26

On the way to the center of the city we passed near the building where I lived since I made the decision to become independent. I have a lump in my throat, I want to go back to my old life, and I can't.

"There's my department," I comment. It was not my intention to say it out loud.

But he already listened to me.

"I knew that," he admits without seeing me, he remains absorbed in driving.

"How did it happen, Aleksander?" Suddenly I am kidnapped by the Italian mafia and suddenly you have me captive - I am curious about the subject of a double abduction, I have never gotten the correct answers, never.

I am aware of having been locked in an old room for many days, I was crying, lonely under the gloom that increased the uncertainty. Many times I thought that I would die or that I would be raped. That never happened. But I was filled with dread when one of those men came after me, he dragged me out of there, then he put me in the trunk of a car. I remember that oxygen was scarce and I ended up falling into unconsciousness.

When I woke up, I was gagged, in complete darkness. I did not imagine that everything I feared would happen to me and many sordid moments that just bringing to my head makes me nauseous.

—The ones who kidnapped you first were an Italian clan, they are not that strong, they believe they are a mafia but in reality they are a cartel that has lost a lot in recent years. If you wonder why they kidnapped you, they just sabotaged my father's plan. Someone of ours betrayed us and commented to Luca, the man who kidnapped you first. The Italian wanted a piece of merchandise, in exchange for giving you to me. I wasn't going to give him a single penny, a lot of money was at stake, that's why I killed him and got you back.

"You took me against my will," I correct.

"Luca Frattini was going to kill you," he says as if the Italian was the beast, and he wasn't.

"Wasn't that your goal too?"

"But it stopped being that, Luna." It's true that my father wanted you dead, however… "Silence. I turn and see him squeeze the steering wheel, he sighs heavily -. I only had compassion on you because you serve me more alive than ten feet underground, that's all.

It's so cold that my whole body bristles. I hate his callousness.

...

The tour lasts for hours and hours, from one boutique to another, one of them is Journeys, a shoe and accessories store where you will find brands such as Vans, UGG, Converse or Timberland. We left loaded and left everything in the car. At last we will go, I think so, but we are not done.

Aleksander has his fingers attached to mine, the link that only secures me next to him awakens a whirlpool, lights dynamite and a campfire in me. Not even the coat and other clothes that I wear are as thermal as the odyssey that slides on my body.

El Secreto de Victoria.

He goes right to that store, I feel like one of the Victoria's Secret angels in this lingerie store where everything is pink, and it sweeps its bras, lace panties and sportswear.

My jaw drops, especially since I'm here surrounded by so much sassy underwear.

"Don't stand there like a statue," he speaks into my ear, it's an order, he deliberately slides his fingers over the back of my neck, everything inside me vibrates. How I hate that he is a puppeteer who controls me at will -. Come on, Luna, choose something sensual, to give you an idea, I'm already fantasizing about that one over there.

My eyes go where he's pointing. Everything is so tiny, too lace and transparency. Immediately the colors rise to my face. I feel aroused, just to interpret what Aleksander is trying to say. Therefore, without wanting to, and without being able to avoid it, the atmosphere exhibiting mischief everywhere makes me fly to other scenarios.

His body and mine exceeding the limit, his mouth appetizing in the most exotic places of me, the moans, the uncontrollable arching that passion provokes. Everything is a burning labyrinth, I burn, although I only imagine, it has felt so real.

With tied hands I have no choice but to choose lingerie. At all times Aleksander gives me a look pierced by lust, it is inevitable that he will hide it. It is so uncomfortable to take clothes under the deep care of him.

A young woman attends us the moment Aleksander cancels, she is pretty, friendly and before leaving loaded she boasts how good we look as a couple.

"Thank you," I just say.

Do I act that well? If so, they should give me an Oscar.

"They usually tell us that, miss," she continues, widening a smile. Clearly I can see that her gesture has had an effect on the woman, she only needs to drool -. I am the luckiest man to have you, Luna.

As if it weren't enough, she continues with the circus. My cheeks are stained crimson, it's not something I can help myself, I'm ashamed that I'm throwing compliments even though it's all a lie.

I am the unfortunate one to fall into the clutches of him, he is a profiteer, extortionist and cursed. He is hopeless.

"Come on, love," she grabs me around the waist.

Love? I do not understand how such a pure and beautiful word cane come out of that mouth that only blasphemies, indecent, insults and demands often says.

As soon as I leave the store, he frees me.

Wow! He has earned an award for best actor.

Moron.

-Are you hungry?

"No, I have no appetite."

-Oh no? He — studies me like I'm a freak. Noon is gone, I'm starving.

"I just want to go home," I admit.

I notify the car, everything we have brought we leave behind. He opens the passenger door for me, an act that could be considered chivalrous, however he does not do it for that, after all he is not a prince charming, he pretends to be, but I know that he is far from behaving like a good man. All the malevolent being of him could never be good.

"There are so many great restaurants around here, any suggestions?" He asks, he accelerates the car, we immediately join the traffic.

Nothing unusual here in New York.

"I suggest going home, I'm exhausted," I dare to say, even knowing it could be a double-edged answer.

"Let's have a meal together," he resolves to my surprise.

-It's fine.

We arrived at the luxurious house. As soon as we set foot inside the house we heard noises. I drop the bags in the middle of the great room and wait for Aleksander to tell him about what's going on. It is not necessary, the sounds persist on the second floor and he has noticed. He puts the rest of the purchases on the floor and takes out a gun.

My heart cannot bear so much stress.

"Stay here, okay?"

"Y-yeah." I won't even move a bit.

He advances cautiously and ends up disappearing up the stairs.

He braced me for a shot, but the shrill sound never came, but a purr that unnerved me.