The only sound in the safe house was the hum of the air conditioner. Sitting on the edge of a leather chair with her hands clenched together, Alessia trembled. She was exhausted and her muscles ached, but the terror she felt was more intense than anything else she had experienced that day. She was here with Dominic, who stood across the room like a shadow she could never shake, even though she had run away from the men in the alley.
He didn't even twitch at first. Dominic stood erect and looked at her blankly, his arms slightly bent. Alessia's anxiety increased as she gazed at his composed expression. The room felt heavy just from Dominic's silence. he didn't need to yell or cause a disturbance.
She wished so badly that she could escape. Every instinct in her told her to run as quickly as she could. But she was aware that she wouldn't go very far. Running was the only thing she could do. She was unable to leave the territory he controlled. Her body was too exhausted to try to fight, at least not tonight.
Then Dominic strode over to the desk between them and set a large folder on it. The sound in the otherwise silent room startled Alessia. The official-looking folder had a stamped image on the front, thick paper, and sharp edges. Already feeling queasy, she studied it. Documents or letters from Dominic Moretti had never been constructive.
Gradually and deliberately, he advanced closer. "This," he said, touching the folder with a finger, is how you'll move forward. That's the only means you will be safe.
She said rapidly, "What is it?"
He replied, "A contract—a marital contract."
Alessia stopped frozen, uncertain she had heard him properly. Marriages. Following all of other occurrences. Having spent so many years separated Her name, her life after escaping from him for so long.
He stated, "You sign it and legally belong to me." Evermore. None of exit strategies. No opportunity to vanish once more.
Her heart raced; "Dominic... why?"
His eyes darkened. "Because someone is pursuing you; because the people who found you tonight will try once more; because losing you once was too terrible; I won't let it happen once more."
His tone developed rough and very difficult. He was not suggesting it. He already had decided on this. He furthermore anticipated her acceptance of it.
Alessia started to get scared. She wanted to yell that she couldn't marry him, that she didn't want this, and that she had a life that he had no idea about. But then she mirrored Avery's expression. her children. Her young daughter, dependent on her, was waiting somewhere secure. All she needed, and all Alessia had worked so hard to provide, were the doctor's fees, the restless nights, and the drugs.
Dominic took another step toward her. "I can't protect you if you refuse. Furthermore, those who wish to hurt you won't give up—not for you or anyone you know."
Anxious and struggling to swallow she was. Avery was more than just relatives. For a long time, Avery was connected to everything Alessia had done. Should those who hated her come to know her kid...
Concern tightened her chest. No matter what, she couldn't let that happen.
Dominic got the papers closer so she may see them. His fingers softly brushed them, a minor gesture that conveyed volumes. He seemed to be in charge, choosing for her before she might choose herself. "Sign here," he whispered, "or I will toss you into this hazardous world without any safety."
His remarks gave her chill. He was not just ranting enraged comments. He was alerting her to what could occur. She also understood he truly meant what he said.
Shaky hands reached for Alessia's documents. They had many facts, everything was finished, and everything was finally finished. She immediately glanced at the lines with her name, his name, legal vocabulary, and regulations all neatly typed. Her mind could not be changed once she signed. No other opportunity for escaping. She lacked the capacity to return to the plain life she had created.
Her heart was thumping quickly. She stared at Dominic. He watched her without expression, without tenderness, without attempt to comfort her. He appeared as though he had hidden his emotions for decades. The Dominic she once knew, the man who grinned with her, held her, made promises, felt extremely remote right now. The dark world he controlled had altered this Dominic; he was less caring but stronger.
Still, he waited unhurried for her.
Alessia started crying remembering Avery. Had she not survived the evening, she would have given every possession, every difficulty, every anxiety. If Avery failed, she would forfeit all. Elsewhere one could not locate assistance. There is not any other plan. One cannot be secure.
She took a shaky breath, picked up the pen, and flipped the papers totally. Her hand was shaking over the characteristic field. Her entire life seemed to orbit around this one moment. Her own freedom was given up by means of signing. It indicated going back to Dominic's domain—a location she swore herself she would never again enter. It also meant, nevertheless, living long enough to protect her daughter.
Her voice was hard to distinguish. "Is this my last choice?"
Dominic replied quickly. "Yes, it is."
Alessia closed her eyes for a moment. Only briefly. On the piece of paper, she next wrote her name.
On the page, the pen made a subdued sound, but it seemed remarkably forceful and concluding. With trembling hands, she laid the pen aside.
Dominic closed his mouth somewhat. His eyes swiftly shown some emotions, including joy, power, and something not as warm. Closer he came, speaking quietly so she might sense his words on her throat like a black shape.
"It's all over with now."
She shook all over almost. Alessia quietly turned her head, but her throat was so taut that she could not speak.
She had little freedom. Not now, never again.
It was great that she had improved things for her daughter later. It came at a very steep cost, though. She was connected to Dominic Moretti in a way that would always be there, living his life once more. She also felt the reality hit hard in her heart as he stood near to
her.
She lost capacity for autonomous decisions in life.
Still, Avery was unharmed. That was adequate right now.