Chapter 6

Darius's POV

Jumping out the window.

The image replays in my mind, and I burst into uncontrollable laughter. Her feistiness is a spark that promises to keep me entertained; she's so much like her mother. She's sprawled in my backseat, and I'm behind the wheel, having argued with Zain about keeping her. But I will break her spirit. She will serve the punishment for her family. It's my creed: punish my debtors, even the cute and defiant ones. I don't care. Once her father signs the document, I'll put her to work. She'll pay off the debt faster than anyone before her.

We finally reach my villa. As I drive through the massive iron gates, my mind begins to relax. I pull her out of the Lamborghini truck, hoisting her over my shoulder just as I did back at the house. Damn it, though—her skin is the softest I've ever touched. I push aside the thoughts I shouldn't be having.

She's my payment; I must remember that. My sixty-five million dollar collateral.

"Should I take her off your shoulders?" Zain's heavy footsteps and breath on my neck disrupt my thoughts. Why is he so obsessed with Frank's daughter?

"I'm quite capable of lifting a hundred pounds," I reply sarcastically, a cold smile playing on my lips. "Is Frank in the house?" I ask, my tone curt.

"Yeah, I asked my guys. He's in the dungeon. Should we bring him out now?"

"Hmm," I nod thoughtfully. "And fetch our lawyers from the quarters. They need to prepare a document for Frank to transfer his daughter to us. We must avoid any future complications. It has to be completely above board."

Legalities. That's how I shield my empire from the law's grasp—everything meticulously legal. My team of lawyers is adept at devising strategies that continually surprise even me. They encompass a diverse range: criminal lawyers, divorce attorneys, former defense specialists, and even two judges. Beyond them, I maintain a network of legal minds across states and countries where we operate, all under payroll.

These men can justify the unthinkable, making the execution of an innocent man seem like justice. Not once has a member of my family faced indictment, despite our involvement in activities that would shock even hell into silence.

Now within the warmth of my villa, words fall short in describing its grandeur. A sprawling testament to excess, it sprawls over acres, dripping opulence that would humble royalty. Each room is adorned with gold leaf and marble, ceilings painted by renowned artists, and chandeliers reminiscent of ancient European castles. The floors shine with the finest Italian marble, and priceless works of art line the walls. Exotic, rare plants thrive in the courtyards, tended by a legion of gardeners.

The main hall stretches further than the eye can see, with grand staircases that twist and turn like something out of a fairy tale. There's a private cinema, an Olympic-sized pool, and even a helipad on the roof. Despite living here for years, the sheer splendor of my villa still takes my breath away every time I step through its doors. It's a constant reminder of my power, my wealth, and the empire my family has built, worth over a hundred billion dollars.

As I reach the main lobby, I dump the girl a little roughly on the longest couch, wanting her to wake up. And she does, stirring uncomfortably, a mild wince escaping her lips as she starts to push herself into a sitting position, one hand behind her head to curb the obvious pain throb that my fist caused. Her expression is priceless, a maelstrom of emotions dancing on her face, the most evident being confusion and awe.

She looks like Francesca, a little too much, and it makes me uncomfortable. If not for her delicate features that make her look so innocent and beautiful... Yes, she is beautiful. But I'd rather die than say this aloud. But today, I promise that I will not use her for my personal pleasure. I will use her to get my money's worth; she is the daughter of my enemy. I must not forget that.

"Crap... I like this dream..." She gasps, her voice breathless, eyes about to pop out from their sockets.

I snap my fingers impatiently to draw her attention to me. I cannot let her think for a second that this is a dream, as this is her prison, her nightmare. She needs to be aware of that.

My snap brings her gaze to meet mine directly, causing the hope in her eyes to dissipate into shock, then recognition, and horror. For what seems to last forever, we are hypnotized by our gazes, trying to read each other. Except I know that she won't be able to read me as I'm able to read her. First, I have the advantage of my hat. Secondly, I have a cold gaze that's probably scaring the light out of her.

In another second added to our forever staring competition, five of my lawyers file into the lobby, each man wearing a three-piece suit darker than the night with a golden dragon head brooch pinned into their breast pockets. My family empire's logo, one look at it normally instills fear into the hearts of our enemies.

"You..." The girl's voice carries a hatred I can almost taste.

"Yes, me. Meet my lawyers and..." Frank's shrill cry interrupts my introduction, his body tumbling into the space between his daughter and me, courtesy of Zain who kicked him in like a football. "Aha, and here's your father..."

Frank's daughter releases a heartbreaking scream and rushes to him, her knees scraping the tiles as she stumbles toward him. "Dad! Oh my goodness...! Oh my god! What have you guys done to him...!? Daddy! I'm so sorry..."

I grimace at her apology to him. Meanwhile, Frank should be apologizing to his daughter for making her life hell, and for the deeper hell he's about to drag her into. The poor girl has no idea what awaits her, but it's not my place to soften the blow. On the contrary, I'm curious to see how she'll react.

She intrigues me.

Frank, barely able to speak from the thorough beating my brother and his men inflicted on him, makes a feeble movement with his bloodied lips. "Alli...son," he mouths weakly. His daughter leans in, straining to catch his words. Meanwhile, I hear him clearly, thanks to years of training to be the perfect heir to the Hunter's empire. I could hear an ant speak if I listened hard enough. "Forgive me..."

"Forgive you, Dad? For what? I pushed you to these people... I..."

"No... Please no. Don't blame yourself... for this. God forgive me..."

"Enough! I've had enough! No more God business! And no more lies!" I explode, my ears tingling from straining themselves to hear what the two were saying. This scene already makes me sick. Imagine if Dora comes down here, how do I explain to her? But she must be asleep at the other wing, as this part of the villa is completely closed off. Yet I can't be too careful. "Stop wasting my time! Tell her why we are here!"

The once silent room grows denser with silence, but this time out of terror. Everyone is on their toes, including my brother Zain.

"Get up, Frank. And do it now!" I command him.

"Get up?" Allison rises to me, her stature a full foot and several inches shorter than mine, prompting a disappointed curl of my lips. "You want him to get up?" She repeats callously, hate evident in her tone. Her grimace before me is unsettling yet strangely amusing. "After what you've done to him, you expect him to stand!?" She screams at me like a maniac, making me involuntarily tilt my head back.

Behind her, Frank is already on his feet, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder, turning her attention back to him. "Allison..."

She starts to sob, causing an uncomfortable stir in my cold heart.

"Tell her," I insist firmly, my voice carrying a dangerous edge, sending out waves of negative energy.

One look at my partially concealed face, and Frank cracks. "Forgive me, child, but you belong to him for now..."

I stand behind Allison, unable to see her face but sensing the tension in her shoulders. She's caught in a whirlwind of shock, confusion, terror, and disbelief.

"Belong to him? Is he taking us?" She defensively assumes, her voice trembling.

"No," Frank interrupts, shooting me a hateful glance before continuing in a strained voice. "I'm giving you to him. It was my decision. Consider it a sacrifice to save your mom, to save us. You know I can't leave without her, Alli..."

She pulls away from him, turning to face me with wide eyes filled with hurt, causing a lump to form in my throat. I want desperately to offer comfort, but with witnesses present, I can't.

"Is it true? Did he agree to this?" She asks me, her disbelief palpable.

"It was his idea. Originally, we were going to take him, but he offered you instead. Now he's going to sign the documents my lawyers have prepared—a transfer of possession agreement. You'll be in my custody until you and your father settle your debt."

She begins to laugh, a hollow sound filled with heartbreak, prompting a regretful look from the newest lawyer among the five.

"Sixty-five million dollars!? How am we supposed to pay that!? Dad! Please! You can't let them take me..."

Frank ignores her desperate plea, snatching the papers and pen from Zain's hands, signing them before dumping them on the table. "Done. Can I leave now?"

I nod silently as he shamelessly exits, leaving his daughter standing there, stunned and now numb.