Chapter 6 

To be owned by a man. 

The thought haunted me as the sleek black car glided through the city, its interior silent except for the faint hurn of the engine. The leather seat beneath me was cold, stiff, reminding me with every second that I was heading toward a life I didn‘ 

I want. 

The driver hadn’t said a word, his stoic face illuminated by the soft glow of the dashboard. 

I kept my eyes on the window, watching as the familiar streets gave way to an unfamiliar path. 

The neighborhoods grew quieter, the buildings larger, grander, until we turned into a long, winding driveway lined with towering trees. 

When the mansion came into view, my breath caught. 

It wasn’t just a house, it was a fortress. The sprawling structure loomed against the evening sky, its dark brick exterior lit by the soft glow of ornate lanterns that lined the driveway, Ivy climbed the walls, adding an air of timelessness to the dark tall building. 

The windows were massive, glowing faintly with golden light, hinting at the luxury within. 

The car came to a stop in front of the double doors, massive and arched, made of dark wood and flanked by stone columns. 

I swallowed hard, my palms damp as the driver stepped out and opened my door. 

“Miss Montel,” he said, his voice low, clipped. 

I hesitated, my legs refusing to move. 

“Miss Montel,” he repeated, a little firmer this time. 

Taking a shaky breath, I stepped out, my boots clicking against the stone driveway. The doors opened before I could reach them, and two men in suits stepped aside to let me in. 

The inside was as breathtaking as the outside 

The foyer was massive, its marble floors gleaming under the glow of a crystal chandelier that hung like a crown above us. A staircase spiraled upward, its railing ornate, gold–tipped. Every detail screamed wealth–no, power 

“Right this way,” one of the men said, his tone curt as he gestured toward a hall to the left. 

I followed, my heart pounding as we moved through the space. The walls were lined with dark wood paneling, the air filled with the faint scent of leather and whiskey. We stopped in front of another set of double doors. One of the men knocked twice before pushing them open. 

The room was warm and dimly lit, the fire crackling in a stone hearth on one side. The air was thick with smoke, not unpleasant, but heavy 

Dominic De Luca sat at the far end of the room, his legs stretched out casually as he leaned back in a high–backed leather chair. He wore a dark, unbuttoned shirt that clung to his chest, revealing the hint of tattoos curling up his collarbone. His sleeves were rolled up, exposing thick, muscled forearms. 

When he saw me, a slow smirk curved his lips. 

“Aria Montel,” he drawled, his voice smooth and deep, the kind that seemed to crawl under your skin and stay there. 

My legs felt like lead as I stepped inside, the weight of his gaze pinning me in place. He looked at me like he owned the room–like he owned everything in it, including me. 

“Welcome,” he said, gesturing toward the chair across from him. 

I hesitated. 

“Sit,” he added, his tone firmer this time. 

I sank into the chair, my hands clutching the strap of my bag as I tried to steady my breathing. 

He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. The firelight danced across his sharp features, the shadows accentuating the hard line of his jaw, the curve of his smirk. 

“You’re nervous” he observed, his eyes scanning my face. 

“No” I said quickly, my voice betraying me with 

His smirk widened. “Lying doesn’t suit you, Ana Removed from library 

I clenched my jaw, willing myself to hold his gaze. 

“And what do you know about me?” I asked, my voice firmer this time 

“Absolutely nothing if I want you to believe that ” 

Chapters 

I frowned. “State what you want, 

Dominic tied his head, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement. “Straight to the point. I like that.” He leaned back, his arm draping over the side of the chair as he studied me. “You know why you’re here and please don’t call me sir.” 

“Okay” I said, my throat tight 

“I was thinking you would run away,” he said, his voice dropping slightly, “you came anyway” 

I didn’t respond 

He chuckled, low and rich. “You’re interesting. Ana. You know the stakes. Even if you did. I would find you. I will catch you. And I will deal with you.” 

i bristled at the condescension in his tone but bit my tongue 

Dominic’s gaze flicked to the bag in my lap. “Planning on running away now?” 

“No,” I snapped, heat rising to my cheeks “I thought I’d be staying here.” 

His grin deepened. “Oh, you will.” 

The door behind me opened, and a man stepped inside, carrying a thick envelope in his hand. He placed it on the table between us before stepping back and disappearing as quickly as he’d come 

Dominic’s gaze never left mine as he gestured toward the envelope 

“Read it,” he said simply 

I hesitated, my fingers trembling as I reached for the envelope. The paper felt heavy in my hands, its weight a tangible reminder of the decision I was about to make. I opened it slowly, pulling out the crisp document inside. 

The words blurred at first, the weight of the situation pressing on me so hard I could barely breathe. 

“Go on,” Dominic said, his tone calm, almost amused 

I forced myself to focus, scanning the text. It was a contract, detailed and precise. My stomach churned as I read the terms: 

Five months of complete sexual availability 

Accompanying Dominic to events, dinners, and meetings 

Performing private dances for him and, occasionally, his most trusted men. 

Absolute obedience. 

The phrasing was clinical, cold. But the meaning behind the words was clear, I was to become his possession, his plaything, his whore 

In exchange, the debt would be erased 

“Five months,” I whispered, my voice shaking. 

“That’s right,” Dominic said, leaning back in his chair. “Five months of your life, and your family walks away free and clear. No debts, no danger 

I glanced up at him, my chest tightening with anger and despair 

He was watching me intently, his dark eyes gleaming with satisfaction. He knew he had me comered. 

“And if I say no?” I asked, though the words felt hollow 

Dominic’s smirk widened. “Then you already know the answer to that. Your father’s debt doesn’t just disappear, Aria Someone will pay it–one way or another. And it’s gonna be bad. I am being nice by actually giving you a contract and a lee way out” 

My hands gripped the contract tightly, my knuckles white. 

“You’re asking me to give up everything” I said, my voice breaking. 

I’m offering you a way out,” Dominic corrected, his tone firm “Five months, Ania. That’s all I’m asking. After that, you’re free to go 

Free to go 

The words felt like a cruel joke. 

I looked back at the contract, my heart sinking deeper with 

h every word I read. This was my life now, a life I hadn’t chosen, a life i couldn’t escape 

I thought of my mother, frail and crying on the couch of my father passed out in a drunken stupor, too ashamed to face what he’d done. They needed me. 

But I couldn’t ignore the other truth, the one that loomed over me like a dark shadow 

Five months 

I had sex months to live 

Before that time would be up, I might already be dead. 

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