Bella's POV
Pain. That was the first thing I felt. A dull throbbing ache radiated through my body, dragging me back to consciousness. My wrist burned, raw from the cold bite of the metal, and my ankles ached under the weight of the chains.
Then came the smell
Damp stone. Sweat. Blood. Fear.
My eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim glow of flickering light. I wasn't alone. Muffled cries echoed through the iron bars, followed by a voice—low, calculating.
"...A fine one, untouched. Look at that porcelain skin. Gentlemen, we start at a hundred thousand."
A slow, sickening applause followed. bidding. I was in an auction center. My stomach twisted violently. My pulse pounding in my ears as my reality came crashing on me. I wasn't in a prison— I was in a holding cell. A product waiting to be sold.
Panic clawed at my throat, but I swallowed it down.
Think, Bella. Stay calm.
A quiet sob from the cell next to mine sent Ice through my veins, more girls, more prisoners. Just how many of us are there ?
I curled my hand into fist, I will not break, I will not be weak. My instinct kidded in, my fingers reaching for my necklace but met nothing but bare skin.
My breath hitched. F**k.
I had to get it back.
When I heard footsteps approaching. Measured. Slow. Heels clicking against stone.
A woman appeared at my cell door, She was tall, draped in black silk, her green eyes that held nothing but cruelty.
"Finally awake," she murmured, unlocking the door "Time to get you ready."
I clenched my jaw as she stepped inside. Without warning, she yanked me up, the chains rattling as I stumbled.
Pain shot through my body, but I refuse to react.
" Good," she said, eyes assessing me, " no scars, soft skin. A face like a doll." A slow twisted smile curved her lips. "They will be fighting for you."
Disgust churned in my stomach. I wanted to spit in her face, but I kept still, calculating. Waiting.
Just then another footstep approached, heavy and slow, This was my moment to act fast.
I lunged, my teeth sank into her exposed hands, biting hard till I drew blood, she screamed yanking back "you little b***h."
Her hands cracked across my face, the slap sending me sprawling to the cold ground, my cheeks burned, the pain deafening. I forced out a sob, clutching my face.
The heavy footsteps stopped at my cell door.
A presence loomed.
The fear radiating from the woman beside me was instant. she turned, trying to defend herself " this b***h bit me!"
A sharp smack rang out, followed by her choked squeal. "Are you stupid Sienna? you're about to ruin valuable goods and spoil the plans,"His voice low, venomous. "We need her blemish-free."
I let out another week sob, playing the innocent girl act, " please" I whispered, my voice shaking. "My necklace.. it was my mother's. It's all I have left."
Silence.
I felt his gaze, assessing, calculating, scrutinizing. Then, He released Sienna and left. minutes later, he returned tossing the pendant on my lap.
I curled my finger around it, It was a blind timing but it worked. biting back a smirk. Gotcha.
"let's go Puta," she hissed, yanking me up— not as hard this time.
She dragged me down a long corridor, past rows of closed doors. From behind them, I heard it all—whimpers, moans, pleas, and screams.
I forced my expression to remain blank.
She led me into a room where steam curled from a warm bath, without a word, she undressed me, leaving the chains on.
I gritted my teeth forcing myself to shut everything out— the humiliation, the vulnerability.
She scrubbed me, her hands checking my body with sickening precision. she doused me in perfume, concealing marks on my face, dressing me in something soft and delicate— a white gown. Mock purity.
Then, she placed a thin white veil over my face. Like A bride waiting to be sacrificed.
I exhaled slowly, Stay calm, stay in control.
The woman gripped my chin, her nails biting into my skin. "Be good, little b***h," she whispered her lips curling.
"Some men like their purchases obedient."
Her smirked deepened. " while some like them broken." I said nothing as she dragged me away.
The noise of the crowd grew louder.Then—she shoved me forward. I blinked against the blinding lights as I stepped on stage. Silence fell over the room.
The air felt thick—heavy with cigar smoke wealth and wicked hunger. Rows of powerful men sat in velvet chairs underworld oligarchs, warlords, cartel leaders predators. And I was their prey to feast upon.
But I wasn't some weakling, I stood poised with my chin high, refusing to let the chains on my wrists and ankles make me feel small.
The auctioneer's voice rang out, smooth and oily. "Ah, Gentlemen, we save the best for the last." A murmur rippled through the crowd.
" This one is a rarity. Soft as silk, delicate as a rose, untouched by any man. A beauty bred for obedience, she's delicate yet resilient. Exotic yet pure, look at her poise—such grace, such untouched elegance."
I kept my face blank. Calm and Cold. The auctioneer grinned. "And for those who enjoy a challenge—" His eyes glinted. "There's fire beneath that fragile exterior."
Now I kept wondering who was going to buy me and how I could escape my buyer, As the bidding began.
"Five hundred thousand"
"Seven hundred"
"One million"
The numbers climbed fast. My pulse spiked
Then—The air shifted.
A presence made itself known. The hair on the back of my neck rose. Something dark and lethal.
Then his voice. Smooth, rich, yet, deep and commanding. "Five million." The room fell silent. A shiver ran down my spine.
The air felt thick—like the very walls, were afraid of him. I clenched my fist. What kind of man would make a room full of criminals shut up with one Sentence?
The auctioneer stuttered. " Ah....signore, are you sure—?"
" I don't repeat myself," the voice drawled, lazy. Deadly.
My stomach tightened.
His accent—is Italian.
A scent of expensive cologne musk, and power wrapped around me like a vice. I could feel him standing close, his presence looming over me.
Then—I felt Strong fingers. Unyielding, tilting my chin up. I froze as my veil lifted. And I found myself staring into the most intense amber eyes I had ever seen.Golden rings burning like molten fire.Chiseled jaw, slick-back black hair.
He was built like a f*****g God. All hard muscles and inked skin peeking from his suit.
A slow, knowing smirk curved his lips.
Heat coiled low in my stomach. I clench my legs together, ashamed and mortified. What the hell—?
His smirk deepened.
He looked purely evil, as he leaned in, his breath ghosting over my ear.
" Afraid little one?"
I forced myself to meet his gaze. I Lifted my chin. "I don't fear men."
His finger tightened, " I know," his voice dark with amusement. "But I'm not any man."
His breath was warm on my skin, his presence suffocating.
A chill crawled down my spine. I could sense how dangerous he was.
Then I noticed a presence behind him—Lucca the capo to the Italian mafia. But, who could this man be? That moment Lucca said "Don." Recognition slammed into me, and my blood ran cold. This was bad.
The Italian mafia. And he's not just any man. He's the king of the underworld.
He was no God. But the Devil himself. Alessandro de luca.
My stomach dropped, I had been sold to the devil. And he watched me like he could see straight through me.
Then—his voice, dropped low, smooth as sin.
" I own you now, Rosa Mia."