack masters to service." A shiver coursed down Emeriel's spine. They were going to vilate his body. What he had always dreamed of would finally coming true. Only now, it wouldn't be just one beast, it would be many. As many as his master wanted. Emeriel swallowed the bile rising in his throat. His breath seized as panic set in. "Breathe, Em. Come on," Aekeira appeared by his side, rubbing his back. "In... and out... come on, Em." Aekeira's voice was gentle, soothing, giving Emeriel no choice but to follow its sound. Aekeira continued rubbing his back. "Good girl. That's my girl." Two Urekai came in and forced them to take an unknown pill. Surely they hadn't paid all that money just to kll them before they even became slaves, right? Emeriel thought as she swallowed it. Minutes later, they both dropped unconscious on the floor. • Much later, Emeriel woke to the bumping ride of the carriage. His head woozy, his senses disoriented as he blinked several times to adjust his vision. They had been forced to take a pill. Rising, he walked to the carriage's wooden window and pushed it open. A gasp left him. They are in Urekai land. Emeriel could see dozens of them. But what had his jaw on the floor was the humans. There were plenty in sight. Many females nearly matching the number of males. Everyone knew the Urekais had acquired and held numerous humans captive after the war, but the sheer number he could see surpassed his expectations. And they were all slaves. Some were working in the fields, their weary bodies bent under the weight of their labor. Some were hauling heavy loads, their muscles straining with each step, under the watchful eyes of Urekai's. Some Urekais held whips, while some held sords. The sight turned Emeriel's stomach, making him sick. Is this to be our life now? Aekeira's grn of wakefulness echoed behind him and Emeriel quickly turned to his sister, concern etched on his face. "Are you alright, Kiera?" he asked, his voice hushed. Aekeira nodded, rubbing her eyes. "Where are we?" she asked, eyes scanning their surroundings. Their kingdom, Urai," Emeriel whispered, keeping his voice down so the carriage master would not overhear. Together, they took in the huge fortress in front of them. The carriage was headed straight for it. "This place looks highly luxurious," Aekeira said. Emeriel nodded. As royalty, they were well-acquainted with luxury, but this was on an entirely different scale. Which begged the question... Who exactly were the males who had purchased them? And if they weren't his and his sister's masters, then who was...? ****** They were brought into an empty room after passing numerous chambers and passages. "This shall be your quarters for now," a soldier announced. The room was surprisingly spacious and tastefully decorated. Not long after the soldiers left, the sound of approaching footsteps reached their ears, growing closer with each passing moment. The door swung open, and an older human woman marched in. Accompanied by a younger human woman and three Urekai males. The older woman's gaze landed on Emeriel, and she did a double take. "You are one remarkably handsome male. I have seen a lot of pretty males in my time, but even I can hardly think of one who is half as pretty as you." Feeling uneasy, Emeriel took a step back, finding solace behind Aekeira, who spread her arms protectively to shield him from prying eyes. "Well, it's a shame you're not the one we came for," the woman said dismissively, turning away. "Prepare her, boys. Amie, get the bath ready." The three males closed in on Aekeira, beginning to undress her. Their hands removed her clothes, while another tended to her hair, undoing the knots. "What are you doing?" Emeriel asked, concerned. "Getting her ready for what is to come." The older woman didn't bother to look at him. "You can either stay or leave. I care not. But if you disturb me, I will have you reported to the soldiers and thrown into the dungeon." Numerous questions swirled in Emeriel's mind, but a shake of Aekeira's head silenced him. He watched helplessly as they undressed her, with the younger girl, Amie, preparing a large tub filled with water. Eventually, Emeriel decided to step out and explore, wandering the halls aimlessly. He followed one to a secluded passage that appeared hidden from casual glances. Voices echoed in the distance, so he moved closer towards them. "What shall we do with the boy? He was not part of the plan," one voice said. "I do not care, Lord Ottai. Perhaps we will think of something later." Lord Vladya's voice came. "For now, let us focus on the girl. The bad weather delayed our journey, I had expected us to return yesterday." His voice, chilling and authoritative, Lord Vladya added. "Time is running short; she must be in the forbidden chambers tonight." Forbidden chambers? Emeriel didn't like the sound of that at all. "Calm yourself, Vladya. That young girl cannot handle the beast," Lord Ottai added. "I do not care. They have made their bds, and they shall lie in them," Vladya said defiantly. A heavy sigh followed. "It would be heartless to send that girl in to service the beast without any inkling of what to expect. I know you have no love for humans, and frankly, neither do I, but we can surely do better than that," Lord Ottai reasoned. "Do as you wish, Ottai. Tell them everything or tell them nothing. I care not," Vladya stated. "Whether she lives or dies, I care not either. I shall throw in the pretty little prince next, and if he perishes too, I shall be on the next carriage to the next human kingdom to select another princess for him. That is the only aspect of this that concerns me." A silence fell after their exchange, leaving Emeriel's mind racing with fear and disbelief. Service the beast? Die? Chapter 5 YOUR PURPOSE HERE Emeriel was horrified. I must rescue Aekeira! We need to escape! "I know you are there, pretty prince. I can smell you," Lord Vladya's voice rang out. Emeriel gasped, frozen in place as Lord Vladya's imposing figure emerged from the door. Instinctively, Emeriel took a step back. Then another. Lord Vladya smirked. "I would advise against whatever thoughts are brewing in that little head of yours. You have no inkling of where you are, do you?" Emeriel could only discern they were in the tallest, most fortified fortress he had ever seen. He shook his head, his fear palpable. "You are in Ravenshadow," Lord Ottai said, coming up behind the scarred Lord. Ravenshadow? The Ravenshadow!? No, by the Light, this cannot be happening. "R-Ravenshadow Citadel? The home of the f-four grand rulers of the Urekais. The Whispering Abyss of great power?" Emeriel blurted out, unable to contain his terror any longer. Lord Ottai snorted. "That is what humans call it. We do not. But yes, you are correct. You are in the Ravenshadow Citadel, Prince Emeriel." "You do not need me to inform you that this is the most secure place in Urai, with vast lands in which you could get lost in if you attempt to escape." Lord Vladya smirked. "A vortex that would swallow you, never to be seen again. There is no escape from Ravenshadow." Emeriel heard their words, but his mind was consumed by a far greater fear. "The four grand rulers of the Urekais reside here?" Emeriel mused, dreadfully. "They do." Lord Ottai sounded mildly amused, drawing Emeriel's attention. Emeriel had no idea he'd said that out loud. Inching closer to Lord Ottai-He seemed the less intimidating and a preferable choice in that moment-Emeriel threw weary glances at the scarred lord. "I have heard rumors about Urekai." "What exactly did you hear?" Lord Ottai asked. "They are said to be deadly, unpredictable and almost feral in their actions." " Emeriel listed off on his fingers as he rambled. "Their mating habits are said to be as brutal as their killings, and while they have bldhosts, they prefer to drain humans' bld. And, after their king ran wild, they-" "Terrific. Just what I needed to hear," Lord Vladya added in a dry tone. Lord Ottai, still somewhat amused, spoke up, "I will leave the briefing to Lord Vladya. I need to attend to the council." What!? Please do not leave me with him! Emeriel almost shouted. But he bit his lips hard, restraining himself. Lord Vladya, however, did not hold back. "Think again, Lord Ottai. There is no way I will-" "Would you prefer Lord Zaiper handle the briefing then?" Lord Ottai asked quietly. A muscle twitched on Lord Vladya's jaw and he gave Emeriel a hard look, as if actually considering the option. Lord Ottai must have picked up on that, quickly adding, "You know you don't want that to happen. Besides, let us not forget the favor you owe me. Remember that?" Lord Vladya glared at him, and Lord Ottai offered a wolfish smile. "I believe it's time to collect. You do the briefing. Off I go." With that, Lord Ottai strode away, exuding an air of sophistication with every step. Finally, Emeriel and Lord Vladya stood facing each other. "Come." Lord Vladya began walking, and Emeriel fell into step behind him. "Forget whatever rumors may have spread in the human realm. Some may hold a grain of truth, but most are truly bizarre." Lord Vladya looked mildly annoyed. "However, I will not delve into the vast knowledge of our kind, for it is too extensive to cover. Instead, I will share the parts that pertain to your sister's presence here." Emeriel braced himself. "Five hundred years ago, and even before that, my people and humans coexisted peacefully. Grand King Daemonikai made sure of that." Grand King Daemonikai. The mere mention of the name had goosebumps spreading on Emeriel's skin, knees quaking in barely-concealed fear. One of the oldest Urekai to have ever existed, his reputation was known throughout the world, even to a child born in present times. He wasn't just one of the four rulers, he was the very first. The ultimate ruler. His power and strength were legendary. Some even suggested he couldn't be klled. That name, Daemonikai, was one that struck terror into the hearts of every species existing in this world. "His son, Alvin, made friends with a human prince." Lord Vladya continued. "During a conversation over a glass of champagne, Alvin, in a drunken state, told the prince the secrets of our people. The Eclipse Moon night." "A night when the Urekai were naturally stripped of their power and strength by the moon, right?" Emeriel asked, wondering if the rumors were true. "It comes every five hundred years, rendering you lots incredibly weak. Weaker than a newborn baby. Vulnerable to attack." The scarred Urekai stopped and eyed Emeriel, nodding before walking again. "What Alvin didn't know was the prince's father used his son to gather information about us. King Memphis had his eyes set on our land. To make a long story short, the humans breached our defenses and attacked us on the Eclipse Moon night, inflicting significant damage upon our kingdom." A shadow crossed Lord Vladya's eyes. "Many of our people were killed. The survival of the Urekai was largely due to the efforts of the four rulers, particularly Daemonikai." He looked distant, as if he could see that night playing out before him. "Daemonikai exerted every ounce of his strength to save his people. Sacrificed everything he had...knowing the consequences it would bring." Consequences? Emeriel suddenly felt bad. The humans regarded that night as a victory. Talked about it as a great achievement. But hearing it now, it was nothing short of barbaric. "After that night, everything changed," Lord Vlayda said. "Many Urekai lost their bondmates and children. Those who remained were hardened by the loss. Even our revenge did nothing to ease the pain in our hearts." "Your kind almost decimated the human population, forcing many into hiding." Emeriel couldn't keep the bitterness off his tone. "The Urekai took numerous slaves and nearly depleted the human lands of their females. And it did nothing?" As those chilling eyes once again stared at him. Emeriel snapped his mouth shut. "Then, Grand King Daemonikai gave in to his beast and went mad. His mind was completely lost, has remained so for the past five hundred years. The very people he sacrificed everything to protect are now in danger from him." Lord Vladya turned a corner. "The beast breaks free periodically, going on ruthless, brutal killing sprees. To prevent further loss, the beast is confined here in Ravenshadow." Okay... that sounded like a good idea. What was the problem? "But, confinement alone is not enough. Our inner beasts require two basic substance to survive: bl*d and sx," Lord Vladya surveyed Emeriel with a piercing gaze. "And that is where your sister comes in." Emeriel grew unease. He did not like where this was going. "Princess Aekeira will fulfill the beast's sxual needs. That is why she was acquired. As for you, since I have no use for you, both of you belong to the beast," Lord Vladya asserted firmly. "What?" The disbelieving whisper tore from Emeriel. "Surely, y-you can't mean that." "Tell Princess Aekeira to present to the beast. If she presents well, who knows? She might survive another day. I care little for the outcome." Emeriel collapsed to his knees, tears blurring his vision. "Please, Lord Vladya, don't subject her to this. To be a sxual slave? To a beast...the king's beast? My sister will die!!" He screamed, his words tainted with anger. Lord Vladya did not bat an eyelash. "Good luck trying to run away from Ravenshadow. For every attempt, you will be met with fifty lashes of the whip." With that, he turned on his heel, stridingpassed terror, and Emeriel surged after him, but the Urekai soldiers blocked his path. "Who do you think you are!?" Emeriel screamed. "Do you consider yourself so all-powerful that you can dictate the fate of living beings!? You are nothing more than beasts! You're a monster, Lord Vladya!" Lord Vladya halted at the doorway, casting a glance over his shoulder. "That is a compliment, human prince. And to you, it is Grand Lord Vladya." Emeriel froze. Grand Lord? As in, one of the four rulers of the Urekai, that GRAND LORD!? Holy light-gods, we're doomed. Chapter 6 SERVING THE BEAST The night had descended upon them. Aekeira's face turned pale upon hearing everything from Emeriel. She had not uttered a single word in hours. Instead, tears streamed down her eyes. Emeriel could hardly recognize Aekeira after the "treatment" Livia had given her. Aekeira was incredibly beautiful, well-groomed, and all dressed up in that scanty piece of nothing. He despised the purpose behind her transformation and dreaded the impending arrival of the Urekai guards, who would soon take her away. "Let us escape," Emeriel suggested urgently. "This place is vast, and-" Aekeira shook her head. "I cannot risk your life, Em. Grand Lord Vladya warned you about the severe consequences of attempting to escape. Moreover, if we're caught, they will undoubtedly discover your secret when they strip you down to whip you. It is simply not an option." Emeriel approached his sister and shook her firmly. "Pull yourself together, Aekeira! You will be forced to serve a UREKAI in its BEAST FORM! One that has lost its sanity and has remained feral for over five hundred years! You cannot subject yourself to such a fate! You will die if you do this!" he screamed. "We have no other choice!" Aekeira screamed right back, "I will not put you in danger, Emeriel. Can't you understand? You are my younger sister. Our parents risked everything to protect you, and I will do everything in my power to do the same. Not because you are a burden, but because I am your elder sister, and I love you dearly!" Emeriel bit his lip, struggling to hold back tears. "And who will protect you, Aekeira? Who will ensure your safety?" Aekeira's desperate arms grasped Emeriel, as she gazed into his eyes. "They must never discover you are a girl, Emeriel. Never! Neither the humans nor the Urekais must find out." The door swung open, announcing Livia's return, accompanied by the young girl, Amie, and another group of Urekai soldiers. "It is time. Let us proceed," Livia declared as her eyes widened. "It is inadvisable for you to touch her now. You do not want to leave your scent on her. Release her immediately." "What do you mean? What will happen if I touch my sister?" Emeriel asked, quickly pulling away. "The beast must not detect any other scent on her. If it smells a scent it hates, it may become even more brutal–might even tear her apart. That is why you must not touch her, Emeriel." Livia nodded for the men to escort Aekeira out of the room, and Emeriel followed. The journey was long and silent, involving a lot of twists and turns. They passed by human slaves and Urekai maids within the vast fortress, but as they approached their destination, the faces grew scarce, and the surroundings became eerily quiet. Fear and goosebumps crept over Emeriel as they entered a haunting corridor. A strange sensation fell over Emeriel, and the silence became almost deafening. It felt as though they were walking through a graveyard. "This is as far as we go," Livia whispered at the entrance of the hallway. You can proceed from here, Aekeira." Emeriel ignored the head maid's words about not touching his sister and gripped Aekeira's arm tightly. "Don't do it," he pleaded, shaking his head vehemently. Aekeira did not turn to look at him, as she gently pulled her hand away and continued forward. ** Back at their chambers, Emeriel began to pace. He scratched his arm, feeling restless and irritable. All he wanted was for his sister to remain alive until the next day. Whether she was wounded or in pain, it didn't matter, as long as she was alive. It might have been selfish of him, but he couldn't bring himself to care. But as he paced, Emeriel felt really, really strange. Hot. So hot. As if he was burning from the inside... ...... What happens next? 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2,746,211	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2746248}'	No	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	🔞🔥Click to Read more about📜Captive of my mafia crush📜	💖🔞💋I worked as a stri*pper to help pay my boyfriend's debts and cover our rent, but he despised my profession and said it was disgusting and impure. Worse, he sold me to the mob and told them I was a vir-gin to increase my value. I was bought at the auction and the buyer was no other than my brother's best friend, and also my childhood crush. Him: My little one, I would never take my eyes off you. ----- "I don’t like the idea of my girl stripping, Iris,” my boyfriend Steven says, glaring at me with his arms crossed. “It’s disgusting and impure. And I need my girl to be pure.” Steven is my college sweetheart – we’ve been dating for nine months, even though he’s graduated. He's very disciplined and reserved, the son of a pastor, though he’s very good to me. He's always stressed that we'll wait until the night of our wedding to be intimate, which makes me feel so respected and safe. On top of that, he's made millions of dollars trading cryptocurrencies. As someone who grew up with nothing, that financial security makes me feel so protected. He’s the most generous and intelligent guy I'd ever met and I’m so lucky to be with him. "Steven,” I reply, “I swear to god I would never do anything to betray you at the club – I just dance." I kiss his cheek. "But I'm running late, and we need to pay rent. Everything will be fine." Lately Steven's tied up his money in some crypto investments. To ensure the best returns, he’s invested everything he has and is staying with me for the moment. He’s been working so hard for the last month, but it’s taking a toll on him. He rarely takes phone calls, doesn’t really leave our place, and he drinks more alcohol than he used to to calm his nerves as he stares at his computer almost all day long. So, I took up a couple shifts at the strip club to cover us in the meantime. I am a university student in hotel management, but dancing is in my nature - at first it was a weight loss goal as a teenager, then it was a way to hold on to thoughts of my mom, and then it became part of who I am. Unfortunately, there’s no money in cltootshieical ballet, my favorite. So, even though it wasn't what Steven wanted, I took a part-time gig at a strip club and I give Steven my salary to help with his business. Being an exotic dancer wasn’t my first choice either, but if I can make money from idiots who want to shove their hard-earned dollars into my g-string? I don’t see any shame in that. Eventually I convinced Steven that this is true – my dancing is just an investment in his company. I am glad he’s letting me help – I just want to do whatever I can to get our life started. I arrive at the club at 8:00 on the dot, smiling at Pete, my manager, who gives me a nod. The music pounds through the low-lit club and I note that it’s busier than usual tonight. Some of the other dancers wave to me and I wave back, but I make a beeline right for Anthony, who’s already got a big smile on his face just for me. “Hey cutie,” he says, pulling me close as I slip behind the bar and wrap my arms around his waist. “Hey gorgeous,” I say, laughing up at him. Anthony – he is gorgeous, but alas, my heart belongs to Steven. And even if it didn’t, Anthony is as gay as a purple handbag. Still, he’s my best friend here, and I love when his bartending shift overlaps with my dancing. “What’s going on tonight?” I ask as he slings an arm around my shoulders. There’s a busy, exciting vibe and the dancers all have on their flashiest outfits, their best perfume. “Nothing escapes you, does it, baby?” Anthony replies, I grin at the compliment. “Rumor has it big shots are coming in – mob guys, the real deal. Some are saying that the Mafia King is going to make an appearance.” “Whoa,” I say, my eyes going wide. “Seriously? Isn’t he…dangerous?” “Only if you go against him,” Anthony says with a shrug. “I heard he took out his own brother,” I whisper, leaning close to Anthony and looking around anxiously, like he’s already here. “That he’s completely ruthless –“ Anthony just laughs, shaking his head. “Iris, just don’t do anything to piss him off. For us? The presence of the Mafia King in our club just means money,” he says, grinning. “So, I’ll finally be able to afford that Botox I’ve been dreaming about, and you can hand your tootshiehole boyfriend an even bigger check than you usually do!” “Shut up,” I say, scowling and smacking my friend half-heartedly on the chest. Anthony, like Emi, isn’t Steven’s biggest fan. “I won’t get any of the money anyway,” I sigh. “Pete never puts me in the VIP room on nights like this.” “Because you,” Anthony says, teasing me, “only like to shake your little booty – you’re never willing to let anyone touch it –“ “Ew!” I wrinkle my nose at Anthony even as I push away, laughing and hoisting my bag higher on my shoulders. “I’m not letting some old mafia lech touch me for a couple of extra bucks –“ “For how much these guys are going to drop?” Anthony says, raising an eyebrow at me. “heck, I’ll let them touch me.” Laughing again, I wave over my shoulder and head for the dressing room. Anthony calls after me, wishing me luck. I blow him a kiss as I move through the curtain. It’s always better working here on nights like this, when everyone’s in a good mood, even if I am anxious about the prospect of the Mafia King being here. I mean, he’s been all over the news, and where he goes? Violence seems, inevitably, to follow. The good mood in the room completely changes all of a sudden when Lily – our top dancer – gives a little moan and collapses to the floor. Our manager Pete is through the curtain a minute later with some of our bouncers, who pick Lily up and carry her to the back. Pete’s pissed though. He spins, looking around the room with his arms crossed “You!” he says suddenly, pointing at me. My eyes go wide. “Irene! Come here!” “Iris,” I correct, and then I bite my lip with anxiety when Pete rolls his eyes like it doesn’t matter and beckons me closer. “You’re going into VIP for Lily tonight,” he snaps. His eyes flick over me. “And I don’t want to hear any of your bulldang about just being a dancer, all right? ” He spins me around, shoving me towards the door. “Now get out there and remember what I said - the only answer you have for these mafia bosses is yes.” My legs shake as I walk towards the curtain. .............................................................................. “Welcome to the stage…Bambi!” The DJ says, using my stage name. Dancing comes naturally to me – music has always made me feel at home in my body, and when the music is sexy? Well, then I feel sexy too. I whip my hair back at the crescendo of the music, my eyes moving directly to the man in the money seat directly in front of me, who paid a great deal to be there. As I move my body in slow, sultry ways, the spotlight is on me, which means that I can’t see the details of the VIP’s face. But even without specifics, I can tell that this is the most important man in the room. He just radiates power. My breath hitches when I look over the powerful lines of his muscled silhouette. If the Mafia King is here, this is definitely him. He looks like a man who belongs in the shadows, and even though there are other men here, I feel like I’m dancing just for him. The Mafia King’s eyes are fastened on me as I get my six-inch heels beneath my body and slowly raise myself into the air tootshie-first. I let him get a good look at every bit of me before I smirk, and turn, and move to the pole. Am I imagining it in the darkness? Or is there something…familiar about the way he watches me? I let the thought fade, concentrating instead on pulling out all my best tricks. And as I hook my leg around the pole, spinning myself and letting my hair flare out wide, I see that these tricks are working tonight. Shouts and whistles begin, and the Mafia King leans forward to lay a stack of bills on the stage in front of him. I almost stutter to a stop. Seriously? That much cash, this early in my dance? He leans back in his chair, raising a dark eyebrow at me, inviting me to show him more. So, I do. I pick up my pace, arching my back as I spin around the pole, climbing up it and sliding slowly down. As my song ends I’m excited to see that there’s quite a bit more money on top of the pile. “Thanks,” I murmur, crawling across the last bit of stage towards him. “I’m glad you liked my dance.” There really is something familiar about his blue-grey eyes… I reach for the stacks, but suddenly a meaty hand slams another pile of money down next to it, startling me. “Double what he’s put down, honey,” the man grinds out, leering, “and I’ll take you in the back for a private dance.” “Sorry,” I say, casting my lashes down. “I’m just a stage girl.” I know Pete said to give these guys whatever they wanted, but I’m really not comfortable touching anyone. “Oh, come on,” the man says, grabbing my chin with his thick fingers and pulling my face up. The Mafia King is immediately on his feet. “Pretty tart like you? I bet you can do more than just dance –“ I gasp, pulling my face from his hands as I slide off the edge of the stage, wanting to get away from him as soon as possible. “I said,” the man growls, grabbing me and slapping me in the face with the handful of bills, “that I want you, you little tart. And I’m willing to pay for it, so you’d better screwing –“ I shriek, trying to push away from the man, but he’s so much bigger than me! Suddenly the man shouts and falls away, his grip making me stumble forward. When I find my feet, my eyes go wide to see the Mafia King straightening up, blood on his knuckles. The man who grabbed me - he’s laying on the floor and there’s blood pouring from his mouth. “Oh my god,” I gasp. “Get him out of here!” the Mafia King shouts over to the bouncers, and then he pulls a handkerchief from his pocket as he turns to glare at me, wiping off his hand. I flinch back a step, surprised by the venom in his eyes. “Here,” the Mafia King says, dropping my arm and lifting his stack of bills off the stage alongside the two stacks. “Take it, get out of here.” “Wha…” I breathe as he shoves the money into my hands. “But I…” “Trust me, Bambi,” he says, his voice dry. “You earned it. Now screwing go.” He turns away, putting himself between me and the bouncers, and I turn and run for the bar, ducking behind it. Anthony gapes at me. “Are you all right!?” “Anthony…” I whisper, holding up the piles of cash in my hands, staring at them in awe. “Holy dang Iris!” Anthony whispers, stepping closer and staring at the money. “Look at all that screwing cheddar! For a dance!?” “I know!” I squeak, “this is going to get us so close to paying off the debt –“ Anthony groans, wiping a hand down his face. “What?” I ask, frowning up at him. “I just wish you’d spend it on yourself, Iris, instead of that deadbeat.” “Anthony,” I sigh, my shoulders slumping. “I’m not explaining this to you again.” He rolls his eyes as I sit down on the little stool at the back of the bar. I always hang out with Anthony after my dances, but if he’s going to be mean I’ll just quietly count my cash. While I do, I mentally compose an email that I’ll send to my old friend Christian later. Christian – he would understand. He was my brother’s best friend growing up. Even though he only saw me as a little sister, he always understood me more than anyone else. Plus, he called me Daisy, and I just loved that. I stayed in touch with Christian after he moved away suddenly – but he never replied. And even though I’m sure he doesn’t read my emails…well, I keep up the habit for fun. Inwardly, I debate how to tell Christian about my night. I want to tell him about my triumph – I’ve always wanted Christian to be proud of me. But I do fudge the truth a little in my emails. For instance, I write that I’m a company dancer, which is true… I just don’t mention that my style of dance is exotic, not ballet anymore. I smirk a little, excited to tell Christian that I impressed a powerful client and got a big bonus. But how would he feel, really, if I told him that the client was the Mafia king? I sigh, thinking that Christian probably wouldn’t be happy. He always wanted me to be safe, and dancing for the Mafia King? I’m sure Christian wouldn’t approve. I’m halfway through deciding precisely how to word my email when I hear my name. “Is that Iris?” Two men peer around the edge of the bar. Anthony steps in front of me as I shy away. How did they know my real name? I always go by Bambi here. “Who’s asking?” Anthony asks, wary. “None of your business,” the taller of the brutes says, shoving Anthony aside and stepping forward, looming over me. “Hand over that cash, little girl. You’ve been sold - you work for Don Bonetti now.” My jaw drops almost to the floor. .............................................................................. I stare at the two men in shock, clutching the money to my chest. “What – what the heck are you talking about!?” “Your little boyfriend,” the smaller guy says, sneering and pushing Anthony away when he tries to get to my side. “He sold you to Don Bonetti as part of his debt.“ “What!?” I shout, jumping to my feet. The cat house!? They’re trying to make me work as a prostitute!? I stumble backwards, my back pressing into the countertop at the back of the bar. “There must be some mistake – you have the wrong girl –“ “No, we don’t,” the first guy says, reaching out and grabbing my arm. “Iris Scott? Yeah, your boyfriend Steven showed us a picture. We knew you the second you stepped on stage.” He leans closer now, leering into my face. “We also know where you go to school, and where your best friend lives – so don’t even try to escape.” “Here,” the second guy says, shoving a phone towards me, the video already playing. My attention is immediately fastened on the screen, because I recognize the voice I hear. I gasp, realizing that it’s Steven. I lean forward, staring at the video, which shows Steven sitting on the couch. He’s crying, a gun pointed at him, and he’s begging the two men standing before him – telling them to take whatever they want, he just needs more time. My eyes go wide when I hear the next words spill from his mouth, because he offers them me. Steven tells them everything that I’m a stripper and where I work. When he tells them how much money I bring in every month, their eyebrows go up. One of the mobsters on the screen makes a phone call – maybe confirming the details? I don’t know. In the video, Steven babbles on, revealing information that shocks me to the core. Steven's entrepreneurial ventures are all a façade. He was secretly performing some backdoor accounting for the mafia. But he embezzled the mafia funds, thinking he could buy and sell crypto without them noticing and keep the profits for himself! Suddenly, everything makes sense - Steven insisting we get a new apartment really fast, Steven staying inside all the time, Steven drinking more, Steven allowing me to earn money to pay off his debt while he stays in the house staring at the computer all day... “She’s – she’s a virgin too!” Steven stumbles out in the video, his eyes frantic. “That will be worth more, won’t it? You can like – action off her v-card to the highest bidder!” I blush and an angry huff of air falls from my lips, not only because that’s a lie but because my boyfriend is actually trying to sweeten the pot! Not only is Steven not fighting for me - he’s trying to get more out of the deal by convincing these mobsters that I’m worth more! In the video, the mobster gets off the phone and nods to the guy with the gun. Then all three agree to the deal. Me – all of me, forever, to do whatever they want with – for half of Steven’s debt. I go pale at that, because either Steven has sold me for a couple of grand, or he is way, way more in debt than I thought he was. “That’s enough,” the smaller man in front of me snaps, ripping the phone away as the big guy grabs me by the shoulders. “You’re coming with us, pretty girl. Time to get to work.” “Get your hands off me!” I shout, trying to kick, to rip free – anything. “It’s the twenty-first century! You can’t just buy girls from their boyfriends! This is ridic-“ I shriek, pushing hard at his chest. The big man glances at the smaller man when he sees that I’m frantic, that I won’t go peacefully. “Get the rabble bag on the phone.” Suddenly Steven’s Facetime is flashing before me. “Steven!” I gasp as his face appears on the screen. “What’s – what’s happening!? Tell these guys to get off of me! I –“ “Iris,” Steven sighs, but a nasty little sneer in his voice steals my voice. I go perfectly still, staring at him. “I told you I didn’t want your dirty money anyway – but you insisted. You dug your own grave with this one.” My blood runs absolutely cold, wiping out even the fear from my veins. “Tell them to get their hands off me, Steven,” I growl, glaring at him. “If you don’t want my dirty money, fine, but I am not paying another dang cent to your dirty debt –“ “Why don’t you go cry to that ‘old friend’ you’re always emailing,” Steven snaps, his voice nasty. “He’ll get you out of it, won’t he?” He leans forward to the camera. My jaw drops open because – I mean, I have told Steven so much about how my childhood friendship with Christian means to me, how much I miss him. But I never expected him to throw it in my face like this. “Just as I thought,” Steven says, rolling his eyes. “You’re just a tart, Iris. Always mooning on about your childhood crush, more dedicated to a memory than to me. If you really did love me, you’d go with these guys willingly to help me pay of this debt! Guess that was a lie too. I always knew you were a hooker – that you worked at that strip club because you like getting these rabble bags off –“ “Shut your god dang mouth, Steven,” I snap, and to my surprise he does, turning back to the phone to stare at me. Because I never, ever talk to him like that. “At least Christian would never have treated me this way. But I am going to make you pay for this,” I hiss, “if it is the last thing I ever do.” “Yeah, yeah,” the guy holding me says, jerking me away from the phone. “That’s enough – come on, let’s go.” The smaller guy ends the call and the big guy starts to haul me away, but I kick and scream, demanding that they get their dang hands off of me. Suddenly, the sound of a champagne cork pops, and I gasp as champagne sprays over me, dripping down from above. The guy holding my arms shouts and drops me, starting to wipe at his face into which a stream of champagne is flowing – “Oh, I’m so sorry!” Anthony’s voice rings out. “How could this have happened!? I’m so clumsy!” But I don’t have time to look at Anthony, or to try to understand the diversion he set up for me - because the big man has dropped my arms. And I screwing run. .............................................................................. I say a little prayer of thanks to Anthony as I bolt, clutching my money and throwing myself through the curtain at the back of the bar. Behind me I hear shouting and the sound of something that sounds like a fist on flesh – God, I hope Anthony is okay – But there’s no time to worry about him. I hear another shout as I’m halfway down the hall and I suddenly realize that there’s no way I’m getting into the dressing room without those two jerks seeing me if they give chase. So, I make a split decision and grab the knob to the rarely-used closet I know is here, whipping it open and hurling myself in. Suddenly, a sound erupts back in the club.BANG BANG! I gasp, slapping my hands over my ears. God, it sounds like fireworks were lit off inside the club – or like gunshots. Screams erupt in the VIP room, and girls in the dressing room start to shout and panic as well. I gasp, pressing myself deeper into the dark closet, listening to pounding footsteps running up and down the hall as everyone tries to run out. “She must have gone on to the dressing room!” A deep voice shouts just outside the closet door. I bite my lip as hope rushes through me, because that sounded a lot like the big guy. “What the screw are you doing in my club?!” My breath freezes in my chest. My hope is dashed, because that’s Pete, my manager – and he’s stopped right outside the closet door. “Get the screw out of here! This is a respectable joint – you can’t come in here and -“ “Listen, tootshiehole,” the big guy snarls. I can’t help peering through the crack in the door. The big guy grabs Pete by the collar, curling his bicep so that Pete is basically dangling from his fist, his feet scrabbling for purchase on the floor. “We do whatever we want in here, okay?” the big brute snaps, leaning in close to Pete’s face so that it’s sprayed with spittle. I go pale then as mobster pulls a gun out of his suit jacket, pointing it right at Pete’s head. “Now,” he says, his voice dangerous and soft. “You show me where that girl went.” “This way –“ Pete’s voice squeaks, his face turning red with fear and lack of air. “I’ll show you –“ Silently, I curse Pete for being a traitor like Steven – though honestly, with a gun to his head, I’m not sure that’s entirely fair. The big guy lowers Pete, and Pete darts forward, leading him to the dressing room. I shriek suddenly, my head flying up as I hear two more gunshots and the door whips open. My eyes are wide with terror as I look, expecting the brute, or his smaller, smarmy friend – But this man – he’s neither of them – he has dark hair that falls into his eyes, and I gasp in surprise when I see that his shirt is covered in blood. “Come on, Bambi,” the man snaps, his voice dry as he reaches into the closet and tugs me by the wrist, making me stumble forward into the hall. I tripping on something on my way out of the closet and my mouth falls immediately open when I catch a glimpse of a body laying in the doorway to the dressing room, blood all around its head – I can’t fully see at this distance, but I gasp because I’d swear it’s the big brute, the one who was chasing me. But before I can even look any closer the man tugs me up straight before his shoulder hits me in the stomach and I am lifted up into the air over it, hoisted high as he wraps his arm around the back of my thighs. He holds me tight as he starts to stride back towards the club. “Let me down!” I shout, pounding on his back as best I can with my hands still full of my cash. He just shakes me, frustrated, trying to get me to shut up and stop moving as he strides the length of the club, where patrons and dancers are shouting, fleeing for the doors. I shout along with them, my words mingling with theirs, but this man completely ignores me. My cries are frantic as I continue to pound on his man’s back – who is he!? Does he work for the Mafia Don who bought me – is he taking me to the tart house!? I struggle and kick, but I go absolutely still with shock when the man spanks me hard on my mostly-bare tootshie with the flat of his palm. “Stay still, Bambi,” he orders, laughing, his voice cold. “You’re making this way harder than it needs to be.” I’m still gaping in shock as he carries me right out the front door. I turn my head in both directions, trying to see where he’s taking me, and a black SUV skids to a stop immediately in front of the club. The man carrying me doesn’t break his stride, instead carrying me around the car and wrenching the back door open to toss me bodily inside. He slams the door shut behind me and I pant, my head spinning with anxiety. But I gasp again when I hear someone clear their throat, pressing myself back against the car door when I realize that there is already someone sitting in the dark of the back seat. I go perfectly still as my eyes rove over the figure, which as much man as it is predator. Broad-shouldered, the man lounges in apparent ease in the seat across from me, his tall frame corded with muscle, power dripping from every inch of him. Though he sits in darkness, a shaft of light crosses in a streak across his face, revealing those blue eyes that I recognize… My jaw drops open when I realize that…that it’s the Mafia King. Who…who is this man? Why am I in his car? Because…the Mafia King is different from Don Bonetti, who apparently owns me now – in fact, they’re famous rivals. So why… I jump, suddenly, when the front ptootshieenger door wrenches open and the man who carried me leaps in. “Let’s screwing go!” he shouts. “Hit it, Frankie!” My head snaps to the driver – is that Frankie? – who nods and slams his foot down on the gas, the car ripping forward away from the club. I start to shake now, both from the cold outside of the club as well as my fear – Who are these men? What do they want with me? Are they…are they going to make me… “Well, Bambi,” the man on the other side of the car says, bringing my eyes immediately back to him. His voice oddly accents my stage name like he knows it’s fake. “You sure as heck started a lot of trouble for me tonight. We’re going to have to -” But his words are interrupted by a huge crash and my scream as the rear window of the car shatters, the sound of gunshots echoing in the air. .............................................................................. I scream again, covering my head and ducking down as low as I can go, my feet drifting over the back seat and kicking the Mafia King in the thigh – “screwing go, Frankie!” the Mafia King shouts, “they’re on our god dang tail!” “Get down!” the Mafia King shouts, ducking and throwing his body over mine as Frankie pulls the car hard to the right, our tires squealing on the road. I scream then, I think, curl back up into my ball, muttering prayers I haven’t said since I was a kid in Catholic grade school, and which I didn’t really believe then. But now I’m begging anyone who might be out there listening to please, please save my life. The bullets stop, and I feel the Mafia King’s weight lift off of me. I start to raise my own head, but suddenly our whole car wrenches to the side and I can tell, somehow, that we’ve been hit from behind. “screwing turn, Frankie!” the Mafia King shouts, frantic, pulsing more bullets out of the broken window. “I can’t – there’s no place to –“ “Onto 42(nd) street!” the guy in the ptootshieenger seat shouts, his voice frustrated and sharp with fear. “On it!” Frankie shouts now, wrenching the wheel to the side so sharply that the whole car bends to the right – The car turns up on two wheels and I shout in fear as my body slides across the back seat. Lights flash across the windows and horns blare, because Frankie is cutting off a whole line of traffic to make the turn. My shout turns to a scream as I go completely airborne, but suddenly hands snatch me, one grabbing my waist, the other flying to my head and covering my skull the moment before it smacks into the gltootshie of the window – I gasp, my eyes flying open as I’m pulled into the Mafia King’s lap, and as my eyes meet his I realize that if his hand hadn’t been there to take the impact against the gltootshie, my brains would be all over this car right now. I stare into wide-eyed into his face, which is suddenly so close to mine. Our SUV rights itself onto four wheels and flies down the street, weaving madly between traffic. The Mafia King as he curses fluidly, ripping his gaze from mine and towards Frankie. He shakes his hand out to get rid of the pain. “Did we lose them!?” “You tell me, boss!” Frankie calls over his shoulder, and – with me still in his lap – the King twists, looking out the back window. I look too but… All I see are taxis, sedans. No sign of them. “For now,” the King growls, tense. “We’ve lost them for now.” He looks for a few more moments but then his body relaxes, just a little bit. He exhales sharply and turns back to the front of the car. “Brown Street apartment, Frank,” he says, cooler now than he was before. “We’ve got to lay low for a while.” “You got it,” Frankie says, still driving quickly but blending into traffic a little bit more now. After all, nothing screams criminal activity like flying through the city with a broken back window and a kidnapped stripper. It makes sense that they want to blend, now, so that we can disappear. So that we won’t be found by whoever was chasing us, for whatever reason. “Please,” I breathe, my voice shaky – and I surprise myself when I hear the word come from my lips. I said it without thinking. The Mafia King immediately turns his attention to me. “You can – you can have it all –“ I say, gesturing towards the cash scattered all over the back seat now, blowing lightly in the wind coming through the back window. “Just…let me go…” The Mafia King studies me for a long moment and the he smirks. “A third of that money was mine not long ago,” he says, his voice cold, calculating. “And I gave it up readily enough for a dance. What makes you think that that,” he says, nodding to the money on the seat and the floor, “is going to be enough to buy your freedom?” I hesitate, not knowing what the answer should be. “I’ll – I’ll get you more,” I mumble, desperate. “I can work –“ His smirk deepens and he stares at me, starting to shake his head a little, almost in…disbelief? I don’t know – I don’t get it. I can’t read his expression. “Please,” I beg, my voice soft as my eyes fill with tears. “Please don’t give me to Don Bonetti…don’t sell me to the cat house…” The Mafia King’s arm tightens around me as his face falls with sadness, pity even. And suddenly he’s cradling me against him, raising his hand and softly running his knuckles down my cheek, staring into my eyes. “Iris,” he murmurs, and I go still when I hear my name on his lips. And suddenly, I remember something. I was too distracted then, but he called me Iris before, didn’t he? After I finished dancing… Is he somehow connected to Bonetti too? “How…” I whisper, shaking my head at him in confusion, “how do you know my name?” “Iris…” he whispers, “don’t you recognize me?” I pull back a little, studying him, taking in the strong line of his lightly stubbled jaw, his straight nose, the blue-grey eyes under dark brows…. And as I stare at him I realize that there really is something familiar about him, especially about his eyes. I’m not just imagining it. But I can’t put together what… “You’re the Mafia King,” I murmur, frowning at him, willing my mind to put the pieces together. Because I’m missing something here, I just know it. “Yes, and?” he says, raising an eyebrow at me in a way that strikes some sort of memory. How – how the heck did I know he was going to raise his eyebrow like that? “And you…kidnapped me? To get…revenge? On Bonetti? Or because I saw someone get shot? Or…” He smiles at me, more broadly now, letting his eyes flick over my features. “I kidnapped you to protect you, Daisy.” My eyes widen as I hear my childhood nickname on his lips and everything snaps into place. Memories come flooding back to me in an instant. Late-summer twilights spent running through the back fields with the boy who called me Daisy, after my favorite flower. Sneaking out at midnight with my brother to go to the house next door, to play board games until dawn with the boy who lived there – where he taught me to play poker. A thousand winter afternoons building snow forts with my brother and with his laughing, blue-eyed best friend… “Christian,” I breathe, my fingers curling in the fabric of his shirt. I stare at him unblinking, like he’ll disappear if I take my eyes off him for a second – like I’ll lose him again, forever this time. “Hey, my little one,” he murmurs, softly stroking my cheek. “I will never take my eyes off you. ”	LEARN_MORE	https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/srbxz4zw5	Lereader-Perfect Novel	https://www.facebook.com/61550076675613/	692	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	www.novel-oasis.com	VIDEO		https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/srbxz4zw5zy02jil3f2la2f3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&sid=120218211200820653&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481166894_619202320969245_8015858678635905420_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wSLfqoJN1-EQ7kNvgEpb6Wh&_nc_oc=Adj3gGUKUMRbr9kBr9-eablDd33H5QIqjgvbLhMLs473Cqhxt1DC_D7huJ7U3S0YCr-BTLqsXJODVOZv3TBvmpdc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANxaudHILJ5IFuiCt9Bw6TO&oh=00_AYBtryjlv2Y3VeLfLpEgc1ATP9jM5p91IMEYmWSn2clU4g&oe=67CB86AA	PERSON_PROFILE	Lereader-Perfect Novel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,746,255	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2746199}'	Yes	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	🔞🔥Click to Read more about📜Captive of my mafia crush📜	💖🔞💋I worked as a stri*pper to help pay my boyfriend's debts and cover our rent, but he despised my profession and said it was disgusting and impure. Worse, he sold me to the mob and told them I was a vir-gin to increase my value. I was bought at the auction and the buyer was no other than my brother's best friend, and also my childhood crush. Him: My little one, I would never take my eyes off you. ----- "I don’t like the idea of my girl stripping, Iris,” my boyfriend Steven says, glaring at me with his arms crossed. “It’s disgusting and impure. And I need my girl to be pure.” Steven is my college sweetheart – we’ve been dating for nine months, even though he’s graduated. He's very disciplined and reserved, the son of a pastor, though he’s very good to me. He's always stressed that we'll wait until the night of our wedding to be intimate, which makes me feel so respected and safe. On top of that, he's made millions of dollars trading cryptocurrencies. As someone who grew up with nothing, that financial security makes me feel so protected. He’s the most generous and intelligent guy I'd ever met and I’m so lucky to be with him. "Steven,” I reply, “I swear to god I would never do anything to betray you at the club – I just dance." I kiss his cheek. "But I'm running late, and we need to pay rent. Everything will be fine." Lately Steven's tied up his money in some crypto investments. To ensure the best returns, he’s invested everything he has and is staying with me for the moment. He’s been working so hard for the last month, but it’s taking a toll on him. He rarely takes phone calls, doesn’t really leave our place, and he drinks more alcohol than he used to to calm his nerves as he stares at his computer almost all day long. So, I took up a couple shifts at the strip club to cover us in the meantime. I am a university student in hotel management, but dancing is in my nature - at first it was a weight loss goal as a teenager, then it was a way to hold on to thoughts of my mom, and then it became part of who I am. Unfortunately, there’s no money in cltootshieical ballet, my favorite. So, even though it wasn't what Steven wanted, I took a part-time gig at a strip club and I give Steven my salary to help with his business. Being an exotic dancer wasn’t my first choice either, but if I can make money from idiots who want to shove their hard-earned dollars into my g-string? I don’t see any shame in that. Eventually I convinced Steven that this is true – my dancing is just an investment in his company. I am glad he’s letting me help – I just want to do whatever I can to get our life started. I arrive at the club at 8:00 on the dot, smiling at Pete, my manager, who gives me a nod. The music pounds through the low-lit club and I note that it’s busier than usual tonight. Some of the other dancers wave to me and I wave back, but I make a beeline right for Anthony, who’s already got a big smile on his face just for me. “Hey cutie,” he says, pulling me close as I slip behind the bar and wrap my arms around his waist. “Hey gorgeous,” I say, laughing up at him. Anthony – he is gorgeous, but alas, my heart belongs to Steven. And even if it didn’t, Anthony is as gay as a purple handbag. Still, he’s my best friend here, and I love when his bartending shift overlaps with my dancing. “What’s going on tonight?” I ask as he slings an arm around my shoulders. There’s a busy, exciting vibe and the dancers all have on their flashiest outfits, their best perfume. “Nothing escapes you, does it, baby?” Anthony replies, I grin at the compliment. “Rumor has it big shots are coming in – mob guys, the real deal. Some are saying that the Mafia King is going to make an appearance.” “Whoa,” I say, my eyes going wide. “Seriously? Isn’t he…dangerous?” “Only if you go against him,” Anthony says with a shrug. “I heard he took out his own brother,” I whisper, leaning close to Anthony and looking around anxiously, like he’s already here. “That he’s completely ruthless –“ Anthony just laughs, shaking his head. “Iris, just don’t do anything to piss him off. For us? The presence of the Mafia King in our club just means money,” he says, grinning. “So, I’ll finally be able to afford that Botox I’ve been dreaming about, and you can hand your tootshiehole boyfriend an even bigger check than you usually do!” “Shut up,” I say, scowling and smacking my friend half-heartedly on the chest. Anthony, like Emi, isn’t Steven’s biggest fan. “I won’t get any of the money anyway,” I sigh. “Pete never puts me in the VIP room on nights like this.” “Because you,” Anthony says, teasing me, “only like to shake your little booty – you’re never willing to let anyone touch it –“ “Ew!” I wrinkle my nose at Anthony even as I push away, laughing and hoisting my bag higher on my shoulders. “I’m not letting some old mafia lech touch me for a couple of extra bucks –“ “For how much these guys are going to drop?” Anthony says, raising an eyebrow at me. “heck, I’ll let them touch me.” Laughing again, I wave over my shoulder and head for the dressing room. Anthony calls after me, wishing me luck. I blow him a kiss as I move through the curtain. It’s always better working here on nights like this, when everyone’s in a good mood, even if I am anxious about the prospect of the Mafia King being here. I mean, he’s been all over the news, and where he goes? Violence seems, inevitably, to follow. The good mood in the room completely changes all of a sudden when Lily – our top dancer – gives a little moan and collapses to the floor. Our manager Pete is through the curtain a minute later with some of our bouncers, who pick Lily up and carry her to the back. Pete’s pissed though. He spins, looking around the room with his arms crossed “You!” he says suddenly, pointing at me. My eyes go wide. “Irene! Come here!” “Iris,” I correct, and then I bite my lip with anxiety when Pete rolls his eyes like it doesn’t matter and beckons me closer. “You’re going into VIP for Lily tonight,” he snaps. His eyes flick over me. “And I don’t want to hear any of your bulldang about just being a dancer, all right? ” He spins me around, shoving me towards the door. “Now get out there and remember what I said - the only answer you have for these mafia bosses is yes.” My legs shake as I walk towards the curtain. .............................................................................. “Welcome to the stage…Bambi!” The DJ says, using my stage name. Dancing comes naturally to me – music has always made me feel at home in my body, and when the music is sexy? Well, then I feel sexy too. I whip my hair back at the crescendo of the music, my eyes moving directly to the man in the money seat directly in front of me, who paid a great deal to be there. As I move my body in slow, sultry ways, the spotlight is on me, which means that I can’t see the details of the VIP’s face. But even without specifics, I can tell that this is the most important man in the room. He just radiates power. My breath hitches when I look over the powerful lines of his muscled silhouette. If the Mafia King is here, this is definitely him. He looks like a man who belongs in the shadows, and even though there are other men here, I feel like I’m dancing just for him. The Mafia King’s eyes are fastened on me as I get my six-inch heels beneath my body and slowly raise myself into the air tootshie-first. I let him get a good look at every bit of me before I smirk, and turn, and move to the pole. Am I imagining it in the darkness? Or is there something…familiar about the way he watches me? I let the thought fade, concentrating instead on pulling out all my best tricks. And as I hook my leg around the pole, spinning myself and letting my hair flare out wide, I see that these tricks are working tonight. Shouts and whistles begin, and the Mafia King leans forward to lay a stack of bills on the stage in front of him. I almost stutter to a stop. Seriously? That much cash, this early in my dance? He leans back in his chair, raising a dark eyebrow at me, inviting me to show him more. So, I do. I pick up my pace, arching my back as I spin around the pole, climbing up it and sliding slowly down. As my song ends I’m excited to see that there’s quite a bit more money on top of the pile. “Thanks,” I murmur, crawling across the last bit of stage towards him. “I’m glad you liked my dance.” There really is something familiar about his blue-grey eyes… I reach for the stacks, but suddenly a meaty hand slams another pile of money down next to it, startling me. “Double what he’s put down, honey,” the man grinds out, leering, “and I’ll take you in the back for a private dance.” “Sorry,” I say, casting my lashes down. “I’m just a stage girl.” I know Pete said to give these guys whatever they wanted, but I’m really not comfortable touching anyone. “Oh, come on,” the man says, grabbing my chin with his thick fingers and pulling my face up. The Mafia King is immediately on his feet. “Pretty tart like you? I bet you can do more than just dance –“ I gasp, pulling my face from his hands as I slide off the edge of the stage, wanting to get away from him as soon as possible. “I said,” the man growls, grabbing me and slapping me in the face with the handful of bills, “that I want you, you little tart. And I’m willing to pay for it, so you’d better screwing –“ I shriek, trying to push away from the man, but he’s so much bigger than me! Suddenly the man shouts and falls away, his grip making me stumble forward. When I find my feet, my eyes go wide to see the Mafia King straightening up, blood on his knuckles. The man who grabbed me - he’s laying on the floor and there’s blood pouring from his mouth. “Oh my god,” I gasp. “Get him out of here!” the Mafia King shouts over to the bouncers, and then he pulls a handkerchief from his pocket as he turns to glare at me, wiping off his hand. I flinch back a step, surprised by the venom in his eyes. “Here,” the Mafia King says, dropping my arm and lifting his stack of bills off the stage alongside the two stacks. “Take it, get out of here.” “Wha…” I breathe as he shoves the money into my hands. “But I…” “Trust me, Bambi,” he says, his voice dry. “You earned it. Now screwing go.” He turns away, putting himself between me and the bouncers, and I turn and run for the bar, ducking behind it. Anthony gapes at me. “Are you all right!?” “Anthony…” I whisper, holding up the piles of cash in my hands, staring at them in awe. “Holy dang Iris!” Anthony whispers, stepping closer and staring at the money. “Look at all that screwing cheddar! For a dance!?” “I know!” I squeak, “this is going to get us so close to paying off the debt –“ Anthony groans, wiping a hand down his face. “What?” I ask, frowning up at him. “I just wish you’d spend it on yourself, Iris, instead of that deadbeat.” “Anthony,” I sigh, my shoulders slumping. “I’m not explaining this to you again.” He rolls his eyes as I sit down on the little stool at the back of the bar. I always hang out with Anthony after my dances, but if he’s going to be mean I’ll just quietly count my cash. While I do, I mentally compose an email that I’ll send to my old friend Christian later. Christian – he would understand. He was my brother’s best friend growing up. Even though he only saw me as a little sister, he always understood me more than anyone else. Plus, he called me Daisy, and I just loved that. I stayed in touch with Christian after he moved away suddenly – but he never replied. And even though I’m sure he doesn’t read my emails…well, I keep up the habit for fun. Inwardly, I debate how to tell Christian about my night. I want to tell him about my triumph – I’ve always wanted Christian to be proud of me. But I do fudge the truth a little in my emails. For instance, I write that I’m a company dancer, which is true… I just don’t mention that my style of dance is exotic, not ballet anymore. I smirk a little, excited to tell Christian that I impressed a powerful client and got a big bonus. But how would he feel, really, if I told him that the client was the Mafia king? I sigh, thinking that Christian probably wouldn’t be happy. He always wanted me to be safe, and dancing for the Mafia King? I’m sure Christian wouldn’t approve. I’m halfway through deciding precisely how to word my email when I hear my name. “Is that Iris?” Two men peer around the edge of the bar. Anthony steps in front of me as I shy away. How did they know my real name? I always go by Bambi here. “Who’s asking?” Anthony asks, wary. “None of your business,” the taller of the brutes says, shoving Anthony aside and stepping forward, looming over me. “Hand over that cash, little girl. You’ve been sold - you work for Don Bonetti now.” My jaw drops almost to the floor. .............................................................................. I stare at the two men in shock, clutching the money to my chest. “What – what the heck are you talking about!?” “Your little boyfriend,” the smaller guy says, sneering and pushing Anthony away when he tries to get to my side. “He sold you to Don Bonetti as part of his debt.“ “What!?” I shout, jumping to my feet. The cat house!? They’re trying to make me work as a prostitute!? I stumble backwards, my back pressing into the countertop at the back of the bar. “There must be some mistake – you have the wrong girl –“ “No, we don’t,” the first guy says, reaching out and grabbing my arm. “Iris Scott? Yeah, your boyfriend Steven showed us a picture. We knew you the second you stepped on stage.” He leans closer now, leering into my face. “We also know where you go to school, and where your best friend lives – so don’t even try to escape.” “Here,” the second guy says, shoving a phone towards me, the video already playing. My attention is immediately fastened on the screen, because I recognize the voice I hear. I gasp, realizing that it’s Steven. I lean forward, staring at the video, which shows Steven sitting on the couch. He’s crying, a gun pointed at him, and he’s begging the two men standing before him – telling them to take whatever they want, he just needs more time. My eyes go wide when I hear the next words spill from his mouth, because he offers them me. Steven tells them everything that I’m a stripper and where I work. When he tells them how much money I bring in every month, their eyebrows go up. One of the mobsters on the screen makes a phone call – maybe confirming the details? I don’t know. In the video, Steven babbles on, revealing information that shocks me to the core. Steven's entrepreneurial ventures are all a façade. He was secretly performing some backdoor accounting for the mafia. But he embezzled the mafia funds, thinking he could buy and sell crypto without them noticing and keep the profits for himself! Suddenly, everything makes sense - Steven insisting we get a new apartment really fast, Steven staying inside all the time, Steven drinking more, Steven allowing me to earn money to pay off his debt while he stays in the house staring at the computer all day... “She’s – she’s a virgin too!” Steven stumbles out in the video, his eyes frantic. “That will be worth more, won’t it? You can like – action off her v-card to the highest bidder!” I blush and an angry huff of air falls from my lips, not only because that’s a lie but because my boyfriend is actually trying to sweeten the pot! Not only is Steven not fighting for me - he’s trying to get more out of the deal by convincing these mobsters that I’m worth more! In the video, the mobster gets off the phone and nods to the guy with the gun. Then all three agree to the deal. Me – all of me, forever, to do whatever they want with – for half of Steven’s debt. I go pale at that, because either Steven has sold me for a couple of grand, or he is way, way more in debt than I thought he was. “That’s enough,” the smaller man in front of me snaps, ripping the phone away as the big guy grabs me by the shoulders. “You’re coming with us, pretty girl. Time to get to work.” “Get your hands off me!” I shout, trying to kick, to rip free – anything. “It’s the twenty-first century! You can’t just buy girls from their boyfriends! This is ridic-“ I shriek, pushing hard at his chest. The big man glances at the smaller man when he sees that I’m frantic, that I won’t go peacefully. “Get the rabble bag on the phone.” Suddenly Steven’s Facetime is flashing before me. “Steven!” I gasp as his face appears on the screen. “What’s – what’s happening!? Tell these guys to get off of me! I –“ “Iris,” Steven sighs, but a nasty little sneer in his voice steals my voice. I go perfectly still, staring at him. “I told you I didn’t want your dirty money anyway – but you insisted. You dug your own grave with this one.” My blood runs absolutely cold, wiping out even the fear from my veins. “Tell them to get their hands off me, Steven,” I growl, glaring at him. “If you don’t want my dirty money, fine, but I am not paying another dang cent to your dirty debt –“ “Why don’t you go cry to that ‘old friend’ you’re always emailing,” Steven snaps, his voice nasty. “He’ll get you out of it, won’t he?” He leans forward to the camera. My jaw drops open because – I mean, I have told Steven so much about how my childhood friendship with Christian means to me, how much I miss him. But I never expected him to throw it in my face like this. “Just as I thought,” Steven says, rolling his eyes. “You’re just a tart, Iris. Always mooning on about your childhood crush, more dedicated to a memory than to me. If you really did love me, you’d go with these guys willingly to help me pay of this debt! Guess that was a lie too. I always knew you were a hooker – that you worked at that strip club because you like getting these rabble bags off –“ “Shut your god dang mouth, Steven,” I snap, and to my surprise he does, turning back to the phone to stare at me. Because I never, ever talk to him like that. “At least Christian would never have treated me this way. But I am going to make you pay for this,” I hiss, “if it is the last thing I ever do.” “Yeah, yeah,” the guy holding me says, jerking me away from the phone. “That’s enough – come on, let’s go.” The smaller guy ends the call and the big guy starts to haul me away, but I kick and scream, demanding that they get their dang hands off of me. Suddenly, the sound of a champagne cork pops, and I gasp as champagne sprays over me, dripping down from above. The guy holding my arms shouts and drops me, starting to wipe at his face into which a stream of champagne is flowing – “Oh, I’m so sorry!” Anthony’s voice rings out. “How could this have happened!? I’m so clumsy!” But I don’t have time to look at Anthony, or to try to understand the diversion he set up for me - because the big man has dropped my arms. And I screwing run. .............................................................................. I say a little prayer of thanks to Anthony as I bolt, clutching my money and throwing myself through the curtain at the back of the bar. Behind me I hear shouting and the sound of something that sounds like a fist on flesh – God, I hope Anthony is okay – But there’s no time to worry about him. I hear another shout as I’m halfway down the hall and I suddenly realize that there’s no way I’m getting into the dressing room without those two jerks seeing me if they give chase. So, I make a split decision and grab the knob to the rarely-used closet I know is here, whipping it open and hurling myself in. Suddenly, a sound erupts back in the club.BANG BANG! I gasp, slapping my hands over my ears. God, it sounds like fireworks were lit off inside the club – or like gunshots. Screams erupt in the VIP room, and girls in the dressing room start to shout and panic as well. I gasp, pressing myself deeper into the dark closet, listening to pounding footsteps running up and down the hall as everyone tries to run out. “She must have gone on to the dressing room!” A deep voice shouts just outside the closet door. I bite my lip as hope rushes through me, because that sounded a lot like the big guy. “What the screw are you doing in my club?!” My breath freezes in my chest. My hope is dashed, because that’s Pete, my manager – and he’s stopped right outside the closet door. “Get the screw out of here! This is a respectable joint – you can’t come in here and -“ “Listen, tootshiehole,” the big guy snarls. I can’t help peering through the crack in the door. The big guy grabs Pete by the collar, curling his bicep so that Pete is basically dangling from his fist, his feet scrabbling for purchase on the floor. “We do whatever we want in here, okay?” the big brute snaps, leaning in close to Pete’s face so that it’s sprayed with spittle. I go pale then as mobster pulls a gun out of his suit jacket, pointing it right at Pete’s head. “Now,” he says, his voice dangerous and soft. “You show me where that girl went.” “This way –“ Pete’s voice squeaks, his face turning red with fear and lack of air. “I’ll show you –“ Silently, I curse Pete for being a traitor like Steven – though honestly, with a gun to his head, I’m not sure that’s entirely fair. The big guy lowers Pete, and Pete darts forward, leading him to the dressing room. I shriek suddenly, my head flying up as I hear two more gunshots and the door whips open. My eyes are wide with terror as I look, expecting the brute, or his smaller, smarmy friend – But this man – he’s neither of them – he has dark hair that falls into his eyes, and I gasp in surprise when I see that his shirt is covered in blood. “Come on, Bambi,” the man snaps, his voice dry as he reaches into the closet and tugs me by the wrist, making me stumble forward into the hall. I tripping on something on my way out of the closet and my mouth falls immediately open when I catch a glimpse of a body laying in the doorway to the dressing room, blood all around its head – I can’t fully see at this distance, but I gasp because I’d swear it’s the big brute, the one who was chasing me. But before I can even look any closer the man tugs me up straight before his shoulder hits me in the stomach and I am lifted up into the air over it, hoisted high as he wraps his arm around the back of my thighs. He holds me tight as he starts to stride back towards the club. “Let me down!” I shout, pounding on his back as best I can with my hands still full of my cash. He just shakes me, frustrated, trying to get me to shut up and stop moving as he strides the length of the club, where patrons and dancers are shouting, fleeing for the doors. I shout along with them, my words mingling with theirs, but this man completely ignores me. My cries are frantic as I continue to pound on his man’s back – who is he!? Does he work for the Mafia Don who bought me – is he taking me to the tart house!? I struggle and kick, but I go absolutely still with shock when the man spanks me hard on my mostly-bare tootshie with the flat of his palm. “Stay still, Bambi,” he orders, laughing, his voice cold. “You’re making this way harder than it needs to be.” I’m still gaping in shock as he carries me right out the front door. I turn my head in both directions, trying to see where he’s taking me, and a black SUV skids to a stop immediately in front of the club. The man carrying me doesn’t break his stride, instead carrying me around the car and wrenching the back door open to toss me bodily inside. He slams the door shut behind me and I pant, my head spinning with anxiety. But I gasp again when I hear someone clear their throat, pressing myself back against the car door when I realize that there is already someone sitting in the dark of the back seat. I go perfectly still as my eyes rove over the figure, which as much man as it is predator. Broad-shouldered, the man lounges in apparent ease in the seat across from me, his tall frame corded with muscle, power dripping from every inch of him. Though he sits in darkness, a shaft of light crosses in a streak across his face, revealing those blue eyes that I recognize… My jaw drops open when I realize that…that it’s the Mafia King. Who…who is this man? Why am I in his car? Because…the Mafia King is different from Don Bonetti, who apparently owns me now – in fact, they’re famous rivals. So why… I jump, suddenly, when the front ptootshieenger door wrenches open and the man who carried me leaps in. “Let’s screwing go!” he shouts. “Hit it, Frankie!” My head snaps to the driver – is that Frankie? – who nods and slams his foot down on the gas, the car ripping forward away from the club. I start to shake now, both from the cold outside of the club as well as my fear – Who are these men? What do they want with me? Are they…are they going to make me… “Well, Bambi,” the man on the other side of the car says, bringing my eyes immediately back to him. His voice oddly accents my stage name like he knows it’s fake. “You sure as heck started a lot of trouble for me tonight. We’re going to have to -” But his words are interrupted by a huge crash and my scream as the rear window of the car shatters, the sound of gunshots echoing in the air. .............................................................................. I scream again, covering my head and ducking down as low as I can go, my feet drifting over the back seat and kicking the Mafia King in the thigh – “screwing go, Frankie!” the Mafia King shouts, “they’re on our god dang tail!” “Get down!” the Mafia King shouts, ducking and throwing his body over mine as Frankie pulls the car hard to the right, our tires squealing on the road. I scream then, I think, curl back up into my ball, muttering prayers I haven’t said since I was a kid in Catholic grade school, and which I didn’t really believe then. But now I’m begging anyone who might be out there listening to please, please save my life. The bullets stop, and I feel the Mafia King’s weight lift off of me. I start to raise my own head, but suddenly our whole car wrenches to the side and I can tell, somehow, that we’ve been hit from behind. “screwing turn, Frankie!” the Mafia King shouts, frantic, pulsing more bullets out of the broken window. “I can’t – there’s no place to –“ “Onto 42(nd) street!” the guy in the ptootshieenger seat shouts, his voice frustrated and sharp with fear. “On it!” Frankie shouts now, wrenching the wheel to the side so sharply that the whole car bends to the right – The car turns up on two wheels and I shout in fear as my body slides across the back seat. Lights flash across the windows and horns blare, because Frankie is cutting off a whole line of traffic to make the turn. My shout turns to a scream as I go completely airborne, but suddenly hands snatch me, one grabbing my waist, the other flying to my head and covering my skull the moment before it smacks into the gltootshie of the window – I gasp, my eyes flying open as I’m pulled into the Mafia King’s lap, and as my eyes meet his I realize that if his hand hadn’t been there to take the impact against the gltootshie, my brains would be all over this car right now. I stare into wide-eyed into his face, which is suddenly so close to mine. Our SUV rights itself onto four wheels and flies down the street, weaving madly between traffic. The Mafia King as he curses fluidly, ripping his gaze from mine and towards Frankie. He shakes his hand out to get rid of the pain. “Did we lose them!?” “You tell me, boss!” Frankie calls over his shoulder, and – with me still in his lap – the King twists, looking out the back window. I look too but… All I see are taxis, sedans. No sign of them. “For now,” the King growls, tense. “We’ve lost them for now.” He looks for a few more moments but then his body relaxes, just a little bit. He exhales sharply and turns back to the front of the car. “Brown Street apartment, Frank,” he says, cooler now than he was before. “We’ve got to lay low for a while.” “You got it,” Frankie says, still driving quickly but blending into traffic a little bit more now. After all, nothing screams criminal activity like flying through the city with a broken back window and a kidnapped stripper. It makes sense that they want to blend, now, so that we can disappear. So that we won’t be found by whoever was chasing us, for whatever reason. “Please,” I breathe, my voice shaky – and I surprise myself when I hear the word come from my lips. I said it without thinking. The Mafia King immediately turns his attention to me. “You can – you can have it all –“ I say, gesturing towards the cash scattered all over the back seat now, blowing lightly in the wind coming through the back window. “Just…let me go…” The Mafia King studies me for a long moment and the he smirks. “A third of that money was mine not long ago,” he says, his voice cold, calculating. “And I gave it up readily enough for a dance. What makes you think that that,” he says, nodding to the money on the seat and the floor, “is going to be enough to buy your freedom?” I hesitate, not knowing what the answer should be. “I’ll – I’ll get you more,” I mumble, desperate. “I can work –“ His smirk deepens and he stares at me, starting to shake his head a little, almost in…disbelief? I don’t know – I don’t get it. I can’t read his expression. “Please,” I beg, my voice soft as my eyes fill with tears. “Please don’t give me to Don Bonetti…don’t sell me to the cat house…” The Mafia King’s arm tightens around me as his face falls with sadness, pity even. And suddenly he’s cradling me against him, raising his hand and softly running his knuckles down my cheek, staring into my eyes. “Iris,” he murmurs, and I go still when I hear my name on his lips. And suddenly, I remember something. I was too distracted then, but he called me Iris before, didn’t he? After I finished dancing… Is he somehow connected to Bonetti too? “How…” I whisper, shaking my head at him in confusion, “how do you know my name?” “Iris…” he whispers, “don’t you recognize me?” I pull back a little, studying him, taking in the strong line of his lightly stubbled jaw, his straight nose, the blue-grey eyes under dark brows…. And as I stare at him I realize that there really is something familiar about him, especially about his eyes. I’m not just imagining it. But I can’t put together what… “You’re the Mafia King,” I murmur, frowning at him, willing my mind to put the pieces together. Because I’m missing something here, I just know it. “Yes, and?” he says, raising an eyebrow at me in a way that strikes some sort of memory. How – how the heck did I know he was going to raise his eyebrow like that? “And you…kidnapped me? To get…revenge? On Bonetti? Or because I saw someone get shot? Or…” He smiles at me, more broadly now, letting his eyes flick over my features. “I kidnapped you to protect you, Daisy.” My eyes widen as I hear my childhood nickname on his lips and everything snaps into place. Memories come flooding back to me in an instant. Late-summer twilights spent running through the back fields with the boy who called me Daisy, after my favorite flower. Sneaking out at midnight with my brother to go to the house next door, to play board games until dawn with the boy who lived there – where he taught me to play poker. A thousand winter afternoons building snow forts with my brother and with his laughing, blue-eyed best friend… “Christian,” I breathe, my fingers curling in the fabric of his shirt. I stare at him unblinking, like he’ll disappear if I take my eyes off him for a second – like I’ll lose him again, forever this time. “Hey, my little one,” he murmurs, softly stroking my cheek. “I will never take my eyes off you. ”	LEARN_MORE	https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/srbxz4zw5	Lereader-Perfect Novel	https://www.facebook.com/61550076675613/	692	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	www.novel-oasis.com	VIDEO		https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/srbxz4zw5zy02jil3f2la2f3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&sid=120218210839660653&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481358837_617422604603052_7363774515092318289_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fKkJ4XZcMekQ7kNvgGu7Xb3&_nc_oc=Adg04gAA6sHoR0fZOd9PeC1VcmbABvSPzKwkO_ZWs4r_IXDd-4NDeZ0_Lc3dk0PTG_79cH9lDx8DvCuMHIakqQqe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AkLBj3yZTD6Qm9KMbkTSED4&oh=00_AYATuttGLp6tvPb1Svq3lPcjtgeOQzo9VcyEUw0Bo4FkVQ&oe=67CB86AC	PERSON_PROFILE	Lereader-Perfect Novel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,745,937	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2745932}'	No	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	🔥More Chapters👉	My mate rejected and banished me just because I'm weak! Now I have become the female alpha of rogue pack. But I can’t let him know my secret! 🔥🔥 Chapter 1 Selena pov The truck comes to a halt and my body rolls into someone else besides me, I'm too weak to move and can hardly open my eyes from the inflation in my face. Hearing some voices I know it's the king's men and I'm guessing we have arrived in his kingdom. The doors back in the truck open and I hear some screaming before bodies are dragged out of the truck, hands come and grab me, lifting my body up and tossing me to the ground. I hit the hard concrete with a thud, biting my tongue to prevent myself from making any sound. I feel liquid oozing out of my tongue and spit it out in front of me, liquid pouring down my jaw. Trying to take in my surroundings with my ears, I know we were about fifteen people on the truck and I heard more than one truck when we arrived here. "Get up on your feet, rogue!" A guard stops by my body and gives me a lesson in my stomach. All air leaves my body and I have to clutch my arms around my stomach in pain, trying to open my eyes I look around and in the corner of my eyes, I see a gorgeous man in a dark grey suit walking closer to us. I have a feeling I know who it is! He has three more men beside him and by the aura around him I can already guess who he is and the men beside him. Trying to sit up I lean forward and keep my head down, whatever happens, my true identity can't be revealed. The man walks closer and I have to keep my raising heart down, I know they will pick up my heart rate if I don't keep it steady. I see his feet walking closer to where I am sitting on the ground before he stops a bit in front of us. I just breathe slowly and focus on keeping my head low, hoping he won't notice me. "Is this all?" I hear him say and that's all I need to know, it's him. I will never forget his voice as long as I live... My mate! "Yes, my king!" comes a guard's voice to answer him. Keeping my eyes locked on the ground I wait for what's to come. "Take them to the dungeons and start to interrogate them!" He orders out and guards start to drag people down a stair. A pair of arms come and grab me before I'm being dragged over to the stairs, he doesn't stop and my body bounces down every step. I'm already badly taught enough and for every step down the stairs, I try just to hold in my whimpers. I will not give them that kind of satisfaction. Coming down the last step the guard drags me inside and I have to just try to breathe through the bad stench of red and body fluids that hits my nose the moment we come inside the building. The guard stops outside a cell and opens the door before he tosses me inside and I land on the floor, with my head on the hard concrete, feeling my head get dizzy from the impact and a warm substance running to my cheek. I have no energy left to move and my wolf is dormant from all this wolfsbane they have given us during the ride, I can't heal from my wounds and black spots start to dance in front of my eyes. I don't fight it right now! Just letting the darkness suck me down and take me away from this place. I think back on the moment I saw my mate all those years back. I followed a mouth-watering scent and it lead me to the cemetery. It got stronger when I walked a bit further in, and I couldn’t resist it. That's when I saw him! He stood beside a new grave with his back towards me, I didn't need him to turn around for me to know it was my mate. I stopped In my tracks when I saw whose grave he stood by. Cursing to the moon goddess in my head! How cruel could she be? My mate is the Alph King... Kian! The king over all werewolves and he just lost his mate, they said she was pregnant and to week, she couldn't survive a pregnancy and died just a month into her pregnancy. He buried her yesterday! I try to slowly walk backward without making any sound when I see him take a sniff in the air and slowly turn around. His eyes meet mine and my breath hitches in my body. He is so handsome! tall, and very muscular. Black hair and in the darkness I can see his glowing amber eyes. He is breathtakingly handsome! "MATE" the words just slip out of my mouth before I can stop them. -NO !! He roars at me, taking long strides toward me. He comes to stand right in front of me and I am too afraid to even breathe. He takes the chin in a firm grip and tilts my head up to look at him. He looks me deep in my eyes while sparks shoot out from his finger and I gasp from the feeling. "You are not my mate! And you never will be!" Hi spits out the words to me. He’s so angry, that his alpha aura slips out of him and I can barely breathe anymore. "You will leave my land and never come back! If You ever set your foot on my lands again I will punish you and your whole family! Is that understood?" He says with such hatred in his voice. I can't move, can't look in his eyes, the pain I feel almost has me falling to the ground. I think I would have if his grip on the chin wasn’t that hard, a yell leaves my lips. "I said is that understood!" He barks out to me and a tear slips down my chin, I have to hold back a sob from the pain I feel. His grip on the chin tightens and all I can do is nod. If his look on me could hurt, I would be dead right now. He let go of me and I fall to my knees. Trying to gather myself from all this heartache I feel. "Now leave away from my land!" He booms out and his alpha command wash over me and I can’t do anything else than obey. I scramble to my feet and start running. Chapter 2 Selena pov I'm jolted awake by some cold water being thrown at me, I take in some air into my lungs and try to move my arms and legs but every limb in my body hurts. Right now I'm nothing more than dead weight and all I can do is move my fingers. "Get up, rogue easy girl!" I hear one of the guards yell at me and even if I wanted I can't get up. A foot comes and lands in my stomach, the pain takes my breath away and I have to try to gasp for air. "Just pick her up and taker her to the room!" I hear another voice and my guess is they will take me to a dark room. The guard bends down and picks me up, I get tossed over his shoulder and I have no resistance in my body at all. I feel how my red travels down to my face and the swelling only makes it hurt more. It starts to pulsate in my ears and I will faint if they don't let me down soon. "Place her in the chair and make sure she is properly fastened!" A voice boomed out and I feel his aura, I know he is a higher rank wolf and probably the beta or gamma to the king. I get tossed in a chair and the guard takes my hands and fastens them to the chair, my arms get locked with some ropes and all I can move right now is my legs. I feel the guard squat down and start tying my legs, he is soon done with one of my legs. "You can skip the other! This easy girl won't put up with much resistance, she is almost dead anyway." the voice says again and I don't try to open my eyes and just let my head hang down. The guard let go of me and I hear some tools being placed on a table, I can only guess what they will use on me. "Bring the pen! Let's start with telling us the truth." I hear him say and some feet move over the floor before I feel his presence close to me. His hand comes down and grips my face only to force my head back. Keeping my eyes closed I just breathe for what's about to come. "Tell me where your leader is!" He says to me and even if I knew the answer I couldn't tell him with how hurt my tongue is. His pressure on my cheek increases when I don't answer. "You won't tell me? Let me make one thing clear! I will get it out of you in one way or the other!" He let go of my cheek and it only takes seconds before I feel the pen on my pinky finger, dancing on it under his blow. I can't hold back a whimper and I feel how tears form behind my eyelids. I try to breathe through the pain and feel how my stomach turns upside down and I have to empty whatever I have in it on the floor. My puke run down my legs and I get a lesson in my face so my head whips to the side. "That's because your puke dropped on my shoe!" I almost faint from the blow and don't know how much more I can take without my wolf. I hear more men walking closer and the second his scent blows to my nose I know my time is up if he finds out it's me. They come closer and I hear them walk into the room, stopping a bit away. My head is hanging down and I hope with how badly I have been taught he won't recognize me, he might not even remember me after all these years since he forced me out of his kingdom. "Got anything out of her!" His voice comes to my ears and a shiver runs down my spine. I know my scent is hidden from him with the help of a potion but at this rate, with all this askng I don't know how much longer it will hold. "No, this easy girl is barely alive! I don't think we got much use for her! I can just finish it off!" The voice says and I just sit here and listen to them. "Let me have a look at her!" I hear my mate say and fear creeps up my spine, I can't let him touch me and find out. I will rather be punished than let him know it's me! Forcing my eyes open a bit I see the man in front of me with his legs on each side of my legs, giving me the perfect shoot to give him a lesson in his crotch with my free foot. I know it will probably hurt ten times worse with his anger and I might not survive this, it's a long shoot and one I have to take. Muster up every ounce of strength I have left I give him a lesson with my free foot in his crotch. Earning me a furious growl before his hand comes to my face and he yells to me so hard I fall to the ground still tied to the chair. My head fell on the floor again and this time I can't even whimper. Feeling how my life leaves my body, slowly darkness starts to suck me in. My mate's feet come to a stop in front of me and I hear him squat down to me. He sits there and I hear him sniff in the air for a moment. "Kian what's wrong?" One of his men says and I don't care anymore. This is it! I'm not going to make it out of here alive. "I don't know! Something is off with her! Take her to the cell and see if she makes it through the night." He says and gets up from the floor. I hear them start walking out of the room and I try to listen to where they are going before darkness takes me. Chapter 3 Kian pov Walking out of the room I get this feeling I need to go back to her, pushing the feeling aside and keep walking. something is off with her and we need to get to the bottom of it. "What did you pick up about her?" My beta Declan asks me the moment we step out of the interrogation room. "That's just it! I didn't pick up anything. She has no scent at all!" I tell him when we make our way down the hall. "Strange! She came in with the rogues we caught, none of the guards picked up anything different about her" he says when we come to the end of the hall, looking around almost every cell down here is occupied with rogues, we have been fighting off outside the kingdom. They have attacked our alliances and everyone is trying to find out what's going on here. "Find out who caught her and give her a lesson! I want to know the smallest detail!" I say to him before walking up the stairs. "I will go and talk to the patrol who caught them!" He says and walks the other way once we come upstairs. I make my way over the yard and head to the castle, coming inside I get straight to my office. This rogue problem we have been facing lately none of us can get to the bottom of. Looking through some files in my office when my dad comes walking inside. "Hey, son! I heard you caught some more rogues yesterday. Anything new?" He asks before he takes a seat in front of me. I place my files down on the table and sit back in my chair. "No there isn't. None of them says a word, even when they are given lessons well they keep their mouth shut!" I tell him. "Something is off about all this! And you haven't found anything on the disappearances?" I drag a hand through my hair and look down at my files. We have been missing several people over the last year and no pack has found any trace of them. "Right now there is nothing new," I say when there is a knock on my office door and Declan opens the door. He walks right to the chair beside my dad and takes a seat. "Found anything?" I say and he sits back in his seat. "I found the guard that captured her, but none of them have anything to say about her. It all went down so fast! When they fed them with wolfsbane they started to argue with each other and once they got them most of them were already suffering!" He says with a frown on his forehead and I already know there is something more. "And what?" I say when he doesn't continue. "Well, several of our guards say they saw the white wolf in the fight!" Looking at him he looks as puzzled as I. The white wolf is extremely rare and we haven't had any in several hundred years. That's how rare they are! We can only read about them in books and all it says is that every white wolf has different gifts, some have several and some only have one. About three years ago we started to hear rumors about a white wolf being spotted, what has us more puzzled is there are reports from all over the country and not a specific place. "How could it be and where did it go?" I ask him "No one saw what happened to it" he sighs and leans forward. "Could it be their leader?" He asks the question I have been having on my mind for a while. "Could be" I just state, I will have to go down tomorrow myself and start interrogating everyone who has made it through the night. Several of them were in bad shape and might not make it through. "We are going out tonight! Why don’t you join us?" Declan asks and looks at me. "I don't have the time!" I just state to him. "Son, I think you should! You don’t know maybe you have a second chance mate out there and you won't find her in here" my dad says and I look at him for a brief moment. I never told them I already found her three years ago at the cemetery when I just had buried my first mate. I chased her out of my kingdom, I don't want a weak mate again and that little girl in front of me was just like my first mate. I'll rather be without a mate than be mated to a weak one again, I have never regretted my decision! "No I don't have and I don't want one" I just tell them and start going through my files again. "Well think about it, we can just grab something to eat," Declan says before he rises from his chair and starts walking to the door. He opened it and walks out, leaving me and my dad alone in my office. "Son, you need to come outside of these walls, it has been three years since she died! It's time to move on." I just shrug my shoulders at him. None of them will understand if I tell them about her, I guess my parents will have the hardest time understanding why I did it. "Alright I will let you do it your way," he says and rises from his seat. I give him a nod before he walks out of my office. When I am alone I open my drawer and take out the file from the bottom, I haven't looked at it in several years. Placing it on my desk I open it up. Her beautiful blue eyes are the first I see, she looks so fragile and innocent in the photo. After I chased her out of my kingdom I learned she was the daughter of my head warrior and they searched for her day and night for almost six months before they gave up. She left without a trace once she stepped out of my kingdom. I even helped to search for her, a part of me just wanted to know where she went but there was no trace of her. Closing her file I put it back in the drawer and turn off the lights in my office before walking out. Chapter 4 Laying on the hard floor in my cell, I have no idea for how long I have been unconscious. I remember my mate squatting down in front of me, and later when the big bulky guy tossed me over his shoulder and carried me in here. When he threw me to the floor, I just managed to try to shield my head, but that was it. My body was already in a tremendous amount of pain, so the impact on the floor didn't make things worse. I start to feel cold. I only got a shirt on me and nothing else. It's what I manage to put on before I ended up in the fight. I wasn't supposed to be there in the first place and right now I regret going there! This was another innocent mistake I've made, I got warned before I went over there but still couldn't resist going. I know if I make it back I will be hearing about this until the end of the day. I sigh and try to roll over to my left side, everything in my body hurts. I just hope the wolfsbane will leave my system so I can heal up a bit. Laying there, I listen to my surroundings and hear several other prisoners, some are in pain and others are just quiet. I'm not sure how many of them are going to survive the night. Trying to open my eyes I wait until my eyes have adjusted to the darkness, without my wolf my senses aren't that quick to adjust. Looking to the side I see a bunk and it would probably feel better laying on it but I don't have any strength to move over there. There is a bucket in the corner of the cell and I guess if I ever need to use the toilet that would be it. Trying to wiggle my fingers I feel my pinky finger is still weak and I just sigh and place the hand down. There is no point in trying to do anything. All these years I have been avoiding even coming close to his kingdom only to end up here by a innocent mistake, I promised myself the day I was forced out of his kingdom to never look back, leaving my family and friends behind. The day I was ordered out of his kingdom was my eighteen birthday and when I ran I was forced to shift on my own for the first time. I never got to say goodbye to my family and friends, I just left without a word. I have had the opportunity to contact them after but never have, a part of me wants to and I miss them more than anything. I just know if I did I would have to give them an explanation and I don't know how to explain without telling them he is my mate. To be honest, I don't want him to ever find me and couldn't risk him getting a lead on me. I have been good at hiding my tracks through the years and up until now I haven't made a mistake. I don't know if he even have tried to look for me but I didn't dare to take any chances. Through the years I have thought about rejecting him but I already know he won't agree to it, since I'm his second chance mate it would probably weaken him to the point he would die and if he finds me I would certainly be locked up in a cell for the rest of my life. I sigh and try to move my legs up to my chest, I just need the wolfsbane out of my system and I will have a good chance to escape this place! Before he finds out I'm here in his cell. A shiver runs down my body just at the thought of what he will do if he finds me here. Hearing the door down to the cells open up and several men walking down the stairs with heavy steps, I can only guess they are here to check the prisoners. Rolling back slowly to my back, I close my eyes and try to even out my breathing, hoping they will just peek inside and leave me alone. Hearing them walking closer and going through every cell, they stop behind mine and open the door. One of them walks inside and stops beside my body on the floor! Feeling how the person start to move my leg I just lay there and keep my breath and heart still. I'm not intimidated by them and with just a few more hours I hope to heal up. "Still alive!" Says the voice beside me and another pair of feet comes inside. "Kian is right! Something is different with her, she doesn't have any scent" hearing them both discussing my scent I have to keep myself from moving a muscle at the same time I dread his wrath if he is on to me. "Let's wait a few hours, he wanted to see if she will survive the night! " One of them says to the other before they start to walk back out of my cell. Hearing them close the door and lock it I take a deep breath and open my eyes again. This is going to be a long night down here, just anxiously waiting to heal up before Kian comes down and finds me. I hear the men walking around in every cell and I hear them saying at least two prisoners are dead. I'm not surprised by the amount of wolfsbane they have given us and I guess everyone has been interrogated similarly to what I have been. I feel exhausted and I know if I get a bit of sleep it will help me heal up, I'm going to need all my strength tomorrow if I'm going to have any chance of escaping this place. Chapter 5 Selena pov I'm woken up what I guess is early in the morning by the top door being opened up and several heavy feet are walking down the stairs. Trying to move my mangled body I feel a bit better but far from healed up, if I could get a half day more I know there would be my chance to escape. I don't get that lucky when a guard stops by my door and turns the lock. Hearing him open the door and taking a big sniff in the air I feel fear running up my spine. fck! I bet my scent is coming back. "Cannon you better come in here!" The guard says and now I know my time is about to run out. "what's the problem?" Comes a deep voice and I recognize it as the man who interrogated me yesterday. I hear him sniffing the air before he walks inside and hovers over my body. I don't dare to open my eyes when I feel him grabbing my shirt and lifting me up. Jolting me upright "where the fck are you from!" Comes his voice and I snap my eyes open to stare into his angry face. He is holding a tight grip on my shirt only for it to rise up over my butt, leaving my naked body on display for them to see. I try to calm my raising heart down. He is a big and bulky guy! I look like a child next to him. "Answer me or I will have to force it out of you," he says and I keep my mouth shut. His fist comes down to my face and hit me hard. My head falls to the side and I feel how he broke my nose, blood starts to pour down. "I'll give you one more chance before I start breaking your legs!" I still don't give him any answer, there is no way I will give away what I have been fighting for years. "Get me the syringe!" I hear him say to the other guard before he quickly walks out of the cell. I know my time is up and all I can do is fight for whatever is left of me. Hearing the guard come back I try to gather all strength I have. When he comes into the cell and is about to hand the syringe over to the man called Cannon I quickly shoot my hand up and snatch it from him before I stab it in Cannon's neck. Earning me a furious growl before he drops me to the ground and pulls the syringe out of his neck. Scramble to my feet I take a few steps back and keep my eyes locked on him. Seeing how his chest rises and falls I know he is furious! "Get Kian in here now!" He barks out to the other guard who rushes out of the cell, leaving me alone with this furious man. Looking at him I see how angry he is and all he wants is to kill me. Mabie, it's the easiest way for me to go, I doubt Kian will be nicer when he finds out. "You're going to regret doing that!" He says before he lunges for me. Stepping aside he manages to grip my shirt and I swirl around to face him. I slip my claws out and scratch him down his chest. It's only making him angrier when I see blood oozing out of the wound. He rip my shirt off my body before his fist comes up and hit me in my head, falling backward my head hits the floor with a thud and I see black spots in front of my eyes. My ears start to ring and I can't focus on my surroundings! That's when I feel him step on my leg before his hands come down and break both my legs. I cry out in pain and feel him kick me in my stomach. "I told you! You're going to regret it. Now tell me where you come from and I might end your life quickly!" He says and I just try to breathe through the pain. I wonder what he will say once he finds out he has beaten Kian's mate up. "From here!" I say and spit out some blood on the floor while I hold my arms around my stomach. That's the only answer he will get out of me. "Trying to be funny are you!" He says when he kicks me in my back and I can hear how my spine breaks. Screaming the pain out it takes me a moment to come back to my surroundings. My body can't heal and I feel how it's getting harder and harder to breathe. Mabie, it's my time, I can't take anymore! I'm just laying there on the floor, unable to move my body at all. Staring up in the sealing I feel how my body slowly shut down. Starting to cough out blood when several heavy footsteps come walking down to us. Right now I don't care anymore, I'm as good as dead anyhow. I don't need to hear him when his scent hits my nose! The men comes to stop by my cell door and I hear him take a large inhail. Slowly turning my head to the side I'm met by his gorgeous face. "Nice to meet you again Mate!" I say and hear several people gasp in the room. I don't take my eyes off him and see shock all over his face. "If you came to see me take my last breath, I won't disappoint you!" I say when I start coughing up blood. I know this is it! My time is over. Turning my head I look up in the sealing! I don't want his face to be the last thing I see before I go! My breath rasp in my body and it starts to get really hard to breathe before everything becomes black.	LEARN_MORE	https://novelmates.readlife.mobi/3g7cj0perg0.html	Lost in his	https://www.facebook.com/61573755535169/	0	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	novelmates.readlife.mobi	VIDEO		https://novelmates.readlife.mobi/3g7cj0perg0.html	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481219899_664023835969161_7567290845286220584_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v0tfXFsUUsYQ7kNvgFKDYfl&_nc_oc=AdipcA4c4f08KaWfXtF4XC8OFhQAodxYnPzMwkK1Vs3Gu-2aoDqn78CetefQ56gt6VtW4LOsARr8vM7RpfPd719B&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AiCofs7cVHXEwzlnNKpK3t2&oh=00_AYBjeDwbblzJkmCXJn_tXKG60uPLHykBZo8MpY4iAcGwwg&oe=67CBA10B	PERSON_PROFILE	Lost in his	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,746,242	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2746235}'	No	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	🔞🔥Click to Read more about📜Captive of my mafia crush📜	💖🔞💋I worked as a stri*pper to help pay my boyfriend's debts and cover our rent, but he despised my profession and said it was disgusting and impure. Worse, he sold me to the mob and told them I was a vir-gin to increase my value. I was bought at the auction and the buyer was no other than my brother's best friend, and also my childhood crush. Him: My little one, I would never take my eyes off you. ----- "I don’t like the idea of my girl stripping, Iris,” my boyfriend Steven says, glaring at me with his arms crossed. “It’s disgusting and impure. And I need my girl to be pure.” Steven is my college sweetheart – we’ve been dating for nine months, even though he’s graduated. He's very disciplined and reserved, the son of a pastor, though he’s very good to me. He's always stressed that we'll wait until the night of our wedding to be intimate, which makes me feel so respected and safe. On top of that, he's made millions of dollars trading cryptocurrencies. As someone who grew up with nothing, that financial security makes me feel so protected. He’s the most generous and intelligent guy I'd ever met and I’m so lucky to be with him. "Steven,” I reply, “I swear to god I would never do anything to betray you at the club – I just dance." I kiss his cheek. "But I'm running late, and we need to pay rent. Everything will be fine." Lately Steven's tied up his money in some crypto investments. To ensure the best returns, he’s invested everything he has and is staying with me for the moment. He’s been working so hard for the last month, but it’s taking a toll on him. He rarely takes phone calls, doesn’t really leave our place, and he drinks more alcohol than he used to to calm his nerves as he stares at his computer almost all day long. So, I took up a couple shifts at the strip club to cover us in the meantime. I am a university student in hotel management, but dancing is in my nature - at first it was a weight loss goal as a teenager, then it was a way to hold on to thoughts of my mom, and then it became part of who I am. Unfortunately, there’s no money in cltootshieical ballet, my favorite. So, even though it wasn't what Steven wanted, I took a part-time gig at a strip club and I give Steven my salary to help with his business. Being an exotic dancer wasn’t my first choice either, but if I can make money from idiots who want to shove their hard-earned dollars into my g-string? I don’t see any shame in that. Eventually I convinced Steven that this is true – my dancing is just an investment in his company. I am glad he’s letting me help – I just want to do whatever I can to get our life started. I arrive at the club at 8:00 on the dot, smiling at Pete, my manager, who gives me a nod. The music pounds through the low-lit club and I note that it’s busier than usual tonight. Some of the other dancers wave to me and I wave back, but I make a beeline right for Anthony, who’s already got a big smile on his face just for me. “Hey cutie,” he says, pulling me close as I slip behind the bar and wrap my arms around his waist. “Hey gorgeous,” I say, laughing up at him. Anthony – he is gorgeous, but alas, my heart belongs to Steven. And even if it didn’t, Anthony is as gay as a purple handbag. Still, he’s my best friend here, and I love when his bartending shift overlaps with my dancing. “What’s going on tonight?” I ask as he slings an arm around my shoulders. There’s a busy, exciting vibe and the dancers all have on their flashiest outfits, their best perfume. “Nothing escapes you, does it, baby?” Anthony replies, I grin at the compliment. “Rumor has it big shots are coming in – mob guys, the real deal. Some are saying that the Mafia King is going to make an appearance.” “Whoa,” I say, my eyes going wide. “Seriously? Isn’t he…dangerous?” “Only if you go against him,” Anthony says with a shrug. “I heard he took out his own brother,” I whisper, leaning close to Anthony and looking around anxiously, like he’s already here. “That he’s completely ruthless –“ Anthony just laughs, shaking his head. “Iris, just don’t do anything to piss him off. For us? The presence of the Mafia King in our club just means money,” he says, grinning. “So, I’ll finally be able to afford that Botox I’ve been dreaming about, and you can hand your tootshiehole boyfriend an even bigger check than you usually do!” “Shut up,” I say, scowling and smacking my friend half-heartedly on the chest. Anthony, like Emi, isn’t Steven’s biggest fan. “I won’t get any of the money anyway,” I sigh. “Pete never puts me in the VIP room on nights like this.” “Because you,” Anthony says, teasing me, “only like to shake your little booty – you’re never willing to let anyone touch it –“ “Ew!” I wrinkle my nose at Anthony even as I push away, laughing and hoisting my bag higher on my shoulders. “I’m not letting some old mafia lech touch me for a couple of extra bucks –“ “For how much these guys are going to drop?” Anthony says, raising an eyebrow at me. “heck, I’ll let them touch me.” Laughing again, I wave over my shoulder and head for the dressing room. Anthony calls after me, wishing me luck. I blow him a kiss as I move through the curtain. It’s always better working here on nights like this, when everyone’s in a good mood, even if I am anxious about the prospect of the Mafia King being here. I mean, he’s been all over the news, and where he goes? Violence seems, inevitably, to follow. The good mood in the room completely changes all of a sudden when Lily – our top dancer – gives a little moan and collapses to the floor. Our manager Pete is through the curtain a minute later with some of our bouncers, who pick Lily up and carry her to the back. Pete’s pissed though. He spins, looking around the room with his arms crossed “You!” he says suddenly, pointing at me. My eyes go wide. “Irene! Come here!” “Iris,” I correct, and then I bite my lip with anxiety when Pete rolls his eyes like it doesn’t matter and beckons me closer. “You’re going into VIP for Lily tonight,” he snaps. His eyes flick over me. “And I don’t want to hear any of your bulldang about just being a dancer, all right? ” He spins me around, shoving me towards the door. “Now get out there and remember what I said - the only answer you have for these mafia bosses is yes.” My legs shake as I walk towards the curtain. .............................................................................. “Welcome to the stage…Bambi!” The DJ says, using my stage name. Dancing comes naturally to me – music has always made me feel at home in my body, and when the music is sexy? Well, then I feel sexy too. I whip my hair back at the crescendo of the music, my eyes moving directly to the man in the money seat directly in front of me, who paid a great deal to be there. As I move my body in slow, sultry ways, the spotlight is on me, which means that I can’t see the details of the VIP’s face. But even without specifics, I can tell that this is the most important man in the room. He just radiates power. My breath hitches when I look over the powerful lines of his muscled silhouette. If the Mafia King is here, this is definitely him. He looks like a man who belongs in the shadows, and even though there are other men here, I feel like I’m dancing just for him. The Mafia King’s eyes are fastened on me as I get my six-inch heels beneath my body and slowly raise myself into the air tootshie-first. I let him get a good look at every bit of me before I smirk, and turn, and move to the pole. Am I imagining it in the darkness? Or is there something…familiar about the way he watches me? I let the thought fade, concentrating instead on pulling out all my best tricks. And as I hook my leg around the pole, spinning myself and letting my hair flare out wide, I see that these tricks are working tonight. Shouts and whistles begin, and the Mafia King leans forward to lay a stack of bills on the stage in front of him. I almost stutter to a stop. Seriously? That much cash, this early in my dance? He leans back in his chair, raising a dark eyebrow at me, inviting me to show him more. So, I do. I pick up my pace, arching my back as I spin around the pole, climbing up it and sliding slowly down. As my song ends I’m excited to see that there’s quite a bit more money on top of the pile. “Thanks,” I murmur, crawling across the last bit of stage towards him. “I’m glad you liked my dance.” There really is something familiar about his blue-grey eyes… I reach for the stacks, but suddenly a meaty hand slams another pile of money down next to it, startling me. “Double what he’s put down, honey,” the man grinds out, leering, “and I’ll take you in the back for a private dance.” “Sorry,” I say, casting my lashes down. “I’m just a stage girl.” I know Pete said to give these guys whatever they wanted, but I’m really not comfortable touching anyone. “Oh, come on,” the man says, grabbing my chin with his thick fingers and pulling my face up. The Mafia King is immediately on his feet. “Pretty tart like you? I bet you can do more than just dance –“ I gasp, pulling my face from his hands as I slide off the edge of the stage, wanting to get away from him as soon as possible. “I said,” the man growls, grabbing me and slapping me in the face with the handful of bills, “that I want you, you little tart. And I’m willing to pay for it, so you’d better screwing –“ I shriek, trying to push away from the man, but he’s so much bigger than me! Suddenly the man shouts and falls away, his grip making me stumble forward. When I find my feet, my eyes go wide to see the Mafia King straightening up, blood on his knuckles. The man who grabbed me - he’s laying on the floor and there’s blood pouring from his mouth. “Oh my god,” I gasp. “Get him out of here!” the Mafia King shouts over to the bouncers, and then he pulls a handkerchief from his pocket as he turns to glare at me, wiping off his hand. I flinch back a step, surprised by the venom in his eyes. “Here,” the Mafia King says, dropping my arm and lifting his stack of bills off the stage alongside the two stacks. “Take it, get out of here.” “Wha…” I breathe as he shoves the money into my hands. “But I…” “Trust me, Bambi,” he says, his voice dry. “You earned it. Now screwing go.” He turns away, putting himself between me and the bouncers, and I turn and run for the bar, ducking behind it. Anthony gapes at me. “Are you all right!?” “Anthony…” I whisper, holding up the piles of cash in my hands, staring at them in awe. “Holy dang Iris!” Anthony whispers, stepping closer and staring at the money. “Look at all that screwing cheddar! For a dance!?” “I know!” I squeak, “this is going to get us so close to paying off the debt –“ Anthony groans, wiping a hand down his face. “What?” I ask, frowning up at him. “I just wish you’d spend it on yourself, Iris, instead of that deadbeat.” “Anthony,” I sigh, my shoulders slumping. “I’m not explaining this to you again.” He rolls his eyes as I sit down on the little stool at the back of the bar. I always hang out with Anthony after my dances, but if he’s going to be mean I’ll just quietly count my cash. While I do, I mentally compose an email that I’ll send to my old friend Christian later. Christian – he would understand. He was my brother’s best friend growing up. Even though he only saw me as a little sister, he always understood me more than anyone else. Plus, he called me Daisy, and I just loved that. I stayed in touch with Christian after he moved away suddenly – but he never replied. And even though I’m sure he doesn’t read my emails…well, I keep up the habit for fun. Inwardly, I debate how to tell Christian about my night. I want to tell him about my triumph – I’ve always wanted Christian to be proud of me. But I do fudge the truth a little in my emails. For instance, I write that I’m a company dancer, which is true… I just don’t mention that my style of dance is exotic, not ballet anymore. I smirk a little, excited to tell Christian that I impressed a powerful client and got a big bonus. But how would he feel, really, if I told him that the client was the Mafia king? I sigh, thinking that Christian probably wouldn’t be happy. He always wanted me to be safe, and dancing for the Mafia King? I’m sure Christian wouldn’t approve. I’m halfway through deciding precisely how to word my email when I hear my name. “Is that Iris?” Two men peer around the edge of the bar. Anthony steps in front of me as I shy away. How did they know my real name? I always go by Bambi here. “Who’s asking?” Anthony asks, wary. “None of your business,” the taller of the brutes says, shoving Anthony aside and stepping forward, looming over me. “Hand over that cash, little girl. You’ve been sold - you work for Don Bonetti now.” My jaw drops almost to the floor. .............................................................................. I stare at the two men in shock, clutching the money to my chest. “What – what the heck are you talking about!?” “Your little boyfriend,” the smaller guy says, sneering and pushing Anthony away when he tries to get to my side. “He sold you to Don Bonetti as part of his debt.“ “What!?” I shout, jumping to my feet. The cat house!? They’re trying to make me work as a prostitute!? I stumble backwards, my back pressing into the countertop at the back of the bar. “There must be some mistake – you have the wrong girl –“ “No, we don’t,” the first guy says, reaching out and grabbing my arm. “Iris Scott? Yeah, your boyfriend Steven showed us a picture. We knew you the second you stepped on stage.” He leans closer now, leering into my face. “We also know where you go to school, and where your best friend lives – so don’t even try to escape.” “Here,” the second guy says, shoving a phone towards me, the video already playing. My attention is immediately fastened on the screen, because I recognize the voice I hear. I gasp, realizing that it’s Steven. I lean forward, staring at the video, which shows Steven sitting on the couch. He’s crying, a gun pointed at him, and he’s begging the two men standing before him – telling them to take whatever they want, he just needs more time. My eyes go wide when I hear the next words spill from his mouth, because he offers them me. Steven tells them everything that I’m a stripper and where I work. When he tells them how much money I bring in every month, their eyebrows go up. One of the mobsters on the screen makes a phone call – maybe confirming the details? I don’t know. In the video, Steven babbles on, revealing information that shocks me to the core. Steven's entrepreneurial ventures are all a façade. He was secretly performing some backdoor accounting for the mafia. But he embezzled the mafia funds, thinking he could buy and sell crypto without them noticing and keep the profits for himself! Suddenly, everything makes sense - Steven insisting we get a new apartment really fast, Steven staying inside all the time, Steven drinking more, Steven allowing me to earn money to pay off his debt while he stays in the house staring at the computer all day... “She’s – she’s a virgin too!” Steven stumbles out in the video, his eyes frantic. “That will be worth more, won’t it? You can like – action off her v-card to the highest bidder!” I blush and an angry huff of air falls from my lips, not only because that’s a lie but because my boyfriend is actually trying to sweeten the pot! Not only is Steven not fighting for me - he’s trying to get more out of the deal by convincing these mobsters that I’m worth more! In the video, the mobster gets off the phone and nods to the guy with the gun. Then all three agree to the deal. Me – all of me, forever, to do whatever they want with – for half of Steven’s debt. I go pale at that, because either Steven has sold me for a couple of grand, or he is way, way more in debt than I thought he was. “That’s enough,” the smaller man in front of me snaps, ripping the phone away as the big guy grabs me by the shoulders. “You’re coming with us, pretty girl. Time to get to work.” “Get your hands off me!” I shout, trying to kick, to rip free – anything. “It’s the twenty-first century! You can’t just buy girls from their boyfriends! This is ridic-“ I shriek, pushing hard at his chest. The big man glances at the smaller man when he sees that I’m frantic, that I won’t go peacefully. “Get the rabble bag on the phone.” Suddenly Steven’s Facetime is flashing before me. “Steven!” I gasp as his face appears on the screen. “What’s – what’s happening!? Tell these guys to get off of me! I –“ “Iris,” Steven sighs, but a nasty little sneer in his voice steals my voice. I go perfectly still, staring at him. “I told you I didn’t want your dirty money anyway – but you insisted. You dug your own grave with this one.” My blood runs absolutely cold, wiping out even the fear from my veins. “Tell them to get their hands off me, Steven,” I growl, glaring at him. “If you don’t want my dirty money, fine, but I am not paying another dang cent to your dirty debt –“ “Why don’t you go cry to that ‘old friend’ you’re always emailing,” Steven snaps, his voice nasty. “He’ll get you out of it, won’t he?” He leans forward to the camera. My jaw drops open because – I mean, I have told Steven so much about how my childhood friendship with Christian means to me, how much I miss him. But I never expected him to throw it in my face like this. “Just as I thought,” Steven says, rolling his eyes. “You’re just a tart, Iris. Always mooning on about your childhood crush, more dedicated to a memory than to me. If you really did love me, you’d go with these guys willingly to help me pay of this debt! Guess that was a lie too. I always knew you were a hooker – that you worked at that strip club because you like getting these rabble bags off –“ “Shut your god dang mouth, Steven,” I snap, and to my surprise he does, turning back to the phone to stare at me. Because I never, ever talk to him like that. “At least Christian would never have treated me this way. But I am going to make you pay for this,” I hiss, “if it is the last thing I ever do.” “Yeah, yeah,” the guy holding me says, jerking me away from the phone. “That’s enough – come on, let’s go.” The smaller guy ends the call and the big guy starts to haul me away, but I kick and scream, demanding that they get their dang hands off of me. Suddenly, the sound of a champagne cork pops, and I gasp as champagne sprays over me, dripping down from above. The guy holding my arms shouts and drops me, starting to wipe at his face into which a stream of champagne is flowing – “Oh, I’m so sorry!” Anthony’s voice rings out. “How could this have happened!? I’m so clumsy!” But I don’t have time to look at Anthony, or to try to understand the diversion he set up for me - because the big man has dropped my arms. And I screwing run. .............................................................................. I say a little prayer of thanks to Anthony as I bolt, clutching my money and throwing myself through the curtain at the back of the bar. Behind me I hear shouting and the sound of something that sounds like a fist on flesh – God, I hope Anthony is okay – But there’s no time to worry about him. I hear another shout as I’m halfway down the hall and I suddenly realize that there’s no way I’m getting into the dressing room without those two jerks seeing me if they give chase. So, I make a split decision and grab the knob to the rarely-used closet I know is here, whipping it open and hurling myself in. Suddenly, a sound erupts back in the club.BANG BANG! I gasp, slapping my hands over my ears. God, it sounds like fireworks were lit off inside the club – or like gunshots. Screams erupt in the VIP room, and girls in the dressing room start to shout and panic as well. I gasp, pressing myself deeper into the dark closet, listening to pounding footsteps running up and down the hall as everyone tries to run out. “She must have gone on to the dressing room!” A deep voice shouts just outside the closet door. I bite my lip as hope rushes through me, because that sounded a lot like the big guy. “What the screw are you doing in my club?!” My breath freezes in my chest. My hope is dashed, because that’s Pete, my manager – and he’s stopped right outside the closet door. “Get the screw out of here! This is a respectable joint – you can’t come in here and -“ “Listen, tootshiehole,” the big guy snarls. I can’t help peering through the crack in the door. The big guy grabs Pete by the collar, curling his bicep so that Pete is basically dangling from his fist, his feet scrabbling for purchase on the floor. “We do whatever we want in here, okay?” the big brute snaps, leaning in close to Pete’s face so that it’s sprayed with spittle. I go pale then as mobster pulls a gun out of his suit jacket, pointing it right at Pete’s head. “Now,” he says, his voice dangerous and soft. “You show me where that girl went.” “This way –“ Pete’s voice squeaks, his face turning red with fear and lack of air. “I’ll show you –“ Silently, I curse Pete for being a traitor like Steven – though honestly, with a gun to his head, I’m not sure that’s entirely fair. The big guy lowers Pete, and Pete darts forward, leading him to the dressing room. I shriek suddenly, my head flying up as I hear two more gunshots and the door whips open. My eyes are wide with terror as I look, expecting the brute, or his smaller, smarmy friend – But this man – he’s neither of them – he has dark hair that falls into his eyes, and I gasp in surprise when I see that his shirt is covered in blood. “Come on, Bambi,” the man snaps, his voice dry as he reaches into the closet and tugs me by the wrist, making me stumble forward into the hall. I tripping on something on my way out of the closet and my mouth falls immediately open when I catch a glimpse of a body laying in the doorway to the dressing room, blood all around its head – I can’t fully see at this distance, but I gasp because I’d swear it’s the big brute, the one who was chasing me. But before I can even look any closer the man tugs me up straight before his shoulder hits me in the stomach and I am lifted up into the air over it, hoisted high as he wraps his arm around the back of my thighs. He holds me tight as he starts to stride back towards the club. “Let me down!” I shout, pounding on his back as best I can with my hands still full of my cash. He just shakes me, frustrated, trying to get me to shut up and stop moving as he strides the length of the club, where patrons and dancers are shouting, fleeing for the doors. I shout along with them, my words mingling with theirs, but this man completely ignores me. My cries are frantic as I continue to pound on his man’s back – who is he!? Does he work for the Mafia Don who bought me – is he taking me to the tart house!? I struggle and kick, but I go absolutely still with shock when the man spanks me hard on my mostly-bare tootshie with the flat of his palm. “Stay still, Bambi,” he orders, laughing, his voice cold. “You’re making this way harder than it needs to be.” I’m still gaping in shock as he carries me right out the front door. I turn my head in both directions, trying to see where he’s taking me, and a black SUV skids to a stop immediately in front of the club. The man carrying me doesn’t break his stride, instead carrying me around the car and wrenching the back door open to toss me bodily inside. He slams the door shut behind me and I pant, my head spinning with anxiety. But I gasp again when I hear someone clear their throat, pressing myself back against the car door when I realize that there is already someone sitting in the dark of the back seat. I go perfectly still as my eyes rove over the figure, which as much man as it is predator. Broad-shouldered, the man lounges in apparent ease in the seat across from me, his tall frame corded with muscle, power dripping from every inch of him. Though he sits in darkness, a shaft of light crosses in a streak across his face, revealing those blue eyes that I recognize… My jaw drops open when I realize that…that it’s the Mafia King. Who…who is this man? Why am I in his car? Because…the Mafia King is different from Don Bonetti, who apparently owns me now – in fact, they’re famous rivals. So why… I jump, suddenly, when the front ptootshieenger door wrenches open and the man who carried me leaps in. “Let’s screwing go!” he shouts. “Hit it, Frankie!” My head snaps to the driver – is that Frankie? – who nods and slams his foot down on the gas, the car ripping forward away from the club. I start to shake now, both from the cold outside of the club as well as my fear – Who are these men? What do they want with me? Are they…are they going to make me… “Well, Bambi,” the man on the other side of the car says, bringing my eyes immediately back to him. His voice oddly accents my stage name like he knows it’s fake. “You sure as heck started a lot of trouble for me tonight. We’re going to have to -” But his words are interrupted by a huge crash and my scream as the rear window of the car shatters, the sound of gunshots echoing in the air. .............................................................................. I scream again, covering my head and ducking down as low as I can go, my feet drifting over the back seat and kicking the Mafia King in the thigh – “screwing go, Frankie!” the Mafia King shouts, “they’re on our god dang tail!” “Get down!” the Mafia King shouts, ducking and throwing his body over mine as Frankie pulls the car hard to the right, our tires squealing on the road. I scream then, I think, curl back up into my ball, muttering prayers I haven’t said since I was a kid in Catholic grade school, and which I didn’t really believe then. But now I’m begging anyone who might be out there listening to please, please save my life. The bullets stop, and I feel the Mafia King’s weight lift off of me. I start to raise my own head, but suddenly our whole car wrenches to the side and I can tell, somehow, that we’ve been hit from behind. “screwing turn, Frankie!” the Mafia King shouts, frantic, pulsing more bullets out of the broken window. “I can’t – there’s no place to –“ “Onto 42(nd) street!” the guy in the ptootshieenger seat shouts, his voice frustrated and sharp with fear. “On it!” Frankie shouts now, wrenching the wheel to the side so sharply that the whole car bends to the right – The car turns up on two wheels and I shout in fear as my body slides across the back seat. Lights flash across the windows and horns blare, because Frankie is cutting off a whole line of traffic to make the turn. My shout turns to a scream as I go completely airborne, but suddenly hands snatch me, one grabbing my waist, the other flying to my head and covering my skull the moment before it smacks into the gltootshie of the window – I gasp, my eyes flying open as I’m pulled into the Mafia King’s lap, and as my eyes meet his I realize that if his hand hadn’t been there to take the impact against the gltootshie, my brains would be all over this car right now. I stare into wide-eyed into his face, which is suddenly so close to mine. Our SUV rights itself onto four wheels and flies down the street, weaving madly between traffic. The Mafia King as he curses fluidly, ripping his gaze from mine and towards Frankie. He shakes his hand out to get rid of the pain. “Did we lose them!?” “You tell me, boss!” Frankie calls over his shoulder, and – with me still in his lap – the King twists, looking out the back window. I look too but… All I see are taxis, sedans. No sign of them. “For now,” the King growls, tense. “We’ve lost them for now.” He looks for a few more moments but then his body relaxes, just a little bit. He exhales sharply and turns back to the front of the car. “Brown Street apartment, Frank,” he says, cooler now than he was before. “We’ve got to lay low for a while.” “You got it,” Frankie says, still driving quickly but blending into traffic a little bit more now. After all, nothing screams criminal activity like flying through the city with a broken back window and a kidnapped stripper. It makes sense that they want to blend, now, so that we can disappear. So that we won’t be found by whoever was chasing us, for whatever reason. “Please,” I breathe, my voice shaky – and I surprise myself when I hear the word come from my lips. I said it without thinking. The Mafia King immediately turns his attention to me. “You can – you can have it all –“ I say, gesturing towards the cash scattered all over the back seat now, blowing lightly in the wind coming through the back window. “Just…let me go…” The Mafia King studies me for a long moment and the he smirks. “A third of that money was mine not long ago,” he says, his voice cold, calculating. “And I gave it up readily enough for a dance. What makes you think that that,” he says, nodding to the money on the seat and the floor, “is going to be enough to buy your freedom?” I hesitate, not knowing what the answer should be. “I’ll – I’ll get you more,” I mumble, desperate. “I can work –“ His smirk deepens and he stares at me, starting to shake his head a little, almost in…disbelief? I don’t know – I don’t get it. I can’t read his expression. “Please,” I beg, my voice soft as my eyes fill with tears. “Please don’t give me to Don Bonetti…don’t sell me to the cat house…” The Mafia King’s arm tightens around me as his face falls with sadness, pity even. And suddenly he’s cradling me against him, raising his hand and softly running his knuckles down my cheek, staring into my eyes. “Iris,” he murmurs, and I go still when I hear my name on his lips. And suddenly, I remember something. I was too distracted then, but he called me Iris before, didn’t he? After I finished dancing… Is he somehow connected to Bonetti too? “How…” I whisper, shaking my head at him in confusion, “how do you know my name?” “Iris…” he whispers, “don’t you recognize me?” I pull back a little, studying him, taking in the strong line of his lightly stubbled jaw, his straight nose, the blue-grey eyes under dark brows…. And as I stare at him I realize that there really is something familiar about him, especially about his eyes. I’m not just imagining it. But I can’t put together what… “You’re the Mafia King,” I murmur, frowning at him, willing my mind to put the pieces together. Because I’m missing something here, I just know it. “Yes, and?” he says, raising an eyebrow at me in a way that strikes some sort of memory. How – how the heck did I know he was going to raise his eyebrow like that? “And you…kidnapped me? To get…revenge? On Bonetti? Or because I saw someone get shot? Or…” He smiles at me, more broadly now, letting his eyes flick over my features. “I kidnapped you to protect you, Daisy.” My eyes widen as I hear my childhood nickname on his lips and everything snaps into place. Memories come flooding back to me in an instant. Late-summer twilights spent running through the back fields with the boy who called me Daisy, after my favorite flower. Sneaking out at midnight with my brother to go to the house next door, to play board games until dawn with the boy who lived there – where he taught me to play poker. A thousand winter afternoons building snow forts with my brother and with his laughing, blue-eyed best friend… “Christian,” I breathe, my fingers curling in the fabric of his shirt. I stare at him unblinking, like he’ll disappear if I take my eyes off him for a second – like I’ll lose him again, forever this time. “Hey, my little one,” he murmurs, softly stroking my cheek. “I will never take my eyes off you. ”	LEARN_MORE	https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/srbxz4zw5	Lereader-Perfect Novel	https://www.facebook.com/61550076675613/	692	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	www.novel-oasis.com	VIDEO		https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/srbxz4zw5zy02jil3f2la2f3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&sid=120218211199890653&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481700947_663245386050834_7912737929505173248_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=H7miFJF_8S8Q7kNvgEX-s_U&_nc_oc=Adinme6HjUaxeyZawi2HXzvVu5cGshqdDBEseHdU5XgtS_cfk-CfzJtVHlKLObb6jCXIPLJsq1sbUApUO8BZYD6E&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AJ1YfAsPYnBs0TwKmzPE-9w&oh=00_AYBvycsgwlqssMor3pIO5467DGkH6NGyH42pB1Djz9xSpw&oe=67CB7E89	PERSON_PROFILE	Lereader-Perfect Novel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,746,893	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2746888}'	Yes	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Foldable Electric Bike	Range 62 Miles	SHOP_NOW	https://aipasbike.com/collections/ebike	Aipas Ebike	https://www.facebook.com/aipasebike/	16,814	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	aipasbike.com	CAROUSEL	Range 62 Miles	https://aipasbike.com/collections/ebike	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481668728_2083699458799243_633109272183575170_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mv-EmqaIwiEQ7kNvgEujLe8&_nc_oc=Adg1NmGnxlG4kcKm8I4CNx53t_oKc-h25-MqCuDRjpS3MRK7v8u7glZOXeqjmdRfSd9V0D2XW6A99GehB2N2Jqv9&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AdCCMCb6cXK2ZPqayU_WZjP&oh=00_AYDTW3VGb3xMhkaK-RMeIY68ybQSiE0dLL7ViyF4yFVRcQ&oe=67CB9E72	PERSON_PROFILE	Aipas Ebike	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,746,174	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	📚💞《The Billionaire Alpha Contract Lover》ALL chapters for Free！😍💕🔞	💔“My first love has returned, you are fired,” Alpha told me, not knowing that I would die in three months.😭 Griffon Knight’s private jet landed at the airport at 7:00 p.m., just as the sun was starting to set, vivid orange and red giving way to the bright light of the moon. Within a half hour of his arrival, he requested that I be brought to his downtown penthouse. Per our contract, I must be thoroughly cleansed “inside and out” without any traces of perfume or makeup. As an Alpha, his senses were more perceptive than most wolves. I strictly followed his preferences and requirements, changed into freshly washed silk pajamas, and then went to the bedroom on the second floor. Griffon was sitting in front of the fire in his leather wing chair, one ankle resting on his knee in a relaxed manner, flipping through a stack of documents. When I entered the room, he gave me a glance before placing the papers on the side table next to him. “Come here,” he demanded, his wolf flashing amber in his dark eyes as a secondary narrowed his gaze at me. A chill ran over my spine. His voice was gruff and emotionless, weighing heavily on my heart as it always did. I longed, just once, to hear something in his tone when he spoke to me. But he always maintained his powerful and mysterious aura, never indicating what he was thinking or feeling. I didn’t dare to hesitate for a moment, worried that any delay might anger him. Keeping my head tilted down in deference to his formidable presence, my bare feet were silent on the plush carpet as I rushed over to him. As soon as I was at his side, he pulled me into his arms and onto his lap, lifting my chin with his large hand. He lowered his head and kissed my waiting lips aggressively, without any traces of the warmth I longed for. His tongue delved into my mouth, twisting around mine, and desire flowed through my body, pooling in my nether regions. Griffon might seem noble and restrained to his pack and other pack elites, but he showed no such thing when it came to sex. He was never restrained, never tender with me. No sweet talk, no soft kisses. Just hunger, desire, sex. With me, he was always the animal. Always the coarse Alpha, never the cool, calm, and collected leader that others saw. He had been away on packing business for three months; he probably wouldn’t let me go easily tonight. As I had expected, he was rougher than usual. It was as if he were all feral wolf instead of just mostly wolf like he typically was. Griffon didn’t stop his thrusts until I was too exhausted for more, his wolf shining in his eyes and his face twisted in a snarl the entire time. When I woke up, I found myself alone in bed. Instead of the usual silence I typically wake up to, I heard running water coming from the bathroom. I frowned in confusion and looked in the direction of the sound surprised to see Griffon’s tall and muscled form reflected in the glass door of the shower. He usually left immediately after our encounters. No goodbye, no waiting for me to wake up. I struggled to sit up, my body spent from hours of lovemaking, and I quietly waited for the man to come out. A few minutes later, the water stopped, and Griffon came into the room, a towel wrapped around his waist. Water droplets from the tips of his dark hair fell onto his bronze skin, slowly sliding down his well-defined abs. His face was finely chiseled, exquisitely handsome, with sharp, distinct features. His eyes, almond-shaped and hazel, were aloof and distant, deep and unreadable. Even in his human form, his dark wolf side showed through, creating even more of an enigma surrounding the Alpha. To everyone else, he was charming yet distant, friendly yet aloof and unattainable. With one glance, people could tell he was not an easy man to get along with, but not completely impossible. To me, he was simply cold, harsh, and unreachable even when he was inside me. Seeing that I was awake, he gave me a stony look and said, “You don’t need to come anymore.” I blinked, clutching the covers tightly around my body, my knuckles white as a sliver of panic raced through my heart. What did he mean? Griffon turned around, went to the side table, to the papers he’d been looking through last night. He shuffled through them, then tossed one onto the bed in front of me. I’m canceling our contract. You’re laid off. I felt the blood drain from my face, and my heart stopped for minute. Fired not we’re breaking up? Regardless of how our relationship had started, regardless of how I’d come to feel about him, I knew this day would come. Because in reality, we had no “relationship”. We were employer and employee, and I served only one purpose for Griffon. Nonetheless, his words stung. I’d never expected that he would end things so abruptly. I’d thought I’d have more time. Sure, I’d expected his typical unemotional coldness, but this was beyond that. After being with him for five years, he gave me no reason or explanation. He didn’t think I deserved that, and it was painful to think about. Suppressing the sharp pain in my heart, I slowly raised my head from staring at the document on the bed and gazed at Griffon. Enough time had passed with my being frozen by his words that he was now fully dressed in his typical dark suit. “But…the contract will expire in six months. Can’t we wait for a little longer?” My voice was partially pleading, and I struggled to keep it from cracking. The doctor said I only had three months left, and the only thing I wanted to stay with the doctor until the end of my life. Griffon remained silent, staring at me with his stoicism and vacant expression, as if he were kicking away a toy he had grown tired of playing with. His silence was all I needed. His decision was final. After five long years of trying, I had failed to thaw Griffon’s frozen heart. It was time to wake up from my illusion. I took the contract and plastered on a fake smile, attempting to feign indifference. “Don’t be so serious. I was just joking.” Then, I added, “I’m glad this is over. I get six months off. How perfect!” Griffon paused as he adjusted his shirt sleeves, then lifted his gaze at me. It took everything in me to make sure there was no sadness in my eyes, to make sure the only emotions he could see were excitement or relief. The absolute last thing I felt. Griffon narrowed his eyes and frowned. “You’re glad it’s over?” I nodded and shrugged one shoulder as if I hadn’t a care in the world. “Yup. I’m not the little girl I was when I agreed to this. It’s time for me to get married and have children. I can’t always be your contract lover, can I?” Inside, I laughed at myself. It was impossible for me to get married or have children, but I’d be damned if I ever let Griffon know that. I would leave with dignity and grace. I forced another smile and asked, “Does that mean I can finally have a normal boyfriend once I leave here?” Griffon’s eyes were filled with deep and unidentifiable emotions. After staring at me for a while, he looked at his watch and turned to leave. “Do whatever you want.” Looking at his back as he turned and walked away, my smile faded. Griffon hated it when other people touched his things, including his woman. His wolf would push through, his eyes flashing amber and his claws coming out. But this time, there were no reactions. He truly was done with me. Chapter 2 Unimaginable Hope After Griffon left, his assistant walked in .Andre handed a morning-after pill to me and said respectfully, Ms. Palmer, please take it as usual. ”Griffon would never allow me to get pregnant. Not only was I just his contracted lover, I wasn’t even a wolf shifter. I’d always grown up around wolves, and had spent time in the shifter orphanage, but I never phased into a wolf at puberty. No one knew where I came from, though the assumption had always been that at least one of my parents had to have been a shifter in order for me to be dropped off at the shifter orphanage. Staring at the small pill in the palm of my hand, my heart started to hurt even more. I wasn’t sure if the pain was caused by my heart failure or Griffon’s cruelty, but regardless, it was so intense that I struggled to take a breath. “Ms. Palmer…”When I didn’t immediately take the pill, Andre urged me along with a nervous expression. He was probably afraid that I would caused trouble since it had been my last night with Griffon. I swallowed through the pain in my chest and tossed the pill in my mouth. I didn’t even bother with water, forcing it to dry. Andre let out a sigh of relief, then took the apartment and checked his briefcase and placed them in front of me. “Ms. Palmer, this is Mr. Knight’s compensation for you. In fact addition to the real estate and cars, he had also placed five million dollars in your account.” How generous. Too bad, he never knew what I truly wanted. “I don’t want it.” I set my mouth in a grim line and shook my head. Andre was stunned and confused. “Do you think it’s not enough?” My heart shattered beyond what I’d thought possible. Even Andre thought I was doing it for the money. It was too much. So much money, plus an apartment and a luxury car. Was he afraid I would ask him again for more money in the future? I picked up the bag beside me with a bitter smile, took out a debit card, and handed it to Andre. “This is all the money. Griffon paid me over the years. I never spent a single penny, and I don’t want it. The pin is his birthday. ”Andre was dumbfounded, a confused look making his brows furrow. I didn’t care whether he believed me or not. I placed the card on the pile of documents. Then I left the penthouse without another word. Winter was cold in Arcadia. I walked down the empty street, alone and shivering. The shadow of my thin figure was cast on the ground by the streetlight, gaunt and fragile. I tightened my beige coat, gritted my teeth, and walked back to my apartment in my high heels. I pushed the door open. It was huge inside, taking up an entire floor. Despite the warmth inside and the luxurious decor, the apartment couldn’t dispel the chill that flooded me. I sat on the sofa, staring blankly at my surroundings for a moment. Then I began to pack. Griffon had purchased this apartment for me to live in so that I would be close to his penthouse, able to rush over at a moment’s notice. I had loved that he wanted me close by, wishing and praying to the goddess above that somehow it meant more than what it really did. Since he didn’t want me anymore, I didn’t want anything that came from him. Taking out my suitcase, I opened the closet and pulled out all of my clothes. I hadn’t brought many things with me, and it didn’t take me long to pack up everything and leave. I packed quickly and efficiently, with no outward emotion, nothing like the girl from five years ago. The desperate, crying girl who’d begged Griffon to purchase my virginity. After getting into the car, I sent a text message to Andre. The key code for the Hudson Apartment is 0826. Andre returned to the Knight Pack headquarters, handed the documents to Griffon, and told him what Taya said with an indifferent gaze, Griffon glanced at the items on his desk. His stoical gaze fixed on the debit card. “You checked the balance?” “Yes, Alpha.” “Is there additional money in there?” “Yes, Alpha.” Andre nodded. The exact amount Griffon had paid Taya for her virginity. Griffon frowned, and Andre heard his wolf rumbling. After a moment of staring at the card, he stretched out his hand, picked up the piece of plastic, and snapped it in half, his claws starting to extend. He pushed the pile of documents toward Andre, his fingers curled and starting to crumple the papers. He was clearly resisting his wolf’s urge to shred them. “Get rid of it then. ”Andre opened his mouth and wanted to say something nice, forget Taya, but the Alpha had already turned away and was looking at his phone, a snarl on his face. He knew better than to speak when his Alpha was like this, so he picked up the pile of documents and left the office. I took my suitcase to my best friend Harper Duke’s. I gently knocked on the door and waited. Harper had grown up with me in the same orphanage, and we were like sisters. Except Harper had her wolf. “If anything happens, come home,” Harper had said when Griffon took me away five years ago. It was because of Harper that I could leave everything from Griffon behind. As soon as Harper opened the door, a broad smile appeared on her face when she saw me.“What are you doing here?” I tightened my grip on the suitcase. “I need a place to crash,” I said quietly. Only then did Harper see the suitcase, and the smile on her face disappeared, a look of worry replacing it.“What’s wrong?” “I just broke up with him.” I forced a smile to hide my pain.Harper looked closely at me and saw past my pretense in a matter of seconds. Her eyes narrowed, then she frowned. I knew how I looked. I was thin and pale, my eyes sunken. Harper hugged me tightly. “Don’t worry. I’m here for you.” I couldn’t help but tear up at her words. I hugged Harper and patted her gently on the back. “I’m fine. Don’t worry.” Harper knew how much I liked Griffon, how much more I wanted the powerful, distant Alpha. We shared everything. Over the past five years, I had worked hard to earn the amount Griffon had paid me, so I could give it back to him. I was so naive and innocent, I believed that if I returned the money, his feelings for me would change. Maybe then we could be something more than just “employer and employee.” But I couldn’t have been more wrong. Harper remembered that rainy night five years ago just as I did. If it weren’t for Silas Johnson, I wouldn’t have met Griffon. If the accident never happened, I could have had a happy life. I didn’t want to burden Harper with my sorrow. After gently pulling back from the hug, I smiled and said, “Girlie, aren’t you going to let me in? It’s freezing out here!” I stood there, forcing myself to believe that I would soon recover from this. For orphans like us, who had no one to rely on, being abandoned was just another day, right? Harper took my suitcase and led me into the house. “You don’t need a place to crash. This is your home, too.” After that, she turned around, fetched clean pajamas, and handed them to me. “Go take a shower. I’ll make you something to eat, and you can get some sleep. Don’t think about anything else, okay?” “Okay.” I took the pajamas and nodded. Harper had always been like this. She was unconditionally good to me, like a beam of light that sliced through the darkness. Most other people didn’t know what to do with me. I lived in a gray area…raised by wolves yet not a she-wolf. It was a pity that I suffered from terminal heart failure, and my life was soon coming to an end. Had I been blessed by the goddess with my wolf, there would be other options, other treatments. But with no wolf to help me heal… If Harper found out that I was going to die soon, she would be devastated. And the last thing I wanted to do was burden her with that knowledge. I gazed at the busy figure in the kitchen and slowly walked over. “I want to quit my job.” Harper nodded in agreement and said, “You should. You’ve been working so hard for so long. God, you must be exhausted. Quit your job and take some time to yourself. Don’t worry about anything; I’ve got your back.” I wrapped my arms around my best friend and squeezed her tightly, filled with too many emotions to verbalize them. Then, I turned around and went to the bathroom with tears in my eyes. Fate had never favored me. If Harper and I were meant to be apart, I should use the last three months of my life to be with her. To be with someone who truly loved me. The next morning, I applied makeup to conceal my pale face and lips and went into the office to quit my job. Just as I sat down and was about to turn on the computer to write my resignation letter, my colleague Brielle came over. “Have you seen the email?” I shook my head. I’d spent the whole weekend in Griffon’s penthouse; I hadn’t had time for anything else other than him and…recovering from him. “Lila sent a letter saying that Elder Thorns' daughter is taking over today,” Brielle said. I had no impression of the elder daughter , so I wasn’t interested. Plus, I was about to quit anyway. Brielle, on the other hand, was very intrigued. “I heard she had just returned from studying abroad in one of the European pack cities, so she doesn’t have much work experience with pack politics and business. Is she even qualified?” Another colleague, Margaret, sneered and said, “Who would dare question her? She’s the long-lost love of Alpha Knight.” Chapter 3 Heartbreak And Secret Oh em gee, REALLY? Brielle’s jaw hung open in shock. She pulled Margaret close and whispered excitedly, “Didn’t you say that Alpha Knight wasn’t interested in women? Sounds like he might have a secret love! And she’s the future head of our firm!?” Margaret patted Brielle’s hand with a smile. “You really should try to be more informed about these things, Brielle. How can you work here and not know all this hot gossip? Our jobs literally revolve around pack politics.” “Well, come on, hurry and tell me now. I’m all ears!” Brielle said, tugging at Margaret’s sleeve. Margaret lowered her voice. “Alpha Knight and Elder Thorin’s daughter were childhood sweethearts. Rumor has it, Alpha asked her to be his Luna five years ago. But she turned him down to focus on her studies, said she didn’t want the responsibility of that, so they split up. They haven’t spoken since. But as soon as Ms. Thorin returned to the country, Alpha Knight personally went to the airport to pick her up. That’s enough to prove that he still has strong feelings for her.” Brielle covered her mouth, her big, round eyes wide. “Oh my god! It’s like the perfect romance!” My heart spasmed, and misery spread through me. So, the truth was that Griffon had terminated our contract early because his long-lost love-his real love-had come back. But if he was already in love with someone, why did he force me to sign a contract to continue our “relationship” after sleeping with me only once? And whenever he touched me, he went so crazy that he couldn’t control his wolf. He was unable to keep his hands off me, and we’d spend hours and hours in bed. Those weren’t the actions of a man who didn’t want someone. Just as I was about to ask Margaret where she’d heard this, the elevator opened with a ding. The executive assistant to the head of the firm, Lila, and several department managers walked out first. Right after, a man with a face and body carved and chiseled by the goddess herself walked out. He seemed almost unreal, like he’d stepped out of an oil painting, a mix of power, refinement, and indifference, always keeping a distance from others. Unlike other Alphas who were warm and friendly while maintaining their position of authority, this Alpha was aloof, Stoic…unattainable. I would recognize him anywhere. Lila gestured to the shifters who’d stepped off the elevator. Alpha Knight, Ms. Thorin, this way, please.” Why is he here? I thought, watching Griffon turn and offer his hand to someone in the elevator. Then, a delicate, fair hand was placed in his, and a woman stepped out. The moment I saw her face, I understood why Griffon bought me for the night and drew up that contract five years ago. Except for a few minor differences, I had almost the same face as Griffon’s former lover, the woman he’d wanted to make. His Luna. I used to think Griffon would return my feelings one day and love me for who I was, although I had no wolf and could never truly be his Luna, but now I knew… I was only a temporary substitute. My chest tightened almost to the point I couldn’t breathe, and pain swept through my body, turning my face pale even despite the makeup I wore. Brielle immediately asked with concern, “Taya? What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick? I shook my head, and before Brielle could say anything else, Lila led Griffon and Ms. Thorin over. I quickly lowered my eyes and didn’t dare look Griffon or the woman in the eye. I couldn’t stop my hands from trembling on. The keyboard, as Lila introduced them. The assistants here are available to help you with anything you need, Ms. Thorin.” Ms. Thorin nodded, looked at us, and said softly, “Good Morning, everyone. My name is Tara Thorin. Starting today, I’ll be the new CEO of the Midwest Packs Association.” Tara… I couldn’t seem to get enough air into my lungs, and I felt lightheaded. Memories started flooding back of me and Griffon, our bodies writhing and entwined in bed. Every time, he’d softly call out my name. So softly I could barely hear it. Only now did I realize that he wasn’t calling out to me, but to Tara… I clenched my fists. My long nails dug into my flesh, but I felt no pain. Suffocating feelings of humiliation and abandonment overwhelmed me, and I couldn’t fight back the tears. I was so stupid to have fallen in love with Griffon, the wolf who would never love me back. After exchanging pleasantries, Tara took Griffon’s arm and followed Lila to the CEO’s office. Brielle craned her neck and looked at their backs with envy. “Alpha Knight personally picked her up and escorted her into the office on her first day of work? That HAS to mean he still loves her!” Margaret patted her shoulder and said, “It’s not just that. She’s only just returned to the country, and she’s already taking over as CEO. The rest of the elderly may not be completely convinced she’s up to the task. By personally escorting her on her first day, Alpha Knight is warning everyone that she has the backing of the Knight Pack.” “He’s so quick to show his love and support for her. Alpha Knight really is the perfect mate.” Brielle sighed. Margaret’s eyes were also full of jealousy. “If she weren’t Elder Thorin’s daughter, she wouldn’t have been chosen by the most powerful Alpha in the Midwest Packs,” she said. Brielle shook her head disapprovingly. “I don’t think so. Ms. Thorin is accomplished, too. She’s highly educated and refined, and she's obviously beautiful. She’ll make a perfect Luna for him. Speaking of her looks…” Brielle looked at me. “Taya… don’t you think you look kind of similar to our new CEO?” Margaret came over to take a closer look. “Goddess. You do look a bit like her, Taya. But honestly, I think you’re way prettier!”“Don’t be ridiculous, I said abruptly, and then I got up and went to the bathroom. I heard Brielle behind me. “What’s up with her?” Margaret chimed in. “Maybe she’s jealous because she thinks Tara is so much luckier than her, even though they practically have the same face. After all, Tara is a true she-wolf.” Mortification washed over me at her words, and I walked faster. I entered the bathroom and quickly took out my heart medication, turning on the faucet and scooping up a handful of water to swallow it down. After calming down for a few long moments, I splashed my face with cold water and looked up at my reflection. It was clear that illness was ravaging my body; my cheeks were sunken, my skin dull. But Tara… While I was in a daze, the bathroom door opened, and in came Tara, her high heels clicking with each step. Her face was soft and delicate, with a rosy glow, and she exuded an effortless elegance.It was like Brielle said. She wasn’t just beautiful. She was Educated, classy, successful… The perfect she-wolf who would make the perfect Luna. Everything that I wasn’t. When her eyes met mine, inferiority pierced through me. I quickly lowered my head, pulled out a tissue, and turned to leave. “Wait a minute,” Tara called out. 👉To continue reading the story for free, download the app and search📚《The Billionaire Alpha Contract Lover 》. Enjoy Romance Now🥰	LEARN_MORE	https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4	Wonderful novel	https://www.facebook.com/61561928424575/	1,931	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	page.joyreadings.com	VIDEO		https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4.html?lang=en&id=7447&brand=2&app=0&ppid=3766&pid=FBW2A&utm_source=FBW2A&utm_medium={{placement}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_term={{adset.id}}&utm_content={{ad.id}}&badid={ad.id}&pixel_id=816574679413893&ori_campaign_id=120218665123970439&ori_adset_id=120218665124200439&ori_ad_id=120218665129060439	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481504982_1275064980454323_3099053707385055249_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7yNpKZe-KtoQ7kNvgGUn6J7&_nc_oc=AdgG76IDwxiNkvf1PwLxN4nurroIa-VKZt-O4YcEWFL-GxC9UEOuzamUSLuscqJNnCLF_mbDoMESOTS02RQ4UkOY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AGI8z4r8EpAMuf8La0eqBfa&oh=00_AYBFpTIHkOPqSIDgwkoiQlzaxftoo92zFIjlJ9bpQVm74g&oe=67CB931D	PERSON_PROFILE	Wonderful novel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,746,254	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2746215}'	Yes	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	🔞🔥Click to Read more about📜Captive of my mafia crush📜	💖🔞💋I worked as a stri*pper to help pay my boyfriend's debts and cover our rent, but he despised my profession and said it was disgusting and impure. Worse, he sold me to the mob and told them I was a vir-gin to increase my value. I was bought at the auction and the buyer was no other than my brother's best friend, and also my childhood crush. Him: My little one, I would never take my eyes off you. ----- "I don’t like the idea of my girl stripping, Iris,” my boyfriend Steven says, glaring at me with his arms crossed. “It’s disgusting and impure. And I need my girl to be pure.” Steven is my college sweetheart – we’ve been dating for nine months, even though he’s graduated. He's very disciplined and reserved, the son of a pastor, though he’s very good to me. He's always stressed that we'll wait until the night of our wedding to be intimate, which makes me feel so respected and safe. On top of that, he's made millions of dollars trading cryptocurrencies. As someone who grew up with nothing, that financial security makes me feel so protected. He’s the most generous and intelligent guy I'd ever met and I’m so lucky to be with him. "Steven,” I reply, “I swear to god I would never do anything to betray you at the club – I just dance." I kiss his cheek. "But I'm running late, and we need to pay rent. Everything will be fine." Lately Steven's tied up his money in some crypto investments. To ensure the best returns, he’s invested everything he has and is staying with me for the moment. He’s been working so hard for the last month, but it’s taking a toll on him. He rarely takes phone calls, doesn’t really leave our place, and he drinks more alcohol than he used to to calm his nerves as he stares at his computer almost all day long. So, I took up a couple shifts at the strip club to cover us in the meantime. I am a university student in hotel management, but dancing is in my nature - at first it was a weight loss goal as a teenager, then it was a way to hold on to thoughts of my mom, and then it became part of who I am. Unfortunately, there’s no money in cltootshieical ballet, my favorite. So, even though it wasn't what Steven wanted, I took a part-time gig at a strip club and I give Steven my salary to help with his business. Being an exotic dancer wasn’t my first choice either, but if I can make money from idiots who want to shove their hard-earned dollars into my g-string? I don’t see any shame in that. Eventually I convinced Steven that this is true – my dancing is just an investment in his company. I am glad he’s letting me help – I just want to do whatever I can to get our life started. I arrive at the club at 8:00 on the dot, smiling at Pete, my manager, who gives me a nod. The music pounds through the low-lit club and I note that it’s busier than usual tonight. Some of the other dancers wave to me and I wave back, but I make a beeline right for Anthony, who’s already got a big smile on his face just for me. “Hey cutie,” he says, pulling me close as I slip behind the bar and wrap my arms around his waist. “Hey gorgeous,” I say, laughing up at him. Anthony – he is gorgeous, but alas, my heart belongs to Steven. And even if it didn’t, Anthony is as gay as a purple handbag. Still, he’s my best friend here, and I love when his bartending shift overlaps with my dancing. “What’s going on tonight?” I ask as he slings an arm around my shoulders. There’s a busy, exciting vibe and the dancers all have on their flashiest outfits, their best perfume. “Nothing escapes you, does it, baby?” Anthony replies, I grin at the compliment. “Rumor has it big shots are coming in – mob guys, the real deal. Some are saying that the Mafia King is going to make an appearance.” “Whoa,” I say, my eyes going wide. “Seriously? Isn’t he…dangerous?” “Only if you go against him,” Anthony says with a shrug. “I heard he took out his own brother,” I whisper, leaning close to Anthony and looking around anxiously, like he’s already here. “That he’s completely ruthless –“ Anthony just laughs, shaking his head. “Iris, just don’t do anything to piss him off. For us? The presence of the Mafia King in our club just means money,” he says, grinning. “So, I’ll finally be able to afford that Botox I’ve been dreaming about, and you can hand your tootshiehole boyfriend an even bigger check than you usually do!” “Shut up,” I say, scowling and smacking my friend half-heartedly on the chest. Anthony, like Emi, isn’t Steven’s biggest fan. “I won’t get any of the money anyway,” I sigh. “Pete never puts me in the VIP room on nights like this.” “Because you,” Anthony says, teasing me, “only like to shake your little booty – you’re never willing to let anyone touch it –“ “Ew!” I wrinkle my nose at Anthony even as I push away, laughing and hoisting my bag higher on my shoulders. “I’m not letting some old mafia lech touch me for a couple of extra bucks –“ “For how much these guys are going to drop?” Anthony says, raising an eyebrow at me. “heck, I’ll let them touch me.” Laughing again, I wave over my shoulder and head for the dressing room. Anthony calls after me, wishing me luck. I blow him a kiss as I move through the curtain. It’s always better working here on nights like this, when everyone’s in a good mood, even if I am anxious about the prospect of the Mafia King being here. I mean, he’s been all over the news, and where he goes? Violence seems, inevitably, to follow. The good mood in the room completely changes all of a sudden when Lily – our top dancer – gives a little moan and collapses to the floor. Our manager Pete is through the curtain a minute later with some of our bouncers, who pick Lily up and carry her to the back. Pete’s pissed though. He spins, looking around the room with his arms crossed “You!” he says suddenly, pointing at me. My eyes go wide. “Irene! Come here!” “Iris,” I correct, and then I bite my lip with anxiety when Pete rolls his eyes like it doesn’t matter and beckons me closer. “You’re going into VIP for Lily tonight,” he snaps. His eyes flick over me. “And I don’t want to hear any of your bulldang about just being a dancer, all right? ” He spins me around, shoving me towards the door. “Now get out there and remember what I said - the only answer you have for these mafia bosses is yes.” My legs shake as I walk towards the curtain. .............................................................................. “Welcome to the stage…Bambi!” The DJ says, using my stage name. Dancing comes naturally to me – music has always made me feel at home in my body, and when the music is sexy? Well, then I feel sexy too. I whip my hair back at the crescendo of the music, my eyes moving directly to the man in the money seat directly in front of me, who paid a great deal to be there. As I move my body in slow, sultry ways, the spotlight is on me, which means that I can’t see the details of the VIP’s face. But even without specifics, I can tell that this is the most important man in the room. He just radiates power. My breath hitches when I look over the powerful lines of his muscled silhouette. If the Mafia King is here, this is definitely him. He looks like a man who belongs in the shadows, and even though there are other men here, I feel like I’m dancing just for him. The Mafia King’s eyes are fastened on me as I get my six-inch heels beneath my body and slowly raise myself into the air tootshie-first. I let him get a good look at every bit of me before I smirk, and turn, and move to the pole. Am I imagining it in the darkness? Or is there something…familiar about the way he watches me? I let the thought fade, concentrating instead on pulling out all my best tricks. And as I hook my leg around the pole, spinning myself and letting my hair flare out wide, I see that these tricks are working tonight. Shouts and whistles begin, and the Mafia King leans forward to lay a stack of bills on the stage in front of him. I almost stutter to a stop. Seriously? That much cash, this early in my dance? He leans back in his chair, raising a dark eyebrow at me, inviting me to show him more. So, I do. I pick up my pace, arching my back as I spin around the pole, climbing up it and sliding slowly down. As my song ends I’m excited to see that there’s quite a bit more money on top of the pile. “Thanks,” I murmur, crawling across the last bit of stage towards him. “I’m glad you liked my dance.” There really is something familiar about his blue-grey eyes… I reach for the stacks, but suddenly a meaty hand slams another pile of money down next to it, startling me. “Double what he’s put down, honey,” the man grinds out, leering, “and I’ll take you in the back for a private dance.” “Sorry,” I say, casting my lashes down. “I’m just a stage girl.” I know Pete said to give these guys whatever they wanted, but I’m really not comfortable touching anyone. “Oh, come on,” the man says, grabbing my chin with his thick fingers and pulling my face up. The Mafia King is immediately on his feet. “Pretty tart like you? I bet you can do more than just dance –“ I gasp, pulling my face from his hands as I slide off the edge of the stage, wanting to get away from him as soon as possible. “I said,” the man growls, grabbing me and slapping me in the face with the handful of bills, “that I want you, you little tart. And I’m willing to pay for it, so you’d better screwing –“ I shriek, trying to push away from the man, but he’s so much bigger than me! Suddenly the man shouts and falls away, his grip making me stumble forward. When I find my feet, my eyes go wide to see the Mafia King straightening up, blood on his knuckles. The man who grabbed me - he’s laying on the floor and there’s blood pouring from his mouth. “Oh my god,” I gasp. “Get him out of here!” the Mafia King shouts over to the bouncers, and then he pulls a handkerchief from his pocket as he turns to glare at me, wiping off his hand. I flinch back a step, surprised by the venom in his eyes. “Here,” the Mafia King says, dropping my arm and lifting his stack of bills off the stage alongside the two stacks. “Take it, get out of here.” “Wha…” I breathe as he shoves the money into my hands. “But I…” “Trust me, Bambi,” he says, his voice dry. “You earned it. Now screwing go.” He turns away, putting himself between me and the bouncers, and I turn and run for the bar, ducking behind it. Anthony gapes at me. “Are you all right!?” “Anthony…” I whisper, holding up the piles of cash in my hands, staring at them in awe. “Holy dang Iris!” Anthony whispers, stepping closer and staring at the money. “Look at all that screwing cheddar! For a dance!?” “I know!” I squeak, “this is going to get us so close to paying off the debt –“ Anthony groans, wiping a hand down his face. “What?” I ask, frowning up at him. “I just wish you’d spend it on yourself, Iris, instead of that deadbeat.” “Anthony,” I sigh, my shoulders slumping. “I’m not explaining this to you again.” He rolls his eyes as I sit down on the little stool at the back of the bar. I always hang out with Anthony after my dances, but if he’s going to be mean I’ll just quietly count my cash. While I do, I mentally compose an email that I’ll send to my old friend Christian later. Christian – he would understand. He was my brother’s best friend growing up. Even though he only saw me as a little sister, he always understood me more than anyone else. Plus, he called me Daisy, and I just loved that. I stayed in touch with Christian after he moved away suddenly – but he never replied. And even though I’m sure he doesn’t read my emails…well, I keep up the habit for fun. Inwardly, I debate how to tell Christian about my night. I want to tell him about my triumph – I’ve always wanted Christian to be proud of me. But I do fudge the truth a little in my emails. For instance, I write that I’m a company dancer, which is true… I just don’t mention that my style of dance is exotic, not ballet anymore. I smirk a little, excited to tell Christian that I impressed a powerful client and got a big bonus. But how would he feel, really, if I told him that the client was the Mafia king? I sigh, thinking that Christian probably wouldn’t be happy. He always wanted me to be safe, and dancing for the Mafia King? I’m sure Christian wouldn’t approve. I’m halfway through deciding precisely how to word my email when I hear my name. “Is that Iris?” Two men peer around the edge of the bar. Anthony steps in front of me as I shy away. How did they know my real name? I always go by Bambi here. “Who’s asking?” Anthony asks, wary. “None of your business,” the taller of the brutes says, shoving Anthony aside and stepping forward, looming over me. “Hand over that cash, little girl. You’ve been sold - you work for Don Bonetti now.” My jaw drops almost to the floor. .............................................................................. I stare at the two men in shock, clutching the money to my chest. “What – what the heck are you talking about!?” “Your little boyfriend,” the smaller guy says, sneering and pushing Anthony away when he tries to get to my side. “He sold you to Don Bonetti as part of his debt.“ “What!?” I shout, jumping to my feet. The cat house!? They’re trying to make me work as a prostitute!? I stumble backwards, my back pressing into the countertop at the back of the bar. “There must be some mistake – you have the wrong girl –“ “No, we don’t,” the first guy says, reaching out and grabbing my arm. “Iris Scott? Yeah, your boyfriend Steven showed us a picture. We knew you the second you stepped on stage.” He leans closer now, leering into my face. “We also know where you go to school, and where your best friend lives – so don’t even try to escape.” “Here,” the second guy says, shoving a phone towards me, the video already playing. My attention is immediately fastened on the screen, because I recognize the voice I hear. I gasp, realizing that it’s Steven. I lean forward, staring at the video, which shows Steven sitting on the couch. He’s crying, a gun pointed at him, and he’s begging the two men standing before him – telling them to take whatever they want, he just needs more time. My eyes go wide when I hear the next words spill from his mouth, because he offers them me. Steven tells them everything that I’m a stripper and where I work. When he tells them how much money I bring in every month, their eyebrows go up. One of the mobsters on the screen makes a phone call – maybe confirming the details? I don’t know. In the video, Steven babbles on, revealing information that shocks me to the core. Steven's entrepreneurial ventures are all a façade. He was secretly performing some backdoor accounting for the mafia. But he embezzled the mafia funds, thinking he could buy and sell crypto without them noticing and keep the profits for himself! Suddenly, everything makes sense - Steven insisting we get a new apartment really fast, Steven staying inside all the time, Steven drinking more, Steven allowing me to earn money to pay off his debt while he stays in the house staring at the computer all day... “She’s – she’s a virgin too!” Steven stumbles out in the video, his eyes frantic. “That will be worth more, won’t it? You can like – action off her v-card to the highest bidder!” I blush and an angry huff of air falls from my lips, not only because that’s a lie but because my boyfriend is actually trying to sweeten the pot! Not only is Steven not fighting for me - he’s trying to get more out of the deal by convincing these mobsters that I’m worth more! In the video, the mobster gets off the phone and nods to the guy with the gun. Then all three agree to the deal. Me – all of me, forever, to do whatever they want with – for half of Steven’s debt. I go pale at that, because either Steven has sold me for a couple of grand, or he is way, way more in debt than I thought he was. “That’s enough,” the smaller man in front of me snaps, ripping the phone away as the big guy grabs me by the shoulders. “You’re coming with us, pretty girl. Time to get to work.” “Get your hands off me!” I shout, trying to kick, to rip free – anything. “It’s the twenty-first century! You can’t just buy girls from their boyfriends! This is ridic-“ I shriek, pushing hard at his chest. The big man glances at the smaller man when he sees that I’m frantic, that I won’t go peacefully. “Get the rabble bag on the phone.” Suddenly Steven’s Facetime is flashing before me. “Steven!” I gasp as his face appears on the screen. “What’s – what’s happening!? Tell these guys to get off of me! I –“ “Iris,” Steven sighs, but a nasty little sneer in his voice steals my voice. I go perfectly still, staring at him. “I told you I didn’t want your dirty money anyway – but you insisted. You dug your own grave with this one.” My blood runs absolutely cold, wiping out even the fear from my veins. “Tell them to get their hands off me, Steven,” I growl, glaring at him. “If you don’t want my dirty money, fine, but I am not paying another dang cent to your dirty debt –“ “Why don’t you go cry to that ‘old friend’ you’re always emailing,” Steven snaps, his voice nasty. “He’ll get you out of it, won’t he?” He leans forward to the camera. My jaw drops open because – I mean, I have told Steven so much about how my childhood friendship with Christian means to me, how much I miss him. But I never expected him to throw it in my face like this. “Just as I thought,” Steven says, rolling his eyes. “You’re just a tart, Iris. Always mooning on about your childhood crush, more dedicated to a memory than to me. If you really did love me, you’d go with these guys willingly to help me pay of this debt! Guess that was a lie too. I always knew you were a hooker – that you worked at that strip club because you like getting these rabble bags off –“ “Shut your god dang mouth, Steven,” I snap, and to my surprise he does, turning back to the phone to stare at me. Because I never, ever talk to him like that. “At least Christian would never have treated me this way. But I am going to make you pay for this,” I hiss, “if it is the last thing I ever do.” “Yeah, yeah,” the guy holding me says, jerking me away from the phone. “That’s enough – come on, let’s go.” The smaller guy ends the call and the big guy starts to haul me away, but I kick and scream, demanding that they get their dang hands off of me. Suddenly, the sound of a champagne cork pops, and I gasp as champagne sprays over me, dripping down from above. The guy holding my arms shouts and drops me, starting to wipe at his face into which a stream of champagne is flowing – “Oh, I’m so sorry!” Anthony’s voice rings out. “How could this have happened!? I’m so clumsy!” But I don’t have time to look at Anthony, or to try to understand the diversion he set up for me - because the big man has dropped my arms. And I screwing run. .............................................................................. I say a little prayer of thanks to Anthony as I bolt, clutching my money and throwing myself through the curtain at the back of the bar. Behind me I hear shouting and the sound of something that sounds like a fist on flesh – God, I hope Anthony is okay – But there’s no time to worry about him. I hear another shout as I’m halfway down the hall and I suddenly realize that there’s no way I’m getting into the dressing room without those two jerks seeing me if they give chase. So, I make a split decision and grab the knob to the rarely-used closet I know is here, whipping it open and hurling myself in. Suddenly, a sound erupts back in the club.BANG BANG! I gasp, slapping my hands over my ears. God, it sounds like fireworks were lit off inside the club – or like gunshots. Screams erupt in the VIP room, and girls in the dressing room start to shout and panic as well. I gasp, pressing myself deeper into the dark closet, listening to pounding footsteps running up and down the hall as everyone tries to run out. “She must have gone on to the dressing room!” A deep voice shouts just outside the closet door. I bite my lip as hope rushes through me, because that sounded a lot like the big guy. “What the screw are you doing in my club?!” My breath freezes in my chest. My hope is dashed, because that’s Pete, my manager – and he’s stopped right outside the closet door. “Get the screw out of here! This is a respectable joint – you can’t come in here and -“ “Listen, tootshiehole,” the big guy snarls. I can’t help peering through the crack in the door. The big guy grabs Pete by the collar, curling his bicep so that Pete is basically dangling from his fist, his feet scrabbling for purchase on the floor. “We do whatever we want in here, okay?” the big brute snaps, leaning in close to Pete’s face so that it’s sprayed with spittle. I go pale then as mobster pulls a gun out of his suit jacket, pointing it right at Pete’s head. “Now,” he says, his voice dangerous and soft. “You show me where that girl went.” “This way –“ Pete’s voice squeaks, his face turning red with fear and lack of air. “I’ll show you –“ Silently, I curse Pete for being a traitor like Steven – though honestly, with a gun to his head, I’m not sure that’s entirely fair. The big guy lowers Pete, and Pete darts forward, leading him to the dressing room. I shriek suddenly, my head flying up as I hear two more gunshots and the door whips open. My eyes are wide with terror as I look, expecting the brute, or his smaller, smarmy friend – But this man – he’s neither of them – he has dark hair that falls into his eyes, and I gasp in surprise when I see that his shirt is covered in blood. “Come on, Bambi,” the man snaps, his voice dry as he reaches into the closet and tugs me by the wrist, making me stumble forward into the hall. I tripping on something on my way out of the closet and my mouth falls immediately open when I catch a glimpse of a body laying in the doorway to the dressing room, blood all around its head – I can’t fully see at this distance, but I gasp because I’d swear it’s the big brute, the one who was chasing me. But before I can even look any closer the man tugs me up straight before his shoulder hits me in the stomach and I am lifted up into the air over it, hoisted high as he wraps his arm around the back of my thighs. He holds me tight as he starts to stride back towards the club. “Let me down!” I shout, pounding on his back as best I can with my hands still full of my cash. He just shakes me, frustrated, trying to get me to shut up and stop moving as he strides the length of the club, where patrons and dancers are shouting, fleeing for the doors. I shout along with them, my words mingling with theirs, but this man completely ignores me. My cries are frantic as I continue to pound on his man’s back – who is he!? Does he work for the Mafia Don who bought me – is he taking me to the tart house!? I struggle and kick, but I go absolutely still with shock when the man spanks me hard on my mostly-bare tootshie with the flat of his palm. “Stay still, Bambi,” he orders, laughing, his voice cold. “You’re making this way harder than it needs to be.” I’m still gaping in shock as he carries me right out the front door. I turn my head in both directions, trying to see where he’s taking me, and a black SUV skids to a stop immediately in front of the club. The man carrying me doesn’t break his stride, instead carrying me around the car and wrenching the back door open to toss me bodily inside. He slams the door shut behind me and I pant, my head spinning with anxiety. But I gasp again when I hear someone clear their throat, pressing myself back against the car door when I realize that there is already someone sitting in the dark of the back seat. I go perfectly still as my eyes rove over the figure, which as much man as it is predator. Broad-shouldered, the man lounges in apparent ease in the seat across from me, his tall frame corded with muscle, power dripping from every inch of him. Though he sits in darkness, a shaft of light crosses in a streak across his face, revealing those blue eyes that I recognize… My jaw drops open when I realize that…that it’s the Mafia King. Who…who is this man? Why am I in his car? Because…the Mafia King is different from Don Bonetti, who apparently owns me now – in fact, they’re famous rivals. So why… I jump, suddenly, when the front ptootshieenger door wrenches open and the man who carried me leaps in. “Let’s screwing go!” he shouts. “Hit it, Frankie!” My head snaps to the driver – is that Frankie? – who nods and slams his foot down on the gas, the car ripping forward away from the club. I start to shake now, both from the cold outside of the club as well as my fear – Who are these men? What do they want with me? Are they…are they going to make me… “Well, Bambi,” the man on the other side of the car says, bringing my eyes immediately back to him. His voice oddly accents my stage name like he knows it’s fake. “You sure as heck started a lot of trouble for me tonight. We’re going to have to -” But his words are interrupted by a huge crash and my scream as the rear window of the car shatters, the sound of gunshots echoing in the air. .............................................................................. I scream again, covering my head and ducking down as low as I can go, my feet drifting over the back seat and kicking the Mafia King in the thigh – “screwing go, Frankie!” the Mafia King shouts, “they’re on our god dang tail!” “Get down!” the Mafia King shouts, ducking and throwing his body over mine as Frankie pulls the car hard to the right, our tires squealing on the road. I scream then, I think, curl back up into my ball, muttering prayers I haven’t said since I was a kid in Catholic grade school, and which I didn’t really believe then. But now I’m begging anyone who might be out there listening to please, please save my life. The bullets stop, and I feel the Mafia King’s weight lift off of me. I start to raise my own head, but suddenly our whole car wrenches to the side and I can tell, somehow, that we’ve been hit from behind. “screwing turn, Frankie!” the Mafia King shouts, frantic, pulsing more bullets out of the broken window. “I can’t – there’s no place to –“ “Onto 42(nd) street!” the guy in the ptootshieenger seat shouts, his voice frustrated and sharp with fear. “On it!” Frankie shouts now, wrenching the wheel to the side so sharply that the whole car bends to the right – The car turns up on two wheels and I shout in fear as my body slides across the back seat. Lights flash across the windows and horns blare, because Frankie is cutting off a whole line of traffic to make the turn. My shout turns to a scream as I go completely airborne, but suddenly hands snatch me, one grabbing my waist, the other flying to my head and covering my skull the moment before it smacks into the gltootshie of the window – I gasp, my eyes flying open as I’m pulled into the Mafia King’s lap, and as my eyes meet his I realize that if his hand hadn’t been there to take the impact against the gltootshie, my brains would be all over this car right now. I stare into wide-eyed into his face, which is suddenly so close to mine. Our SUV rights itself onto four wheels and flies down the street, weaving madly between traffic. The Mafia King as he curses fluidly, ripping his gaze from mine and towards Frankie. He shakes his hand out to get rid of the pain. “Did we lose them!?” “You tell me, boss!” Frankie calls over his shoulder, and – with me still in his lap – the King twists, looking out the back window. I look too but… All I see are taxis, sedans. No sign of them. “For now,” the King growls, tense. “We’ve lost them for now.” He looks for a few more moments but then his body relaxes, just a little bit. He exhales sharply and turns back to the front of the car. “Brown Street apartment, Frank,” he says, cooler now than he was before. “We’ve got to lay low for a while.” “You got it,” Frankie says, still driving quickly but blending into traffic a little bit more now. After all, nothing screams criminal activity like flying through the city with a broken back window and a kidnapped stripper. It makes sense that they want to blend, now, so that we can disappear. So that we won’t be found by whoever was chasing us, for whatever reason. “Please,” I breathe, my voice shaky – and I surprise myself when I hear the word come from my lips. I said it without thinking. The Mafia King immediately turns his attention to me. “You can – you can have it all –“ I say, gesturing towards the cash scattered all over the back seat now, blowing lightly in the wind coming through the back window. “Just…let me go…” The Mafia King studies me for a long moment and the he smirks. “A third of that money was mine not long ago,” he says, his voice cold, calculating. “And I gave it up readily enough for a dance. What makes you think that that,” he says, nodding to the money on the seat and the floor, “is going to be enough to buy your freedom?” I hesitate, not knowing what the answer should be. “I’ll – I’ll get you more,” I mumble, desperate. “I can work –“ His smirk deepens and he stares at me, starting to shake his head a little, almost in…disbelief? I don’t know – I don’t get it. I can’t read his expression. “Please,” I beg, my voice soft as my eyes fill with tears. “Please don’t give me to Don Bonetti…don’t sell me to the cat house…” The Mafia King’s arm tightens around me as his face falls with sadness, pity even. And suddenly he’s cradling me against him, raising his hand and softly running his knuckles down my cheek, staring into my eyes. “Iris,” he murmurs, and I go still when I hear my name on his lips. And suddenly, I remember something. I was too distracted then, but he called me Iris before, didn’t he? After I finished dancing… Is he somehow connected to Bonetti too? “How…” I whisper, shaking my head at him in confusion, “how do you know my name?” “Iris…” he whispers, “don’t you recognize me?” I pull back a little, studying him, taking in the strong line of his lightly stubbled jaw, his straight nose, the blue-grey eyes under dark brows…. And as I stare at him I realize that there really is something familiar about him, especially about his eyes. I’m not just imagining it. But I can’t put together what… “You’re the Mafia King,” I murmur, frowning at him, willing my mind to put the pieces together. Because I’m missing something here, I just know it. “Yes, and?” he says, raising an eyebrow at me in a way that strikes some sort of memory. How – how the heck did I know he was going to raise his eyebrow like that? “And you…kidnapped me? To get…revenge? On Bonetti? Or because I saw someone get shot? Or…” He smiles at me, more broadly now, letting his eyes flick over my features. “I kidnapped you to protect you, Daisy.” My eyes widen as I hear my childhood nickname on his lips and everything snaps into place. Memories come flooding back to me in an instant. Late-summer twilights spent running through the back fields with the boy who called me Daisy, after my favorite flower. Sneaking out at midnight with my brother to go to the house next door, to play board games until dawn with the boy who lived there – where he taught me to play poker. A thousand winter afternoons building snow forts with my brother and with his laughing, blue-eyed best friend… “Christian,” I breathe, my fingers curling in the fabric of his shirt. I stare at him unblinking, like he’ll disappear if I take my eyes off him for a second – like I’ll lose him again, forever this time. “Hey, my little one,” he murmurs, softly stroking my cheek. “I will never take my eyes off you. ”	LEARN_MORE	https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/srbxz4zw5	Lereader-Perfect Novel	https://www.facebook.com/61550076675613/	692	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	www.novel-oasis.com	VIDEO		https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/srbxz4zw5zy02jil3f2la2f3?ad_id={{ad.id}}&sid=120218211200590653&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481673103_3875687179321240_2113879440035173904_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=O0OL19kb2ukQ7kNvgFCwT6p&_nc_oc=AdiHS9Dtwp2EeKJ-6Luy_T1agCTXpRqKDCwNz1o5f_NoTx9_onYu9LfYiBiMkPodFmEvNPOzHvxYbajTxWUz6Vg8&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AkLBj3yZTD6Qm9KMbkTSED4&oh=00_AYAQ9qi6uzHU72f6bvwbu0gPzzRhy4_PJPZ3aX4tbwkjvw&oe=67CB9C3A	PERSON_PROFILE	Lereader-Perfect Novel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,745,732	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2745735}'	Yes	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Ask an Expert	Neglecting your hearing health comes at a cost. Let’s walk through your benefits together.	LEARN_MORE	https://www.audibelogden.com/hear/insurance/	Audibel Hearing Center	https://www.facebook.com/AudibelRiverdale/	68	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	audibelogden.com	DCO	Book a free consultation.	https://www.audibelogden.com/hear/insurance/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/477248988_661933566266214_3395435549131572122_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LXxbjWyeyLoQ7kNvgGOSrnn&_nc_oc=Adjv433riJllS7b4yNVgMsVFj9Qb7DujLP-CRcaeBm69_QxFhiGJcFe9RVcMJOU6DWY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A00gm4Lc1p2rKmXpd0zykQf&oh=00_AYBGrgiI0ovaG_aw90bSvZiEqdIRgygyJeJCe15gTsVkmw&oe=67CBAB56	PERSON_PROFILE	Audibel Hearing Center	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,746,787	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2746590}'	Yes	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Formula 82S		SHOP_NOW	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CPKLC7R?maas=maas_adg	Hair Science	https://www.facebook.com/hairscience/	1,144	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	amazon.com	CAROUSEL		https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CPKLC7R?maas=maas_adg_343CFBC1A61AB4B7FB54906DF00B3FAE_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481174093_10009133655766924_2627301604547122098_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0u49TwSDbEoQ7kNvgHeixTk&_nc_oc=Adgi89LXx9nSSHgqIbmBlXHP4IxzPwvtQDEkkjgQsbHHs-xZsqQgDUZqCetweWZRRtgXjzUKflDOzRnJIa_irmod&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A75hBB2zYIueamuVh9oBXvs&oh=00_AYAUQPqzzStVAPu0h-i7cirQ6Jim9poZ7gD6xHfen8vDgg&oe=67CB950C	PERSON_PROFILE	Hair Science	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,745,689	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758			SHOP_NOW	https://siratimustakim.net/xh36a.html	Gëry Gäny-Øficial	https://www.facebook.com/61552920967119/	9	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop now	siratimustakim.net	VIDEO		https://siratimustakim.net/xh36a.html	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481276916_613992701266938_1301260674473398835_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hsc4mFCeu6EQ7kNvgEMWTW6&_nc_oc=Adh_CKqi2P9LbI5kje1sDv-ILfIruXQj-58EB8e7RouS_yqAWxqwDJCVHB4b57v7yjA&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=APhVc9s0_mC3ZZIw9WxT9wK&oh=00_AYC_WYlJRmo_kgEOQSVGiaYT2G3rpdzd9qJ3f1C0M0ZZaQ&oe=67CB8692	PERSON_PROFILE	Gëry Gäny-Øficial	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete

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